What was the deciding factor that made you decide to leave the military, stay for the full 20, or come back into the military?

I am a SGT in the Army with 7 years in, my wife is also a SGT with 8 years in and we have two children. I have one deployment to Iraq, she is currently on her second to Afghanistan. The things she has to deal with and the recent death of CSM Bolyard have shown me that the benefits aren’t worth the risk of life or loss of time. Plus, I just personally don’t believe in the Afghanistan war anymore.

Got out briefly after first hitch but came back in one month latter and did the 20. No regrets.

I initially joined for the purpose of getting the Student Loan Repayment Program. I had gone to Aviation Maintenance school and in 2003 there weren't many jobs in that field. I could have join to work on helicopters but that was a six year enlistment and I only required 3 for the SLRP. I chose an easier MOS with a 3 year contract. After a couple of years, I realized I really liked the Army, and I was pretty good at it. Second enlistment, I got to know my Warrant and decided that was the path I would go, and he started to mentor me. Haven't looked back since. Nearly 15 years in and I can't imagine my life being any different than it is right now. I had originally planned to stay around 26-28 years, but I'll likely leave around 21. It's getting taxing on my body and mind at times, and I want to be very happy and still mobile in my 40s.

Service to country in time of war. Comeraderie with others

I went into the Army in Dec 67. After AIT I was sent to Germany. 6 months later I received orders for Vietnam. After Vietnam I was send back to the same unit in Germany for 3 years. After my tour I went to Ft. Hood. 18 months later sent back to Germany for 3 years. During that time I got Married. After my tour was completed in Germany I received orders for Korea on the DMZ (no family allowed) I tried to explain that I had no family support in the States and requested orders be changed for a stateside assignment. until I could get my family settled (Denied) I had to get out to take care of family. I loved the Army however not counting Basic and AIT I spend about 9 years overseas and just couldn't do it anymore at that time.

I did 6 honorably until the sequester found any reason to get people out. So they medically discharged me. Worst part i was up for my 3rd reenlistment, wanted to go back to Germany. But when the bde surgeon said go no one would gain say him. Being a tanker was a good life, pity i couldnt stay the twenty.

Had a buddy at my unit who was planning on getting out after his ETS. Then I showed up at annuual training and he decided to re up for another few years because i came to the unit

I'm on year 22 and counting. To me, it's about finishing what I've started. Nothing is more motivating than being the catalyst for change- eliminating toxic leadership and truly mentoring tomorrow's leaders is extremely gratifying.

I ended up being put out due to going to Captain's Mast, the Navy's Article 15 proceeding. I wanted to go home on emergency leave because my grandfather was dying. He was the primary person who raised me and was more like a dad than a granddad. An Army Sergeant tried to deny the leave and my Navy NCOs backed me. I got really angry and cussed out the Sergeant. This wasn't the only reason. I was tired of NCOs not living up to what the core values meant. I would have gotten out anyways. I never once saw any of my NCOs do the right thing. I saw several NCOs sexually harrass female sailors but could not prove it. When I would say something, they would retaliate against me. I decided I had enough of watching people tarnish military tradition and values and knew I needed out.

RCP