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I am almost at 10 years, and there is no turning back now for me. Are you planning on making the military a career? Why or why not?
I am by no means a career counselor, so I promise to not actively try and change your mind.
I am by no means a career counselor, so I promise to not actively try and change your mind.
Posted in these groups: 
Re-enlistment
Retirement
Re-enlistment Retirement
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 24
Suspended Profile
I'm at 16 years right now so it has been a career for me. Unfortunately, I'm highly uncertain about making it to 20 years due to the ever present possibility of MEB/PEB.
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I served honorably for 8 years, including a deceptively challenging deployment and the most toxic leader I have ever had. That was enough.
Bottom line: my family needs me, not a folded flag.
Bottom line: my family needs me, not a folded flag.
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1LT Nick Kidwell
SFC Peter Kirk(ines) - I think the question should be where DIDN'T I go to college? I have been enrolled at a total of 9 different colleges/universities, both domestic and abroad, and earned degrees from 3 of them.
As far as me serving, I went into that deployment knowing I was getting out, to the extent that I never filed the paperwork for promotion to CPT. The events of my deployment simply cemented that and pushed me past the point of no return.
As far as me serving, I went into that deployment knowing I was getting out, to the extent that I never filed the paperwork for promotion to CPT. The events of my deployment simply cemented that and pushed me past the point of no return.
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1LT Nick Kidwell
Well, there was nothing keeping me in, and everything needing me to get out. I just took what I learned in those 8 years and went from there.
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SPC(P) (Join to see)
It sucks how one person can ruin an experience. My first deployment was made up of the most ideal leadership from team leaders up. After that we started to get individuals that ruined everything and were horrible leaders.
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1LT Nick Kidwell
Well, I had a great company commander, 1SG and PSG.
However, my BN commander was the only field grade in all of OIF to be tried for aiding the enemy. So...it was less than ideal.
However, my BN commander was the only field grade in all of OIF to be tried for aiding the enemy. So...it was less than ideal.
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SFC (Join to see)
I was close to getting Medically Discharged back in 2011, SCPO (Join to see). Looking at the Cost of Living on the outside world (Medical, Dental, Housing) partnered with trying to find a job at that time was SCARY to say the least.
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SCPO (Join to see)
For sure, I do not think a lot of Troops look at the big picture and all the "benefits" that they get and do not pay for, before they decide to separate.
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Civilian employment does not appeal to me at all. Just thinking about punching a time clock and working on the same team, doing the same mission for several years nearly gives me a panic attack. I love the variety of missions I have in the military. I love that I am always meeting new team members. I love that I know I am moving in a few years. I love that promotion is a real possibility as long as I am committed to earning it. Change is good, stagnant things die.
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At one point I was seriously considering making it a career. Things in my life have changed drastically and now I plan on getting out at the end of this current contract.
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Four years in, and I still realize the longer I am in how much more I need to learn.
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SFC (Join to see)
I joined the military when I was 25 and I realize the military is not for everyone. I thank every SM that served and wished them luck in the civilian sector and did everything possible to help them succeed in their next adventure. In the other hand I have also met SM that did not have any plan whatsoever for when they left the military.
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SGT (Join to see)
MSG Stankovich, I came back into the Army from a 10 year break in service, I hoped my career would've progressed a lot more than it has. The coolest school I've been to was Stryker school. It's not like I'm a turd soldier. I've earn 4 AAMs in my last unit. One of those was from a Soldier's medal getting busted down. I've tried to go to WLC 4 times, I've been unsuccessful getting a slot. I've tried walking on, no luck. Which has knocked me out of a promotion each month since last Dec.
I've heard "it's your career, take charge of it", so I am. I've got to look elsewhere now. Reason being, I can't re-enlist now, I'll reach my RCP before the end of that contract.
I honestly believe being an armorer for 3 years now has been fatal on my career. Yes, you read that right, 3 years.
I've heard "it's your career, take charge of it", so I am. I've got to look elsewhere now. Reason being, I can't re-enlist now, I'll reach my RCP before the end of that contract.
I honestly believe being an armorer for 3 years now has been fatal on my career. Yes, you read that right, 3 years.
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SGT (Join to see)
Sgt Nyberg, Im glad I'm not alone. It sucks. I'm sure you have a lot of experience to pass down too. Good luck in your adventures.
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Sgt Bruce C.
When I enlisted I thought it would be a career, now at 39 years later, I am thinking I should of stayed in. I got out and went to college, then fell into a job with the FAA as a controller. I like my career, made good money, but the things that made me leave the Air Force where still around in the FAA. Thinking back, doing 36-40 in the Military, could I have done it, retirement pay would be a better.
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SFC (Join to see)
I am obviously beyond that point and, just as obviously, yes, a military career was right for me and helped me in my civilian career after retiring. I would definitely do it again... no question.
My dad, who served over 42 years on active duty once told me. "Stay in 20 years to see if you like it. If you do, make a career of it.".... :-) :-)
I am obviously beyond that point and, just as obviously, yes, a military career was right for me and helped me in my civilian career after retiring. I would definitely do it again... no question.
My dad, who served over 42 years on active duty once told me. "Stay in 20 years to see if you like it. If you do, make a career of it.".... :-) :-)
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SFC (Join to see)
I like that mentality, COL Jean (John) F. B.. The issue my generation is facing, sir, is that some people who want to stay in are being kicked out for reasons beyond their control.
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COL Jean (John) F. B.
Part of the rationale for that is the end strength of each rank. For example, you can't have 100,000 privates and 200,000 sergeants.
The Army's "up or out" policy does not allow people to stay at a certain grade beyond a certain point. They either get promoted or they must get out. Someone cannot stay an E5, for example, forever. He/she must make E6 by a certain time or get out.
The other rationale is that the military needs a pool of young men and women to fill the ranks. The military cannot be an organization of nothing but middle aged and old men and women and be successful.
When an end strength is determined, military most configure itself to meet that number, with the requisite number of personnel of all ranks. A cut in the end strength results in cuts in the number of NCOs and officers, not just lower ranking individuals.
The Army's "up or out" policy does not allow people to stay at a certain grade beyond a certain point. They either get promoted or they must get out. Someone cannot stay an E5, for example, forever. He/she must make E6 by a certain time or get out.
The other rationale is that the military needs a pool of young men and women to fill the ranks. The military cannot be an organization of nothing but middle aged and old men and women and be successful.
When an end strength is determined, military most configure itself to meet that number, with the requisite number of personnel of all ranks. A cut in the end strength results in cuts in the number of NCOs and officers, not just lower ranking individuals.
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I had planned to make a career out of military service, but the side-effects of the drawdown are causing me to rethink that. Firstly, I love my MOS. Because of the logistics involved to do actual training, it doesn't happen that often, but when it does I have the time of my life. With all these ENG BDEs and BNs being deactivated in favor of BEBs, my career field has become drastically overstrength. Which leaves me with: ETS or reclass. Neither is really appealing to me. Third, even if I can stay in my specialty, with the numbers being so high, that also means promotion points are high, and will stay that way for the foreseeable future.
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