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I've been contemplating whether I want to reenlist or get out. Obviously I very much would enjoy getting out due to being treated like an adult and having simple liberties again. Yet, I'm terrified of getting out because I don't know what I would do. I refuse to settle for some "pass the time" job like McD or something. I don't have a college degree and while I know what I want to do it requires a college degree. So I'm not sure really what to do. Has anybody else come across this issue as well? Im sure many of y'all have at many times contemplated getting out. What was your thought process and what did you consider? If I were to stay in then I would definitely be trying to go officer in either the Navy or Air Force but idk how well things go with the enlisted to officer programs. Any thoughts and advice on that matter? Please any advice would be helpful and very welcome.
Re-enlistment
Civilian Career
Employment
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 110
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You look young enough to do ROTC, go be a school nazi for a while and get paid to go to school, then be an officer. Too easy. Unemployment is 200% that's 2X the rate of civilians for military and former military. You might want to consider that 20 year retirement before the armed forces screw everyone over that starts fresh with the 401K nonsense. The proverbial problem is that you don't have a truly clear pull towards one idea or another. That could cause you to get into the civilian world and become more complacent than the military allows for. The standards of your thoughts and activities now are in direct relationship to the peer group you surround yourself with. Civilians are hard to deal with. In general they do not move with a purpose and are very whimsical. Not only is there the figuring out what you want to do, but dealing with the lowered standards of everyone surrounding you and trying to remain unaffected. As for being treated like an adult, the world doesn't care and it will try to one up and blue falcon you at every turn. I'd urge you to go to the reserves and ease your way out because you'll miss the brotherhood way more than you think (hence the reason my cousin fmr marine is now an 11B in the national guard). Good luck and godspeed.
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Sgt (Join to see)
Thank you and i was thinking the same thing you said. The problem is that idk how to get the process started for the enlisted to officer program. Do you know how to get that started? The fact that I'd be going from enlisted to officer and moving branches would make it slightly trickier. I just don't know how to get it started. Also do you have any knowledge on the program and what I would be entitled to while in school? A normal paycheck? Bah? Schooling and books paid for entirely? What pay grade would I receive? My current rank (or whichever rank I've obtained at the time)? Are there restrictions on where I can go to school? I've heard that they prefer traditional schooling and myself to not stay on campus/in the dorms. Any info that you have on the matter would be greatly appreciated
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CPL(P) (Join to see)
Ok, so you get into the ROTC you get paid as E5. You can stay Marine Reservist if you want, or talk to a Nat Guard recruiter. While you are still in you get $4250/year in FTA October to October. Meaning if you do some schooling now you could pull off some decent funding toward school. I am not sure how much you get paid to do ROTC, and I think it's something like 1400. Then again you may have the Post 911 which would give you about 1400 a month to survive on. If you were to get into Medical school you would get 2k/mo +all tuition and books and fees +direct commission at O3 but be NON-line. For ROTC you have to have a program at the school you choose. Post 911 you can pretty much go anywhere. If you really want to go get free school learn German and go to University there for free. I know it's not much help but that's what's on top of my recollection at 0436.
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It all is based on your current situation. I've come to that very same crossroads recently and decided it was best for myself to stay in due to the fact I don't have a degree, and without one I wouldn't be able to support the current lifestyle I live thanks to the military. The navy has some really good officer programs not sure about the air force but all the same you just need to talk to the right people so they can give you the right information and base your decision on what you feel is right for you. Lastly don't let anyone ever pressure you interact something that you don't want to do.
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If you are thinking about getting out to pursue a commission, contact a local ROTC recruiter and see what scholarship options are available to you. I know on the Air Force side, getting a commission through AFROTC is much easier than getting an OTS appointment.
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Maj (Join to see)
Check http://www.afrotc.com for more information
U.S. Air Force ROTC Official Website
Air Force ROTC is a rewarding program that offers scholarship opportunities to pay for college while preparing you to become a leader in the U.S. Air Force
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This is a decision only you can make, and I'm in a similar position. Here's why I think you should stay in.
1. You said you don't have a plan. Dont separate without one of those.
2. You're not willing to get a bottom rung job, so you are not ready to do ANYTHING. Those jobs are not beneath you or anyone else.
3. You want basic liberties back, but your word choices show some immaturity. Don't judge personal freedoms on being stationed at Okinawa. Stay in and you will gain the rank and freedoms you want... along with responsibility. If you aren't prepared for that, maybe you should get out. Just know you won't be handed anything just because you served a few years. Your goals will take much hard work and persistence.
Personally, I felt after my reenlistment, some of that frustration at being treated as "just a lowly airman" dissipated.
1. You said you don't have a plan. Dont separate without one of those.
2. You're not willing to get a bottom rung job, so you are not ready to do ANYTHING. Those jobs are not beneath you or anyone else.
3. You want basic liberties back, but your word choices show some immaturity. Don't judge personal freedoms on being stationed at Okinawa. Stay in and you will gain the rank and freedoms you want... along with responsibility. If you aren't prepared for that, maybe you should get out. Just know you won't be handed anything just because you served a few years. Your goals will take much hard work and persistence.
Personally, I felt after my reenlistment, some of that frustration at being treated as "just a lowly airman" dissipated.
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hi CPL i am glad when i first got out but after a few years all i wanted to do is reenlist. i had a great job but misted the buddy's i met and served with and most of all is shooting and blowing up stuff but like you i don't have any high School or College degrees at all but i did ok in civilian jobs
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Well, Sgt (Join to see) I got out in 1978, with 12 years service. My last duty station was MCAS(H) Futenma. Take a look at my profile for details, but it is a decision I often regret.
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Corporal, are you single? Get out, go to college on the post-911, additionally, apply for PELL Grants, maybe a student loan, and live your dream. If after completing your degree you miss the Service, you can come back in as an officer.
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SSG David Dickson
What do you want to pursue in medicine? All the services offer medical professional options you can pursue while still wearing the uniform. USUHS is the military medical school. There is a nursing option that will pay you as a Sergeant while sending you to get your 4-year degree, IPAP is the inter-service physician assistants program. There are several medical technician jobs available from paramedics to LPN's, to surgical techs, X-ray technicians, dialysis technicians, mental health, There is a PhD physical / occupational therapy program available. Good luck whether in our out of the service you can pursue your dreams of a career in medicine.
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Sgt (Join to see)
I am single and you're advice is actually real advice....most people here tell me what they went through which is what I asked about but I was looking more specifically for what happened when they made a decision. Not their feelings or whatnot. Thank you and I'll definitely consider it. I'd like to point out that there's a draw down so maybe I couldn't just go to school and then reenlist. I might get in and I might not....idk though
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Marine Cpl, Make sure that you enjoy the service before making plans to stay in service. Check out your opportunities before separating from service; see what OCS or ROTC or service academy can do for you. Have a plan for moving up in service, then have a backup plan and another contingency plan to make sure your bases are covered. My service time was active duty and reserve 33 years! Loved it, especially deployments. Cheers and Good Luck, Maj Guido USAFR ret
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Hey Marine Cpl, Wow, I wish that I could join up today again! Really enjoyed my service time of 33 years Reserve; 20 US Army Reserve and Guards, with six years active duty; and 13 in the Maryland ANG where I served as historian and went on many many flying missions with C-130's. Don't settle for the old GS Civilian unless you can go on missions to break up the monotony of every day going to work. Go Reserve or National Guard if you get out, yet having the military put you through college for a commission is the best way to go. Search out your opportunities before you make the mistake of getting out before you have a plan and a backup plan and then a contingency plan after that! Semper Fi, God Bless Our Troops!!! Cheers, Maj Guido Ret, USAFR
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