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I've been in for 5 years just picked up my SGT. I'm torn on whether to get out or stay in for another term. I understand its my decision but I'm curious if anyone has advice that helped them make this decision.
ETS/EAS
Re-enlistment
Decisions
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 27
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SGT Andresen, You have been in 5 years, and you have just picked up Sergeant so congrats to that! You probably have already mastered the art of handling everyday BS because afterall, you have managed to stay in for 5 years. If you still have the heart and the drive, I say stay in until 20 and earn that retirement pay. Also, if you get out now, you and if you are married, you and your family will be subject to the not-so- Affordable Care Act unless you are going to be working for an awesome company that provides its own health insurance plan. Good luck to you.
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SGT Andersen,
Congratulations on your promotion to SGT!
If you've earned at least a 4-year degree and have a solid plan, I would recommend ETSing and pursuing that.
If you're looking at staying for another contract and law enforcement is your passion, I would recommend CID to acquire credentials for a possible FBI career or other government agency or civilian corporation.
Unfortunately, the Defense Department is no longer a priority for America and won't be for about a decade.
If you've earned at least a 4-year degree and have a solid plan, I would recommend ETSing and pursuing that.
If you're looking at staying for another contract and law enforcement is your passion, I would recommend CID to acquire credentials for a possible FBI career or other government agency or civilian corporation.
Unfortunately, the Defense Department is no longer a priority for America and won't be for about a decade.
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The thing I always tell my younger enlisted people when they ask the question of "Why should I re-enlist?", is "Why do you want to get out?" If you do not have a solid reason of why you want to get out or a solid plan to ensure that you are taken care of upon separation, then I would stay in. Throughout your career, instead of looking for reasons to stay in, you should see if you have things set up and good reasons to get out of the military. Hope this helps.
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Deciding whether to reup or ETS is a very important decision. You have to weigh the two choices and figure out which is in line with your goals. For me, after 6 years, I decided to get out of the military. I hope this helps, but here were my deciding points:
1) When I entered the military at the ripe old age of 18, I had no real responsibilities. Now I have kids, a wife, and bills.
2) Have i completed what I set out to complete? Served my country, Deployed, made my family proud, etc.
3) Am I ready for the real world? Yep, I feel I can walk from one point to another without getting lost. No need for formations to ensure I am still alive.
4) Can I use my skill outside of the military? Hell yes, and get paid a ton to do it......or so I thought.....expect entry level pay....
5) Will I stay in contact with my friends? Probably not, but now there is social media....
6) Have I fulfilled all requirements to ensure I get my full VA benefits? Hell Yes!
k im good.....
Hope this helps. In all honesty, if you love being a soldier, stick with it. If your not all in, walk.
1) When I entered the military at the ripe old age of 18, I had no real responsibilities. Now I have kids, a wife, and bills.
2) Have i completed what I set out to complete? Served my country, Deployed, made my family proud, etc.
3) Am I ready for the real world? Yep, I feel I can walk from one point to another without getting lost. No need for formations to ensure I am still alive.
4) Can I use my skill outside of the military? Hell yes, and get paid a ton to do it......or so I thought.....expect entry level pay....
5) Will I stay in contact with my friends? Probably not, but now there is social media....
6) Have I fulfilled all requirements to ensure I get my full VA benefits? Hell Yes!
k im good.....
Hope this helps. In all honesty, if you love being a soldier, stick with it. If your not all in, walk.
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Stay in! Take advantage of your education benefits while on active duty. Get a degree in something useful in the civilian sector.
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It really is a personal thing. In my opinion if you are positive you want to go career, obviously you stay in. If you want to have a carer outside of the military, every year on that contract is a year behind you will be outside.
I do not understand the people who stay in more than one enlistment, with no intentions of staying in for 20.
I do not understand the people who stay in more than one enlistment, with no intentions of staying in for 20.
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SGT Chris Birkinbine
I should add that you need to take a hard look at yourself too. This may sound harsh or cruel to some, but do you feel you have more to offer the world than what you can accomplish as an enlisted member of the Military? Not that that isn't important, and honorable, but some people, like my self, feel that there is more they can do than what lies within the scope of an NCO's duties and responsibilities.
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SGT Richard H.
SGT Chris Birkinbine
"I do not understand the people who stay in more than one enlistment, with no intentions of staying in for 20."
Sometimes it just happens. I did 2 enlistments, first one in the Marine Corps, then the Army. When my time to reenlist came, I was dating my wife, and I had also been to SFAS and been selected. My papers were ready for me to head to phase 2 of the Q course as soon as I signed.....but.....after many lengthy discussions with my (then) girlfriend, it came down to a choice between Special Forces or a a life with someone who was intellectually honest enough to come out and say that she had grown up an Army brat, and she knew she didn't have it in her to be an SF wife. It was one of the hardest choices of my life, but I chose her. 22 years later, I still go home to her and a great daughter, who is now 17. It seems I made the right choice, though you never really stop wondering......
"I do not understand the people who stay in more than one enlistment, with no intentions of staying in for 20."
Sometimes it just happens. I did 2 enlistments, first one in the Marine Corps, then the Army. When my time to reenlist came, I was dating my wife, and I had also been to SFAS and been selected. My papers were ready for me to head to phase 2 of the Q course as soon as I signed.....but.....after many lengthy discussions with my (then) girlfriend, it came down to a choice between Special Forces or a a life with someone who was intellectually honest enough to come out and say that she had grown up an Army brat, and she knew she didn't have it in her to be an SF wife. It was one of the hardest choices of my life, but I chose her. 22 years later, I still go home to her and a great daughter, who is now 17. It seems I made the right choice, though you never really stop wondering......
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SGT Chris Birkinbine
I understand those situations SGT Richard H. To me, though it seems as though you had intent on staying in, and life had other plans.
I was refering to people who know they don't want to be career, but still choose to stay in 5-12 years. That is a lot of time away from building a civilian life, and preparing for retirement, etc, especially if you plan on using the GI/Post 9-11 bill for schooling first.
The greatest waste is time, as it is the only commodity you can never get back.
I was refering to people who know they don't want to be career, but still choose to stay in 5-12 years. That is a lot of time away from building a civilian life, and preparing for retirement, etc, especially if you plan on using the GI/Post 9-11 bill for schooling first.
The greatest waste is time, as it is the only commodity you can never get back.
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SGT Richard H.
I agree with that. and FWIW, staying in was my intent.
For some people, I think it's a matter of fear of the unknown (for lack of a better term) of just plain not knowing what else to do. Unfortunately, those two situations usually tend to go hand in hand with a lack of direction, which often comes from a lack of personal drive.....which does neither the person or the Service any good.
For some people, I think it's a matter of fear of the unknown (for lack of a better term) of just plain not knowing what else to do. Unfortunately, those two situations usually tend to go hand in hand with a lack of direction, which often comes from a lack of personal drive.....which does neither the person or the Service any good.
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