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?

SGT Baker,
You are living an adventure most will never relate to. Don't transition unless you have a solid plan. That would include using your GI Bill to gain your college degree or going into a profession like law enforcement. Just understand that it is not the same. Do what you enjoy or what you could enjoy with the right training. Think about ROTC or the National Guard and you can always go back.

It is weird. That is all I have to say. One day you carry a rifle and are doing the most bad-ass things on this planet, and the next . . . you have to be "normal". My suggestion is to find veteran groups to support yourself as you transition. There is a significant sense of isolation upon leaving. I never thought I would seek out veterans. I just wanted to be me. Problem is, we are all products of our environment. Now, I find veterans or they find me. We do great team-based work (effortlessly) and we advise our civilian counterparts. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and remember who will help carry you to fruition!

I was in your position before. I did four years enlisted on active duty and then ETSed. My plan was to go to college and work in law enforcement. I carried out my plan to some degree, but found myself reenlisting in the ARNG three years later. Eventually, I got my commission and went back on active duty in the AGR program. I am very glad I did. The best part of being back in was the camaraderie with my fellow Soldiers and I was blessed with all those great memories :)

If your not sure and your ETS is coming up don't get out. I was like you with my first enlistment as a MudPuppy and was under 30 days before terminal leave was due to start. I reupped and reclassed (not the best thing, but damn sure wasn't the worst). Do an extension or reup for two so you have more time to finalize a decision. Nothings worse than getting out and finding that your plan wasn't correct, or you regret the decision. You didn't mention if you had a family or not, so if you do, talk to them. They're an integral part of the transition out or staying in. The GI bill is great, but remember you'll only get BAH for where you are, and it could be rather cheap. Also with it, if you decide to use online schooling rather than brick and mortar/hybrid classes, the BAH rate is cut in half. Learn about the FULL benefits of the GI Bill and not the rosy glossed over parts.
I see you're assigned to INSCOM. So you have a clearance. If you choose to say in, think about reclassing unless you're GTG as a MudPuppy (great MOS BTW) lol. If you choose to get out, USE THE CLEARANCE to your advantage. I know a few MP's that were assigned to INSCOM at Belvoir that got out and used it to their advantage. Just make sure it's current.

I've been out almost 10 years. Johnny Cash said the first pill he ever popped was euphoric. Every pill he took after that never replaced that initial feeling he got with the first one. The military is the first pill. Civilian life is every pill after that.

SO there I am, just last night on my way home from a senior NCO meeting stopping for gas at about the half way mark. A fella at the next pump walks over to me and asks if I was in Afghanistan pointing to my patch. I told him no, Iraq and as I turn to look at him realize he was one of my former Soldiers from my first howitzer section. I counseled him about leaving the Guard because he had a great attitude, lots of smarts for artillery, and seemed to love the job. Well being a Spec. 4 (it was that long ago), he knew everything (some things never change in the Army). I ran into him about five years after that and he told me he wished he had stayed in. I pounced at the opportunity to put him back in boots, but he had hurt his back and was no longer medically eligible. I told him that was nonsense until after he had a physical. He told me he had taken another military physical and they said he could not re-enlist with his injury. IF your undecided, the reserve component is an option you should not over look. If you like your current job and the Army, STAY. It is a tough life, but so is life on the outside. One benefit of the Army over civilian life is you never have to decide what to wear in the morning! If you don't like doing the Army thing full-time, GET OUT. Don't stay because you are afraid of the transition, but look at the Guard and Reserve.

I miss it still, 20+ years later. I also kick myself because I could have retired 2 years ago.

I joined when I was 17, let my first wife talk me into getting out, I have regretted it to this day. I could have retired at 37. I could have picked up another job or just chilled, but either way, Life would have been better . If you have a very good trade, you may want to come out, but remember retirement age is 67 now and they want to move it up to 70. Also the competition in the open job market is strong and jobs are a lot leaner than when I got out. I would seriously give it a lot of thought. Do online research for the civilian career you are considering and see how tough the competition is. You may have to relocate , start lower than your skill level, etc.

SGT Baker, as one who has been where you are, I know how scary it can be to get out. I was active duty Navy for 8 years and was out ten years for school then came back in the Army. I worked at the VA hospital as a chaplain during that time and many of the veterans I talked to wished that they had stayed in. At this point, if you enjoy it, I would encourage you to stay in, maybe this is what you were meant to do!

If you enjoy what you do and like being in, stay. There are good reasons to stay and to go, and it really depends on what you want to do in life.

It's also hard to find a job you like to do. If you don't like what you're doing or it doesn't support you and your family, it's time to move on. However, if you're happy, stay.