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

When I got out in Spring, 1971, anyone who re-up'd went right back to Vietnam. Once was enough for me.

Going in I had good leadership. I always said if I had the leadership I had when I retired when I came in. I dont think I would have made it to retirement. Toward the end of my career I simply got tired of dealing with Bone Head Officers? I had three commanding officers I think were the product of the same assembly line. They were there just to get their command time in move up and the heck with the troops. I did have some good Commanding officers and I had some that really went to bat for the troops. I had some really great NCO's over my career and I have to say the NCO's made my career more enjoyable. All in all you do have to take the good with the bad.

At my age in 1979 (I know I'm old) the job of Intelligence Agent was changing. After 9 years, if I was going to move into civilian police work I would have to make a decision soon. Orders to a field office on the east coast was the last straw. We returned to Oregon where I was hired right away in my field of choice.

Family, job, location and finally pay. Not a easy choice so think hard and talk it over with the family.
One last item....you will be starting over....be ready.

I only did 4 years, but I decided I wanted to go get a computer science degree and become a software engineer. The money is great, I wear flip flops to work and I can live where I want and travel when I want, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss it.

SGT I was medical discharge after 10 years of service.

We had a cat go AWOL and no repercussions fell upon him and he got out on a medical discharge from a car wreck that he had while he was AWOL. Plus all the E3 and below we had dimed us out on shit thinking it was hazing (it wasn't)

I got out because my career field was overcrowded and I didn't want to cross train be a 3 level SSgt for awhile when I was offered a job in my field with the US Forest Service.

Was to much political BS along with butt kissing. I did stay for 22 years active.

I'm at 11 years now. Have my sights set on leaving soon. Alot of my reasons involve Toxic senior leadership and toxic peers.

Had a young son show up, was constantly away as he started to grow. Missed his first birthday, his first steps, his first words. I didn't wanna miss out on his life, or at the true point of when he needed me. Was time to make a choice, find something else to do so I could couch his little league team, help him with his homework, put him to bed every night. They are little once! I didn't wanna miss out. Being a soldier was the number job I have ever held. Being a dad was the toughest and the best job I have ever had in my life.