What are some things that would entice you to reenlist?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 14:41:22 -0500

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 2:43 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 14:43:43 -0500

Nothing, really. I fully intend on re-enlisting. If I get a bonus....YAY for me.....if I don't get a bonus, I will still raise my right hand.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 29 at 2015 2:49 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 14:49:58 -0500

If we are in such a bad war they need warm bodies.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 4:19 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 16:19:07 -0500

I know that I am going to do my final reenlistment when the time comes and well I don't expect anything from the army.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Dec 29 at 2015 4:47 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 16:47:44 -0500

Get rid of that stupid Mandatory Retirement Date. It should be up to me to decide whether I have enough gas in the tank, not some arbitrary number.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 29 at 2015 6:03 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 18:03:50 -0500

I can't and won't try to speak for others, but after making the decision to become a "career level Marine" (reenlist the first time), the focus shifts from Material Bonuses (Location, Cash, etc) to "Career Progression" or "Where do I see myself in 10-15 years?"

That question is compounded by "Family Commitments."

Unfortunately, there is often an underlying attitude of "If the Service wanted you to have a Family, they would have issued you one," which can run counter to "Where do I see myself in 10-15 years?"

Although you may be able to envision yourself as 1st Sgt Kennedy, what about your kids and the toll it will have on them moving every 4 years? What about the wife's career progression? These are huge, and until we can answer how we are going to affect another person for another lifetime, it's really hard to answer what can "entice" someone to commit for another term.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Dec 29 at 2015 6:15 PM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 18:15:12 -0500

My enlisted guys informed me of stabilization for five years in a place they would like to be (of course, there are some who want to be at Fort Irwin, CA or Fort Drum, NY in the winter). A small bonus and a semester off for (paid) schoolwork is a goal.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 29 at 2015 8:08 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 20:08:24 -0500

Youth. Miss it.

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made Dec 29 at 2015 9:46 PM

SrA Daniel Hunter — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 21:46:46 -0500

Some white out for my 4F

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made Dec 29 at 2015 9:53 PM

SPC Nathan Freeman — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 21:53:09 -0500

I wanted to go to DLI but the budget got cut (as well as the slots) just as I was turning in my packet. So I would have to have DLI in my contract or I'm not reenlisting. Tricare prime would also be nice.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 29 at 2015 10:09 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 22:09:35 -0500

Martyrdom (sp).

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 10:59 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 22:59:14 -0500

(This is Guard and Reserve Primarily) Relevant training and use of time. I think that's the biggest issue for retention. Everyone hates CBTs.

Have you done any sort of "Exit Brief" with people separating? Where they are done, it's completely off-record, no names will be named and such so that you can gather more information on why people are leaving? Better answers than: "I'm tired of it", "Seeking new opportunities", etc.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2015 11:54 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 23:54:00 -0500

Umm let's see, paid vacation, free health care for me and my family to an extent. Oh wait....I already get that

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2015 10:33 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 10:33:14 -0500

Jack Daniels

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2015 10:46 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 10:46:35 -0500

SFC, I have found that their are three things that have kept me around for the last 15 years. Belief in the mission, Trust in my leaders, and having a purpose.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2015 9:48 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 09:48:19 -0500

I've changed my mind. I would like to have a 2LT aide as part of my re-enlistment contract. That way they can pour my coffee and I will be able to ensure they salute 1LTs.

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Dec 31 at 2015 3:46 PM

SGT Kristin Wiley — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 15:46:40 -0500

Be treated with dignity and respect. Have leaders with integrity. Have opportunities to attend military schools. Have promotion points not result in a nearly stagnant career. Not have to live in military barracks that limits my pursuit of a health and wellness lifestyle, as well as many of my hobbies.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Dec 31 at 2015 5:34 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 17:34:41 -0500

I just re-upped for another 6. Retirement is what keeps me going. Even though the benefits are not what they used to be. Its still a pretty good deal.
Also - Tri-care. Tri-Care is cheaper than getting medical insurance on the civilian market.

Response by SGT Lawrence Corser made Jan 1 at 2016 11:55 AM

SGT Lawrence Corser — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 11:55:04 -0500

no waiting around for the "word"

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 1 at 2016 3:54 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 15:54:44 -0500

TSP lol

Response by SSG Randall P. made Jan 7 at 2016 10:48 AM

SSG Randall P. — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 10:48:25 -0500

No incentive necessary. Though it helps.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2016 6:28 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 18:28:05 -0500

Here are some things

1. A guaranteed job
2. Free medical care for you and your family
3. Free tuition for higher education
4. 30 days of paid vacation every year
5. Tax free money especially for housing and utilities
6. An extra stipend of almost 500 for new uniforms each year
7. Free membership to a gym
8. Grocery store than is on average 1/3 cheaper then any other grocery store
9. A place to shop where you do not have to pay sales tax
10. The opportunity to live in a gated community
11. The ability to hop onto a organization aircraft and fly to most major urban areas
12. Free tax preparation
13. Reduced daycare rates

Oh wait a minute....

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 12:27 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 00:27:12 -0500

The active federal service annuity is motivation in itself. How many other jobs give you half of your paycheck for the rest of your life after twenty years of service? Case closed.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2016 7:22 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 07:22:44 -0400

I am weighing the option to reenlist right now, and having a difficult time of it. I have been in since APR2011, I came in as a fuzzy and made SPC by NOV2012. Now it is almost 4 years after that promotion and I am still a SPC. The BN Career Counselor has told me that I can only reenlist to extend my contract out til my RCP date in MAY2019.
In 2013, my first unit was sent to S.Korea for a 9-month rotation, and during that time, our career counselor threatened us all with the then current drawdown and told us that if we didn't reenlist then, we might not be able too. I knew that I needed to reclass because as a 94F, my chances of making SGT was slim since the points almost never drop lower than 650. Yet, since we were on a "Deployment", none of us were allowed to reclass and had to reenlist "Needs of the Army". This basically killed my chances of career growth because by the time we got back to the states, I was already on assignment to Europe, and once I arrived I was informed that I had to serve 3/4 on my assignment before I could reclass. and that put me under the required 36 month limit for reclassification.
I have attained a bachelor's degree since becoming a SPC, and have always performed my duty above what is expected. Unfortunately, without being sent to military schools and gaining many awards, SGT is still outside of my grasp. So I have to ask myself, do I reenlist to stay in as long as possible, hoping that my next unit will see my predicament and actually help me achieve my goal of continuing, or should I just give up the ghost, stay until my current contract is done, and move on with my life.
For some, the Army is just a stepping stone to something else, for others, they look to the Army for a career. Additionally, for some, they need to leave the military service before they end up in jail because they are unable to adapt. So to your question, if an initial term soldier is weighing the benefits vs. drawbacks of reenlisting, they need to make sure that if the MOS they are in is what they really want to do for more time. Or if not, they need to make sure that they will meet all of the prerequisites of reclassification to an MOS that they will be able to progress.