Should I stay in or go to college?

I know exactly how you feel. I was pretty much in your shoes about 4 or 5 years ago. I was reaching my mid-career point and I was pretty much burned out. I'd taken a whole mess of college classes while in but to pursue the career I really wanted I really needed to attend school full time. It was a tough decision and I went back and forth several times. After a long conversation with my fiancé (now my wife of 4 years) I decided to get out and go back to school full time. After I finished school I applied to one of the Army's grad school programs and came back in as an officer about a year and a half ago. Like I said, it was a very tough decision, but it was definitely the right one in retrospect. I would suggest sitting down and making a detailed timeline,pro-con list, financial plan, etc for each route. It's obviously your decision to make, but at least make it a well informed decision.

If you really want the “challenge”, do both. I can vouch for the fact that this will squelch those voices in your head. That, or you simply lack the luxury of time to listen to them. The reality is that this will place you ahead of whatever life may toss your way.

Plan for your future, but prepare for the fact that plans change. I did my college while on active duty. We thought we were headed to Korea. Then we found out I was getting out unexpectedly.

When I did get out I was relieved I’d taken the time to continue my education. It enabled me to walk right into a great job... A job I found I really isn’t care for. I was not suited for the cubicle life, no matter how well it paid.

Now I work for me. My job has zero to do with the degree(s) I worked my ass off for. In the end, who really cares? Set yourself up for any and all curve balls that may be thrown your way. Throughout all the ups and downs, you will inevitably find what makes you happy.

In my case, that is a guy with a background in emergency management and anti-terrorism with a degree in International Relations, who now runs a roofing company. I never would have guessed.

It sounds like you might be burned out on active duty and my advice is not to use college as an excuse to get out because you'll likely regret that. Maybe switch to reserves and finish college, then decide if you want to switch back to active duty or jump into the civilian world.

Doing both is possible, depending on what you want to do. I obtained a Bachelor Degree while still in and planned to stay in. However, I decided I wanted to go to law school had to get out in order to be able to do that.

I think you already know the answer SSgt Mason Mackin.best of luck Brother

Both - unless you are tired of serving. You have a support network in place. Utilize it and capitalize. It will pay off.

IF you believe that your career is truly thankless, then I think you have answered your own question. I don't know how many years you have in, or what your AFSC is, but you might want to talk to your supervisor/chain of command about some professional development. Sometimes, just stepping outside of the career field for a short time can bring things back into focus.

That being said, if you decide to get out before you do, make sure you have a plan, and then a back up plan. I have seen many good airmen get out thinking "I can use my GI Bill and go to school full time" and forget about the other truths of life (car payment, housing, insurance, food...) and then struggle with school because they had to take two jobs just to get by.

The choice is ultimately yours, but I would recommend asking yourself why you want to make the choice, instead of just asking what choice you should make.

Do both...that way you can get tuition assistance whil eon active duty to pay for your school and that willsave your GI BIll for a masters program downthe road should you want to do that. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater...one bad job or situation does not a career make. Everyone in uniform has faced similar situations and thought the same things but the ones that stayed with it it worked out. If you finish your degree, apply for OTS etc and get a commission and make change as an officer where you can. However, right now you are aSSgt and yo can effect change rightthere as well. If something isn't right fix it.

Do both TSgt (Join to see). Make the most of your career while you can. Trust me, it ends all to early as it is. My advice is to pick a degree path that has some meaning and value though. Lots of unemployed underwater basket weavers out here in Civilian Land....

shift to reserves. Only go to college for stem or medical. Get commissioned and make a difference. Do NOT screw the 20 year retirement from yourself. Think strategy. Every gripe about the military you or anything else has will be magnified by the civilian world. Unlike your brothers in uniform the civilians are cut throat selfish scum suckers as par for the course. There are a few that aren't (usually vets), but that's the exception, not the rule.

Go to college, focus on personal development, build or strength your interest personal relationships. Go do the things you always wanted to do.