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How did you make the decision to reenlist/seperate?
Alright...i know i'm a n00b in the military (AF in particular) but I figured it was never to early to ask questions.
At the end of my 4yr enlistment I assume I have to make a choice to either reenlist or seperate. I came into the military thinking I would stay a whole 20 and retire...but there are times that I second-guess that train of thought. Alot of it comes from what I read in the paper, and what I see on TV.
When you were in how did you make that decision to either stay in or move on? I've only been in since 23May06, but hey thats what forums are for right?
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+1... In the next few years you will be goin through a lot of stuff, that will help a lot in your decision making process. If it comes down to you like the military but hate your job... cross train when you become eligible. There are a lot of things that can/will change your mind. Like me, i cross trained form crew chief to security forces. Now im a K-9 Handler and i love my job but what i want in my life is to have a family. So, my decision is to get out after this enlistment due to the 6onths deployed 6 months home fact of my job. So many things will come up in the next few years to change and rechange your mind. You will know when the time comes.
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I've done both re-enlist and separate.
When I re-enlisted I was only 21 or so at the time, single, no kids. I had liked my job and at that point in time I thought I would end up retiring in the Navy. I was heading to shore duty.
I did 3yrs on shore duty and started making connections with contractors and civilians at work. I had a son at the beginning of this tour. But at this point I still wasn't sure if I was going to re-enlist. I took a dream tour for me but I had to extend past my enlistment to take the orders. I had another kid and I knew that I would be underway alot and away from my kids.
In the end it's a very tough decision to make and honestly can be quite scary. I don't know how the AF is but the Navy really doesn't prep you well for transitioning. So if you do decide to get out make sure you spend alot of time researching, looking for jobs and places to live. Remember, if you do get out there are alot of things you'll have to pay for that now you don't and take for granted.
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it's been said and i agree, your next few years will help you to decide. the military changes A LOT! the state of the nation today may not be the same when you are ready to make your decision.
with all this being said, prepare yourself so you can make your own decision and not let the military make it for you. meaning, make sure you take advantage of tuition assistance, get your education on their dime. don't be one of these military guys who goof off, look forward to getting drunk on the weekends and spend their week playing PS3 or Xbox. not saying you can't have fun, but when it's time for you to decide to stay in or get out, you have more doors open to you with an education. without these doors being open for you when your enlistment is up, then you may feel your only option will be to stay in, regardless if you want to or not.
For some it's a hard decision to make. I notice a lot of people are scared of what "the real world" is like cus the military is the only job they have had. For me the decision isn't hard. I'm glad I enlisted in the USMC but I'm tired now. I'm 21 with the body of a 60 year old man. What I want in life at this point they can't offer (family, stable working enviroment, planting roots). So at the end of this year I am seperating and going to MMI. The best advice I can give is to do what you think is right for yourself and what you want out of life.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stlboarder
For some it's a hard decision to make. I notice a lot of people are scared of what "the real world" is like cus the military is the only job they have had. For me the decision isn't hard. I'm glad I enlisted in the USMC but I'm tired now. I'm 21 with the body of a 60 year old man. What I want in life at this point they can't offer (family, stable working enviroment, planting roots). So at the end of this year I am seperating and going to MMI. The best advice I can give is to do what you think is right for yourself and what you want out of life.
seriously always assume you are going to leave and plan accordingly that way when the time comes you won't stay just because you don't have another plan.
seriously always assume you are going to leave and plan accordingly that way when the time comes you won't stay just because you don't have another plan.
I've seen this way to many times
I've seen this so much it's not even funny.
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"Life is like a box of chocolates; there's always some other asshole who's eaten your favorite ones first!"
Man...I have like 12 years in and I used to fight with myself everyday about the same thing. Put it this way, I have separated twice and always went back. If you enjoy it half the time you might miss it if you get out. It really is up to your own personal views at the time re-enlistment comes. Hell, I just joined back up, this time National Guard instead of Active duty!LOL I can't stay away damnit!!
Wait a few years and things will change and you will have a better view of what the armed services are all about. You will be able to make a better assesment of your situation.
Make sure you always prepare for life out of the military no matter what you decide as you never know when, god forbid, you could get hurt and put out.
Have a secondary plan as some have already said.
It was easy. I just added up the bills. The $18K bonus helped too. (6 years)
Really, I love my job, great retirement, good healthcare, and I've got nothing else to do. So why not.
Everyone will have different reasons to reenlist or seperate.
How did you make the decision to reenlist/seperate?
The $18K bonus helped too. (6 years)
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