Why leave after 10 years?

I got out after 11 years.

A meager retirement is no reason to waste one's life doing something one no longer feels passionate about. Time is too short.

I get this question all the time because I'm getting out and next month will be 11 years in the Army for me. There are a lot of reasons that I'm leaving that I won't get into right now but my husband (who is staying in) and I had several very long talks about my continued service and we decided together that is was the best course of action for our family and where we ultimately want to be in life. I've been talked to by my career counselor, my supervisor, my OIC, and my hospital CSM. I told all of them the same thing. The only person that can convince me to stay is my husband and I already know his answer.
As long as the person is making an informed decision I don't think anyone should try to talk them out of it.

If their heart is no longer in it and they do not feel that they can give it their all anymore I do not see a reason why you should try and convince them to do something that they no longer want to do.  I do not feel it is in the best interest of the individual or the Service to convince them to stay.  What should be done however is make sure that they have a full understanding of everything and that they are making an informed decision.

I just got out this past week after 10 years of service, I was not happy with what I was doing and my pursuit of happiness directed me back to the civilian life. I watched officers, NCO's, and soldiers walk around in several units with a miserable look on their faces and constantly stressed out. I realized that this isn't for me anymore, I would rather get out and spend 30+ years in a job I enjoy, than to serve 10 more years feeling miserable. I no longer have to be under the control of a pissed off bi-polar 1SG/CSM, getting recalled because some idiot chose to make a bad choice, no more deployments (saying goodbye to my wife and kids), babysitting grown adults, the list could go on and on.

I did have several different people try talking me out of getting out, but I've heard all the efforts and scares, bottom line is nothing is guaranteed in the army and there are so many loopholes. News flash, there IS good life on the outside, despite the false statements "there's nothing on the outside".

On the other hand if you can't count on the military to keep you to 20 the best move is to get out whenever you have a job offer.

My husband would have stayed in when he hit the 10 year mark for but one, maybe two reasons.

1. Everyone just expected him to stay in. No one encouraged him in any way.
2. After two reserve bases, he wanted sea duty, an advance school, anything to give him a challenge and the detailer was only offering him more of the same.

So, one good ET1 with two NAM awards took his training and left.

10 year folks need encouragement and a good reason to stay in. Don't think they will stay just for the retirement when they know they can do better elsewhere. All they have to do is look at a jobs board and see what the options are.

I wouldn't say that it is necessary to talk one out of it. In my opinion, as a well-rounded leader, we must be versed in both military and civilian opportunities that could best benefit the Service Member. In some cases, people who leave after or at 10 years, might have a job lined up, school planned, or other goals, that don't agree with them staying on Active Duty. This would be a great opportunity to assist them with their transition plan - whether it be remaining on Active Duty, joining the Reserve or National Guard, or totally separating. My question to any leader who feels the need to talk a Service Member out of separating, is Why? Why shouldn't they leave the military? How will staying in best fit their needs, their family's needs, and their specific services' needs? Part of counseling, is ensuring that we best equip them for whatever their choices are, and providing them with the tools to execute their goals. 

After 8 years I had to make a decision, get out or make it 20 years.

While I loved being a Soldier my wife didn't like being a Soldier's wife.

We remained married for 25 years. But hardly a day passes where I don't regret the decisions I made on some level. While I've had successes in my civilian life, nothing yet has felt as right as being a Soldier, an NCO, doing a job that really matters.

I heard too many times from veterans over my career that said "I'd be retired with benefits by now." Medical care for my girlfriend without dental is $1,260 a quarter for ONE person.

10 years is the half way mark, either stay and go all the way or get out now.

In 1991 after Desert Storm, many of us got out at 10 years. Like me, alot of people were E-5 (P), no promotions in sight and cutbacks was coming.

Otherwise we didn't see it as a good career choice...........