Veterans, what made you decide that it was time to go?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 14:41:40 -0400

What are some of the reasons you decided to leave the service. Do you regret your decision to leave. More importantly, are you happy?

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Apr 15 at 2014 7:54 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 19:54:12 -0400

Medical discharge.

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Apr 16 at 2014 8:24 AM

SSG Jeffrey Spencer — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:24:45 -0400

In my case, it wasn't really me that made the decision.

I wanted to stay in, but the climb got too steep. I received E-6 promotion orders two weeks after I was married. My cutoff was 942 and I was ecstatic that I finally exceeded that. I was on a 3-year hardship tour in Ft. Hunter Liggett. To get pinned, I had to DEROS to P'anmunjom. Wait! I just got married! Solitary tour for 14 months?? After 3 years here at Liggett??

I requested deletion. Denied. Deferrment. Denied. DEROS to Germany. Denied. OCS? Denied. "You are career status. Go or get out!" I was told.

Ok, since you put it that way...

I wish I could have stayed. I miss the challenge and the comeraderie of my brothers. I made something out of it. We can with the right will. It took me a while to adjust and get through the change, but I made it. I look back and I didn't have the advantage of attending school since I was stationed so far from any school. (This is way before computers and distance learning) Korea wouldn't have been any help. I got out and started college. Sometimes the gift isn't apparent.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Apr 16 at 2014 8:59 AM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 08:59:22 -0400

When the Navy forced retired me and told me I'd been there too long

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Apr 16 at 2014 11:42 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 11:42:55 -0400

This is similar to an earlier discussion where I related a story about my first mentor (who was also my CSM at the time) who announced his retirement.   I was unhappy with his decision to leave (since he was my mentor) and confronted him about it (professionally, of course).  He smiled and simply stated to me... "When it's your time, you'll know".  I believe this to be true, it's different for everyone; but when it is YOUR time... YOU will know.  Regrets? No.  Am I happy?  Yes.  I believe I made the right decision at the right time for me, and I wish the same for you.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 1:06 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 13:06:00 -0400

I bailed at the end of my first enlistment to get my undergrad degree. After four years of college and four years of 'Corporate America', I was fed up with the BS, dishonesty, and lack of morals I found in the civilian world. I came back on active duty a little over 16 years ago and I have never looked back. If I can get the next assignment I am angling for, the Department of the Army is going to have to hunt me down and physically remove me from my uniform to get me to quit! :)

Response by PO2 Thomas OKeefe made Apr 16 at 2014 2:10 PM

PO2 Thomas OKeefe — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 14:10:16 -0400

I was on the fence; having a wife and newborn baby. I was looking at deployment (which I loved) and long separation (which concerned me for my daughter's welfare). Then, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) gave a statement saying, "If in doubt, don't get out." It was then that I understood my value to the Navy. If their best enticement was a veiled and disrespectful threat, I knew my loyalties had been misplaced. I didn't even try for E-6, not wanting to deprive someone of the billet I would have earned but never used. Although I physically left the military two years later, mentally, I left the day I heard that threat. My heart was broken but at least my eyes were opened.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 16 at 2014 2:33 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 14:33:51 -0400

When the first line leaders started to look so young that I wondered if they could get into a R rated movie? When the scales of serving and cost of family began to tip the wrong way, it was time to retire. I could have, would have, stayed longer but it would not have been fair to my family.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2014 3:21 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 15:21:34 -0400

I have a year left but in 2 months gonna ACAP and attempt to get a job so I can get out early seperation 180 days early. I don't agree with what I do anymore, I see blatant disrespect for each other in the ranks. Everyone is out for their own skin, and I'm sick of living in a world of hate. The PT is a mess, companies are getting more disorganized by the month, everyone is in the dark, and I can't seem to get anything done once. The army is a mess right now and I can't take the inconsistency anymore.

Response by SGT Jason Chapell made Apr 16 at 2014 3:24 PM

SGT Jason Chapell — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 15:24:30 -0400

As I worked my butt off to make my stripes, I had those "leaders" that were the "been there done that" type. Some of them would tell you to go do something, but couldn't do it themselves (but you still do what you're told). I told myself that I would never be like that. After my knees went to crap, and had my surgery, the Doc said I would never Run, Ruck, or anything the like again. I made the decision to finish my contract and go home; I couldn't see myself sitting on my a$$ and tell a soldier to go run a 13 minute 2 mile just because I used to. As for regret, Yes I miss the Army everyday and kick myself for ETSing. I would be at 16 years right now if I hadn't stepped out, but I am happy where I'm at. I actually get paid what I'm worth and for the hours I put in.

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Apr 16 at 2014 6:26 PM

SSG Ralph Watkins — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 18:26:39 -0400

My unit was split up to combine with other units deploying to Iraq.  When we returned to our home units we were met with a wall.  This is the way we have been training for years, we don't want to hear of anything new or how your actual experiences differed from our current training & procedures.  I transferred to unit where I the PSG for a whole bunch of kids & the unit was all about dress uniforms & doing the good old training, forget what you learned downrange.  When I pushed the issue to train now for possible deployment it was don't worry about it, we will train when if we ever get deployed.  I was in charge of human intelligence collectors who needed to tactically savvy if they were deployed.  Nope, the command was all about following the training schedule & looking pretty.  I couldn't face being deployed with these kids in command who was terminally stuck in garrison more.  I said screw it & retired.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 16 at 2014 7:25 PM

SPC Charles Brown — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 19:25:49 -0400

Actually what made me realize that it was time for me to get out of the Army when I blew out my back during the sit up event of a pt test. I wound up with two degenerating discs at the L4 and L5. I completed my contract and was discharged Honorably, I am now 50% disabled and having trouble getting around without assistance, needless to say I am also having trouble finding employment, I am none-the-less hopeful that someday soon I will be able to find a job that I can do without too much physical discomfort.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 16 at 2014 7:35 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 19:35:46 -0400

HYT Baby, 20 yrs max out as an E-6. I did 21 because they Kept an old UYK-20 Computer and needed an Old UYK-20 Man to finish the last deployment. It was good while it lasted. Lots of Great Sea Stories that I will be telling for quite some time.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Apr 17 at 2014 8:59 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 08:59:05 -0400

For me the decision came after I served 8.5 years. I knew that if I reuped, it would throw me over 10 years and at that point it would just be better to ride it out or take route b and get out now with 8.5 years. With the condition of my knee getting worse and my kids growing up I did some research figured out the job market within IT wasn't too bad in the Pittsburgh area so I made the call to get out.

Response by SPC Brian Jones made May 9 at 2014 7:54 AM

SPC Brian Jones — Fri, 09 May 2014 07:54:43 -0400

Decided that getting shot at and blown up was detrimental to my health.

Do I regret leaving? No, during my time I did grow up considerably which I truly needed but the "game" was just not for me.

Am I Happy? Overall absolutely YES! I have my nightly demons to deal with now and several buddies that decided to eat a bullet when they came home that hit very close to home. But I have my wife and kids who are my life.

Response by PO1 Floyd Clark made Jun 30 at 2014 5:26 PM

PO1 Floyd Clark — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 17:26:36 -0400

I retired at 20 years. Would have stayed in longer if I could (High Year Tenure for E6 was 20 years)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2014 9:21 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 09:21:53 -0400

I left active duty because I wanted to further my education. I still remember the CG of Ft. Riley speech. He stated 40% of soldiers ETS with education goals in mind and only 8% of those complete their degree. That burned into my psyche. When I enlisted, Physician Assistants were Warrant Officers and those doors closed when I was an E-1. I didn't want to extend for the chance to put in a PA packet. I had to trust my own drive to complete my education and then direct commission back in. While I look back and say, as many do, "If I stayed in, I would be retired now." More importantly, I set my own priorities and chose my own path to my goals. I made the right decision. I did miss the military during my break in service, and oddly tended to remember only the good times. I don't regret a thing.

Response by SPC Jack Hunt, JR made Nov 14 at 2014 1:26 PM

SPC Jack Hunt, JR — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 13:26:56 -0500

Due to an injury and illness I was told I was no longer fit for my combat mos or to be on jump status. I was told I could reclass but chose not to, my ego told me I was to hardcore for that.
It never hit me until I set the pen down after signing out of my unit at battalion cq. I was immediately an empty man. 12 years and 100 plus jobs behind my here I am going to college trying to get myself patched up and get back to work.

Response by SCPO Sonny Sleichter made Nov 14 at 2014 2:54 PM

SCPO Sonny Sleichter — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 14:54:08 -0500

E-4 I left because i was tired of all the BS and getting paid very little for it. When my time was up and i honorably got out in 1965; i was told nothing about the benefits i could have taken advantage of, so i didn't take advantage of any. Now i understand the discharged are told.

I had injuries from serving, but could not qualify for even 10%. I know at least on person who spent two years in the Army and gets 100% disability benefits for PDS, then he brags about how he had that before entering the service, and thinks he really pulled a big one on the government.

There is not one thing wrong with him with the exception of being a homo.

Regards,
GMS

Response by SPC Brian Jones made Feb 24 at 2023 3:11 PM

SPC Brian Jones — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 15:11:47 -0500

Bullets flying and burned bodies.
Don't regret it though I do miss the companionship with my other idiots in arms. :) Lots of good times but still wakes up in cold sweats from time to time.
Very happy now, but as with most people there have been ups and downs.