Need advice on whether I should stay in or get out?

So waaay back in '05, I was going through a medical evaluation board. I was a SPC with about 3 years TIS, and I was on the brink of a medical chapter. At one point, I was thinking "Hey, I can get out and go get a job somewhere." Everyone was getting out and getting those contractor jobs. Then I actually looked at what I had to offer the world. I was a 20 year old kid, with zero college and no viable experience in my job field. I realized that I had no business ETSing. I fought to stay in, and followed up my Fit for Duty designation with a reenlistment for an ASI-producing school. Since then, because my medical condition makes me ripe for the picking when it comes to retention (and is the reason I've been through 2 more MEBs), I've been on the warpath. College and experience, my friend. Get all you can, while you can. Put yourself in the position to be successful in the Army, and reap the benefits while you're in. Network with people in your career field. That will set you up for success when you get out. That doesn't mean that an opportunity to get out and make a lot of money won't fall into your lap. If it does, good on you. Take it. But if you feel uncomfortable or conflicted when deciding to leave, it's probably because it's a bad idea. Good luck!

The Army was the greatest thing to ever happen to me, Jobs aren't as plentiful in the civilian sector as you think they are. If I hadn't got injured and forced into retirement, I would have stayed in the Army till my last breath.....

Before I explain my vote (to stay in), let me be completely honest and say that the military might not be for you, and that's not wrong or bad, nor does it make you a "bad person" or even a bad soldier. We all work to get where we are. But that being said, the army isn't for everybody. The population of us vs. the rest of the US is a great example. But many men and women who enlist stay in for only their first contract, and then ETS and move on to another chapter in their lives. Those men and women are just as much of a soldier (or marine, or sailor, or airmen, or...) as the rest of us. If everyone tried to stay in until retirement, the system wouldn't work... (or it would work even less efficiently.)

You're going to get a lot of questions in the responses made here. I suggest sitting down with your wife, writing them out on a piece of paper and answering each one with a very open and honest mindset. Can you support your family until you transition? What does your ideal transition look like? What kinds of jobs are available? What area will you move to? Do you even want to get out?

Every job has its ups and down. Everybody has their gripes. I would say "...and the military is no different!" But it's very different, and it has a lot of very unique opportunities. The only objective advice I can give you about your decision, is to make use of the opportunities that you have available. Good luck to you and yours, SPC Eaton.

Unless you have an advanced degree in a relevant and high demand field (education, medicine, IT, program management) you'll be competing with college grads for the same entry-level jobs. Presently you have full benefits and housing for your large family, no small thing.

Stay in. Period.

I have to say that you really need to look at both sides and see what is going to best benefit your family.
The plusses of staying in are the very affordable health care costs for your family compared to civilian health care, I know that my 29 year old son is paying $200 monthly for himself alone and he has a $50 deductible, this is from his work. He didn't opt for the dental because that's just over $100 monthly for 2 cleanings and 2 x-rays a year, he can go to the local dentist and pay $79 for a cleaning and x-rays.
The downside of the military as you already know is deployments that don't always allow you to be home for holidays, anniversaries, birthdays or other family events.
Its a tough choice but think about what is best for you and your family, talk to your wife about it and see what she wants also and if your kids are old enough talk to them and get their opinion.
Best of all to you in your decision.

SPC (Join to see) If you have any of the following: 1) Bachelor's or Master's Degree; 2) Accredited Apprenticeship certifications; 3) Accredited Credentials or Certifications. Then you may have a fighting chance at getting a comfortable job after military life. If you don't, well my suggestion would be to get as many as you can before you get out because military experience alone (especially at the junior ranks) is not enough now a days. The struggle is real, don't let the elusive "them" or "they" tell you otherwise.

First off, you have to make that decision with your spouse together. We can only give you some advice, but when it comes down to it. Unless you have some sort of education, other than an Associates you are probably making more as a SPC than what you would make on the civilian side. Now if you decide to stay in, then work hard on making it to the next rank. That will ensure you a pay raise, but with more rank comes greater responsibility. Maybe you can look at changing your MOS, not sure how Active works I haven't been active for a long time. With six kids to feed and a wife, you would have to find a pretty good job outside the military to survive. Not saying you couldn't, but it is doable! Just remember, a higher education in the right field of study is a key to civilian work success. I learned a little later in life, but it is worth the hard work to get a college degree if you do not have one.

The health insurance of your 6 kids and wife will destroy you ... so that you must consider. Second, 70k-90k ... if you can get it.

Not that I don't encourage fellow brothers to go for civilian job ... it take times and related experience to make that kind of money in a civilian job. So with zero civilian experience on your belt ... it is a bit hard to get it (not that it is impossible). It took me 10 years of engineering experience for me to reach my salary today... yes ... a lot better pay, but ten years ... with just a wife. Think very careful.

You should look for a jobs when you getting near your possible date to plan to get out, if you get a good offer, your employer usually willing to wait a few months for you to come to work :). If they really love your "skills" ... they will wait.

Drey, be smart, stay in, get your degree in a higher paying civilian profession (IT,etc.), apply for OCS and try to retire as an officer. Your kids will have left the house (for the first time) by then and you will have a monthly check that will keep your boat afloat, whether you choose to work after the service or not. You will be providing for the family you created NOW and be able to provide quite well for you and your wife after retirement.