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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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3 C-spine and 2 lumbar surgeries. Due to Lt. trying to get railroad tracks.
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I lost my MEB and all my 70% disability, retirement health care and everything else for being charged with a DUI off post in Alabama, demoted and discharged from the Army, then found innocent by the state Alabama (I have bad PTSD and a pre-existing and documented sleepwalking disorder). Now live in a shed on my parents property. Yay!
Currently working with an advocate to get my discharge upgraded.
Currently working with an advocate to get my discharge upgraded.
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I decided to separate after 4 years due to health issues with my dad. I knew my mom was going to need as much help as I could give her. For 7 years the 2 of us took care of him during his extended illness. If he wouldn't have gotten sick I would have stayed in for a full 20 or so and retired. Before my dad got sick I was talking about changing jobs and trying something a little different than being a security specialist.
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SGT Anthony Wynn
I know several guys who did that. One Soldier's entire family died in an accident except the sick elderly grandparent. it was very very sad
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Well, let's see. I was 12 years active and 12 years reserve. I had some specific goals that I gave the USAF a chance to fulfill. When I saw those goals were not compatible with being a pilot, I chose to get out. It was scary, but I joined the reserves so I would not throw away my retirement. I am glad I got out, because most of the career military officers I served with at the same time are 52+ y/o and looking for work. Those men I refer to are amazing people. Great, capable leaders with integrity. However, the realities of a Democratic administration, hell bent on emasculating the military, is hard on ex-mil contractors and ex-mil GS employees. Getting out when I did, allowed me to establish a civilian career years ahead of the career active duty officers I served with. I am just lucky with the choices I made. Again, those officers I served with, deserve better than what they got.
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I left to pursue an education and career with higher education institution - University of Washington and University of California - San Diego. There are times I wished I had stayed in or find a way to reverse age..always younger.
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The first time in 1992 I was released from active duty after the results of the Lieutenant Retention Board were final. After four long months of complete unemployment an AGR Major rifted after Vietnam helped me get into my local reserve unit. I retired with an Army Reserve Retirement after 26 years combined active and reserve service. I miss the people not the BS. I managed to work thru the good and the bad times. I was a Company Commander during the Clinton years and the budget was just as bad as others have written. Two years on active duty as a Major from 2004-2006 with a deployment to Iraq proved to me it was worth hanging around to serve. One reduction in forces was enough for me. Making it to LTC was a pleasant surprise. I always tried to take care of my Soldiers and in turn they took care of me (Mission First, People Always). I did all I could do as an 0-5 in logistics after my earlier Artillery Cold War days so it was time. Only 11 more years and I'll receive my retirement checks!
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As an Air Force 491 (3c0) in late 90s, after almost 14 yrs learning every conceivable high tech skill, E.g. Fiber optics, networking, client server, desktop, network architecture and COMSEC to name a few, the writing was on the wall. With the draw downs in full swing, and the likelihood of increased tempo and more deployments on the horizon, I thought it was time to focus on the young family and our long term future. Once I put my resume out there, it was as if I was a first round draft pick in the nfl. The phone never stopped ringing. I'd get a dozen calls a day easy. Civilian salaries and offers that tripled and quadrupled my then SSgt pay. It was a no brainer. I then got that fateful call from a guy with a big Fortune 500 healthcare company who was looking to round out his budding information protection team. I recognized the name immediately. It was the former captain that I dealt with daily from Scott Air Force Base. They used to call us to discuss various alerts and hacking attempts at my base, McGuire AFB. Most of the other bases he called used to give him the cold shoulder. This whole concept of information assurance / protection was in its early stages, and most viewed the alerts and calls as a nuisance. Not me, I dug the stuff and as a result always heard him out. We developed a real nice rapport over the years. Evidently it must have left a good impression. He got out and landed a lucrative job at this huge healthcare company essentially doing the same job he did when at Scott. When my resume came across his desk, he jumped on it and brought me in for an interview. I must have done well cause after interviewing with him and jus boss, I also interviewed with the CISO. Got hired on the spot. Morale of that story, never burn bridges. It didn't take long for the "I miss the Air Force blues" to settle in. Civilians were a strange bunch, and I missed the sharpness, tirelessness, selflessness, teamwork, etc., so I signed back up with the AF Reserves and gave them another 6 years of my life. I'm still with that big civilian company, it's been very lucrative for me, and I was able to retire from the reserves. Only 8 more years, and I'll start collecting that pension, social security , and retire from the civilian gig. It's been a long ride but I wouldn't change a thing. I got a son in the army now, and I see signs of him following in my footsteps and making it a career. Let's just hope he learned from my journey! The End!
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When I joined the Navy I had an expectation of the Military shaped by Uncles in the Army and living at Camp Lejeune , NC. I knew it wasn't roses, but I expected things like Esprit de Corp, actually leadership, etc. After two years on a Man'O'War and seeing Naval traditions and what passed for leadership(the era of TQL) I left and went to the dive community totally different Navy but eventually the stupidity seeped its way in and I left
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