Posted on May 17, 2014
SSG Senior Communications Sergeant
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If a Service Member with 15 yrs total service(10 active, 5 National Guard) was at the end of current contract and offered $20k to stay in indefinitely, would that be wiser than seeking employment as a civilian?
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Responses: 7
SFC Karl Dreller
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Cornell, that truly depends on the level of impairment. If you can not be with an ODA but are satisfied working a B team or other support role, stay in. I say this as a former communicator who went into civil service. My skills really did not translate to a civilian skills. The leadership and the ability to learn anything quickly and too apply it stood me well.

Examine the job market.
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SSG Senior Communications Sergeant
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10 y
Great advice. Thanks.
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1SG House Boy And Puppy Pooper Scooper.
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For me I would want to stay. If you are SF you may need to take a look and another MOS and move to a conventional unit.
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SSG Senior Communications Sergeant
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10 y
Retention NCO mentioned that. Since I've done my time,I'll keep my tab. Also mentioned swtg or recruiting.
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SSgt Gregory Guina
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Think we need a few more details before we can answer that question.
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SSG Senior Communications Sergeant
SSG (Join to see)
10 y
Understood. After 10 years active including 3 deployments, one currently underway, there is about one year left in my enlistment. I do not have a degree or many certified skills that will transfer directly to the civilian field. However, after 2 broken legs, multiple gunshot wounds, injuries that have yielded a titanium rod in both legs and 9 screws throughought my body, I feel like I may not be capable of doing 10 more years. However, I just received an email saying I have a bonis of $22.5k(tax-free) available if I re-up indefinitely. My other option is to return home from Afghnaistan and ETS next year, then seek some type of civilian employment that will be less stressful on my body. This will also allow me to spend much needed time with my 4 year old son, hopefully. I guess that will depend on the next career choice as well.
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SSgt Gregory Guina
SSgt Gregory Guina
10 y
I think I would re-enlist take the 22.5K tax free and keep pushing as long as you can still meet the minimum requirements. While you have been injured you must be doing OK that you are able to deploy again. Once you get back from the deployment work on getting yourself a degree. That way if you do break down you will have something to fall back on.
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