I am coming close to my ETS and I have no idea if I want to stay in or get out. For those who have ETS'd how is it?

I was in the Army & turned down a really nice duty assignment at Ft Shaftner,HI & got out in 83 after a 2 1/2 yr break in service lost two ranks but went back into the Army & ended up retiring in 95 by being offered the 15yr Retirement option during the Clinton era & glad I took it.

I always thought life would be greener & easier on the other side of the fence, unfortunately that was not the case for me & it's even harder if your married with kids to take care of. One thing that's a win-win situation with the Army is Job security.

As long as you enjoy what your doing stay-in, if not reclassify or reenlist into something like Computer cyber security, a definite employment perspective on the outside nowadays & even better into the future. My advice is STAY IN. Good Luck to you...

I definitely miss it at times, but civilian life is way better (I think so anyways), I feel like you are much more appreciated, and you can do many more things that you had to either get permission to in the service, or couldn't do at all. Getting a job as a veteran is a cake walk and 8 hour days are a breeze. Overtime and holiday pay is amazing. it is true that you get less time off, but I find in large that you don't need as much time off, I have a job I don't really need a vacation from and when I do want to do something different, there is plenty of paid time off waiting for me. It's not like you are going home on leave every time you want to take a vacation, you can take a single day of time off and really get a lot out of it, especially if you couple it with a weekend. I honestly think that it is, in fact, easy out here. The service has prepared you to deal with a lot worse, this is cake. Oh and another thing, you don't like a job you just got, put in your two weeks after you've easily found another and move on.

Now is a great time to transition. Back when there weren't any support programs, a crappy GI bill, and no knowledge of PTSD, it didn't make sense to get out. If you have a plan, you have access to support groups, medical benefits, education, and employers who make hiring veterans a high priority.

Only stay in if you truly love what you are doing. If you want to move on to the next chapter of your life, it's the perfect time to do it.

Unless you have a solid plan in place to transition into a civilian career you will love (with a job offer) -- and you've accounted for all the benefits you will lose when you separate with you new income -- I would recommend any Service Member to Re-Up. If you do separate, continue to serve in a reserve capacity provided your new career allows you to.

SPC Michelle Nelson - Thompson - Exactly, the answer I am giving the SGT I gave it assuming that he is maybe 4 or 5 yrs in and up for his first reenlistment. This is the point where he has invested some and already can enjoy the rewards and benefits. If he stays another reenlistment then he would be older and would have invested more in the enlisted military career where if he gets out he would feel the financial difference more than if he gets right now. After your first enlistment most of us had a decent paycheck that is closer to adjust to college life than if we were a higher grade NCO and used to better lifestyle. Also the longer you stay in the more chances you have more bills and responsibilities that limit your choices because now you have higher financial needs. BTW, sorry that you were not taken care off correctly while in the military.

I actually did re-up for two years. If you're not sure re-up for the shortest time possible and then re-evaluate your choices.

MAJ (Join to see) - A lot of my time read like a Shakespearean play. Still could not beat the life experiences, camaraderie and lifelong memories and friends created. Has to happen to someone and I know it's not the norm. It's why I still encourage people to join. I think they should push high school forward a year and make boot camp mandatory. I went over summer vacation between my Junior and Senior year. Came out a different person as most everyone does.

SPC Michelle Nelson - Thompson - LOL! Funny you mentioned that. I served jointly with Spaniard and French forces and I forgot which one was it but they told me that they had to serve two years in the military before 28 yrs of age. I was told this back in 96 so I am not sure if this was true or still but I thought it was a great idea. I believe many young people have too much of an entitlement mentality and dont appreciate the freedom of our country and how good they really have it. I think boot camp was at the least mandatory upon high school graduation LOL! Anyways thats another subject in itself!

MAJ (Join to see) - it has its pros and cons like any other duty.

MAJ Maynard, good advice Sir. I too was active in the USMC, Army and then finished up AGR in Civil Affairs. Pro's and con's but definitely worth it, certainly less formations!

MSG Dominique Vidrine - Well less formations sounds good when you're tired of them.... Now I miss them

I went AGR, glad I did.