Should a person with 10 years active re-up or get out if physically impaired?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 17 May 2014 19:34:39 -0400

If a Service Member with 15 yrs total service(10 active, 5 National Guard) was at the end of current contract and offered $20k to stay in indefinitely, would that be wiser than seeking employment as a civilian?

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made May 17 at 2014 7:42 PM

SSgt Gregory Guina — Sat, 17 May 2014 19:42:42 -0400

Think we need a few more details before we can answer that question.

Response by SFC Karl Dreller made May 18 at 2014 11:48 AM

SFC Karl Dreller — Sun, 18 May 2014 11:48:18 -0400

Cornell, that truly depends on the level of impairment. If you can not be with an ODA but are satisfied working a B team or other support role, stay in. I say this as a former communicator who went into civil service. My skills really did not translate to a civilian skills. The leadership and the ability to learn anything quickly and too apply it stood me well.

Examine the job market.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2014 1:45 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 May 2014 13:45:51 -0400

For me I would want to stay. If you are SF you may need to take a look and another MOS and move to a conventional unit.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2014 3:17 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 May 2014 03:17:07 -0400

That is excellent advice. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2014 3:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 May 2014 15:26:05 -0400

SSG Causey,

I would first make sure if I do take the money are there any rules requiring me to pay it back if I get out (med board as an example)besides retiring.
Then I would lookk to change my MOS, go into a support role, or ask the CDR can i get some "downtime".
Then enroll in school. Sooner or later you will be getting out of the military and you want to set yourself up for sucess.
You can start with some easy classes to get your foot in the door like "Leadership Enhancement classes or Computer Skills classes such as Work, Powerpoint, and Excel. I know they offer those here at Ft. Hood. Some of the Leadership Enhancement classes are
Styles of Leadership, Time Management, Stress management, Military Writing, Counseling, Problem Solving, Crime Prevention just to name a few.
Make sure you put some of that 22K in to a retirement fund also or at least make sure you are debt free or close as possible.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 4:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 16:46:41 -0400

I was in your shoes back in 2007 while in Afghanistan; the bonus was higher at that time: approx. 30K for 3 years. At the time I was an E-6 with just over 5 years (enlisted through the 18X program).

So this is what I did:
I got out with over 6 years active duty. During ACAP I re-enlisted with CAARNG (19th SFG) to fulfill my service obligation of 8 years. During that time I enrolled in College and received my Engineering degree in 2011- I was hired immediately into an entry level engineering position, namely because they valued my life/leadership experience as a Green Beret. My salary was about the same as I was making CONUS as an active duty E-6 and avg. BAH. Less than 2 years into my civilian employment, a few of us from the unit were deployed to augment 3rd SFG during OEF XX.....

Moral of the story is that unless you can find a high paying, consistent contracting job related to what you do now (probably an FSR overseas), the civilian market is not as lucrative as many think it is w/o a technical degree; and if you go National Guard, you will get deployed anyway. I would recommend re-enlisting, going to SWCS, and taking advantage of the FTCC educational opportunities while you are there, so that when you do retire, you will be that much further ahead.

Response by SGT Jaime Becerra made Oct 5 at 2015 2:38 PM

SGT Jaime Becerra — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:38:16 -0400

i personally believe the 10 year mark is the staying point.
but in kind it depends on the level of your inpairment and if you can continue in a S.F. unit or potentially change your mos and or go to as conventional unit.
AIRTAZ