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?

STAY! STAY! STAY! No matter what your friends say, No matter what your family says, You are a buck sergeant, you've laid the ground work for a great career! Try to get some overseas travel in, in a non combat zone of course. You could even cross train! Yeah, stay!

SGT Miranda Baker, if you are married that is a question that has to be answer with your spouse opinion, but if you are single stay in, the ARMY has new challenges ahead and need good NCO's and Officers with experience around, besides its fun and you will miss it.

I just want to thank everyone who provided information and advice! I logged on today and had over 10 responses. I appreciate all of your help. I have learned some other avenues I can take. This is my year out month, so I will be meeting with retention to see what is offered. I'm not worried about a job getting out, just worried about missing what I currently have as far as experience opportunities with my current job. I love the cool stuff that I get to do as a MP, especially on deployments! If there is anyone on here that can help me network with jobs that require a TS I would really appreciate some information as well. Thank you everyone!

I REMEMBER THINKING THE SAME THING WHEn I WAS GETTING CLOSE TO ETSING ITS A TOUGH DECISION WHAT I DID WAS I JOINED THE USAR THAT WAY COULD RETURN BACK TO ACTIVE DUTY WITH THE SAME RANK IF I DECIDED TO I WAS LUCKY I GOT A GOOD JOB AS A CORRECTIONS OFFICER SO IT PAYED OFF FOR ME I THEN CONTINUED MY MILITARY CARREER IN THE USAR AND DID 23 YRS THERE ARE ALOT OF THINGS TO THINK ABOUT EMPLOYMENT BEING ONE OF THEM WHAT EVER YOU DECIDE GOOD LUCK

Life is much different out here and you have to ask yourself a few questions. First, of all do you have a family and can you make enough to pay the medical bills and save for college and retirement on the outside. Secondly, if you are enjoying the Army then finish your time, invest well and rise your family, education yourself and enjoy life. The Army provides so many benefits that we take them for granted sometimes, look around and really see what’s really there. You are worry free, your family is being taking care of, you never have to worry about getting or keeping your job. I could continue but I will stop here because I believe you are tracking with me on this.

CSM Ashe (Retire)

I found that getting out was one of the hardest yet most gratifying things I could have done. In the short term I faced issues with a loss of identity because I knew who SGT Thomas was but didn't really know who David was. I also faced trouble finding employment in the short term due to my lack of education at the time. As a result I decided to go to college and earn my degree. I finished Bachelor's degree in 35 months from start to finish. Two months later I found employment with the Department of the Army as a civilian employee. That was five years ago and I am now six pay grades higher than I started. Many leaders will try and scare you about the civilian world but I would ignore them because honestly they have no idea what they are talking about. You should have heard the comments I got: "what are you gonna do work at McDonalds?"
The key to a successful transition is planning and realistic expectations. I had about $13K saved up which was barely enough to get started with. I also had some unrealistic expectations regarding employment. I figured my NCO experience would be good enough to find something. I was wrong. I was overqualified for the crappy jobs and under qualified for good ones, with nothing available in between. One of things to remember is a potential employer does not really care what you did before only what value you can provide them in the here and the now. Use your ability to be flexible, improvise, plan and execute and you will be fine.

What was your final decision?

I got out in 95. No problem with the transition, I now am part owner of a electrical contracting company. However I miss the Corps daily. I don't miss the b.s. but the people the mission the way of life yes. If you like what you are doing or can make a lat move I would stay. There may be days you hate it, but guess what it's no different out here and sometimes I think it's worst. My two cents. Semper Fi.

In 1992 I ETS'd and shortly there after started to regret it. I have since rejoined (in 2008 after a 16 & 1/2 year break) as a reservist and am glad to be back in and to be a part of the army. There are always day's that I would rather be some where else but the comradery that can be found among soldiers can't be found any where else in the world.

I was the master shammer E4, and couldn't wait to end my groundhogs day life in the army. The grass was gonna be greener, the beer colder, and the sun warmer. Come to find out, I didn't have a single fucking plan, which is mistake 1, as most people have stated. #2 is that the grass isn't always greener on the civilian side...sometimes there isn't even grass to begin with. Third is that the there is going to be a big hole in what used to be your waking hours. In the army, you are always doing something, going somewhere, and bitching about nothing in particular. You have friends, a place to sleep that is free, shitty free-ish food, all the basic amenities, plus a decent pay check. NONE of those things are guaranteed on the outside. The positive side is that you get to make you. You can get a job, go to school, go back home, go wherever you please, and do whatever you want now. It just depends on what you value in life. I'm fairly materialistic, and enjoy having cool toys to play with, and I'm terrible with my finances. Schools not a bad option, and it opens a lot of doors, and it is pretty interesting. Though you may find yourself bored to tears, because out here, you gotta find your own task and purpose. Basically in the army, your life revolves around your job, in the civilian world, you get kind of separate the two with varying levels of effectiveness. Find out why you want, find out if the outside world can get you that, make a plan (numerous plans, they're all gonna fail at some point), and execute. For everyone it's different, I miss it, you may ritualistically burn all your uniforms while laughing your ass off out of hatred of the big green weeny...