Is it worth going back on active duty now that I'm older, married, and more mature?

2020-09-27T12:13:59-04:00

I’m prior National Guard, I got out 2 years ago. I was 17 when I enlisted I was young, dumb, and impatient and that is all my parents would sign for. I LOVED training but once I got back to my unit I was miserable. Now that I’m older, married, and more mature I’ve been thinking about re-enlisting in active duty. Is it worth going back in?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Sep 27 at 2020 12:27 PM

2020-09-27T12:27:57-04:00

Don't know, is it worth it to you? That is all that really matters. We can all prescribe and pontificate, but at the end it is you raising your right hand.

I'd take a hard look at your goals and that is going to be more instructive than the collective RP opinion

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2020 12:28 PM

2020-09-27T12:28:11-04:00

The reserve components arent for everyone and ive seen many a young Soldier lose motivation over slow OPTEMPOs. When they get back they miss the structure of training, the paycheck, and the benefits. Its hard to say the grass is greener on the other side without knowing what pushed you out of the guard. Just keep in mind that units are made and broken by their command teams and your experience will also be impacted by your mentality. As a junior medic look forward to doing your job whether it be in a clinic, field hospital, or line unit. It all depends on what your end game is, active duty comes with the perks of giving you experience and access to the post 911 gi bill after service as well as a myriad of other opportunities.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2020 1:19 PM

2020-09-27T13:19:55-04:00

Yes, if you're motivated enough to do PT every morning Monday to Friday then good luck to you, doc.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Sep 27 at 2020 1:22 PM

2020-09-27T13:22:11-04:00

SPC Jacob Golden Some things to consider going Active. I came in at 30 with 3 children and married and went active. I was separated from them during Basic and AIT of course, but I was also gone a lot at Ft. Stewart usually in the field and worked in the orderly room. I got home very late, and at WHCA I was gone almost every month for at minimum two weeks at a time. These are just my experiences, would I change it no, would I go back to active no. I enjoy being a reservist, I get the best of both worlds. Yeah, things can be repetitive in the Reserves, but well the Army is what you make of it. This is a question we can't answer for you. We can offer of opinions and guidance but in the end this is your decision.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2020 2:52 PM

2020-09-27T14:52:10-04:00

I was active and then went guard and hated it! I hated it so much I got out completely. Then life happened and a few years later I went back active. To me it was absolutely worth it! I don’t regret my decision at all. The real question is are you at a point in your life that you are good with starting over? Do I think it’s worth it? Absolutely but the question is actually is it worth it to you?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2020 3:43 PM

2020-09-27T15:43:28-04:00

I was in the same boat as you. Reserve for 8 years, hated it. Got out, had a 3 year break in service. I re-enlisted Active in June and now I’m back at school for an MOS that will have major civilian side benefits. Like you I have a family and am older. It’s definitely been worth it for me.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2020 5:47 PM

2020-09-27T17:47:09-04:00

I had a 9 year break in service. I joined when I was 17, did 6 years on active duty. I discussed with my wife what WOULD happen (deployments, injury) I thought it was worth it. I missed the comradery, the cool shit we used to do. She was supportive. It takes somebody special to be a military spouse. If your relationship is strong, and you are both brutally honest with each other it is well worth it IMO. Results may vary. Search your soul and make sure this what you truly want. If there are children involved it can impact them as well.

A caveat to the above. Dont sugar coat your job, you deployments. The brutally honesty I was talking about was to ensure she knows (for the most part, and can what be told due to OPSEC) Explain to your spouse that you may be limited what you can talk about with, but that you'll be as forthcoming as you can. The more information you provide the easier it will be for both of you. Have your spouse join a support group with other spouses. If your spouse needs to talk to somebody, my wife said she was willing to help out anyway she could. Best of luck to you brother!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2020 1:41 AM

2020-09-28T01:41:08-04:00

In my humble opinion/advice, if you are asking if it's "worth it" to go back in, you may need to evaluate the factors that is instigating you to think this way. Is your purpose motivated through ambition of self-development or to provide stabilization for your family? If you go Active, your greatest obstacle will be "time". Many utilize experience gained through United States Army as their foundation of success in life. It is also a temporary life experience compared to the permanent life experience you will share with your wife and family. Therefore, if you are considering to give your valuable time to our great organization, you have every right to demand something in return and utilize the benefits to achieve your goal and provide for your family. If you go active duty, are you willing to go all the way to the top of enlisted side? Or are you willing to commission? Do you have plan or at least an idea of what you wish to achieve to provide for your family while achieving your personal ambition? Older, married, and maturity only comes with greater responsibility. If you are thinking about its "worth", perhaps you don't really know what you want to do yet. If this is the case, do some more research and see what profession or programs within the Army are aligned to your ultimate interest. As leaders, we mentor our Soldiers to set them up for success after the Army life. This is no different. Think about what you want to do after the Army prior to thinking about going back. If you wish to know different types of program of your interest, I will gladly help you. Good luck.

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made Sep 28 at 2020 10:41 PM

2020-09-28T22:41:00-04:00

On the reserve side of the house; what options are available as a 68W in the USAR? Depending on how you enjoy your civilian employment it's something to consider rather than jumping feet first into AD... look into the possibility of a Garrison Support Unit, a Combat Support Hospital, or even a Medical Support Unit like the 7215th MSU. If you're determined to go active duty, the best and worst advice I could give you is to enlist for a duty station far away from where you currently reside in NC, maybe FT. Irwin, CA, Ft. Huachuca, AZ., or 2nd Gen Hosp. Kaiserslautern, Germany. But first and foremost.... Discuss your desire to go active with your spouse, are they ready for the separation anxiety that comes from being far from home; having to make new friends and acquaintances... and they're the one that will have to deal with separation anxiety when you deploy wondering if???
Hope the links help if you go USAR...
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Army-Reserve-Medical-Command-Official-PAO-Page/ [login to see] 29955
https://www.usar.army.mil/Commands/Functional/3rd-MCDS/About-Us/
https://www.usar.army.mil/807thMCDS/
https://www.usar.army.mil/Commands/Functional/ARMEDCOM/ARMEDCOM-Units/

Army Reserve Medical Command

Army Reserve Medical Command. 6K likes. The Army Reserve Medical Command (ARMEDCOM) provides trained, equipped, ready, skill-rich Citizen-Soldiers, to meet global requirements for unified land...

Response by SPC Carmen H Ramirez made Oct 12 at 2020 10:45 PM

2020-10-12T22:45:50-04:00

I would ask myself if my marriage would survive it. Is it worth it to leave the side of your spouse? Personally if I were single yes, divorced definitely. Married? Most likely not. GOD, FAMILY, then country. In THAT order. If you are so busy saving the world, but don't save your marriage, you will definitely take that into the spirit world as a serious regret. But maybe that's just me.

Response by SFC James Corona made Nov 6 at 2020 12:43 PM

2020-11-06T12:43:07-05:00

Your attitude towards younger SINGLE enlisted supervisor OUTRANKING you and telling what to do!
Think about this carefully before committing.

Response by SPC Charles Nesbitt made Dec 31 at 2020 3:02 PM

2020-12-31T15:02:29-05:00

If it is something you want to do, go for it. I always regretting not going back in. Talk to a Re-Up NCO.