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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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45 days out from transition leave - retiring after 26 years of service. Like many, I do not want to retire but recently 'saw the sign'. I've had a sterling career, served in all the right positions, awarded all the awards one can handle yet passed over for attendance at the Sergeants Major Academy twice.
My sign came in the form of another NCO whom I had known earlier in my career. A bad seed all around - toxic. Two DUIs, relieved of duties and rehabilitatively transferred to another post. Heard he had failed UA at this gaining unit - cocaine.
Ran into this NCO just after I had returned from my seventh combat deployment... and he was wearing Sergeant Major rank.
I love the Army but after you have placed your heart and soul into making something greater, placing trust in its codes, morals and values, taking care of and caring for its Soldiers.. to have something like this come before you is not only heartbreaking but crushing.
My sign came in the form of another NCO whom I had known earlier in my career. A bad seed all around - toxic. Two DUIs, relieved of duties and rehabilitatively transferred to another post. Heard he had failed UA at this gaining unit - cocaine.
Ran into this NCO just after I had returned from my seventh combat deployment... and he was wearing Sergeant Major rank.
I love the Army but after you have placed your heart and soul into making something greater, placing trust in its codes, morals and values, taking care of and caring for its Soldiers.. to have something like this come before you is not only heartbreaking but crushing.
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SFC (Join to see)
Wow...all of you speak my language. We had a guy get out of the Army as a SFC who went to become a Cop in South Carolina. He was nothing special...no special duties...He gets hurt, becomes an active duty National Guard Soldier. I just seen pictures of the non-deploying, no college, no special duties quite who's nervous twitch is to grab his crotch graduate the SERGEANTS MAJOR ACADEMY in Class B's with 1 MSM!
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Sgt Packy Flickinger
I once stood at attention while a NCO received a navy achievement medal for coming in on his own one Saturday to reload software on a new computer. Funny thing is, I had come in on my own also that Saturday to prep the Mals for a CNAP inspection as I had done the last 3 Saturday's as well as stayed late several days a week for a month. I was doing the Sgt's job while on leave. I hardly got noticed
The NCO who got the NAM was black as was his NCOIC and OIC and half the staff. Racism pure and simple. If I wernt transferring and getting out I would have filed discrimination charges I was so pissed.
I did say out loud as it was handed to him "I guess it's not what you know but who you know". They didn't like the comment but it was kind of a challenge to say something about it. They knew! They also knew if it went to a hearing a few other things might come out like the fact the NCO and NCOIC were both tag-teaming the same white LCpl... Without their wives knowledge.
Trust, honor, integrity. My code. Obviously not a generally accepted one. I do not stay around those who feel as I do, in a job or as friends. Semper Fi are not just words!!!
The NCO who got the NAM was black as was his NCOIC and OIC and half the staff. Racism pure and simple. If I wernt transferring and getting out I would have filed discrimination charges I was so pissed.
I did say out loud as it was handed to him "I guess it's not what you know but who you know". They didn't like the comment but it was kind of a challenge to say something about it. They knew! They also knew if it went to a hearing a few other things might come out like the fact the NCO and NCOIC were both tag-teaming the same white LCpl... Without their wives knowledge.
Trust, honor, integrity. My code. Obviously not a generally accepted one. I do not stay around those who feel as I do, in a job or as friends. Semper Fi are not just words!!!
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Cpl Thomas Mcdonough
Good for you, if more people would speak up maybe all this reverse racism would be stoped. you know when something feels wrong it probable is.you were most defenitly wronged
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Sgt Kelly Overmyer
No such thing as reverse racism, it's like sayinf someone has done such a good job 360degree improvement - that's back where you started. Racism is just that, doing thing biased because of "insert prejudice"
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For me primarily a service-connected injury put me out. I was thrown from a vehicle in the field and had a cervical spine injury. Thankfully nothing too awfully bad.
I was sexually harassed by my former First Sergeant in my unit. I was basically told in no uncertain terms if I didn't sleep with him, my life would be made miserable and I would have no chance of advancement in that unit. Sadly at that time, I was 19, and rather naive about how things worked. At the time I was in, there were not very many women in the Cav. I was combat support. I was too scared to go above his head and quite frankly, being only 1 of 2 women in my whole battalion at the time, I didn't think I would the support I needed to fight it. So when I was offered the discharge I took it. I sadly have regretted that decision. Up until that point, I had enjoyed my time in the service.
I was sexually harassed by my former First Sergeant in my unit. I was basically told in no uncertain terms if I didn't sleep with him, my life would be made miserable and I would have no chance of advancement in that unit. Sadly at that time, I was 19, and rather naive about how things worked. At the time I was in, there were not very many women in the Cav. I was combat support. I was too scared to go above his head and quite frankly, being only 1 of 2 women in my whole battalion at the time, I didn't think I would the support I needed to fight it. So when I was offered the discharge I took it. I sadly have regretted that decision. Up until that point, I had enjoyed my time in the service.
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PV2 (Join to see)
Thank you SCPO Larry Knight Sr. for your efforts. It's folks like you that renew my faith in most of the leadership.
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SCPO Larry Knight Sr.
Your quite welcome and you should never have been subjected to this level of un- professionalism by a supposed leader ! "BZ" on getting out and moving into a new career pattern, and keep holding your head up high as you continue to do great things in life.
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SFC (Join to see)
Lisa Wilcox all members of our Armed Forces regardless of who they are are entitled to nothing less than outstanding leadership. What happened to you sickens me while I would like you and anyone else who has served to know that you all matter while your service will always be held in the highest regard. Please note that our brother's and sister's herein come from all walks of life and every grade of military rank. The one true common denominator we all share is that we served. Remember our rank came with a level of responsibility while we earned everything we should have never forgotten once we came from in that such does not define us. keep your head up and realize that no matter how tough things get God has a plan for all of us!
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SSgt Alex Robinson
God bless you. You should never have had to endure any of the garbage you did. Prayers for you...
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Well, I did serve to retirement. I did not want to retire, actually was trying to deploy with another EOD team going to Afghanistan. I had enough sense to approach Medical and ask what it would take for me to deploy and the Med Officer started laughing. Apparently, broken ankles, arms and hand, knees with ligament injury, separated shoulder and three bulging disks in my neck were enough to get me medically boarded. So, I sat quietly in recruiting for 16 months until I could retire. NOT what I wanted! However, I will say, 4 months after I had that meeting, I was moving a bomb suit and something popped in my neck. I had ruptured all three disks and was told that I should have become paralyzed when it happened, hell, the surgeon told me that he had no idea of how I made it that far without becoming paralyzed since he knew what I have done and was still doing.
Proof positive god looks out for idiots!
Proof positive god looks out for idiots!
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For a couple of reasons... all made sense at the time... School and a woman. The school has not 'benefited' me professionally and the woman is 'benefiting' someone else...
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PVT Jeff Clark
I have been there, while I was in the Hospital My Evil 1st wife ran off with a drunk/druggy long haired slime ball and took my daughter ! it was months before I was able to attempt legal action to get my Baby Girl Back and by then had transitioned into a disabled Veteran
The Judge did not Military type of human beings and would not even grant me 50/50, instead he awarded me all the bills with no parental rights.
The last time I saw my Daughter she was a prostitute needle loving scumbag and she gave my 2 Grandsons to her evil mother who is no better, I again tried to rescue my Grandsons and got a Liberal judge who hated the Military and Veterans of same, Lost the right to visit and the Judge granted adoption to the bitch who ruined my Baby Girl. I met My current wife when I was at my worst Physically and she helped me through all of this nightmare and we have been together 26 years now, The Judge Did not like her either because a Police Officer another thing he did not like was that we are Christians and had planned on having My Baby Girl attend a Christian School
The Judge did not Military type of human beings and would not even grant me 50/50, instead he awarded me all the bills with no parental rights.
The last time I saw my Daughter she was a prostitute needle loving scumbag and she gave my 2 Grandsons to her evil mother who is no better, I again tried to rescue my Grandsons and got a Liberal judge who hated the Military and Veterans of same, Lost the right to visit and the Judge granted adoption to the bitch who ruined my Baby Girl. I met My current wife when I was at my worst Physically and she helped me through all of this nightmare and we have been together 26 years now, The Judge Did not like her either because a Police Officer another thing he did not like was that we are Christians and had planned on having My Baby Girl attend a Christian School
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SSG Pete Fleming
PVT Jeff Clark, sorry to hear all that... I the wish the best for you and your family.
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SFC (Join to see)
34 years in the Air Force is like 1 year in the Army! JK Thank you for your service Chief...dang I just realized as the Air Force Birthday is 18 September 1947 you are actually Army Air Corps. lol I respect all branches while it's fun to tease each other every once and a while!lol
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I decided to leave because I wanted to be a mommy and actually be home for once, I was tired of my kiddos calling my mom 'Mommy' cause I was always away. I love my Mommy and am very thankful for her!
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SGT Stephen Vaughn
I was a Sergeant with 26 years of service. I injured my right knee during a mission and had to have surgery. That was the end of my career 26 years 9 months and 26days. I will always miss being in the service of the greatest country in the world.
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I didn't have what it took to play the game for 20 years.
I significantly disliked the corruption and favoritism. I disliked and disagreed with the union-like atmosphere and method of pay/advancement in rank, regardless of knowledge AND work ethic.
I was young and dumb, made some mistakes that were held over me, and people used those mistakes to avoid offering me additional training opportunities.
Quite honestly, I had my mind made up from the get go that I was only doing it for 4 years to get money for college and then I was getting out. Nobody bothered to try to "re-recruit" me to prove that it could have been a career rather than a temporary 4 year prison sentence, which is what it felt like at times.
In short, I sucked at it. I took the discipline, attention to detail and other traits I learned while in the service, and got the heck out of dodge. Grateful for the experience because it made me a much better civilian, but it's very obvious that i NEVER could have been successful for 20 years in the military. So I got out while I was ahead and before I did something stupid to get a dishonorable discharge.
I significantly disliked the corruption and favoritism. I disliked and disagreed with the union-like atmosphere and method of pay/advancement in rank, regardless of knowledge AND work ethic.
I was young and dumb, made some mistakes that were held over me, and people used those mistakes to avoid offering me additional training opportunities.
Quite honestly, I had my mind made up from the get go that I was only doing it for 4 years to get money for college and then I was getting out. Nobody bothered to try to "re-recruit" me to prove that it could have been a career rather than a temporary 4 year prison sentence, which is what it felt like at times.
In short, I sucked at it. I took the discipline, attention to detail and other traits I learned while in the service, and got the heck out of dodge. Grateful for the experience because it made me a much better civilian, but it's very obvious that i NEVER could have been successful for 20 years in the military. So I got out while I was ahead and before I did something stupid to get a dishonorable discharge.
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SFC Chrishalodebany J.
SGT Gambino, what kind of music do you perform, and do you and your band ever do shows outside Santa Fe, NM? I am curious!
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SGT Gabriel G.
SFC Chrishalodebany J. PO3 Shaun Taylor thank you both! We are planning touring dates, we've played TX, CO, NM, AZ, trying to get out there more. OUr stuff is up at http://www.throwthetemple.com I'm glad I served, I'm just glad to be done too. I don't think you can do both and be really good at one thing, unless you can turn into two people
Home page of Throw The Temple, an alternative, rock group from Albuquerque
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After 12 years I chose to leave the service. It was a very difficult decision that I made easily. It was 9 years after 9-11 and nothing was slowing down in the desert. I just had a baby. I had given service before self for so long, I felt guilty for BOTH wanting to deploy. NOT wanting someone else to raise my child while I was far, far away for long periods of time. I made the selfish selfless decision to not re-enlist and be available for my child's firsts. I miss it everyday, but don't regret it. This guy was worth it! And so is his little brother! Plenty of people do both (families and military) and that is incredible. But it wasn't for me and my family. God bless all who have served and continue to serve!
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PO2 Jonathan Scharff
TSgt Jackie Jones I share with you my reasons which are identical to yours the only difference is I made my decision 27 years ago! I'm not saying that you can't raise a wonderful family being in the military, I just didn't want to be away from them more than half of their upbringing. Were we successful? My oldest got his undergrad and masters from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hobokkin, NJ. My middle on is in his last semester of law school and has a job waiting for him clerking for a judge upon graduation. My youngest graduated from Penn State and was commissioned as a 2LT in the Army. He is now stationed at Ft Hood in the ADA. But most importantly they are fine respectful honorable men. So yes, I made the right decision for me and I am so proud of my boys! Photos are of our three boys and their beautiful girlfriends this past year.
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TSgt Jackie Jones
100% agree. PO2 Scharff. It can be done and it can be done well. I just chose not to!
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I too serve 26 years on active duty and love it. I seen the writing on the wall as well. I found out that a toxic 1SG that I serve under was selected for SGM. This individual try everything he could to give me a re-leaf of cause, because I wouldn't play by his rules. I receive an NOCER that show conflict of interest. He rated me the same as my counter part. Both of us were Senior instructors he rated him 1 1 and me 2 2 preforming the same duties. I appealed the NCOER and won. From that day forward he try everything he can to discredit me. In the long run I won and he was transfer off the installation.
Many of us realize that we pour our blood, sweat, and tears in everything we do wearing the uniform. We lead by example. "No one is more professional than I" NCO Creed we live it. No one can take that from any of us.
Many of us realize that we pour our blood, sweat, and tears in everything we do wearing the uniform. We lead by example. "No one is more professional than I" NCO Creed we live it. No one can take that from any of us.
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