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 wrestled with this long and hard when my first enlistment was up. There wasn't as much access to economic information or job situations back then, so it was a crap shoot. I was really good at my job, did well on WAPS and made E-5 in under 4 years so I could stay in (we were drawing down from Vietnam) and do very well for myself. That was a lock. All I knew was the I really wanted to go to college and the GI Bill would get me there. It's the leap that's hard because then you are committed and leaving the familiar and comfortable. After I got out I always sort of felt like I'd wasted those 4 years because they didn't work towards a civilian retirement. Later I joined the US Army reserve (fire fighter) while in Law school and it was great! I met some nice people, we had a small, but good unit and I learned a lot. The best part was how nicely it worked out when I came back in as a JAG and was an 0-3E over 10 for pay, plus computing my retirement date. It all worked.
Still - a hard choice. Make your list of where you see yourself in 5, 10 or 15 years. List the climate you most enjoy and would want to live and try to figure out your best path with loads of alternatives that aren't bad either, because life is all about not ending up where you thought you'd wind up. Nobody is more surprised then me.

I retired in 2012 while the deployments were still fairly heavy. I got a job with Northrop Grumman and that lasted until now when the government stopped funding us thus we were laid off. I have an MBA with 24 years military experience and can't get a job in a state who's unemployment is one of the lowest in the US. Stay in.

I got out after 5 years and don't regret it. I've never appreciated not having control and responsibility for my own life, so I got out. Yes, there were lien times (lived on Microwave baked potato with cheese and ranch dressing for a couple of months), but I always had the option to move to a different place, find a better job, tell an asshole boss to "shove it".

That said, my brother in law loves the structure... he was medically discharged from the Navy, worked hard to recover and turned around and joined the Army. He's a lifer and it's good for him.

I do miss the things that you just can't do in civilian life... Formation runs, Air Assault stuff, where else can you carry trucks around underneath helicopters?

I feel like you already know your answer by the clues in your question. You sound like you don't want to leave just yet. When you really want to leave, I feel like you will know. Re-up!

I say stay in for the long haul and retire it might suck but drive on and carry on hoorah

I had few regrets about re-enlisting. I would have stayed beyond 20 years but the MEB said I couldn't do my job anymore. If you originally joined at 18 or even 23 when I did, you'll still be young enough to start another rewarding career. Try to get a degree while you're still active duty if you can and consider seeking an in-service commission. That will create greater opportunities when you retire from the service.

I came across the same type of problem. I stayed In the service and don't problems that I stayed in. I still miss it till this day. Enlisted 1971 retired 1991. If you want to talk call [login to see] '

Consider doing a one year extension under Rule A. This would allow you more time to figure out exactly what you want to do.

Doing what going ware get your but back to retention and re-up NOW SGT.

Stay in the economy stinks.