Reenlist vs getting out (Any advice?)

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 06:12:29 -0400

Im stuck on reenlisting, getting out or changing services. My wife is very supportive of which choices I make, but it's not just my choice

Bright side to staying in, secure job

Bad part, it's hard to lat move/ change jobs or branches. Being an infantrymen doesn't help when either. All the other branches only off one thing to prior service- special op packages

Staying in the corp, it's getting harder and harder to lat move

Getting out, actually find a steady job to support both me and the wife while going to school. Right now I'm just trying to figure out my options, and reasses it again before I dive in.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 19 at 2015 7:09 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 19 May 2015 07:09:52 -0400

Really, no one can make that choice but you. But here are some things to consider.

1) Even as a Cpl, when you consider Pay +BAH (about $40k), you are making just under the Median HOUSEHOLD income for the US ($51k). When you get promoted to Sgt, and go over 4, you pay jumps A LOT. Getting out, you will likely take a step back in pay.

2) While you are in, you have the best opportunity for education. I know this seems counter intuitive, but between easy things like CLEP/DANTE, Tuition assistance, etc, Education comes easier inside than outside, where it comes out of pocket, and real life gets in the way.

3) Lat moves are tough, but... You can also apply directly for B-Billets, like DI, Recruiting, MSG, Combat Instructor. Keep in mind, you are not only an Infantryman, you are an Operations person. We use 03xx for Ops, later in their Career, and you will end up learning that the deeper you go.

4) Map your Career. Where do you want to be in 8~ years. Either here or on the outside. Once you've figured that out, make "a" plan. Figure out if it makes more sense for you to stay in, or get out to do so.

5) Don't regret either decision. Get out because it was time. Stay in because you wanted to.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 19 at 2015 7:23 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Tue, 19 May 2015 07:23:12 -0400

Some good advice/thoughts from Aaron. I can provide a little perspective regarding my son. He left active duty last November as an AAV crewman (not a ton of transferable skills from a trade perspective). I advised him to stay in the active reserve, which he did. He picked up Sgt about a month ago and he uses his reserve pay to cover helath benefits (tri-care).

He is working full time and going to school full time with a wife and baby (and in the active reserve). Not easy. Did they take a step back financially? Yes they did. Will it be difficult? yes it will, especially the next three years. I think the tipping point for him on his decision to stay active or get out was the deployment tempo and trying to have a family and be around for his daughter. It is hard to put a price tag on things like that.

There are lots of trade offs you need to think through but this is not a short term game, think longer term, be realistic about your goals, current state etc. A decision to stay another 4 years does send you down a path that might make staying for 20 more likely. All the best as you make your decision and move to the next phase or your life.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 7:30 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 07:30:48 -0400

The biggest question to ask, since you are on that fence line, is ultimately what do you want to do?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 7:32 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 07:32:52 -0400

I am an old man. Yesterday I visited the pharmacy on base. I had just had my yearly doctor's appointment and my prescriptions were all up for renewal. I don't know what these would have cost with no insurance, but even with the best, which would be pretty expensive my co pays would have been a coupe of hundred bucks.

I know, this does not seem significant at your age. But, it will be significant if you lived to an old age. And I am only 72.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 7:35 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 07:35:43 -0400

The civilian world is cruel and unforgiving. If you get out, you MUST have a plan and you should have a 6-12 months worth of savings in your bank account because bills will still need to be paid regardless if you have steady pay check.

Response by PO3 Jonathan Cooper made May 19 at 2015 7:36 AM

PO3 Jonathan Cooper — Tue, 19 May 2015 07:36:04 -0400

From someone who's in the same situations, I'll ask you two questions: 1: Do you have any education or specialized training you can bank on if you get out? 2: Is what you're doing what you want to do for a career. If you can honestly answer those, it'll help you make a decision you won't regret, regardless of whether you stay in, or get out.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made May 19 at 2015 8:24 AM

SSG Steven Borders — Tue, 19 May 2015 08:24:10 -0400

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member I am at a cross roads too. Same situation my wife supports whatever choice I make. I might suggest NG or Reserves. That is what I am considering. I still want to continue my service just not Active duty. I know that for a fact.

But only you will know what is best for you. I plan to start job hunting next year. Sending out resume's and whatnot. Good luck to you and I wish you the best.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 8:26 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 08:26:02 -0400

That's really detailed and straight forward, thanks

Response by SGT David T. made May 19 at 2015 8:33 AM

SGT David T. — Tue, 19 May 2015 08:33:40 -0400

I will share my experience with it. I left the Army in 2007 at about the time the economy started to tank. I hat $13k saved up and it was gone in 4 months just trying to get reestablished. I was unable to find work, and couldn't even get hired at Walmart. I decided that I was going to go to college. I figured I could live on my GI bill and the student loan refunds. I managed to do it. Within two months of graduation I secured employment with the Department of the Army as a Federal Employee. Sure there were sacrifices along the way and the road was tough. Honestly, I didn't know how I was going to make ends meet most of the time. However, with a little bit of planning, hard work, perseverance, and flexibility you can make it on the outside. Millions of Americans do it everyday. I heard all sorts of NCOs try and scare me with comments like "What are you going to do work at McDonalds?" The civilian world can be very unforgiving, but you decide if you are going to let it beat you or if you will shape your own reality. At the end of the day the only one who will hold you back is you, so you will have to decide for yourself what is the best option for you.

Response by 1LT A. Uribe made May 19 at 2015 8:36 AM

1LT A. Uribe — Tue, 19 May 2015 08:36:05 -0400

I would weight in options considering your current education level, the job market you're seeking and the location in which you plan on moving too. When I left active duty, I left with a degree and a federal job that was in the process. Government went into a freeze and it was certainly hard the time I had to wait. Luckily I had enough saved to carry me through.

Response by MSgt Roger Younce made May 19 at 2015 9:33 AM

MSgt Roger Younce — Tue, 19 May 2015 09:33:00 -0400

Don't get out. Staying in for 20 years was the smartest thing I ever did.

Response by SGT Chris Hill made May 19 at 2015 9:41 AM

SGT Chris Hill — Tue, 19 May 2015 09:41:13 -0400

man I will tell you that I've had those same thoughts my first 3 re-enlistments, and I've allowed past leadership to "scare" me into re-uping. Although I am glad I have learned a lot over my mid career, I am finally at the point that I need to find out for myself that it's not "scary" on the outside. Thousands of people make it just fine, some better, some worse.

My best advice would be to weigh all of the pro's and cons; and if your cons list is longer than the pro's, do not fear "job security", you're not going to wither away and become a homeless bum. If your pro's outweight the con's, then be sure to re-enlist for what you want, rather than what they tell you. Research for yourself, dont rush into it, but never allow fear of "what if" to determine your answer.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 19 at 2015 12:46 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 19 May 2015 12:46:18 -0400

There you go, you mentioned school. It's better done early than later.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 12:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 12:58:18 -0400

I did 22, it was the best decision for me (hind site) but it was the easiest direction to go at the time. The economy is on the up swing, construction is up places are hiring so its not a bad time to exit.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 7:03 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 07:03:49 -0400

As others have said, Reserve component has a lot of options, so you really can have the best of both sides if you plan carefully. You could even consider ROTC as a potential route back to Active after completing your degree, if active duty appeals to you.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made May 20 at 2015 2:21 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 20 May 2015 14:21:08 -0400

CPL Yang after I had served 5 years on Active Duty I made the decision to reenlist into the Army National Guard and keep my career going. It was a great decision and now after retiring with 37 years as a Colonel, if I had to do it again - I would. Keep those skills you have learned and earned and put them to work continuing to support the constitution and your country. At the end of the day you will get some great advice on RallyPoint, but you have to make that final decision! It has to be right for you. Good luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 6:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 18:47:21 -0400

Do what you feel is right for you and your family.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 9:25 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 09:25:57 -0400

Without boring you with the details, it comes down to this. If I could go back in time I would do things differently. Right now I would be retired. Enough said.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2015 4:55 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 16:55:54 -0400

Obviously this is a extremely personalized decision. You should consider all of the factors and the implications of all of your options. Let me pass on to you some advice I have received from SNCOs I have worked with. There are only two points where it is a good time to get out. When you complete your first enlistment or when you retire. Granted, this is just based on how to maximize the benefits for the amount of time you have put in.

Response by Sgt Dee Watts made Nov 5 at 2015 12:22 AM

Sgt Dee Watts — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 00:22:49 -0500

If you enjoy it at all, stay in. If you I joy the military but dislike your job, cross train to another one.
My biggest regret is getting out. I made a lot more money, but I really missed it and wish I had never gotten out.