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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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I joined the U.S. Army back on Leap Day 2000 and loved every single moment of my military career, both between Active Duty as well as Reserve. I was medically retired in May 2012 because early in my deployment to Iraq I took an APFT for my promotion packet and my foot landed on something awkwardly hard (fortunately not a mine) but when I got MEDEVACED back to the US because of incoming rounds landing near my living quarters which made my wall locker land right onto my head, my foot became a minor issue in comparison. Once I got my TBI under control I allowed a military doc to perform surgery on my foot to fix a torn plantar fascia and bone spur, he damaged the nerve bundle in my foot and I now have a progressive neurological disorder for which I got a spinal cord stimulator implanted for in Dec 2011. Once I had that device implanted the medical board informed me that I was not eligible to deploy anymore and that they were going to retire me. Very much against my wishes but in the end it worked out since I now have an amazing job and don't have to worry about the stressors that I would fall behind my peers now and I do advocate for people who have chronic pain disorders and how to navigate the military health care system.
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I retired in 93 after 25 years of honorable service, and full intensions of going for 30yrs. I how ever discovered operation reduction in force was hitting all branch's of the military, and that stellar performance didn't mean squat. I saw the twinky eating E-7's and above is what they're wanting to retain. As a combat veteran in the Vietnam theater all that dedication to service and country, didn't stop them from asking me to put in my papers. When I went up for MCPO (E-9) I quickly realized, that all those I assisted in career ending positions aboard various commands were on the E-( selection board) imagine that ?
So it further proves that you can be a formidable leader with a stellar record and a chest full of medals, and you'll still be cut. Do I hold a grudge why of course I do, they would rather keep the incompetent and rehabbed members to lead our future young soldiers, sailors and airmen. I reflect back on my career now and I have no regrets, I was one of the upper 10% Navy wide Leaders in the senior enlisted community and damn proud of it !
I'm retired from active duty and now await retiring with ssa benefits and continue to work for a few more years, so I can help mentor some of those individuals that desire to improve their lives. I've always enjoyed teaching those willing to absorb years of knowledge, but not in a school setting. Have low tolerance for the stupid factor, and the inability to pay attention to detail by others.
So it further proves that you can be a formidable leader with a stellar record and a chest full of medals, and you'll still be cut. Do I hold a grudge why of course I do, they would rather keep the incompetent and rehabbed members to lead our future young soldiers, sailors and airmen. I reflect back on my career now and I have no regrets, I was one of the upper 10% Navy wide Leaders in the senior enlisted community and damn proud of it !
I'm retired from active duty and now await retiring with ssa benefits and continue to work for a few more years, so I can help mentor some of those individuals that desire to improve their lives. I've always enjoyed teaching those willing to absorb years of knowledge, but not in a school setting. Have low tolerance for the stupid factor, and the inability to pay attention to detail by others.
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I was forced to retire by a Toxic commander and a spineless 1SG. I made a mistake and paid for it 2 years earlier. But my commander found out about it and just hounded all I knew about it. It got so bad i just had to go. I retired in 2012. I was so glad to get out. Everywhere I was stationed in the army there was always an incompetent leader, toxic leader, or just plain sadistic. I got kicked out of a unit because the leadership had rounds with names of people in the unit on it. They talked of how they want to take them out in the field and find them in a week. The 1SG would have a soldier brought in and show the round to them a laugh. I went to the CSM and things got bad after that for the entire unit. I seen soldiers scared and crying.
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12 years in deployed on an aircraft carrier to Desert Storm I was asked to lead a team to facilitate a change of homeport, packed my seabag and flew back to Washington state 2 months before scheduled return. I thought I would surprise my wife and daughter who was about 5. Totally surprised the wife and went to grandma's house to pick up daughter. Called ahead to make sure my daughter answered the door. Knocked at the door, she answered, looked at me funny and asked, "Who are you?". That hurt. A year or so later, I had been passed over for E6 3 times despite scoring in the top 5%. Did not like where the then "President" would most likely lead the country and especially the military. Then the Navy came out with an 'early retirement' program that would let me out 9 months early and pay me a severance. OK.....that works for me. Made first increment on last advancement test and was promoted to E6 the day before my discharge. See, even a blind dog finds a bone now and then. Have since built a moderately successful life, daughter now works for me as my office manager and is about to make me a grandpa. Life is good.
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The service is best when people follow honor duty and purpose. The politics of self service undermine the nobility of service. I enjoyed the time spent with my Marine brothers great group of people.
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PO1 Raymond Garcia
Corpsman Thank you Brother Marines are the product of Discipline Honor and Duty. HOORRAAAHH
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In response the reason I left the the military is a simple one. I was thinking about staying in and going for 20 because I love my country and the army guard , I also loved hanging out with by brothers in arms. I left simply because my father died 4 months before my ETS date and his dying request was that I leave the army national guard I discussed it with my company commander and my first sergeant both agreed that I should not deny my fathers dying request but gave me the go if I ever needed to come back.
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I was terribly injured on duty and was discharged Honorably with a Medical Discharge/Permanently Disabled. I had one dream in life form my earliest memories of joining the Army, 82nd AB White Falcon Pathfinder and do at least a full 30 but dreams can be taken away in a blink of an eye. Now I do my best to Lobby for Active Duty and Veterans Benefits as to Honor every member of all Branches of the United States Military when my health allows me to.
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