To stay, or not to stay?

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 11:02:39 -0500

How many of you got out before your 20, and sincerely regret it?

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made Nov 2 at 2014 11:02 AM

MAJ Dallas D. — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 11:02:55 -0500

I have to say I thought about getting out many times and always stayed now that I am retired I can tell you that check every month made everyday worth it. I am able to live my life the way I want to and not take a job just for the money. I am currently working in a position that affords me the time to spend with my family and that is what is important. Just my 2 cents.

Response by CWO2 John Markiewicz made Nov 2 at 2014 12:39 PM

CWO2 John Markiewicz — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:39:43 -0500

I had what one might call an interesting career. First segment was as enlisted riding Aircraft Carriers and an in-country tour in Vietnam. Second segment was as Warrant/Chief Warrant Officer again riding Aircraft Carriers and a tour in Guam which was confrontational enough that I resigned my temporary commission and reverted to Senior Chief Radioman (E8) and got out of the Navy. The third and final segment occurred after a year and a half on the outside when I reenlisted in the Navy, once again as a Senior Chief Radioman, went into submarines where I qualified as a Submariner (SS), Chief of the Watch (COW), Diving Officer of the Watch (DOOW) and served temporarily as Chief of the Boat (COB) when the previous COB retired until the new COB reported. I was disability retired as a CWO2 in 1984 with 23 years of service. It was a somewhat volatile career, but one with few regrets. I agree that the monthly Navy Retirement check along with my disability checks from the VA and nowadays Social Security have allowed me to live a very nice lifestyle for the last 30 years since I retired from the USN. One could certainly do worse.

Response by SCPO Albert Lee Smith made Nov 2 at 2014 9:07 PM

SCPO Albert Lee Smith — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 21:07:19 -0500

I run into people in my new line of work everyday that served at one point or another. Most left service before they hit 20. Without fail, everyone over the age of 40 who left service before 20 years has stated that they wished they would have stuck it out. Every single one.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Nov 2 at 2014 9:20 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 21:20:39 -0500

I got out at 9 years and have always felt that I made a mistake in doing so.

Response by PO3 Anthony Farhner made Nov 3 at 2014 8:59 PM

PO3 Anthony Farhner — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 20:59:46 -0500

The decision to exit service is a hard one. When I made the decision I thought I knew what I was getting into. After experiencing the level of commitment and comraderie within the service, the civilian sector has nothing that can compare. Not staying in for my twenty is the greatest regret I have, but I carry on and chalk it up to experience.

Response by SGT Kelly Ward made Nov 3 at 2014 11:18 PM

SGT Kelly Ward — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 23:18:08 -0500

I hear rumor that you can serve under another government agency and still use your military time for retirement. I'm about to be discharged (willingly) at 16 years.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 4 at 2014 4:45 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 16:45:19 -0500

Did my 6 and got out. 6 years later I was beating down the door of a recruiter to get back in. should have never got out.

Response by SSgt Corey Young made Nov 5 at 2014 2:17 PM

SSgt Corey Young — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:17:33 -0500

I served 8 years of active duty in the Marine Corps and at the time I decided to get out, it was the right decision for me. I certainly wouldn't be where I am today, personally and professionally, if I had stayed in. That being said, I am now established in my civilian career and have the stability in my personal life to go back in and serve my country. I am in the process of joining the Guard and finishing my military career while continuing with my civilian career. I think it's a good lesson learned that just because you decide to get out doesn't mean it's the end of the road. If you find yourself in the right position and so choose to continue at a later date there are plenty of options for you to finish what you started.

Response by SSgt Dave Murray made Nov 15 at 2014 11:29 AM

SSgt Dave Murray — Sat, 15 Nov 2014 11:29:27 -0500

I did 8 and got my EE Degree while active duty. When I got out (1985) being Active Duty was looked at as not much better than a dishwasher at Denny's (not sayingthat's bad). I also had 4 kids and ZERO money. The ONLY time I regretted getting out was when Desert Storm 1 started. I felt a little guilty then with all my traiining, etc. Since then, I have been a design engineer on mostly military aircraft and feel I have contributed much more in this role to the overall betterment of any service member than if I would have stayed in. I think it's about contributing, not just doing 20. I don't feel less American because I got out, quit ethe contrary. Just don't quit, in or out. Always look to contribute!