I am in this dilemma of doing 20 years or getting out. With global scenario, is serving even considered honorable?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 14:25:21 -0500

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2017 2:29 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 14:29:25 -0500

You are not doing it for others, you are doing it for you and your family. Serving is valued by many, not all. If you are happy with the service, keep going, if not go home.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2017 3:33 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 15:33:49 -0500

If you don't find honor or value in service, I hope you leave. Good luck.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2017 3:39 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 15:39:54 -0500

As pointed out the honor of service is up to you. There would be no military if everyone who served in the Vietnam Era quit because most people felt their serving was not honorable.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 30 at 2017 4:17 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 16:17:21 -0500

What Global scenario? You either serve out of serving the nation and helping people, anything else won't help you go the route.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2017 5:59 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 17:59:17 -0500

Thanks for your responce. I have a fair stable job outside, but I like wearing the uniform from my childhood and pursued it for part time (due to personal reasons) .My major factor is most reserve /guardsman are trying to get out and civilian employers (other than DoD contractors ) don't like you taking leaves for military reasons. I am on my 8 year mark and is time to sign my papers for next enlistment.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2017 7:43 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 19:43:35 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member For me, serving my country was something that I wanted to do, and was honorable. Who cares what other people think? If you think it is the honorable thing to do, continue serving, If not, I would find another line of work.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2017 7:47 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 19:47:51 -0500

Of course it is. But it depends upon what you yourself consider to be Honorable, Respectful, Loyal and professional.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2017 8:19 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 20:19:35 -0500

Block out politics and what's trending. Live by your own values. That's the only way to be fulfilled in what you do.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2017 2:17 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 02:17:43 -0500

Sergeant I personally see us getting into a big fight sometime in the future, if that's what you mean by globally. As for honorable? That's a question you have to answer for yourself. Do you think you're still an honorable person, an honorable Soldier, an honorable NCO, have you served your Soldiers and the Army with honor? To hell with what the media and people who haven't experienced anything outside of their home town or the block thinks, what do you think? Do what's good for you and your family, and if that's staying in then go for it.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Dec 31 at 2017 2:21 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 02:21:02 -0500

If you need to ask that question of whether serving is honorable, you need to do a gut check and re-evaluate your priorities.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 31 at 2017 6:30 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 06:30:54 -0500

If you are over 10yrs, it is dumb to get out. I am so glad now I am getting my military pension as my knees are shot and have had to cut back in my civilian job, so the pension is now picking up the slack. Think long term.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2017 8:26 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 08:26:21 -0500

Yes, because at any point in the near future you could be put on the front lines of the NoKo conflict, for example. Today may be riskier than ever before.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Dec 31 at 2017 8:36 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 08:36:15 -0500

What global scenario? Review your enlistment oath; there is nothing that refers to anything than protecting our nation and its principles as defined by our constitution. Serve as long as you value those principles and are willing to live up to the oath.

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Dec 31 at 2017 10:06 PM

SSgt David Tedrow — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 22:06:33 -0500

If you even have to question whether your service is honorable it might be time to get out.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Jan 2 at 2018 7:45 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Tue, 02 Jan 2018 19:45:17 -0500

If you have to ask I would say you should get out immediately.

Response by SGT Bleddyn Wilson made Jan 4 at 2018 7:52 AM

SGT Bleddyn Wilson — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 07:52:30 -0500

Yes it is ...

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jan 4 at 2018 7:57 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 07:57:11 -0500

To even ask the question I would not want you in my squad. If you have to question if your service is honorable then you don't belong.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2018 11:59 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 11:59:43 -0500

The way you phrase the question implies something that i will comment on. Hopefully it helps.
I have served under five Presidents, not all of whom sent me off on missions I agreed with. Some had questionable importance to US security. Others had a genesis in questionable intelligence. Still others had difficult to comprehend or execute objectives.
You know what?
IT DOESN'T MATTER.
I served because I wanted to.
I served because my father did, and his father before him.
I served because I believed in the people to my left and right, and would do anything for them.

I still serve because I think I am one of the best at what I do, and I have a few more lessons to impart to those that follow before I hang up my boots for the last time.
If that sounds anything like you, fall in and follow me.

If not, go in peace with your head up and proud of what you have done.
Both courses are honorable.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jan 4 at 2018 12:23 PM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 12:23:55 -0500

The Military service is and always has been Honorable. What is dishonorable is those that never served or contributed to fail and show proper respect for those that fought for the freedoms they got to enjoy but someone else, to be specific those Military Men and women who paid for those freedoms !

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 4 at 2018 1:13 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 13:13:11 -0500

You need to consider your personal and family goals and objectives. If being in the Reserves still satisfies important goals and objectives, then stay in. If not, get out. I recommend staying in the Reserves. The 20-year retirement is worth a great deal in my experience. The retirement pay is helpful in planning a retirement for your and your family. TRICARE for Life, which currently kicks in when MEDICARE does, is invaluable. I don't know what these program will look like when you reach eligibility age, but for us they mean no medical bills except for drug co-pays. I talked with our financial advisor about my retirement program in December 2017. He remarked that if it were not for TRICARE for Life, he would be recommending we have at least $500,000 saved to cover future medical costs.

My daughter served 12 years in the Air Guard and got out when she completed her BSN. A decade later she realized that her retirement plan would benefit a lot from the things I mentioned above. She ended up joining the Navy Reserve. She will complete her 20 years in a couple of years and has enjoyed her time as a Navy Nurse.

Finally, your remark about honorable service bothers me. All military service to our Nation under honorable conditions is honorable. You are willing to give a portion of your time to your Reserve Duties improving overall readiness of the Army. Additionally, you've done something only very small percent of Americans are willing to do: take an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, an oath which might require you to give up your life for that cause and your country. Worthy of honor!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jan 8 at 2018 10:46 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 22:46:53 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Honorable? Depends on Your Definition. I did 21 Years as a Navy Spook, I was Good at What I Did and I Rather Enjoyed Doing it for the Most Part. Did a Lot of Things I Am Rather Proud Of, Some Not So Much. Oh Well. Someone Told Me if You Enjoy What You're Doing, Keep Doing It, if Not, Find Something Else. I'll Leave the Flag Waving to Others. I was Paid for My Skills with Telecommunications and Knowledge of Electronics and Information Warfare.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jan 8 at 2018 11:08 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 08 Jan 2018 23:08:38 -0500

Public perception shouldn't steer your decision on whether to stay or get out. Since 9/11, our society has gone from Flag-waving troop supporters to the scream in your face and call you a baby killer. Don't base your career on what others think of it. Is serving still honorable, of course. You are doing what very few people ever dream of doing.

The question you need to ask yourself is "Are you still having fun".

I love the military lifestyle. I love the camaraderie. I love shooting guns. I love training to fight. It's all good stuff. Does some of it suck, of course. But you have to ask yourself if wearing the uniform is still enjoyable for you or do you feel like it's more of a chore.

If you feel the military is becoming a burden, then get out. Leave the service with good memories. But if you are still enjoying yourself, then keep kicking ass and taking names.

Response by PO2 Thomas Greeley made Jan 9 at 2018 12:33 PM

PO2 Thomas Greeley — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 12:33:28 -0500

SGT - Service is selfless sacrifice to something greater than yourself. Honor is the respect and distinction that you bring to your service in the defense of others who would not defend themselves. If you do not believe that service is honorable then find something that you can believe in because I value my service and the service of others that passed before me and of others who have served after me. Hope you find your answer.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2018 1:12 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 13:12:25 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member it is honorable if you make it honorable to yourself. It is an individual's place to determine if what they are doing is honorable or not. If not get out and do something that is honorable to yourself.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2018 1:56 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 13:56:33 -0500

I'll take a different approach to my answer than most:
If you love what you do in the military... stay and keep doing it.
If you want to do something else in the military... pursue it and accomplish your goals.
If you want to take a different path in the civilian world... take it with no regrets.

Serving your country is an honor. The "global scenario" plays no part in that.

Response by GySgt Charles O'Connell made Jan 9 at 2018 5:53 PM

GySgt Charles O'Connell — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 17:53:45 -0500

The military is a profession. No different than being a, doctor, a lawyer, etc... If you don't see yourself 20 or 30 years down the road, then maybe it's time to review your options, but review them wisely. Something compelled you to join the Army, if that factor is no longer there, options review. The global scenario aside, yes, serving is considered honourable. For me there was no better job than being a leader of Marines.