To the retirees and those who have submitted or about too, what was the trigger puller for you?

For me it was a couple of factors: 1. DoD/DA getting more and more Regulatory 2. Seemed like everywhere you turned you heard of another way that Big Army is downsizing and separating Soldiers (ok, now that the war is over...go home) 3. The de-valuation of your job. 4. You find yourself disagreeing with new policies and procedures. 5. Your job is no longer any FUN. 6. Your bad days start outnumbering the good ones.....Don't get me wrong...the majority my career was quite good...but your tolerance for bull@%$ goes to Zero when you have your Retirement Orders in hand...I was just very happy to be part of the 17% of all military members that actually retire from military service..because the odds are generally not in your favor...people don't look out after you like they used to...and it only takes a sneeze for you to get separated....enough of my banter....

Three things I guess:

1. The Army was only ever going to be one of at least two separate careers. It was time to get started on number 2.

2. Once you are eligible for retirement, your only working for half your pay. You get the other half no matter what...

3. I had soldiers who weren't even born when I joined, I thought that was a sure sign it was time to move along.

Well for me was the change of Military culture. Some changes are good to the culture but general Respect, Values, and simple soldiering left. Time to go for me! When you spend more classroom time learning how to create a safe place. In stead of learning how to survive combat and learn how to take care of each other.