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When I joined the Army in August of 1990, I did so for a few reasons:
1. I've always been VERY politically aware about what was happening in the world. I've always striven to learn the facts and not be a knee jerk reactionary.
2. It SERIOUSLY pissed me off to see that Saddam Hussein thought he could just cross a border and take whatever the f*ck he wanted.
3. If I'm honest with you, I was 22 years old and in need of direction in my life. Discipline I had, direction I was lacking.
For those three primary reasons, (of course, there are many more), I spent exactly 7 days in the DEP and shipped out to basic almost as fast as I had signed up.
I was a willing warrior! I was eager to fight for and defend our American way of life. It took me just under 3 years to figure out that my own Government didn't hold the same viewpoint.
The final straw came about 3 years into my enlistment, when the guys and I, (including my E-7 - a helluva guy!) were playing poker in the barracks one night and we started talking about the only thing everyone on post was talking about...the impending visit of Pat Schroeder (D - Colorado) who was a member of the House Armed Services Committee. She was on a tour of all the 3rd ID and was going to make recommendations to President (cough) Clinton about base closures in Germany.
To make a long story short, months later, we, the soldiers of Ferris Barracks, Germany, couldn't even fiscally afford to go on live fire exercise at Grafenwoehr because we couldn't afford the ammunition for our rifles, much less the rounds for the BFV's and the M1A1's. Previously, we had completed this training, without fail, twice a year for about 6 weeks at a time.
To me, that was the writing on the wall. If my own government wasn't going to give us the ammunition needed to train effectively, then I saw no reason to dedicate the next 25 years of my life to that way of thinking...and I got the hell out.
If you didn't serve until retirement, for what reason did you decide to ETS?
PS. Up until the time I actually applied for early release, my E-7 (poker buddy) was CONVINCED that I was going to re-up, because I was a good soldier. For the record, I was a DAMN good soldier; I entered service as an E-1 and in under 3 years made E-4. But my E-7 failed to understand the depth of my conviction on this matter - either give me the tools and training to fight, or f*ck off. I'm no ones political football.
1. I've always been VERY politically aware about what was happening in the world. I've always striven to learn the facts and not be a knee jerk reactionary.
2. It SERIOUSLY pissed me off to see that Saddam Hussein thought he could just cross a border and take whatever the f*ck he wanted.
3. If I'm honest with you, I was 22 years old and in need of direction in my life. Discipline I had, direction I was lacking.
For those three primary reasons, (of course, there are many more), I spent exactly 7 days in the DEP and shipped out to basic almost as fast as I had signed up.
I was a willing warrior! I was eager to fight for and defend our American way of life. It took me just under 3 years to figure out that my own Government didn't hold the same viewpoint.
The final straw came about 3 years into my enlistment, when the guys and I, (including my E-7 - a helluva guy!) were playing poker in the barracks one night and we started talking about the only thing everyone on post was talking about...the impending visit of Pat Schroeder (D - Colorado) who was a member of the House Armed Services Committee. She was on a tour of all the 3rd ID and was going to make recommendations to President (cough) Clinton about base closures in Germany.
To make a long story short, months later, we, the soldiers of Ferris Barracks, Germany, couldn't even fiscally afford to go on live fire exercise at Grafenwoehr because we couldn't afford the ammunition for our rifles, much less the rounds for the BFV's and the M1A1's. Previously, we had completed this training, without fail, twice a year for about 6 weeks at a time.
To me, that was the writing on the wall. If my own government wasn't going to give us the ammunition needed to train effectively, then I saw no reason to dedicate the next 25 years of my life to that way of thinking...and I got the hell out.
If you didn't serve until retirement, for what reason did you decide to ETS?
PS. Up until the time I actually applied for early release, my E-7 (poker buddy) was CONVINCED that I was going to re-up, because I was a good soldier. For the record, I was a DAMN good soldier; I entered service as an E-1 and in under 3 years made E-4. But my E-7 failed to understand the depth of my conviction on this matter - either give me the tools and training to fight, or f*ck off. I'm no ones political football.
Re-enlistment
Transition
ETS/EAS
Training
Politics
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 173
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After 20 1/2 years and my last two years being Air Assault, Drill Sergeant and doing some other things it was time to give my body a break. The Army wanted me to go to CSM Academy but I turned it down. I wanted to get out while I could still walk. As it is I had numerous injuries and they are now catching with me.
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I got out back in 2002. I was engaged. Unfortunately she broke it off at the end of my last deployment, but the paperwork was already in. I later on found out, when I tried to get back in, that my rate was over manned and there was no chance of me getting back in.
Fortunately, I found my wife of 8 years now and have 2 incredibly intelligent sons (scary at times).
At times, I'm glad I got out. You see the servicemen (and women) leaking classified information, which ticks me off to no end. Classified *IS* classified. Period. Back in the 80's, you'd get shot for that crap. People die because dumbasses leak specific information, you idiot.
Also, my rate is getting dumbed down. Just when I was about to get out, EDS got a contract to "upgrade" our systems (I wouldn't call Windows NT 4.0 an upgrade). Buggy, tempermental piece of crap.
When I entered the reserves in 2003 (as a SW.. don't ask), they were running Windows 2000 SP1. This irked me because SP4 had been out for almost a year and XP had been out for almost 2 years. This left the entire network open for attack by a few major exploits. You can guess what happened a few months later (look up Slammer worm).
So, I left the reserves. I figured, if they don't give a crap about their own network, why should I? Heck, my home network is more secure than that.
I loved being an RM/IT and my field (Networking, Computers, etc), but the politics and crap and being unable to update our own damn systems really ticked me off. Let us do our FREAKIN' JOBS for cryin' out loud.
Fortunately, I found my wife of 8 years now and have 2 incredibly intelligent sons (scary at times).
At times, I'm glad I got out. You see the servicemen (and women) leaking classified information, which ticks me off to no end. Classified *IS* classified. Period. Back in the 80's, you'd get shot for that crap. People die because dumbasses leak specific information, you idiot.
Also, my rate is getting dumbed down. Just when I was about to get out, EDS got a contract to "upgrade" our systems (I wouldn't call Windows NT 4.0 an upgrade). Buggy, tempermental piece of crap.
When I entered the reserves in 2003 (as a SW.. don't ask), they were running Windows 2000 SP1. This irked me because SP4 had been out for almost a year and XP had been out for almost 2 years. This left the entire network open for attack by a few major exploits. You can guess what happened a few months later (look up Slammer worm).
So, I left the reserves. I figured, if they don't give a crap about their own network, why should I? Heck, my home network is more secure than that.
I loved being an RM/IT and my field (Networking, Computers, etc), but the politics and crap and being unable to update our own damn systems really ticked me off. Let us do our FREAKIN' JOBS for cryin' out loud.
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I was involuntarily separated from the Marine Corps. not enough time left to pick up staff by the 10 year mandate. So I was given my walking papers
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I left because I started to gain success with my band and my back will never be the same after 8 years. I was also constantly hazed in my early career by terrible NCOs and it left a bad taste in my mouth.
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I was an E-4 (P). I was doing the E-7's job. I was the platoon sergeant of a C&E platoon in 1st Cav during Desert Shield/Storm. Took the MI BTN from a 69% readiness rate to a 98% rate and maintained it for the duration. When it came time for promotions my cut off was 998, same as it was for all but 1 month in my 11 years in the Army. My CO, First Sgt. And platoon leader tried to get me promoted. The general wasn't promoting anyone. So I took a civilian job and got out.
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I was a military brat from 1975 to 1993 and followed in my father's footsteps and joined the Marine Corps. I had every intention of making the Marine Corps a career but I promised myself I would leave after four years if I didn't have my college degree completed or at least partially completed. In 1997, I began my college career and four years later began my career in law enforcement. I enjoyed my 22 years around the Marine Corps and will forever cherish the memories, the camaraderie and the opportunities I was able to experience. To everyone here on Rallypoint...thank you for your service!
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Maybe would have jumped out of a few perfectly good airplanes... but my back had other plans. Still went back in the Reserves during school (full time to finish the degree) but then there were transportation and other issues. I'm also 44. Would still be great to serve though.
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It was during the Clinton era when the push was on to reduce the military. It came time for re-enlistment and I was on a weight control program. I was in the US Army Reserves at that time and decided it wasn't worth it to fight. I chose to finish my enlistment and take my Honorable discharge.
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