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?

It would help to know more about your career, grade/rank, education, experience and age. Why? Depending on where you are in your career (time wise in earning retirement benefits, you'd be smart to hang around, especially if you get out at 20 and have a disability. Get a retirement from the Army and disability pay from the VA. The higher your grade/rank, the more appealing to recruiters, due to your leadership and management activities. Your work experience; depending on your line of work and location you plan on living, work isn't as plentiful as the government would like you to think, unless you want to work retail, sales or flip burgers. As far as your age, since we are living longer, consider two retirements, one from the military at 38-42 and another from post military activities. At a minimum, would recommend staying in the reserves! Since laws are now in action regarding employers maintaining work positions after your service, makes sense to keep both jobs! Now, something else you should be mindful on that most won't speak of, your timing could not be worse with your ETS being during an election year. Jobs normally get out on hold for some company's be cause the economy will shift either for the better in the government if a Republican gets into office or for the civilian if a Democrat gets into office. Do your research either way...! Best of luck on this one, especially if you have a family and kids!

I have a friend, who is an AF Major, who transitioned two months ago. He is a very bright guy with multiple degrees and had a high level clearance. Unlike you, he was forced out. I was talking to him just yesterday and he said that he's put out over 100 applications for jobs all over the US. He's had phone interviews, online interviews, and in-person interviews, but has not yet landed a job. I suggested that he "network" with former civilian and govt contractors at the different installations he served at. He is going to do just that, but it still doesn't change that he's currently out of a job. Just an FYI. Good luck to you, SGT Baker

I had to get out Honorable Discharge for Hardship reasons. Both my parents were disabled, not getting enough money to survive. I gathered proof from their Doctor of their conditions. My younger brother was to young to work. I had been sending 1/2 of my checks home, but I was only an Airman, then A1C, this being in 1982 so I was of little help. After gathering all the pertinent information I informed my Supervisor to double-checked as much of the information as possible, then wrote me a Good Recommendation, had me go to the First Sgt who had a lot of questions to ask, then all this information when to the Commander of Supply who approved, I then had to go to HQ's Personnel with all the information and recommendations. My Father-in-law provided proof that I 100% had a civilian job waiting on me where he worked and I would be making three times what I was in the military, they out-processed me in a day. Per Diem to get from HAFB Homestead to South Carolina was barely enough to the penny to get myself and the wife home. I wish EVERYDAY that I could have finished my time in the service, but with a MOS change. It haunts me to this day, but family is extremely important. Hope this helps some.

I stayed in past 20. During casual conversation with friends who got out before 20 they start out by saying how great everything is and by the end the discussion they regret their decision. It's usually for financial reasons.

SGT, I spent 27 years of my life in the Navy. Loved every minute of it. And I do miss it. But I am glad that I am out and living and doing all the things I always wanted to and never had time to. Yes--YOU WILL MISS IT, if it is in your blood like it was mine, but you will find your place. You will still be the same person you are now, and you will find other outlets for your drive and abilities.
On a practical note, be prepared (as well all learn). Do you have a plan for when you get out? Job? Living location? Family? ETC? If you don't have a plan, than wait. Unless you want to get out and develop a plan as it comes. Although we know that is usually not a good move, but it works for some. Depends on your life goals and situation. The military is dependable, pays fairly well, and FUN (usually). But so can civilian life be as well.
In the end itis a personal decision. Good luck with whatever decision you make and Thank You for your service.

MACS (Ret) Chris Rubino

I would ask how long have you been in? IMO if you been in for 10 or over then stay in. If this is your first enlistment then you have to ask yourself if you like the military life. The chance of having to move to another base or deploy. Do you like your job? How is the opportunity for promotion? In one field I was in, Gunner on the B-52, it was a small group so rank advancement was hard. If you don't like your job can you cross train to something you might like better?

Unless you got something in writing lined up I would stay in. You could get out and never find a job to your liking that pays worth a crap or that you enjoy. If you like the military then I say stay in because you will miss it and regret it later down the road.

I retired in 92 and I still think about it and dream about it. If I were still physically able and they would let me, I'd go back in New York minute. It's your decision, but the benefits I enjoy today are totally worth the 20 years+ that I served.

Brother I my first question or you is this, do you have a degree? If not stay in and get on while on active duty much easier than going to the VA or school admin personnel. Good luck

This is a tough decision that I have thought about many times. The only thing I recommend is that you get out of an MI unit if you continue to stay an MP. You could fall behind your peers in MP training that you may not be receiving while in the MI world.

Hey, if anyone gives you a concrete answer for this, they're fooling you. I miss the hell out of the military. It get in your blood and becomes part of who you are. Remember you'll have to transistion sooner or later. Make this call on your own. Soul search and decide what's best for you. It's your career. Only one person needs to be happy with your descision. YOU!!! Best of luck.