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. THE BENEFIT FOR STAYING WILL BE WELL WORTH IT. THE OUTSIDE WORLD IS UNFORGIVING ND REGARDLESS OF THE JOB YOU'LL DEAL WITH THE SAME BS OUTSIDE AS IN BUT WITH OUT RETIREMENT BENEFITS IN THE CIVILIAN WORLD AT A YOUNG AGE. WISHED I'D STAY AND WHEN I WANTED TO RE-UP cLINTON SAID NO SINCE AT THE TIME HE WAS REDUCING OUR FORCES SO STAY IN. TRUST ME YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU HAVE

I have been out for almost 2 months now and im starting the job search now and its very surreal. You really have to be motivated and have a skill set or a plan to go to college when you get out. Having a plan is the best advice i can give you and just know there are so many places you can find a job at if you get.out. If you have a lot of debt i would strongly suggest staying in the military and pay it.off and.then after your next enlistment is up and you are close to being debt free and still want.to.get out then def do it! I enjoy the free time i have to spend with family. Good luck!!

You have been given some very valuable advise but the thing you need to do is to follow your heart. We can give you all the advise about what was good for us, but you need to decide what is best for you. If you look forward to getting up excited every day to do your job, stay where you are. If not, get out.

I stayed for 20. Looking back I realize that my time in the military was the best for me. If you love what you do stay. There is no comparison in the outside world to the experience you gain in the military. I wouldn't trade my time for anything.

I say it's time to have a NCO forumn to discuss those things

FYI! I have a friend who stayed in USAF to retire with 20 years, just had a medical bill of $45,000 and he paid $25.00. Not a bad deal! Retirement has significant benefits!

I wouldn't ETS unless I had a job that will pay about what you are getting now. I regret getting out and wish I would have stayed, the retirement would be nice for the house payment and I would have been able to retire early form the civilian job before 60yrs and do more while still young.

SGT Baker, two things. 1st and foremost is if you dont have a plan for employment do not get out. You will not find an equivalent civilian job that has the pay and benifits that you now enjoy. It will take a lot of time in a civilian job to spin up to what you are used too now. 2nd If this tells you anything I got out of the Airforce after 4 years of active duty. Missed it so bad after a year I Joined the Reserves, that was 22 years ago. Good luck Soldier and thank you for serving.

Go Warrant and stay in.

Sgt - I had the great privilege of meeting Retired CMSgt of the Air Force, Chief Perrish. He personally spoke with every Airman he could - asking them, where they were from, how their careers are going, and if they were planning to re-enlist. Many of those Airman were not sure. Chief's words were - separating was absolutely good as long as you have a plan. In other words - separate because you served your country and its time to move on to bigger and better things in life. He ask them - do you have a job lined up, are going to college, etc. Bottom line Sgt - do you have a plan?