What regrets do you have about reenlisting?

2016-05-30T11:36:08-04:00

Reenlisting was the hardest decision I think I've had to make in my adult life and it was a decision I thought I was at piece with when I made it. I don't dislike the military, but I no longer find my job satisfying or rewarding. I'm a Behavioral Health Tech and according to the Navy, we are under strength in my pay grade and the next one, so they won't let me change my job unless I'm going SF. I originally reenlisted to have more time to finish school and payoff debt but recently I have been feeling like that wasn't a good decision. My discontent with my job is starting to show as I'm starting to feel like everything military i.e. formations, quarters, and inspections are a complete waste of time or stupid. Has anyone else experienced this and how did you regain your motivation? Thanks for the help.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2016 11:42 AM

2016-05-30T11:42:06-04:00

Almost any decision can be seen as right or as wrong.

I try and have been fairly successful at living with the decisions I made and trying not to revisit them. When I do I find that I tend to exaggerate the positives or the negatives.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2016 12:11 PM

2016-05-30T12:11:43-04:00

I to was at that point when I returned from RVN and separated in 1973. I took 9 months away from the Army and really considered my options civilian vs soldier. After exploring opportunities in civilian life and pros and cons of being a soldier, I came to realization that yes as an E-4 SPC, I had to take orders from NCOs and Officers, which is only a temporary situation. I then made my mind up that I would reenlist and be the best that I could be.

Response by SGT Kyle Johnson made May 30 at 2016 1:53 PM

2016-05-30T13:53:19-04:00

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member Try to make a list of the positives in your job and why you reenlisted, for now. Do your best and look for opportunities that might come up to shift to something different. Nothing is forever and hopefully you get to make a difference in someone day or life through your job. I held a position for a year that I hated everyday.. but kept plugging away then out of the blue was offered a slot right where I wanted to be. Best of luck and refer to that list of positives when it starts to get you down.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 30 at 2016 4:59 PM

2016-05-30T16:59:17-04:00

That I couldn't do it one more time but 21 years was game over. I was good at what I did and enjoyed what I did. I loved the Title bestowed on me by the Information/Electronic Warfare Community of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard "Senior Spook (Military Intelligence) on the Pier".

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made May 30 at 2016 8:03 PM

2016-05-30T20:03:45-04:00

Not reenlisting... I thought I would try the private sector

Response by PO1 Matt Maness made May 31 at 2016 6:46 AM

2016-05-31T06:46:51-04:00

Different times. Before the 2000, the Military rocked. I came in 1988. Worked a Helo squadron and jumped to AIMD and to the West Coast. Had days where I was on top of the world and days I like hating the uniform. I pushed forward and kept with a good crew. Gets old at times but needed to challenge myself to be tougher... If you can re-enlist might as well do it, cause when your out there in the civilian world, they are unforgiving on anything you do and need. Stay in until you find a point to get out. I worked several part time jobs before getting out to see how I can do and manage.

Response by PO2 Robert Hunter made May 31 at 2016 6:58 AM

2016-05-31T06:58:03-04:00

Is becoming an officer an option for you? When I was I the Navy, the BOOST program existed to take enlisted through college (paid by the military), thought to OCS and then to the fleet. Even in Behavioral Health, you might find it more fulfilling to be a clinician than a tech.

Response by CPO James Page made May 31 at 2016 8:34 AM

2016-05-31T08:34:06-04:00

It appears to me you re-enlisted for the wrong reasons and one of them was for immediate financial gain, re-enlistment bonus. The first order of business should be to get your life in order. Establish a set of priorities and live up to them. Take a good look at your job and discover what the positives are about what you do. You will gain motivation by doing the best you can in everything you do.

Response by PO2 Ron Buckley made May 31 at 2016 11:09 AM

2016-05-31T11:09:23-04:00

I have regretted not re- up,for almost 35 years

Response by CPO Anthony Picciano made May 31 at 2016 12:09 PM

2016-05-31T12:09:50-04:00

I served 24 years in the Navy, regrets about relisting. No, was there time's I was like this sucks. Yes, now that I retired more than 10 years ago. This is my best reenlistment advice. Go evaluate your classmates and what they have done with their lives. Like take a close look at your experiences or adventures as I call them. I have years of adventure during my time in the Navy. I cant count the number of people I have meet that stated. "Wish I would of stayed in" The first reenlistment was the hardest but after 8 years and selected for E-7 well a few more ...... Putting that aside. Still just the adventure alone money cannot buy.

Response by PO1 Jim Spencer made May 31 at 2016 1:42 PM

2016-05-31T13:42:17-04:00

None

Response by PO1 Gregory McKinley made May 31 at 2016 9:06 PM

2016-05-31T21:06:59-04:00

I was very fortunate in my career. I spent twenty years in the Navy. It had its ups and downs naturally but I had people that I work for and with that helped me along and kept the motivation going. Muster, Instruction and Inspection, Always strive to be the Best. I never put myself above anybody, but pushed to help them succeed, in turn help me to succeed!!! Worked together as Brothers that we were. I always looked up to my Dad and looked to make him proud. He was a Navy Chief and also Retired. I took reenlistment as another challenge to take on!!! I also took all the Shop Qualification Improvement Courses that I could for certifications. Took college courses when I could. I also had 4 kids and a wife to Love and care for!!!! Sometimes worked a second job to make things work. That is Life!!!!!! I loved the Navy. I wish I was still there!! High Year of Tenure (HYT) got me and I had to retire with 20 years. I still had a lot to give. My last 8 years was striving to help others succeed in their careers. This is what my Seniors did for me!!! If you can, get into some different NECs. Like 9502 Navy Instructor. I carry 3 different NECs. It does help to spice things up!! I always knew this,,,,,,,, If I had a problem,,,,, there was ALWAYS SOMEBODY to help. That is the JOB of our Senior Enlisted. If you look close enough there are several that will go the extra mile to help you, being you are genuine and sincere to follow through!!!! When you hit the next level of Leadership, i.e. E5!! The world changes and RESPONSIBILITY hits hard. You are now a working LEADER!!!! Remember this also, other peoples lives hold in balance to your decisions to!!!! It will take HARD WORK, but it will PAY OFF!!!!!!! Hope I helped a little here!! Other Seniors step in!!!!

Response by PO2 David Allender made Jun 1 at 2016 12:59 AM

2016-06-01T00:59:04-04:00

Well, if you have already been sworn in, then you have to stay the course. I've been out since December,1971. The military has made a lot of changes since then. While I was in, a person could change his/her trade. I do not know if that is possible now.You need to check and see about that. If you can change then check the different trades, find one that may interest you. You may find that you can still be happy in the years you have to do. Good Luck.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2017 8:57 PM

2017-10-08T20:57:24-04:00

For me, I definitely regret reenlisting only because I hate the job they made me reclass to. I wasn't given all of my options because the Army wanted women in field artillery. Then I'm stationed at Schofield Barracks where the leadership can give two shits about the soldiers. I should've stayed in Mississippi National Guard and kept trying my luck for an AGR position, which would've allowed me to keep my MOS that I actually enjoyed.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Nov 30 at 2020 10:42 AM

2020-11-30T10:42:08-05:00

No regrets I had a great career. My last reenlistment was in Afghanistan by a young captain. Shook my hand, signed the form, and thanked me for the privilege. Had one of my troops as the witness. 19 years TIS at the time.