Time Machine: Would you have enlisted/reenlisted?

After 8 years of Active Duty and 4 years of Air National Guard, I did not re-enlist when I had the chance in Feb 2004. By the end of 2004, I was regretting the decision and made a vow to re-enter Military service when the time was right (young kids, job opportunities, ect), so in Aug of 2007, I joined the Air Force Reserves and re-enlisted last year for another 4. At this point in my career, I will continue to re-enlist until I hit tenure.

I love this job! I get to ride in big trucks, shoot guns, go on helicopter rides, and handle explosives! And, what have my civilian co-workers gotten to do? Right. SOS...different day.
If you are in the military and don't realize how good ya got it...don't reenlist. You'll miss it some day.

While I am supremely proud of my NCOs, Warrants, and subsequently the NCOs and Warrants I led as a WO there are a few things I would change. Not mother Army's fault - my fault. A good run for 22.5 years.

Learn more from the military than any college would every teach.

Only one caveat: I would have extended to stay in the 25th ID to go on the Egypt rotation (this was pre 9-11), and I was also looking at going to the board and PLDC but didn't have enough time left on my tour to get promoted.

Then I would have enlisted in the Guard as a well-rounded E-5 and started college. At that age, maybe ROTC?

In hind sight I would have re enlisted in the Army way back then! Probably would have retired as an E8 or 9. After I ETSed from the Army I joined the National Guard for a couple years but with a wife and 2 kids I just couldn't make it with the job situaion and economy of the Mid 80s, I then tried to get back in the Army but was unable to do so because of a DUI I had gotten while in the Army. I tried the Air Force but they don't like taking retreads, Coast Guard was an option until the recruter told me that I would be at some duty station for a couple years picking up cigarette butts before I would get a rate, I wasnt really interested in the Navy, so it came down to the Marines. I am proud of my USMC service but attending Boot Camp and starting over as an E2 pretty much sucked in not being at the rank of people in my age group. So to do it all over again I would have stayed in the Army!

I wish I had enlisted three years ago. I wanted to wait for a good opportunity to take a Boom Operator slot and when one finally opened, my recruiter didn't even put my request in for an interview saying new enlistees have no chance. I was extremely frustrated, It would have been a good experience to at least interview. Anyway I decided enough was enough, I didn't want to wait another year for the slot to open, so I took a crew chief position. Looking back I should have just enlisted three years earlier. Anyway, I'm happy I did enlist, just frustrated with the circumstances.

Kind of more on topic, it can be frustrating, a lot of people in my career field hate their job and hate the military (why they enlisted in the first place I have no clue) But I'm proud to be a part of something in this country, and I plan to stay in for the long run. It's a great community as long as you involve yourself with the right people. Cant be drug down by the negative ones. Honestly I love my job but I'm trying to get out of my shop as much as I can to do additional duties and what not, it's such a negative environment it's starting to poison me and I don't want that to happen! :(

I reenlisted for INDEF two years ago and am glad I did.

I would have liked to re-enlist but I had too many issues at the time. It's definitely not off the table but I need to get fit/mentally prepare/choose my unit wisely in terms of promotion and longevity.

I am glad that I enlisted, but when it came time for re-enlistment, the time in my life was just not right.