How It Feels To Walk Away From 20 Years In The Marine Corps

For many of us it's difficult to finally submit for that retirement request. I knew that if I ever stayed too long and stopped others from getting promoted then it was my time to go. I did 29 years and 1 month, if I had served 1 more month, just 30 days, then no one in my MOS would have gotten promoted to MGySgt that year and a few MSgt's had already been floating that they were about done with no chance for a shot at MGySgt. That did it for me, talked to the wife that weekend and walked my request thru and called the monitor to get a promotion slot opened up. One of my good friends was selected for promotion and took my spot. Yes, I could have been selfish and stayed another 11 months. But at what cost? Sometimes you have to take one for the team, in this case I believe I made one of the best decisions of my military career. Retired in June 2004 and I still miss the Marines I served with. We never walk away, we remain Marines forever. Semper Fidelis!

Good article