Stay 20 years in the military vs. Going back to civilian life?

PO1 (Join to see) No matter what you decide and you have your game plan set, at least transfer to the Guard or Reserve. Many former active duty folks kick themselves in the butt for not going reserve after active duty. Nothing wrong with finishing your 20 or more in the reserve. You will also have the same benefits retiring active or reserve. This was some of the best advice from my father to me after his 13 years of service. I have given the same advice to my own son who has chosen to leave active after his second enlistment is over. Looking back now I wish I had stayed active duty. Best of luck to you in what ever direction you choose.

If you're not doing the dream job. Get out ASAP. Just remember, you can never make back the time you lost. Serving your country is important, I think 4 years is a good amount, but then pay attention to your own life. You don't want to be a 20-year military veteran who is bitter and hating everything.

Well this depends on where your heart is, do you love what you do in the Military? If you are questioning getting out 9-10 you should. I did 20 years and to be honest didn't think I was going to make it with the rank on my collar. I did a lot of stupid things and plus did back to back tours to Iraq so this made me a little crazier than normal. I knew it was best for me to go and put my retirement package in because my heart was no longer liking what I did in the military, so if this is a question you are asking yourself, follow your heart. Now on the flip side I am grateful that I did retire, I get a check the rest of my life and it also makes it a little less stressful on me to work as hard in the civilian world.

Wait wait wait a minute. Now I know I'm going to be in the minority with this response, but staying in the military does not always equal "obvious path to success" if it's not YOUR RIGHT path to success.

Joining the military was one of the best things I ever did for myself. Getting out after 4 was another great thing I did for myself. I have a very successful, stable career. Was it as easy, cut and dry as staying in the military and playing with the deck of you're given? Nope. I had to go find my cards. It wasn't easy, but I'm convinced that I made the right choice for myself. It's not always going to be easy, but you've got to do what you feel right about.

I would say that if you're going to stay in - stay in long term. My husband did 10 years and got out. Yeah, because of my wishes. He has struggled, he's had a harder civilian life journey than I have, but he's finally getting the momentum he needs to be successful. Either stay in and do 20, or get out early (like I did) and be a career civilian. Military was only 3 years and 9 months of my life....(I got out 3 months early due to my ship decommissioning and it was dumb for them to send me temporary duty for 3 months.... so I asked for early separation). I'm a better civilian and better person because of my military experience, but I wouldn't have been a good long term service member. I knew that and recognized the fact. I got out while I was ahead.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do. Don't discount the outside though. Personally, I think it's fabulous. Still alot of drama to deal with, but not the kind of military politics that made me want to roll my eyes out of sheer stupidity.... such as the whole african american hair issue that's recently caused an uproar. Lame lame lame. That's the kind of stuff our military leaders are wasting their time on? tsk tsk.

Stay in , once you do your 20, that's one retirement in the bank for the rest of your life. If you come out after your 20 and get a GS position , like Homeland Security , VA or even the Post Office, you can work another 10 years for a another retirement. So after 30 years , you could have two retirements and a social security check plus an IRA if you set one up. You'll never have to work a civilian job again.

Wow, five years ago. How are you now?

You can do a "side hustle" if it is something that doesn't interfere with your assigned duties. Message me to discuss.

Having served on AD for 21, and would have probably gone for 30, had it not been for a serious back problem. Followed by another 20 years in the private industry. I suppose it would depend on your definition of success. From E-1 to E-9 in the military and entry level instructor to General Manager of a business unit in the private industry. Success depends on the same factors in both venues. Hard work, dedication to mission and the drive to be better than those who’s footsteps you follow.

i did one term in the Air Force and did not make a career out of it. I liked the military but i really want to have more choices in life and live where i wanted and worked where i wanted and in the military it is not that way.

I think you can be successful if you are wherever you go. Life is going to throw curveballs no matter what and you just have to deal with it. I personally think that trying to get jobs with just your military experience is tough, but you have a lot of doors open when you have military experience and a college degree.