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 in

SGT Baker,
It all depends. I left without any in, in the middle of the recession but I had a plan and stuck to it. For me it has been worth getting out. The Army for me if I had stayed in would be to deploy again and again.. I couldn't handle the loss of quality time in general. It comes down to what you value. Some people regret leaving the Army.. i know it was time for me, even if I reenlisted in the Reserves.

The transition will be a difficult experience if you aren't already targeting jobs/careers you are interested in. There is also an enormous personal and emotional change to be adjusted to. A good network of people from both sides who can counsel, encourage and at times...give you an outlet to "get it out" will be invaluable. Best Wishes!

SSG (Join to see) I have read some great comments to your question. Most enlisted personnel have been in this dilemma at least one time in their career. I made both decisions. I ETSd and was discharged from the USMC and then when Desert Shield / Desert Storm kicked off, I went to a USMC recruiter and was basically told no. Just prior to 9/11 I rejoined the Army National Guard and just after 9/11 returned to active duty for the remainder of my career. There were so many things I missed and felt were missing from my life without military service. The benefit package alone is enough to make you think twice. Between pay and benefits how do your opportunities outside the military stack up? If I were you, I would make a list of short term accomplishments and long term goals and then evaluate whether staying in the military or getting out better supports these objectives and goals. Lastly, this is a deeply personal decision we have all made. LTC David Stender has many great comments about transition to the USAR or Army National Guard and likewise, SSG Warren Swan has some great advice on staying in until the right and best decision can be made. It is a tough economy for finding stable as well as gainful employment, and if I were in your shows that would be a huge decision maker for me. Good luck and thank you for your service.

For many of us, our time in the Service is like college, we come in get lots of life experience, and then move on to other life adventures. I retired recently, and it was a bit of a culture shock. There is a different mindset among the general non-military population. Not better, not worse, just different. If you are up to the challenges of paying for your own housing, medical insurance, and food, you'll be fine. The military is a great lifestyle, no doubt about it, with that said, it's going to end whether it's next year or when you retire as CSM 30 years from now. The world will not stop turning when you get out, and there is always the Guard/Reserve as a way to keep the Army in you life, even if it isn't every day.

It just depend on you sgt, some individual i know have alot of thing they miss and can't do when still in service, some can manage. So it just depend on you and your commiment.

The original posting was in AUG 2015 and just appeared in my feed.
I would be interested to know what SSG Miranda Baker ultimately decided.
For others who may be reading, if ambivilant about what to do, go talk to your Retention NCO.
FYI, the Retention NCO should know you are close to ETS and should contact you, but don't wait.
There may be an option to extend for the same duty assignment.
Or reenslit to go to a different assignment, or a school that will enhance your career path or change it.
Or reenlist or extend to go to a school keeping same assignment.
If separating, consider going to USAR or ARNG, depending on your MOS and location.
On getting out, my career path was such that getting a job was no problem after retirement.
It felt odd not having to get a DA 31 to travel.

Sir,

Follow your heart, however, reality, I would stay in the military, make a career out of it!
If you’re meeting all the military expectations, doing the right thing, you’re at the fortitude of being a successful soldier.
20 years going so fast than you can retire with a pretty good pension and then do whatever you need to do for the rest of your life. At least you’ll get income indefinitely or until death do your part! Army Strong!!! Go Army

Not sure if people ever do updates on questions like this but...I ended up getting DA selected for Drill Sergeant and decided to do it. 4 years later and I am still in.

Re-up for 6 more years of active duty, and then get out and join the workforce - or you'll spend the next 5 years unemployed. Nothing on the outside will change until the next president has an opportunity to implement policies designed to grow the economy; which is what's needed to create more jobs. Take a college course or two while you're still in, if you can...make sure it's at an accredited school - not University of Phoenix or some other BS institution that's there solely to take your GI Bill money...