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 enlisted at 17. I was convinced that 20 years was a lifetime. I did not retire and now in my mid 50's, I regret it everyday. I could have been collecting a check since I was 37 like many of my friends. Life would be so much easier today. Of course now I know, 20 years is but a blink in a life.

I would stay in unless you have an iron clad job. It's not easy out here as a veteran.

It depends on the person & situation. I got out because of family medical issues & I didn't like moving around, but I did go Army Reserve though & retired from there I would do it all over again. If you do get out definitely go to the Transitioning Training they will help you find a job in the civilian world, by training you on how to interview & other helpful hints. Its also a good way to network, speaking of networking get yourself a LinkedIn Profile. If you don't like what you are doing reclassify to another MOS or if you want to be at another place transfer, which can be done but it is hard. Start looking at Government jobs that you will fit right in with your experience & training, especially if you have Security Clearance.

Questions you have to ask yourself:
How many years till I retire?
Do I have a solid plan/job once I get out?
Do I like what I do?

It depends, are you squared away? Are you ready to keep a job, or to get that degree? I didn't that get that much rank, but I ets'd, signed up for my GI Bill and knock it all out; I got a job within the first month at a factory for a little extra cash. I'm a Special Ed Teacher now, making CPT money and only working 6mths a year. I'm happy. So, I ask again, Are you squared away?

Well I too had that decision decades ago, I enjoyed the military, but I decided to leave active duty. I had been stationed in Germany, I could not locate any relatives in Germany but I liked the country. I had relatives I visited in Norway, my dilemma was should I ETS in Europe, and take a yea to travel before returning to the States. I decided against it, I reasoned I could assimilate too easily, Then If I stayed in Europe I would never return, so I came home. I looked for a National Guard or Reserve unit to join. I enjoyed many great experiences in the Army and Air Force. I had several enjoyable civilian jobs during that time. I earned Military retirement, Civil Service retirement, and an AT&T retirement,and Social Security retirement. I feel very blessed to have served in many fine units, with many fine people. I also saw the civilian side with both Civil Service, and Private Companies. It is definitely not for every one, but explore all options, and consider carefully before disguarding any of them. I wish you all the best.

Something said I down voted but I didn't down vote anything on purpose. I separated after 4 years active duty. I did go to school and obtained my nursing degree and RN license but I wish I would have gone back in. My reasons for separating were family related but looking back I should have stayed. 25 years have passed and my civilian career has been rewarding but I feel it could have been better. Think about it carefully.
Regards,
Byron

If your having a Prosperous Experience: Stay In! If you are having a bad: Maybe you should consider getting out!

The decision is yours and yours alone, of course if you are married, then you will have to consult with your better half. I spent 35 year in the military, and have no regrets, what I recommend is the following; it all depends on the MOS you have,if it is one that looks good with regards to promotion; then you should consider staying in. Ask yourself, why do you want to stay in or for that matter, why do I want to get out. I worked for 14 months after I got out, quit and never went back to work, my retired pay as well as my disability is more than enough to do what I want to do; think very wisely before you make that decision, as I mentioned earlier, I have no regrets!.

If you chose to get out, make sure that you have a plan. Many folks fail because they get out without a plan and find out that the outside is harder than they thought. Don't get out just because you are tired of the military bullsh**. There is plenty of that on the outside too. The other advice I would give is that if you do get out consider joining the Guard or Reserves. There many advantages to maintaining your connection to the military.
However, you are doing the right thing by thinking about it now and seeking advice.
Good luck.

I ETS'd out of active duty as a SSG with 13 years. For me it has been worth it. I'm in law school and looking forward to doing something worthwhile that will pay well for the hard work. That was my plan when I got out and it works for me but make sure you have something that will work for you. Like a lot of people have said, there are pros and cons of staying or going. If you stay in make it worth your time. Do the fun things but really look at your education. You've got time to make a good plan to ETS or you can re-up. I have class mates that will be graduating with six digits worth of college loan debt. With the GI Bill, you have a lot of options! If you don't want to do college than look at some technical training. My advice is figure out where you want to go, that will pay enough to make it worthwhile. The military boots you eventually whether it's in a year or 20.