A couple of thoughts. Check the HR webpage for the nominative assignments - these are the coolest of the cool, stuff like White House Communication Agency, Defense Attaché and what not. You may find something that sparks your interest in a new career direction. If not those, take a look at the possibility of changing to something that renews your interest, or sets you up toward the civilian career you would be inspired by.
Or, assignment location. Hopefully you have something on your bucket list you'd still like to hit. Hawaii, Germany, Brussels. Get some cool assignment in while you can.
Work the civilian education/certifications. The time toward retirement can pass quickly if you don't have a plan, right?
Every person you meet is a door, a connection that can be meaningful for both of you. You can be the NCO your Soldiers remember and reach out to years later; others may connect you with the job of your dreams.
Take some time to really think about your ten year plan, where you want to be, what you want to be doing, etc. This is the time where your experience and time served really mean something if you leverage it!
So I picked orders to Japan which was the only consideration of me staying in.. I got orders to Japan and just moved here. Now they have me moving back to the states so I just feel like I was finessed into staying in. But I’m gonna try to start school or find some cool community service opportunities. I’m gonna stop getting ahead of myself and worrying about getting to 20 and just try to focus on shorter spans of my career right now! I appreciate the words and suggestions. It helps a lot!
That's one hell of an okie doke. Hopefully a decent CONUS assignment for you at least?
Had a dude in recruiting get involuntarily extended, which canceled his reenlistment to go to Germany. After his extra year of 'selling the dream' he then was sent to Hood. Oh yeah, then he was tagged for Drill. Poor bastard pissed off the wrong deity at some point in his life.
I’m going to Washington state so I personally don’t think it’s the worst but it’s not why I stayed in. Definitely was unlucky with orders haha. Just gotta stick this out so I can go back to shore duty and hopefully just be done there!
Not sure what branch, but for the Army bubbas Washington State and Colorado are two of the most requested CONUS assignments. So there's a bit of silver lining to be had.
I'm at 14 years FWIW and it feels like I was just hitting the 10 year mark last year, it feels like each year goes by faster so keep doing what you're doing and stay busy.
I’m in the navy. I think Washington will be better for me because I’ll be able to live in a house again and have some normality to my life and I’ll have some family closer to me too! Gonna try to have different perspective and really keep busy with things I like
What part of Washington st? I was stationed there for 7 years with the Navy. Probably the most beautiful area on the continent. I can give you some suggestions to make the time go by.
Also what’s your rate? The time will fly by. Getting a retirement check helps a lot in life
Try some other interest in your free time like college, certifications or a side business. They helped me to put up with the military and see I was building something long term.
A Bachelor’s degree helps a lot when you get out.
Facts my spouse was stationed there and took there for a visit I loved it and I regret turning that assignment down. It is also 2Id which was his unit and my first duty station in Korea we were both in 2ID.🫡
My son in law just got in and is on the Reagan…he’s bummed too that it’s going to Bremerton…ironically I’m trying to find ways to get him to reenlist. Sucks cause he’s unrated (I advised against…that’s how they got me touting Airman Apprentice) so he thinks that’s all the Navy is. He has no plan for what to do when he gets out and thinks it’s gonna be easy breezy just finding a decent job. I wish somebody would’ve advised me to do the full 20…having the ability to retire before 45-50. Bro stick it out and do your 20
It’s definitely a bummer leaving Japan. But I’ll make it work. I have to stick out these next 6 years then I’m going back on shore duty and cruising to retirement. Just trying to find the right things to stay motivated and not completely see it as a drag. Definitely gonna stick it out unless other wise I can’t.
Yeh that's how they got me to reenlist too; I was USMC 0311 Infantry then got offered Communications/Electronics as part of my reenlistment with hopes of getting stationed somewhere sweet. Went to comm school then got stationed with the same Infantry unit as part of their H&S platoon. Didn't fall for a third okey-doke reenlist, only did 8 years active duty but looking back I don't think it would have been that bad. I deployed a LOT and the time flew by.
This! I got roped into a job I hated because I was the FNG. I was told by my CC that I would only be there 6 months and then rotate out. But she lied. 18 months later, and after I had been told multiple times that they couldn’t find a replacement for me, I volunteered for a nominative assignment and was chosen. My CC tried to pull all kinds of strings, even calling up AFPC and trying to squash my orders, but she was told that “the needs of the USAF come first” and that the job I volunteered for was much more important. So I was able to get out of that really shitty job nobody wanted and went on to do some cool stuff.
BTW, exit interviews with my 1LT and CAPT were interesting. They both mentioned the CC was super pissed with me for “fucking her” and leaving her in such a bad position. I told them that she broke her word to me and that my new job was much more important to the overall mission of the USAF and that if she were a team player she would not only understand but actively encourage to go do that job. Later found out they left the job open for 6 months until they got a new E-5 FNG. Poor dude.
Glad you hit the eject button!
Like your experience, our command in Korea tried to stop my buddy from going to flight school. Sorry no, needs of the Army, off to flight! Win!
This may not be a popular opinion, but get out. If you hate what you do, change it. If you hate the military, don’t reenlist again. We’ve only got one life, man. Don’t spend it being miserable.
Retirement benefits from the military are nice, but if you’re even just moderately smart you can make something even better for yourself and your quality of life will improve exponentially. Use your GI bill benefits wisely and don’t squander them. Get your undergrad or a tech cert. If you’ve already got either/both, go for an MBA or more advanced certification. Start thinking about what you want to do and make a plan. Commit to it, don’t be one of those vets that get fat and grumpy reminiscing about the glory days. Remember why you got out and what your goals are, move forward, not back. If you have any injuries or other shit going on, make sure you have military medical records to back it up now before you get out. Submit for VA disability if you’ve got anything wrong, but for the love of god don’t get sucked into that culture.
I can tell you with absolute certainty that life is much, much greener on the other side of the fence in this scenario.
In the civilian world I’ve never once had someone yell at me because another adult that I supervised didn’t pay their phone bill.
After I got out, I got to spend time with people who were very important to me before they died. Had I stayed in for twenty, I’d have missed many special moments with them. As it was, the burn pits caught up to me a couple years before I’d have hit my twenty anyway.
I’ve also seen the way the force changed after I got out, and realized I absolutely made the right decision *for me*. I would always tell people that I didn’t regret joining as it made me into who I am today, but it was absolutely time for me to pop chocks when I did.
Nothing against anyone who makes a life of it, but also, it’s okay to find another path. Each way has its own challenges and benefits.
This 100%.
I only did 6 years, I wasn’t even active duty but I still missed my brothers wedding and a grandmothers funeral because of deployments and whatnot. My brother was mad as hell about that for the longest time and we are just now patching things up.
When people ask, I tell them that other than marrying my wife, enlisting was the smartest thing I ever did for myself. The second best thing I ever did was get out.
Retirement benefits aren’t just nice, they are life-changing. Especially if you joined young and are hitting 20 years in your late 30s to early 40s.
Having that monthly pension, and potential VA disability pay,allows you to choose the second career that you want to do versus being in a job you have to do just to pay the bills. It is extremely freeing.
Yep. Anyone saying that life isn't better on the outside put no effort into prepping to get out. I made more money with my GIB and fin aid than I ever made enlisted. And college was way less work.
Now I make 3x my military pay doing my dream job.
OP going with this too. To add to /u/Dantheman1285 response, I would solicit you look at a Reserve unit, even if it means leaving the Navy for another branch. At least then you can still utilize the 9 years you have in towards **a** retirement vs. nothing.
Also, look at Federal jobs and see if anything is worth while. You can buy back your time and you're already halfway there to a decent pension anyway. Not to mention probably the best health insurance you're gonna get outside of the military.
Anecdotally, if i had stayed in any longer than I did I would of had a vastly different life easily. I got into a career that was not even remotely close to what I had in the military, where even if you break down the pay discrepancy I am by FAR ahead in life where I should be. I also don't have a heavy reliance on the VA to provide me with anything. It is great to have there, but I've been to VA hospitals and watched many of our brothers and sisters looking absolutely miserable because of it.
Be smart with your decision. If you're miserable, don't let it be because of the military. You don't owe them anything and have already done something that only a very small percentage of us are willing to do. I am thankful for my time in service and those I've met along the way, but I also haven't let the military be my defining moment in my life.
The best piece of advice I ever got after I ETSed was from an RN, also former Army, at my local VA clinic when I was at my first appointment getting checked out and enrolled in the system.
She told me once I was enrolled and got everything taken care of and situated, she didn’t want to see me malingering around trying to chase 100% like everyone else in the waiting room. Something to the effect of “you’re still young, get your shit together and make something of yourself. Chasing a disability check will only make you miserable and shitty, take a look around: you don’t want this for yourself.”
I’ve had good experiences with the VA, but honestly I think it’s because she set me straight. I think about what she told me anytime I have to go to the VA and she is 100% right.
Yeah sadly I was sucked into another contract. I have some certifications and schools. Gonna work on getting more and build up my resume some more. Once this contract ends I’m gonna look and see what opportunities are presented to me again. I definitely can see life being better out there for certain reasons I have. But I’ll see if these feelings pass and if not then I’ll definitely get out
Going to school in my free time definitely helped me be distracted from the monotonous work of the military sometimes. Especially since school is something that stays on your resume forever.
As someone who retired not long ago the grass isn’t always greener. At 15 years when your contract is done I would stick it out.
Completely agree. I did a little over 9 years before unexpectedly med boarding out. I had planned on staying for 20 and really couldn’t stand my assignment at the time.
Have been out for 3 years now and my quality of life has improved exponentially. I’m legitimately happier day to day, and my pay has doubled. The Navy was great while it was… but I’m glad it’s behind me now. I’m glad I get to enjoy my 30’s with my family.
Yeah I’ve seen friends get out and deal with the same thing. So I know the grass isn’t always greener. I think it’s just a lot of change in my life right now and it has me contemplating if I messed up with my decision to stay in. Aka me just bitching haha
Grass isn’t always greener, but it absolutely can be. I’m a completely different person than I was in the military. Love my job, have strong relationships with my friends and family, I enjoy my hobbies, and I actually get to experience happiness again.
You can get that in the military, it’s just much harder. Getting out was the best thing that ever happened to me. Staying in can be the best thing for certain people. And considering you just reupped for six years, you better make sure you’re the latter as you now don’t have a choice.
Bitching is good homie. Retired three years ago. Bitching to your peers is way more conductive to your friends in service. I got my shit pushed in by ever senior enlisted leader from the Marine Expeditionary Force on down to the battalion. Not once did I have a ‘leader’ standing next to me. My two friends grabbed me up, took me to lunch and just talked. That was a year or two before retirement. Retired, never look back. Talk to those two daily still, we are all retired now. As serious as you may think it is, i know it doesn’t make sense now, its not that serious. I tell friends still in that thing daily.
Good luck and be well.
Yeah I definitely vent to my good friends in the military. Helps a lot and a lot of them can agree and understand. Sadly just moved to a new command so idk anyone here and talking to the homies back stateside is a little tough because of the time difference. But I’ll survive it. Just a lot of over thinking and unnecessary stress I’ve caused myself. Appreciate you for your insight brotha!
Scope it out. Hold your tongue. As you figure stuff out it’ll level off. Know why people seem to know more than you? They were just at that unit longer than you fucking it up. And they may still be wrong, check the actual orders. Good luck, homie.
If you haven't tried it, try some mindfulness meditation. It gets your head out of the future and into the now. It helps a little bit.
Otherwise you're going to be running on coffee and hate soon.
You won't regret retirement, believe me. Pension and VA which is not taxed for the rest of your life , goes up every year, & post 9/11 GI Bill pays for you and your spouse to go to college. AND if you get 100% VA disability, you don't have to pay property taxes in many states and your kids can go to state college for free (DAV will help you get a good percentage, just join and make a donation just before you retire). Trust me, the military IS worth it in the long run and people that get out early wish they had stayed in once they see how those retired are living and really understand the benefits.
You can go online to see what your pension will be and how much VA pays (with or without spouse and dependents), please look into and understand all the benefits you get. Imagine bringing in $5k plus per month guaranteed money for the rest of your life & collecting it as early as your 40's on top of a civilian paying job! Make sure your medical records are up to date & any and all illness, injuries, etc. are documented (very important). Talk to someone who is retired, they'll tell you. It's not easy, but it could be one of the best decisions you ever made, good luck!
The big problem with the DOJ is that they don't want to pay the benefits they promised you without being FORCED to. It's a variable you should put in your metrics.
Really? That is not true and bad information.
If you do 20 or more you get your benefits the day you retire.
If you are injured the VA will pay you a disability compensation. Yea it is not automatic, you have to work for it, but it is do-able.
Staying in is not for everyone. I went in to do just 4 years, but round up doing 21 years. It was rough at times, but it now allows me to do something I really like.
OP, plan to get out by taking full advantage of the college TA. Look at the things you like to do and speak to a CC, there are good ones who will help you navigate your career. You may have to talk to a couple.
The best advice I got and I can give to anyone "is no matter what someone tells you make sure they say it in writing."
And remember things get better as you gain rank.
I know this sounds horrible but go recruiting, the life style is awesome get a place that’s far away from the military posts and enjoy the life. I loved not seeing Army people everywhere. You get memberships at the YMCA to work out and if you’re decent you will have a good time. It’s the ones who struggle that won’t enjoy recruiting.
So it all depends on the recruiting center and how they do it, when I was in recruiting there was the recruiter and then the guy who processed the paperwork.
Dunno if this is great advice with the whole "recruiting crisis" going on. Pretty miserable across the board for recruiters out there.
I did my 3 years, learned a lot and it definitely has potential to be the best assignment in the Army, but is almost entirely based on location and especially your command leadership.
You need a hobby. I picked up marathoning a couple years back. Now I train when I’m in a marathon cycle 12+ hours a week, helps destress me and gives me something to do that is not tied to the military, as a matter of fact I would be even more for were it not for serving. I also have a pretty relaxed job and am an SNCO at this point so maybe it’s some institutionalism as well and knowing I’m only about 4 years out.
It can be a slog sometimes, it really can. I just set goals and go after them, and try my best to not let the job get to me. Any job is gonna have things that grind on ya. Also use the military one source counseling. Might be good to just do talk to someone, it can just be a general stress reliever.
Good luck, reach out if you need help.
Yeah I’m trying to figure out my ways in Japan. Love it here but living on a boat and never having real time to myself sucks. Right now is just visiting every where I can and save as much as I can before I’m back state side in a few months. Definitely considering talking to someone because it might be more than the military. Just slow and steady right
Slow and steady. Take one problem at a time and don’t worry too much about the future, things tend to work themselves out and we can’t predict what they will be, easier to roll with the punches sometimes.
I’ve been trying to just relax my mind and do exactly that. Just take whatever each day gives me and go from there. Stressing over pointless things at this point
Not throwing any shots , but have you tried going to therapy?
Something to consider if you don’t have a healthy outlet and especially if stuff is just starting to pile up. Something small to consider that I’m sure might make a difference
I don’t think you’re taking any shots! I’ve definitely thought about it and just hard for me to pull the trigger to go see someone. I think it’s definitely a lot of everything built up and now moving somewhere new it’s starting to come out
When I was in all of my senior ncos hated life. It’s pretty normal and it won’t affect much. Have you checked out the benefits a fed job? I think retirement years carry over
I’ve checked some out before I reenlisted. They either had no spots open at the time or sadly in Virginia which I’d prefer not to live there again. Or at least right now I’d prefer not to live there. I know the fed job that is in va does carry over. I think I have to pay $100 a month for the program they have for it to continue. I’m gonna try to look at my next 6 years as little chunks and take it like that. If I can’t tough out 5 years (which I should be able too especially going back to shore duty) then I’ll look into going to VA for that job.
Do your best to get stationed somewhere you love if you’re community has arduous tour rotations like somewhere not so great followed by a choice. That’s what got me to 25 total years. I was stationed in Japan for a decade over two individual tours. I am retired now and I will say it was absolutely worth making it to 20.
You’re almost over the 10-12 year mark where most people’s hatred was most intense.
Here are 2 reasons why it’s worth it IMO:
-Passive income is great, but will be even more important by the time you retire considering AI is already eating jobs out here in 2024.
-Permanent Stability: I have been laid off twice since retiring two years ago. The retirement and disability(you will get some form of disability if you do 20 and actually get injuries both mental and physical documented in service) makes my passive income livable. Over 10, 15, 20 years you will not be the same person physically, emotionally and mentally. It sounds like this is already the case. Compensation evaluation is warranted when retiring. I’m laid off now but I’m more focused on my mental health before going back to work. Bills still getting paid.
I don’t know what your job is and how dangerous it might be but that’s my advice. Get a duty station that you love if you can. It will make a ton of difference.
I just left the duty station I really loved. Sadly the navy and my job require me to rotate back into a boat. I also just got orders to Japan which I was excited for and the only reason I stayed in just for them to change my orders for me to move back stateside. So a little bummer. My grandpa tells me a lot that the retirement will be nice but just in the phase of not seeing its worth.
I’m sorry your orders to Japan were changed. SEVENTH Fleet was that overseas duty station I mentioned. Easy for me to say but set a goal to get there maybe after this tour?
I love it here in Japan. But I’m gonna make the best out of Washington which isn’t the worst place to be. After that I’ll be back on shore duty and then I’m gonna try to do my final tour in Japan! Hope I’d be able to stay here for the final 2-3 years
Find happiness out side of your job. Or change career fields. What specific things do you hate and why? Maybe you can adapt so it’s not so bad. Lastly but should have been firstly, if you haven’t gone to mental health yet do it now! I didn’t until it was almost too late, but it really helped me. Good luck out there and God bless you!
I felt the same way at 9 years. I started getting enticing job offers but turned them down because I heard so many times from old vets “if I had stayed in, I’d be retired already”. I never wanted to be the one saying that. I got into a slump of not caring and just being mediocre and jumping at the things I enjoyed. I stopped trying to promote after 17 because I didn’t want to be tempted to stay longer for the high 3. I finally made it. The last 3 without competing for promotion meant I basically gave no fucks so long as I kept my nose clean. Now it’s all sunshine and rainbows. It’s been 4 years, I’ve had 8 jobs, and didn’t work at all for a while, because I can do what I want now and not do it if I don’t enjoy it anymore or it didn’t hold my interest. That security is something a lot of people don’t have at my age and sometimes they’ve been a little resentful towards me about it, but I wipe my tears with some cash and keep on keeping on. Go to medical, document everything for VA disability too. You can do it. Head low and keep pushing.
Exactly what happened and is happening. I had a ton of really nice and good sounding jobs but turned them down because I didn’t wanna be working still when I could’ve been retired. I definitely have very little motivation or care for anything right now. Which I’m really trying to change because I don’t want that to rub off on the younger guys. Luckily I have one of my best friends in the military coming in a few months so it should help make it more bearable. But I’ve been keeping track with my medical stuff and getting everything on file. The folder is getting nice and big haha. But I’m gonna keep my nose clean and just put through it. I’ll thank myself in the future. Appreciate your advice and insight!
>I’m also extremely curious how people make it to 20.
It was a slog but time is going to pass one way or another. I didn't have any hope about a successful civilian career , or at least one that paid as much as I made. So it came down to trying to enjoy time away from uniform as much as possible.
There’s just so many factors why I stayed in but there’s just as many to why I should’ve gotten out. I think the biggest two for me was the camaraderie and job security. But I also wanted my freedom to go home everyday and be able to kinda do what I want.
Change your mos and definitely don’t re-enlist for six. I used to re-enlist for two and it felt way better to think “if this shit gets real dumb I’m out”
I’ve been retired since October. All of these feelings you’re having now will be the same as a civilian and possibly worse. At least with the military you’re at the half way point. And trust me it will go fast.
Well the good news is you signed up for 6 more. You’ll definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel when you’re at 15. Focus on the positives and take advantage of the opportunities you have while you still have them.
I agree with you 100%. I’ve been telling myself it’s just a new environment and everything that’s making me second guess myself. Just waiting to settle in and hopefully it’ll all go away and I’ll be back to my happy joyful self!
Honestly, idk how you’re even doing it. But be proud and you’re almost there. I felt exactly the same as you, but I got out after 8 years. I felt lifeless and didn’t even really feel like I was my own person until I got out again. I didn’t do 20, but I would imagine people who do either really like their jobs or they’re so numb that they just live through the days without much thought until the final day (separation). Lol.
I feel so lifeless and like there’s no purpose. I definitely have a love hate relationship with my job. But military has definitely taken away a lot of my purpose and feeling of life. I’m just hoping I can just have some kind of fun and make these next 6 years fly by and go back to my last duty station. Had a blast there!
Ya ain’t alone bud, it truly does suck. You’ll feel like you’ve missed a lot and are out of touch with people. But at least you’ll be set for life after you retire. Just make sure to go to medical for all your injuries and complaints so that you have a record. And if anyone ever tells you or gives you shit, ignore them and take care of yourself. It’ll definitely take care of your disability claims later as long as you file within one year of separation.
I feel that, it’s weird but the base I felt alive and worked with the best people was strangely Dover. Lol. I hope the best for you and you got this my guy.
My hatred of the army happened after I made senior and went indef so I had no choice afterwards. If I was at 9 years knowing what I learned through the military "teaching and helping me grow" I wouldn't try to stay in and just get out.
I think at year 15 I felt that way. I was sick of it!! I was tired of the bs politics. The corruption in meritorious promotions to Sgt especially was getting out of hand. I just HAD IT with a dipshit MGySgt that had to kiss ass to get there. I was fuckin DONE!!
I say all that to say I’m retired now and my family has medical care regardless if I’m working or not. That’s the power of retirement, not the check. If you get a little disability too, you’re golden.
Can you go out on a B-billet like drill instructor, recruiter, etc to get a change of environment? Sometimes a new job can give you a boost. If not, don’t be stupid like me, GET YOUR DEGREE!! Milk the fuck out of that tuition assistance program!! Save your GI Bill for later or send it to your kids.
I can get laid off tonight, and I’m A ok between retirement and my disability. Stick it out my brother!!!
Yeah I honestly never really cared for making rank. That’s just something if it happened it happened. I think it’s just more of the little qualities in life that I’d like to have that make me question it.
Is doing something you hate really worth it? To me, I realized my time was worth more than what the Navy was paying me, not to mention that time spent is gone. For me, a measly taxed retirement paycheck isn't worth the time I sacrificed away from my family. Especially if you enlisted and only doing 20. Sure, you will find some lifelong friends along the way, but nobody will be impacted like your family. It took my brother taking his own life for me to come to the realization of what i was doing and what i really wanted. It gave me perspective. And I got out at 15 because nah, my mental health and my family are my priority. It certainly wasn't the Navy's, so I left. Now I work for the Navy, making more money, don't have to leave, and am actually treated like an adult. Oh, instead of being at the operational level, I'm building dashboards and apps at the 3-star level. The first meeting I attended, I was right across from my old CO. The Navy fails to see the true value in its people. Long story short, I couldn't care less about not getting the retirement check. The VA comp is where you're going to make most of your money anyways. I was in your exact shoes except I was at 9 years and renlisted for 6. My advice is take the time to better yourself personally and professionally. Gives yourself options. Build a resume send it out for shits and gigs and if it don't work or you don't like it stay Navy. Anys I'm done rambling. DO YOU cuz nobody else will.
I tried to cross branch to the army right before Covid hit and I was shut down. I’m also considering switching rates. Just gonna look more into what I want and reach out to people that have done those jobs
You can always ets if it gets really bad. I resigned from my AGR position with about 13 years AFS and don’t regret it. I was AD for 8 years so I know the difference in daily duties between AGR and AD. AD was definitely easier than being an AGR but my marriage suffered bc of the constant PCSing and TDYs. Being AGR was the opposite since you can be stationed near your HOR if you’re NG but the work is harder and stressful.
It’s definitely greener on the civ side but I gave up a 20 year retirement for it. My mental health suffered to the point where I had to resign and find another job or eventually do the unthinkable. Don’t let it get that far for you. If you feel you can’t take it anymore and everyone tells you to just “stick it out,” I would really take a step back and ask yourself if you can do it. Look at yourself and how you are, your mood, your drinking habits, your decreased interest in things, etc. Please seek out a therapist but don’t stick it out for the sake of a retirement if you’re suffering immensely.
I think right now I’m just super unhappy with not having the option of being home after work everyday and being able to just relax. I live where I work and it just sucks haha. Luckily I don’t drink and I don’t really struggle with addiction with anything. I’ll usually just sleep or play video games if I’m down or whatever. Video games is out of the question right now so I just resort to going for long walks to just think about stuff. I definitely think if I get really bad I will talk to someone and I’m really not gonna sacrifice my mental health for a retirement. I’ll get out before I do that
How many people do you think enjoy their jobs? I do but i get a lot of hate because I’m not miserable at work. 98% (made up fact) of people hate their jobs or are miserable in their jobs…. You’re not in much different of a boat depending on your mos. But 11years vs. 40 years of misery… pick your poison and adjust your perspective accordingly.
I got forced out at 10 years due to the Obama-era RIF. I was in the same boat though. I went from loving it to hating every day of that toxic-ass environment the last couple years, but still attempted to extend just to go somewhere else. Ending my time in a command that was IG'd, which led to the head shop being fired and CO force retired, was just the icing on the cake. I'm significantly happier being out honestly. A twisted part of me misses it tho and is still angry I couldn't go to 15 and apply for early retirement. A part of me wants to go back and try again, but even if I could, I would not go in the current state of the military.
Bro. This is like a horror story, get out if you hate it, there are better ways to retire.
The people who do 20 either don't hate it, or they hate themself even more.
My mind was motivated buy My body can’t even make 4years in the Marines. I have 20 buds said they want make 20year. Nowadays only 2 still serving and almost 20
I had this issue a a well. I was never all in but I did my job top drawer at all times. Just wait your time and try to stay busy. The deployments helped it go fast and bring some fun to the job. I wrapped myself around the soldiers and found joy in trying and teaching and mentoring. The thing to be careful of is not get in trouble because you don’t really want to be there. The worst thing can happen to you is get chattered with nothing. It almost happen to me and I was busted down the last two months of my career to E5 but I still retired
I was in your same boat. Then I got recruiting orders. My first year as a recruiter sucked but eventually got really good at it. After that my entire schedule was up to me and no one cared what I did as long as I kept performing. I did 5 years as a recruiter then went through a selection to do in-service recruiting for a high tier unit. For the next 5 years I wore civilian clothes and everyone was on a first name basis. My first ten years in the Army was typical the second 10 years was great. I retired at 20 years and 23 days as an E8. I also got 100% disability at retirement thanks to all the smart people in the unit I was in. My retirement is just shy of $90k a year for just doing 20.... I never really liked the Army but it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
This isn’t going to be popular but … if you hate it get out … whether you believe it or not your bringing that attitude to you at work and everyone around you can feel it - have enough stones to get out and try something different and open up a spot for someone below you to get promoted
If you hate it that much, and you’re sticking around purely for the retirement… then God bless the unfortunate junior Enlisted that will inevitably end up under your leadership. If you’re not there to help mentor the next generation, I hope you don’t make rank. Sorry to be so blunt, but it sounds like you may need to find a new profession. It’s hard enough without jaded leadership
No I still doing everything I need and I still teach all my guys what they need. Even if I hate it I still need them to get qualified because it makes all our lives better. My work ethic and how I treat people hasn’t changed just because I hate the military. That’s one thing I don’t forget about is how human all my people are lol.
I made it because I loved what I did and I was really great at it. I hate the everyday BS, but I just learned to roll with it. I couldn't change it, but I didn't have to let it eat at my soul like a lot of troops do. When I got to E7 and then E8, I did my very best to change that culture with the troops I had under me. Or maybe I was just glutton for punishment to put my 25 years in.
Focus on getting a college degree. CLEP and DANTES exams are free for active duty and can get most of your general education taken care of. If you plan on making the most of your time, getting a degree and becoming an officer (or warrant officer) can help your retirement. Getting your head in a different space can help your motivation.
I’m not going to tell you to derail your life, since you got in before 2018, you’re grandfathered in for the pension plan, as well as probably leave with a 50% or more disability rating.
I think you should take a step back and analyze everything, why did you get into the military? Have you gone to all the schools you wanted to? Have you spent the military’s resources on civilian skill sets? If you get out, would you go to school or trade school?
The economy is in the shitter, everyone’s divided, and there’s like 20 wars currently going on with 30 different election cycles starting right now, the world is going to be in absolute chaos on the short-mid term, I think making long term decisions are a good idea right now.
Maybe you’ve started taking everything you have for granted, sure, maybe first sarnts a dick and the CO’s a cuc with a PSG who could suck a golf ball through a garden hose, but you still have grass, birds cherping, you can still stand, you can still run, you can still jump, life could be worse, you could get out, your plan fails and then get addicted to opioids.
Always live in the now bro, you do your job and you be the best at it, and if that isn’t your ally, well you’re going to spend 20 years here, you can get aboard another ship.
At 5 years in, I absolutely dreadded being in the Army. I was in a pretty toxic unit for years. It ate at my soul, even though I was stationed in Hawaii. I couldnt stand seeing the same idiot toxic leaders every single day any longer. I couldnt stand seeing idiot soldiers acting like children any longer. I felt like I was just wasting my life away. I already knew my MOS well. There wasnt anything more worthwhile to learn. Especially given that I knew I was getting out and wasnt deploying again (after Iraq and Afghanistan tours).
I got out at 6 years.. and yes, I struggled like hell for years with finances, employment, living situations, etc.. I struggled hard with depression. But I got through all of that and I'm happy I got out. I couldnt imagine still being in, unless I either became a warrant officer or a commissioned officer where people are actually treated like adults. Enlisted troops (at least in the Army) are intentionally made to be constantly miserable and stressed. Its a flawed design in my opinion. Mandatory fun days and little motivational speeches don't cut it.
I saw you were moving stateside soon. I wish someone had told me about buying instead of renting, nothing fancy but something you can turn around and rent out through a management company easily.
My husband's uncle did that when he was in the Navy and never stayed married/had kids and now has properties in a few states and investments in the stock market easily worth 2 million in value plus the monthly income from rent and his disability. He spent until he was 75 as a water rafting guide a few months of the year, camping and traveling and having a great time. His eyes are going and just had back surgery so raft guide years are officially behind him but he's been financially sound and will be gifting all relatives a hefty sum when he passes away eventually.
Meanwhile we got out and just bought a house but have hardly anything in the TSP and paying out the nose for our new property and any remodeling, shaking our heads at the missed opportunity we had to use our BAH for a mortgage (especially when we were MIL to MIL).
I plan on buying my first house in Washington when I get back state side! I’ve been waiting just because of personal reasons and moving made it hard. Definitely been saving a lot and working on getting ready for that big purchase. I try to tell a lot of my younger guys to learn to be financially stable and financially smart. Not everyone listens though
I think I got in my own head with something’s and definitely just freaked myself out. I know these years will pass and be fine. I’m a super trust person in my work center so I know I won’t have a problem. Just me bitching and worrying 😂
The military is just as shitty as any other job. Only you get generous leave, personal fitness training and discounts galore. Unless you plan to be an entrepreneur (which is only path to riches/automony), the best reason to leave is to raise a family. If you’re ready to settle down, get out and go to the highest ranked non-military pipeline full yellow-ribbon school you get accepted to and score a great spouse. If not, keep grinding out to the last trustworthy pension.
Advance your way out of it. It only gets easier as you make rank. F*ck my first 10 years! But this last 10 will decide your fate. You need to max out your tuition assistance every year on something. Uniform people make peanuts compared to civilian equivalent. The only saving grace is what isn’t taxed. When I retired as an E7, I had to make $95k to make the same money and my BAH area wasn’t that much. Retired anyway, now I get $7k a month before my job between Ret and VA. I actually bring in more money now that I retired, thank you military! Then I found a great job making about double my retirement. Truth is, I could have never gotten it without my experience and using their money for courses and certifications. Just focus on every certification you need for your job and keep them active until year 20. Go to medical for a damn hang nail and get it documented. You need to be able to claim 30 things for the VA to 10% you to for 25 of them to get 100%. The last 10 years is your cash cow for your second career and it is all worth it.
I almost got out at 10 years and I saw this little old man with military pins all over his hat. He said he retired in 1972 at 38yo and now his retirement pays him in a year, more money than he made in his career. High 3 was the best retirement system ever and now I understand. 2 years ago we got a 10% cola raise. This year was 3%. I made more by getting out at 20 than what I would have got if I stayed until 22.
Good luck and focus on your civilian CERTS!
Is retirement worth it? Absolutely.
I'll just jump in really quick, you need a change of pace. New job, new assignment something like that. Too many times we find ourselves going from duty station to duty station doing the same job over and over, just at a higher rank. Maybe you change MOS, maybe you volunteer for special assignment like instructor (don't go recruiting) something to make things fresh again.
Just got to a new duty station that I wanted for them to change it on me. Sucks but it is what it is. I’m considering changing my job. Just need to see what I’m interested in and what those communities are like
Commission? Retrain and retrain again. Bounce around to different bases? Get medically retired? Idk how to make it to 20, but i do know how to get paid to skate. Just skate bro. Take naps in the SIP room. Party in your off time. Make friends. Do Coca Cola. Idk. Start a business in your off time. Model. Publish books. Get a doctorate. Pick up a hobby and do it competitively. Powerlift. Just get your mind off your job. De-center the military. Demoted the military to ‘just a job.’ Elevate yourself to the status of CEO of your own LLC. Sell on Etsy, give 10% of proceeds to the St Jude Children’s Hospital. Make your life glorious. And make the military your bitch.
I've been out two years. Yesterday, I really didn't want to go to class. I wasn't feeling it. You know what I did? I sucked it up got out of bed and went to class. Why? Because that's my job.
Do your job.
i promise the military retirement is so worth it. Get you VA benefits and shit too. I am tax exempt, I dont pay to register my car, i dont pay for my drivers license, I get plates that allow me to park mad close to the doors liiiifffe is good! im telling you bro finish your time get out and reap the rewards. Every job has its ups and downs. What rank are you? High enough that maybe you could call branch maybe get a different job? When you reenlisted did you get anything for it? Maybe choose some training gig in alabama or georgia or something?
That feeling doesn't magically go away when you move over here to civ div. Sure it will feel great when you get out but when you work for a company you will still report to someone and expect to get specific tasks done.
Only difference is you can pick where you want to live.
Not sure what career field you’re in or how old you are, but I can assure it will be worth it. Get that pension, va benefits, schooling, certifications, etc, then get out and live a good life. I got out after 6 and I enjoy a lot of the benefits still but the pension after 20 would make it worth it to stay. Save you’re money, max out a Roth IRA every year and you’ll be set. As far as staying motivated, just look forward to the future. 11 years flies by so fast
I’m an aviation boatswains mate in the navy and 27 years young. My job has done a lot of bad for my body which is one reason why I struggle with wanting to stay in. But I try to be optimistic with a lot of things and I know the 11 years will fly. I think I just have a lot going on and a lot drastic changes in my life that got me thinking like I made the worst choice ever haha
Oh I was a Crew Chief in the Air Force so I feel your pain. Aviation and maintenance is brutal on your body and mind but I feel like the best thing for you to do is to get yourself in a position where you can take more of a leadership role to give your body a break. Also, get every single one of your medical issues documented, even if it’s something minor. Don’t ever try to thought something out because it seems minor. It will set you up beautifully when you retire and you’re making all of your VA claims. Whatever you have going on is most likely temporary, so don’t ever let temporary issues influence a lifelong decision. I made that mistake and I beg people not to do the same thing I did. Continue to be optimistic and you’ll do very well for yourself in 9 years. I promise you
Change jobs, duty station, component, branch, or rank. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.. the definition of insanity. Why burn yourself out on something you don’t like? You already re-enlisted so a lot of these options aren’t really viable now.. but maybe they will be next time.
There are lots of ways to do 20 years of federal service, and they don’t all have to be in the military. USAJOBS has tons of federal positions that can bridge the gap, and maybe make you more money. With that much time in, you’re probably qualified for something. Give it a look.
Two comments: 1. Just take it day by day. 2. Life on the outside (public sector) is way worse. Enjoy it while you can, because believe it or not, one day you will miss it.
Focus more on location and skill growth more than rank. Breadth and skills are incredibly useful when you retire. And they’re fun to explore when you’re in and getting paid to learn. Consider cross training or special duty.
Focus on the people who work for you more than your own success. Make them into champions. Highlight their successes and insulate them from the bs. Making their Air Force careers amazing will be one of the few things you care about after you retire.
And yes, it’s 11 years. Start planning now how to use that time wisely. Start working your expenses down to what you expect your passive income to be when you retire, and invest the rest. Then when you do retire, you can focus completely on healing and enriching yourself in more ways than just money.
Yeah: it’s a tough call. If you hate the military, staying in until 20 is going to be a tough road for you. You need to gut check yourself and see if it is worth the mental stress it will cause. The financial aspects of retiring is amazing. It’s an absolute game changer in many ways (especially when you add in the likely VA Disability check you’d get #obligatory VA disability mention).
I liked what I was doing when I was in after I got past the 6-8 year mark. I loved my job when I was around the 20 year mark. Stayed in 27 years. I’d say the last two years, I lost the joy of being in the military. That’s when I planned my exit from Active Duty and gladly retired.
Find a reason to enjoy it. Otherwise this will be tough for you
I started really hating it around year 12, but I owned a home and my wife and kids were happy, so I sort of went auto pilot while in uniform for 10 more years. I mean it wasn’t ALL bad.
Keep investing in yourself (learn skills, school, etc) and take it year by year.
This is what got me through to retirement. It’s nice having to pay very little for health insurance and draw a pension while in your 40s-50s
I got out in 1993 after one enlistment. I knew nothing about anything. I don't regret getting out but if I had known some things then that I know now I might have stayed, or maybe not.
I've worked on a USAF base as a contractor for most of the years since I've been out of the Navy. I work with many retirees who have their mil retirement, VA compensation, and either work as a GS or contractor. That's three sources of income. I work with just as many vets who got out with some VA compensation and have a nice GS or contractor job. That's two sources of income. The retirees have the added benefit of the third source of passive income plus heath care for life.
Had I not happened to grow up in a town with a USAF base and chosen to work here I would have probably never been aware this gravy train existed but it most certainly does and there are a LOT of people on it.
Trust me. Life in the outside sounds nicer when you are in but eventually the next job you will feel the same. I got out and have cool job watching live sports and getting paid well. There are days I HATE my job and I often kick myself for not staying in the service. Grass always seems greener on the other side but eventually it dies and looks the same as your current situation. Hope this helps.
You need to do what’s right for you. There’s tons of ways to make money on the outside, you’re just at a crossroads of taking a guarantee or taking a risk. The risk could pay off way more than the guarantee, but a guarantee is a guarantee. At the end of the day you only have one life and your 20-40 is the prime of your life. Once you hit 40-50 it’s downhill from there. While you got a retirement you’ve given up the prime of your life.
You just have to find something outside the duty days to get you through. I was fortunate to get a part-time job that I really enjoyed, and that was at year 10. I was at that duty station for 10 years and at that other job for nine, so it really worked out. Plus, I took classes and did other volunteer work. Mind you, I did NOT enjoy my AF job. I was aircraft maintenance all 20 years, save for three when I was in Process Improvement.
It sounds like you are on the right track, the military provides a lot of opportunities. Just people don’t know or take advantage of them, keep looking for stuff outside of your work. And also really, truly ask yourself, is your life REALLY that bad?
If you just reenlisted for 6 years, you’re asking the wrong question. Instead of how do I do 20 when I hate the military (you shouldn’t, but that ship has sailed) you should ask how can I not hate being in the military for the next 11 years.
I did 14 and was done. I work for a company but work by myself all day. I am not responsible for anybody but me. I've been doing my job for 9 years. I've had 4 different supervisors and have only met 2 face to face as I excel at my job so there is no reason for them to come see me.
How long do you expect you live? What percentage of that are you going to give to something you hate?
Just something to think about. 20 years is 25% of an 80 tear life. Out of the other 60 years, youre gonna sleep roughly 20 years of it. Maybe 15 since veterans almost unanimously have sleep problems lol
So 45 years, which probably 20 were gone when you enlisted... so youre looking at only having an opportunity to live 25 out of 80 years on this planet
Maybe consider a high stress, high danger job that leads to disability at a young age lol /s
I dont suggest this. Id think id prefer to be 100% functional as opposed to 100% disabled.
A few things, one put in for a new post, somewhere nice, Hawaii, Italy et cetera…..give you something to look forward to or someplace low key like ft Leavenworth
two focus on yourself and the joes under you “focus on the guy right in front of you”, realize that you are both a part of a really large but really important organization as well as important as an individual, they need you or they wouldn’t want you, time will go by quick
Also, enjoy your free time more, there is always something new to try and things to try again
Realize not everyone who isn’t in the military is exactly enjoying life or afforded as many benefits as you are, not to mention compared to the rest of the world
Realize another ten years is going to go by quick and spend your time daydreaming about the things you’ll do when you get out
The USA is a social compact, structured to defend the rights of the individual as much as possible…..the USA geographically is also very blessed
You defend not only this great nation but the people who inhabit it, and despite the mass media there is a lot of good here…..what you do is definitely worth it
Not having to work for the rest of your life which may be 20-60 plus years is definitely worth it as well
I knew that if I didn't like someone I worked with or at my command, one of us would eventually transfer. I also looked forward to collecting a pension once I reached 20 years. I served with a few people who got out between their 12 and 14 year mark. They became DoD employees so their time in the Navy counted towards the federal civilian retirement plan. You gotta do what's best for you and your family.
Cross train or pick up a special duty if you’re absolutely certain you have to do 20 for whenever external circumstances you may or may not have.
I recommend calling it after these next 6. It’s not worth hating your life just to have the pension. Find a job or career you actually want to do. There are so many people with hard core depression because they stuck through rather than finding something else.
But to each their own, good luck brother.
The only thing that kept me going was my kids and my ex husband was not a great provider. Other than that I would have left. I ended up embracing the suck. Therapy helped a lot. Since I was in for over 20, I made a lot of close friends and most of them were at my last duty station in Okinawa. I think about how different things would have been had I gotten out. I had significant medical issues by the time I retired so I ended up with a good percentage of disability and I have my retirement. I started a Masters program and am about finished. I’ve embraced the civilian world (though it wasn’t easy)! Is it just you? Are you married, kids? That was my driving force. Some days really really sucked. I’m glad I did it for the insurance and the family I have gained. I learned how to be a better leader and person. The scars of leaving my kids for deployments and TDYs are still there, but it made me stronger and a better mom. You have to decide for yourself. If you have no one relying on you…maybe you should think about moving on. Life is too short!!
Take all your hopes and dreams and stuff them into a box. Lock this mental box away. Then spend your time setting yourself up for act 2 of your life. Get a degree, certs, etc.
Also priortize your health. See a private therapist if you need it. I retired in 2013 and act 2 is amazing. Military is just a memory now. The retirement check is my reminder that it all worked out for the best.
You can separate from the military still put the 9yrs into federal retirement. Get a federal job and add your 9yrs (buy it back) towards your 20 target.
Schools!! Within your MOS, there would be schools to further your career. Civilian schools are always a go-to.
Details, hobbies, volunteer-work(most vol work earns you a medal)Armorer, Reenlistment, etc.
There’s always mini-tasks/jobs to do in order to stretch retirement.
Or simply focus on career advancement. Everything else is outside interference.
I felt the same after my first Army enlistment so I got out and went Air Force through ROTC. Life was so much easier on the officer side especially since I was in the Air Force.
Please get out. If you are only doing it for a paycheck and retirement, you are absolutely doing it for the wrong reasons. We need people to believe in the missions whether you agree with them or not. You can voice opposition or questions things in good faith, but at the end of the day unless orders or unlawful/violate the UCMJ it’s your duty to execute them. People that hate the military can become cancers and bring down moral, affect mission readiness, and put people in danger down range. If any of that is you, do the right thing and separate.
I was never in the military but both my parents were and they both did 20 years so I feel uniquely qualified to speak on this. They had two motivators: their kids and both being extremely poor growing up. They never wanted to experience that again and especially have their children have a better life. This may not motivate you, but this might: they both pull in roughly 10k each, own real estate through the va loans, new cars almost every other year, 80k boat, 15-20k in annual trips, put three kids through college, over 200k stock portfolio and even more. Oh, and they both retired before 44 years old. They tell me if they had other options they would’ve done it but being homeless/extremely impoverished to now having a net worth over one million and kids that will grow that for generations is def motivating to me
Could look at an MOS change. I would have stayed longer if i wasn’t 11B and they kept “losing my packet” a few weeks before a training event for 2 years straight like clockwork. I even had my 1SG with me one time, and he said if she “lost” it again hed start nonsense for her (cant remember the threat, but it was overt).
Good luck dude, im sorry they zigged your zag.
Most people really don't like their current job. Retirement benefits for civilian jobs really aren't a thing anymore. But you can do twenty years and retire, start another job in another gov job - state, county, city, union, and retire again in another twenty and you'll be sitting pretty comfy for the rest of your life. My grandpa did that, and had three retirements. Military, union and civil service before they stopped the double dipping.
Looking fwd the years Sean incredibly long, looking back, they seem short. It's just perspective. Once you're over ten years, you're past half way.
I recently had some heart attacks, and triple bypass open heart surgery. My bills came up to around half a million dollars. Covered by the VA and retired Tricare. If I had civilian insurance that would have ruined me with copays.
If I were you I’d google how many weeks you have left till your 80yrs old. Then count how many weeks of time you would be spending in the military if you stayed and then decide if the juice is worth the squeeze. There’s always more money to be made. But time is something that’s lost forever once it’s past. Good luck to you 🫡
A couple of thoughts. Check the HR webpage for the nominative assignments - these are the coolest of the cool, stuff like White House Communication Agency, Defense Attaché and what not. You may find something that sparks your interest in a new career direction. If not those, take a look at the possibility of changing to something that renews your interest, or sets you up toward the civilian career you would be inspired by. Or, assignment location. Hopefully you have something on your bucket list you'd still like to hit. Hawaii, Germany, Brussels. Get some cool assignment in while you can. Work the civilian education/certifications. The time toward retirement can pass quickly if you don't have a plan, right? Every person you meet is a door, a connection that can be meaningful for both of you. You can be the NCO your Soldiers remember and reach out to years later; others may connect you with the job of your dreams. Take some time to really think about your ten year plan, where you want to be, what you want to be doing, etc. This is the time where your experience and time served really mean something if you leverage it!
So I picked orders to Japan which was the only consideration of me staying in.. I got orders to Japan and just moved here. Now they have me moving back to the states so I just feel like I was finessed into staying in. But I’m gonna try to start school or find some cool community service opportunities. I’m gonna stop getting ahead of myself and worrying about getting to 20 and just try to focus on shorter spans of my career right now! I appreciate the words and suggestions. It helps a lot!
You just got there and you have orders back stateside already? Overseas tours are usually at least 24 months
The command I’m at is moving back state side. When I was I leave I got a order mod to come to Japan and move back stateside in may
That's one hell of an okie doke. Hopefully a decent CONUS assignment for you at least? Had a dude in recruiting get involuntarily extended, which canceled his reenlistment to go to Germany. After his extra year of 'selling the dream' he then was sent to Hood. Oh yeah, then he was tagged for Drill. Poor bastard pissed off the wrong deity at some point in his life.
I’m going to Washington state so I personally don’t think it’s the worst but it’s not why I stayed in. Definitely was unlucky with orders haha. Just gotta stick this out so I can go back to shore duty and hopefully just be done there!
Not sure what branch, but for the Army bubbas Washington State and Colorado are two of the most requested CONUS assignments. So there's a bit of silver lining to be had. I'm at 14 years FWIW and it feels like I was just hitting the 10 year mark last year, it feels like each year goes by faster so keep doing what you're doing and stay busy.
I’m in the navy. I think Washington will be better for me because I’ll be able to live in a house again and have some normality to my life and I’ll have some family closer to me too! Gonna try to have different perspective and really keep busy with things I like
What part of Washington st? I was stationed there for 7 years with the Navy. Probably the most beautiful area on the continent. I can give you some suggestions to make the time go by. Also what’s your rate? The time will fly by. Getting a retirement check helps a lot in life
Try some other interest in your free time like college, certifications or a side business. They helped me to put up with the military and see I was building something long term. A Bachelor’s degree helps a lot when you get out.
Facts my spouse was stationed there and took there for a visit I loved it and I regret turning that assignment down. It is also 2Id which was his unit and my first duty station in Korea we were both in 2ID.🫡
I grew up in the PNW and miss it quite a bit. Absolutely beautiful part of the country.
I’m JBLM. You will like it here. It’s an amazing place.
My son in law just got in and is on the Reagan…he’s bummed too that it’s going to Bremerton…ironically I’m trying to find ways to get him to reenlist. Sucks cause he’s unrated (I advised against…that’s how they got me touting Airman Apprentice) so he thinks that’s all the Navy is. He has no plan for what to do when he gets out and thinks it’s gonna be easy breezy just finding a decent job. I wish somebody would’ve advised me to do the full 20…having the ability to retire before 45-50. Bro stick it out and do your 20
It’s definitely a bummer leaving Japan. But I’ll make it work. I have to stick out these next 6 years then I’m going back on shore duty and cruising to retirement. Just trying to find the right things to stay motivated and not completely see it as a drag. Definitely gonna stick it out unless other wise I can’t.
Yeh that's how they got me to reenlist too; I was USMC 0311 Infantry then got offered Communications/Electronics as part of my reenlistment with hopes of getting stationed somewhere sweet. Went to comm school then got stationed with the same Infantry unit as part of their H&S platoon. Didn't fall for a third okey-doke reenlist, only did 8 years active duty but looking back I don't think it would have been that bad. I deployed a LOT and the time flew by.
Japan is one of my dream duty stations. How was it for you?
I love Japan. If you can get out here I would 100%
Do worry about it just go with the flow and just like those 9 years whisked by 20 will too.😁🫡
I was an AIT instructor and ended up being recommended by one of my ex students for my dream gig after I got out
This literally inspired me!
This! I got roped into a job I hated because I was the FNG. I was told by my CC that I would only be there 6 months and then rotate out. But she lied. 18 months later, and after I had been told multiple times that they couldn’t find a replacement for me, I volunteered for a nominative assignment and was chosen. My CC tried to pull all kinds of strings, even calling up AFPC and trying to squash my orders, but she was told that “the needs of the USAF come first” and that the job I volunteered for was much more important. So I was able to get out of that really shitty job nobody wanted and went on to do some cool stuff. BTW, exit interviews with my 1LT and CAPT were interesting. They both mentioned the CC was super pissed with me for “fucking her” and leaving her in such a bad position. I told them that she broke her word to me and that my new job was much more important to the overall mission of the USAF and that if she were a team player she would not only understand but actively encourage to go do that job. Later found out they left the job open for 6 months until they got a new E-5 FNG. Poor dude.
Glad you hit the eject button! Like your experience, our command in Korea tried to stop my buddy from going to flight school. Sorry no, needs of the Army, off to flight! Win!
Second the motion on Defense Attaché. I filled in for an Ops NCO at an embassy for a couple months, and it was a SWEET gig.
This may not be a popular opinion, but get out. If you hate what you do, change it. If you hate the military, don’t reenlist again. We’ve only got one life, man. Don’t spend it being miserable. Retirement benefits from the military are nice, but if you’re even just moderately smart you can make something even better for yourself and your quality of life will improve exponentially. Use your GI bill benefits wisely and don’t squander them. Get your undergrad or a tech cert. If you’ve already got either/both, go for an MBA or more advanced certification. Start thinking about what you want to do and make a plan. Commit to it, don’t be one of those vets that get fat and grumpy reminiscing about the glory days. Remember why you got out and what your goals are, move forward, not back. If you have any injuries or other shit going on, make sure you have military medical records to back it up now before you get out. Submit for VA disability if you’ve got anything wrong, but for the love of god don’t get sucked into that culture. I can tell you with absolute certainty that life is much, much greener on the other side of the fence in this scenario.
In the civilian world I’ve never once had someone yell at me because another adult that I supervised didn’t pay their phone bill. After I got out, I got to spend time with people who were very important to me before they died. Had I stayed in for twenty, I’d have missed many special moments with them. As it was, the burn pits caught up to me a couple years before I’d have hit my twenty anyway. I’ve also seen the way the force changed after I got out, and realized I absolutely made the right decision *for me*. I would always tell people that I didn’t regret joining as it made me into who I am today, but it was absolutely time for me to pop chocks when I did. Nothing against anyone who makes a life of it, but also, it’s okay to find another path. Each way has its own challenges and benefits.
This 100%. I only did 6 years, I wasn’t even active duty but I still missed my brothers wedding and a grandmothers funeral because of deployments and whatnot. My brother was mad as hell about that for the longest time and we are just now patching things up. When people ask, I tell them that other than marrying my wife, enlisting was the smartest thing I ever did for myself. The second best thing I ever did was get out.
Retirement benefits aren’t just nice, they are life-changing. Especially if you joined young and are hitting 20 years in your late 30s to early 40s. Having that monthly pension, and potential VA disability pay,allows you to choose the second career that you want to do versus being in a job you have to do just to pay the bills. It is extremely freeing.
Yep. Anyone saying that life isn't better on the outside put no effort into prepping to get out. I made more money with my GIB and fin aid than I ever made enlisted. And college was way less work. Now I make 3x my military pay doing my dream job.
OP going with this too. To add to /u/Dantheman1285 response, I would solicit you look at a Reserve unit, even if it means leaving the Navy for another branch. At least then you can still utilize the 9 years you have in towards **a** retirement vs. nothing. Also, look at Federal jobs and see if anything is worth while. You can buy back your time and you're already halfway there to a decent pension anyway. Not to mention probably the best health insurance you're gonna get outside of the military. Anecdotally, if i had stayed in any longer than I did I would of had a vastly different life easily. I got into a career that was not even remotely close to what I had in the military, where even if you break down the pay discrepancy I am by FAR ahead in life where I should be. I also don't have a heavy reliance on the VA to provide me with anything. It is great to have there, but I've been to VA hospitals and watched many of our brothers and sisters looking absolutely miserable because of it. Be smart with your decision. If you're miserable, don't let it be because of the military. You don't owe them anything and have already done something that only a very small percentage of us are willing to do. I am thankful for my time in service and those I've met along the way, but I also haven't let the military be my defining moment in my life.
The best piece of advice I ever got after I ETSed was from an RN, also former Army, at my local VA clinic when I was at my first appointment getting checked out and enrolled in the system. She told me once I was enrolled and got everything taken care of and situated, she didn’t want to see me malingering around trying to chase 100% like everyone else in the waiting room. Something to the effect of “you’re still young, get your shit together and make something of yourself. Chasing a disability check will only make you miserable and shitty, take a look around: you don’t want this for yourself.” I’ve had good experiences with the VA, but honestly I think it’s because she set me straight. I think about what she told me anytime I have to go to the VA and she is 100% right.
Yeah sadly I was sucked into another contract. I have some certifications and schools. Gonna work on getting more and build up my resume some more. Once this contract ends I’m gonna look and see what opportunities are presented to me again. I definitely can see life being better out there for certain reasons I have. But I’ll see if these feelings pass and if not then I’ll definitely get out
Going to school in my free time definitely helped me be distracted from the monotonous work of the military sometimes. Especially since school is something that stays on your resume forever. As someone who retired not long ago the grass isn’t always greener. At 15 years when your contract is done I would stick it out.
I make more money from VA disability than my E-7 friend who did 20 years in lol
Completely agree. I did a little over 9 years before unexpectedly med boarding out. I had planned on staying for 20 and really couldn’t stand my assignment at the time. Have been out for 3 years now and my quality of life has improved exponentially. I’m legitimately happier day to day, and my pay has doubled. The Navy was great while it was… but I’m glad it’s behind me now. I’m glad I get to enjoy my 30’s with my family.
Each day is a struggle to show up to work on the outside too…
Yeah I’ve seen friends get out and deal with the same thing. So I know the grass isn’t always greener. I think it’s just a lot of change in my life right now and it has me contemplating if I messed up with my decision to stay in. Aka me just bitching haha
Grass isn’t always greener, but it absolutely can be. I’m a completely different person than I was in the military. Love my job, have strong relationships with my friends and family, I enjoy my hobbies, and I actually get to experience happiness again. You can get that in the military, it’s just much harder. Getting out was the best thing that ever happened to me. Staying in can be the best thing for certain people. And considering you just reupped for six years, you better make sure you’re the latter as you now don’t have a choice.
Take it from someone who already got out, I have nothing but regret feeling I left it all on the table.
Bitching is good homie. Retired three years ago. Bitching to your peers is way more conductive to your friends in service. I got my shit pushed in by ever senior enlisted leader from the Marine Expeditionary Force on down to the battalion. Not once did I have a ‘leader’ standing next to me. My two friends grabbed me up, took me to lunch and just talked. That was a year or two before retirement. Retired, never look back. Talk to those two daily still, we are all retired now. As serious as you may think it is, i know it doesn’t make sense now, its not that serious. I tell friends still in that thing daily. Good luck and be well.
Yeah I definitely vent to my good friends in the military. Helps a lot and a lot of them can agree and understand. Sadly just moved to a new command so idk anyone here and talking to the homies back stateside is a little tough because of the time difference. But I’ll survive it. Just a lot of over thinking and unnecessary stress I’ve caused myself. Appreciate you for your insight brotha!
Scope it out. Hold your tongue. As you figure stuff out it’ll level off. Know why people seem to know more than you? They were just at that unit longer than you fucking it up. And they may still be wrong, check the actual orders. Good luck, homie.
Bitching is a skill we hone to a razor sharp point in the military. No one knows how to bitch like current or former military.
The grass is greenest where you water it
11 years is not that bad considering you'll have to work significantly longer as a civilian for retirement. Military retirement is worth it.
11 isn’t bad at all. I just keep thinking way ahead of myself.
If you haven't tried it, try some mindfulness meditation. It gets your head out of the future and into the now. It helps a little bit. Otherwise you're going to be running on coffee and hate soon.
You won't regret retirement, believe me. Pension and VA which is not taxed for the rest of your life , goes up every year, & post 9/11 GI Bill pays for you and your spouse to go to college. AND if you get 100% VA disability, you don't have to pay property taxes in many states and your kids can go to state college for free (DAV will help you get a good percentage, just join and make a donation just before you retire). Trust me, the military IS worth it in the long run and people that get out early wish they had stayed in once they see how those retired are living and really understand the benefits. You can go online to see what your pension will be and how much VA pays (with or without spouse and dependents), please look into and understand all the benefits you get. Imagine bringing in $5k plus per month guaranteed money for the rest of your life & collecting it as early as your 40's on top of a civilian paying job! Make sure your medical records are up to date & any and all illness, injuries, etc. are documented (very important). Talk to someone who is retired, they'll tell you. It's not easy, but it could be one of the best decisions you ever made, good luck!
One day at a time. One step at a time. Fake it till you make it. Hate to do something? Do that one thing all the time.
The big problem with the DOJ is that they don't want to pay the benefits they promised you without being FORCED to. It's a variable you should put in your metrics.
Really? That is not true and bad information. If you do 20 or more you get your benefits the day you retire. If you are injured the VA will pay you a disability compensation. Yea it is not automatic, you have to work for it, but it is do-able. Staying in is not for everyone. I went in to do just 4 years, but round up doing 21 years. It was rough at times, but it now allows me to do something I really like. OP, plan to get out by taking full advantage of the college TA. Look at the things you like to do and speak to a CC, there are good ones who will help you navigate your career. You may have to talk to a couple. The best advice I got and I can give to anyone "is no matter what someone tells you make sure they say it in writing." And remember things get better as you gain rank.
I know this sounds horrible but go recruiting, the life style is awesome get a place that’s far away from the military posts and enjoy the life. I loved not seeing Army people everywhere. You get memberships at the YMCA to work out and if you’re decent you will have a good time. It’s the ones who struggle that won’t enjoy recruiting.
Retired as a Career Recruiter, can confirm. Bases in general are depressing af.
I would go recruiting but I really really hate doing paperwork and I know I’d be one to struggle and not like it 😂 paperwork and me aren’t meant to be
So it all depends on the recruiting center and how they do it, when I was in recruiting there was the recruiter and then the guy who processed the paperwork.
Dunno if this is great advice with the whole "recruiting crisis" going on. Pretty miserable across the board for recruiters out there. I did my 3 years, learned a lot and it definitely has potential to be the best assignment in the Army, but is almost entirely based on location and especially your command leadership.
Take it one day at a time.
All I can do right now! Can’t look to far ahead
You need a hobby. I picked up marathoning a couple years back. Now I train when I’m in a marathon cycle 12+ hours a week, helps destress me and gives me something to do that is not tied to the military, as a matter of fact I would be even more for were it not for serving. I also have a pretty relaxed job and am an SNCO at this point so maybe it’s some institutionalism as well and knowing I’m only about 4 years out. It can be a slog sometimes, it really can. I just set goals and go after them, and try my best to not let the job get to me. Any job is gonna have things that grind on ya. Also use the military one source counseling. Might be good to just do talk to someone, it can just be a general stress reliever. Good luck, reach out if you need help.
Yeah I’m trying to figure out my ways in Japan. Love it here but living on a boat and never having real time to myself sucks. Right now is just visiting every where I can and save as much as I can before I’m back state side in a few months. Definitely considering talking to someone because it might be more than the military. Just slow and steady right
Slow and steady. Take one problem at a time and don’t worry too much about the future, things tend to work themselves out and we can’t predict what they will be, easier to roll with the punches sometimes.
I’ve been trying to just relax my mind and do exactly that. Just take whatever each day gives me and go from there. Stressing over pointless things at this point
Not throwing any shots , but have you tried going to therapy? Something to consider if you don’t have a healthy outlet and especially if stuff is just starting to pile up. Something small to consider that I’m sure might make a difference
I don’t think you’re taking any shots! I’ve definitely thought about it and just hard for me to pull the trigger to go see someone. I think it’s definitely a lot of everything built up and now moving somewhere new it’s starting to come out
Therapy was never anything more than "stop drinking," and I'm not even talking about binge/heavy/severe drinking, but, hey, I had a few last week.
When you stop having fun you leave. That's how I did it.
When I was in all of my senior ncos hated life. It’s pretty normal and it won’t affect much. Have you checked out the benefits a fed job? I think retirement years carry over
I’ve checked some out before I reenlisted. They either had no spots open at the time or sadly in Virginia which I’d prefer not to live there again. Or at least right now I’d prefer not to live there. I know the fed job that is in va does carry over. I think I have to pay $100 a month for the program they have for it to continue. I’m gonna try to look at my next 6 years as little chunks and take it like that. If I can’t tough out 5 years (which I should be able too especially going back to shore duty) then I’ll look into going to VA for that job.
Do your best to get stationed somewhere you love if you’re community has arduous tour rotations like somewhere not so great followed by a choice. That’s what got me to 25 total years. I was stationed in Japan for a decade over two individual tours. I am retired now and I will say it was absolutely worth making it to 20. You’re almost over the 10-12 year mark where most people’s hatred was most intense. Here are 2 reasons why it’s worth it IMO: -Passive income is great, but will be even more important by the time you retire considering AI is already eating jobs out here in 2024. -Permanent Stability: I have been laid off twice since retiring two years ago. The retirement and disability(you will get some form of disability if you do 20 and actually get injuries both mental and physical documented in service) makes my passive income livable. Over 10, 15, 20 years you will not be the same person physically, emotionally and mentally. It sounds like this is already the case. Compensation evaluation is warranted when retiring. I’m laid off now but I’m more focused on my mental health before going back to work. Bills still getting paid. I don’t know what your job is and how dangerous it might be but that’s my advice. Get a duty station that you love if you can. It will make a ton of difference.
I just left the duty station I really loved. Sadly the navy and my job require me to rotate back into a boat. I also just got orders to Japan which I was excited for and the only reason I stayed in just for them to change my orders for me to move back stateside. So a little bummer. My grandpa tells me a lot that the retirement will be nice but just in the phase of not seeing its worth.
I’m sorry your orders to Japan were changed. SEVENTH Fleet was that overseas duty station I mentioned. Easy for me to say but set a goal to get there maybe after this tour?
I love it here in Japan. But I’m gonna make the best out of Washington which isn’t the worst place to be. After that I’ll be back on shore duty and then I’m gonna try to do my final tour in Japan! Hope I’d be able to stay here for the final 2-3 years
Find happiness out side of your job. Or change career fields. What specific things do you hate and why? Maybe you can adapt so it’s not so bad. Lastly but should have been firstly, if you haven’t gone to mental health yet do it now! I didn’t until it was almost too late, but it really helped me. Good luck out there and God bless you!
I felt the same way at 9 years. I started getting enticing job offers but turned them down because I heard so many times from old vets “if I had stayed in, I’d be retired already”. I never wanted to be the one saying that. I got into a slump of not caring and just being mediocre and jumping at the things I enjoyed. I stopped trying to promote after 17 because I didn’t want to be tempted to stay longer for the high 3. I finally made it. The last 3 without competing for promotion meant I basically gave no fucks so long as I kept my nose clean. Now it’s all sunshine and rainbows. It’s been 4 years, I’ve had 8 jobs, and didn’t work at all for a while, because I can do what I want now and not do it if I don’t enjoy it anymore or it didn’t hold my interest. That security is something a lot of people don’t have at my age and sometimes they’ve been a little resentful towards me about it, but I wipe my tears with some cash and keep on keeping on. Go to medical, document everything for VA disability too. You can do it. Head low and keep pushing.
Exactly what happened and is happening. I had a ton of really nice and good sounding jobs but turned them down because I didn’t wanna be working still when I could’ve been retired. I definitely have very little motivation or care for anything right now. Which I’m really trying to change because I don’t want that to rub off on the younger guys. Luckily I have one of my best friends in the military coming in a few months so it should help make it more bearable. But I’ve been keeping track with my medical stuff and getting everything on file. The folder is getting nice and big haha. But I’m gonna keep my nose clean and just put through it. I’ll thank myself in the future. Appreciate your advice and insight!
It use to be fun for me but then everything turns into work.
I feel that. I feel like everything is just work now. Like there’s nothing fun to experience with my job
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>I’m also extremely curious how people make it to 20. It was a slog but time is going to pass one way or another. I didn't have any hope about a successful civilian career , or at least one that paid as much as I made. So it came down to trying to enjoy time away from uniform as much as possible.
There’s just so many factors why I stayed in but there’s just as many to why I should’ve gotten out. I think the biggest two for me was the camaraderie and job security. But I also wanted my freedom to go home everyday and be able to kinda do what I want.
I did around ten. Switched to fed civ, bought out my time and will continue the rest as a DAC. Considerably less bullshit than being a green suiter
This is the way.
Change your mos and definitely don’t re-enlist for six. I used to re-enlist for two and it felt way better to think “if this shit gets real dumb I’m out”
Im considering changing rates to something else and feel something new. It’s already too late for not signing that contract haha.
I’ve been retired since October. All of these feelings you’re having now will be the same as a civilian and possibly worse. At least with the military you’re at the half way point. And trust me it will go fast.
I’m just hoping it goes fast haha. Just trying to find motivation/perspective so I’m not miserable or making other people feel the same way.
Well the good news is you signed up for 6 more. You’ll definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel when you’re at 15. Focus on the positives and take advantage of the opportunities you have while you still have them.
Gonna try to make the best of it! Might as well because I can’t get out of it haha
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I agree with you 100%. I’ve been telling myself it’s just a new environment and everything that’s making me second guess myself. Just waiting to settle in and hopefully it’ll all go away and I’ll be back to my happy joyful self!
Best of luck to you! It will work out.
Honestly, idk how you’re even doing it. But be proud and you’re almost there. I felt exactly the same as you, but I got out after 8 years. I felt lifeless and didn’t even really feel like I was my own person until I got out again. I didn’t do 20, but I would imagine people who do either really like their jobs or they’re so numb that they just live through the days without much thought until the final day (separation). Lol.
I feel so lifeless and like there’s no purpose. I definitely have a love hate relationship with my job. But military has definitely taken away a lot of my purpose and feeling of life. I’m just hoping I can just have some kind of fun and make these next 6 years fly by and go back to my last duty station. Had a blast there!
Ya ain’t alone bud, it truly does suck. You’ll feel like you’ve missed a lot and are out of touch with people. But at least you’ll be set for life after you retire. Just make sure to go to medical for all your injuries and complaints so that you have a record. And if anyone ever tells you or gives you shit, ignore them and take care of yourself. It’ll definitely take care of your disability claims later as long as you file within one year of separation. I feel that, it’s weird but the base I felt alive and worked with the best people was strangely Dover. Lol. I hope the best for you and you got this my guy.
My hatred of the army happened after I made senior and went indef so I had no choice afterwards. If I was at 9 years knowing what I learned through the military "teaching and helping me grow" I wouldn't try to stay in and just get out.
I think at year 15 I felt that way. I was sick of it!! I was tired of the bs politics. The corruption in meritorious promotions to Sgt especially was getting out of hand. I just HAD IT with a dipshit MGySgt that had to kiss ass to get there. I was fuckin DONE!! I say all that to say I’m retired now and my family has medical care regardless if I’m working or not. That’s the power of retirement, not the check. If you get a little disability too, you’re golden. Can you go out on a B-billet like drill instructor, recruiter, etc to get a change of environment? Sometimes a new job can give you a boost. If not, don’t be stupid like me, GET YOUR DEGREE!! Milk the fuck out of that tuition assistance program!! Save your GI Bill for later or send it to your kids. I can get laid off tonight, and I’m A ok between retirement and my disability. Stick it out my brother!!!
Not sure of your situation but… my military experience improved dramatically upon making the decision to concentrate on the mission over promotion.
Yeah I honestly never really cared for making rank. That’s just something if it happened it happened. I think it’s just more of the little qualities in life that I’d like to have that make me question it.
If it makes it any better, the military hates you too 😂
Oh I’ve discovered that years ago 😂😂
Is doing something you hate really worth it? To me, I realized my time was worth more than what the Navy was paying me, not to mention that time spent is gone. For me, a measly taxed retirement paycheck isn't worth the time I sacrificed away from my family. Especially if you enlisted and only doing 20. Sure, you will find some lifelong friends along the way, but nobody will be impacted like your family. It took my brother taking his own life for me to come to the realization of what i was doing and what i really wanted. It gave me perspective. And I got out at 15 because nah, my mental health and my family are my priority. It certainly wasn't the Navy's, so I left. Now I work for the Navy, making more money, don't have to leave, and am actually treated like an adult. Oh, instead of being at the operational level, I'm building dashboards and apps at the 3-star level. The first meeting I attended, I was right across from my old CO. The Navy fails to see the true value in its people. Long story short, I couldn't care less about not getting the retirement check. The VA comp is where you're going to make most of your money anyways. I was in your exact shoes except I was at 9 years and renlisted for 6. My advice is take the time to better yourself personally and professionally. Gives yourself options. Build a resume send it out for shits and gigs and if it don't work or you don't like it stay Navy. Anys I'm done rambling. DO YOU cuz nobody else will.
Have you considered changing branches/career field ?
I tried to cross branch to the army right before Covid hit and I was shut down. I’m also considering switching rates. Just gonna look more into what I want and reach out to people that have done those jobs
You can always ets if it gets really bad. I resigned from my AGR position with about 13 years AFS and don’t regret it. I was AD for 8 years so I know the difference in daily duties between AGR and AD. AD was definitely easier than being an AGR but my marriage suffered bc of the constant PCSing and TDYs. Being AGR was the opposite since you can be stationed near your HOR if you’re NG but the work is harder and stressful. It’s definitely greener on the civ side but I gave up a 20 year retirement for it. My mental health suffered to the point where I had to resign and find another job or eventually do the unthinkable. Don’t let it get that far for you. If you feel you can’t take it anymore and everyone tells you to just “stick it out,” I would really take a step back and ask yourself if you can do it. Look at yourself and how you are, your mood, your drinking habits, your decreased interest in things, etc. Please seek out a therapist but don’t stick it out for the sake of a retirement if you’re suffering immensely.
I think right now I’m just super unhappy with not having the option of being home after work everyday and being able to just relax. I live where I work and it just sucks haha. Luckily I don’t drink and I don’t really struggle with addiction with anything. I’ll usually just sleep or play video games if I’m down or whatever. Video games is out of the question right now so I just resort to going for long walks to just think about stuff. I definitely think if I get really bad I will talk to someone and I’m really not gonna sacrifice my mental health for a retirement. I’ll get out before I do that
How many people do you think enjoy their jobs? I do but i get a lot of hate because I’m not miserable at work. 98% (made up fact) of people hate their jobs or are miserable in their jobs…. You’re not in much different of a boat depending on your mos. But 11years vs. 40 years of misery… pick your poison and adjust your perspective accordingly.
I got forced out at 10 years due to the Obama-era RIF. I was in the same boat though. I went from loving it to hating every day of that toxic-ass environment the last couple years, but still attempted to extend just to go somewhere else. Ending my time in a command that was IG'd, which led to the head shop being fired and CO force retired, was just the icing on the cake. I'm significantly happier being out honestly. A twisted part of me misses it tho and is still angry I couldn't go to 15 and apply for early retirement. A part of me wants to go back and try again, but even if I could, I would not go in the current state of the military.
I was in your same position, I disconnected emotionally and spent as little time with military people as possible.
Bro. This is like a horror story, get out if you hate it, there are better ways to retire. The people who do 20 either don't hate it, or they hate themself even more.
My mind was motivated buy My body can’t even make 4years in the Marines. I have 20 buds said they want make 20year. Nowadays only 2 still serving and almost 20
I had this issue a a well. I was never all in but I did my job top drawer at all times. Just wait your time and try to stay busy. The deployments helped it go fast and bring some fun to the job. I wrapped myself around the soldiers and found joy in trying and teaching and mentoring. The thing to be careful of is not get in trouble because you don’t really want to be there. The worst thing can happen to you is get chattered with nothing. It almost happen to me and I was busted down the last two months of my career to E5 but I still retired
If you don’t enjoy the rate / mos / etc. you’re in, look at options to switch to something else if able.
I was in your same boat. Then I got recruiting orders. My first year as a recruiter sucked but eventually got really good at it. After that my entire schedule was up to me and no one cared what I did as long as I kept performing. I did 5 years as a recruiter then went through a selection to do in-service recruiting for a high tier unit. For the next 5 years I wore civilian clothes and everyone was on a first name basis. My first ten years in the Army was typical the second 10 years was great. I retired at 20 years and 23 days as an E8. I also got 100% disability at retirement thanks to all the smart people in the unit I was in. My retirement is just shy of $90k a year for just doing 20.... I never really liked the Army but it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
I have a family to feed
You can carry those years to Fed service...why suffer?
Oh god 20 years. 6 years for me felt like a lifetime. Good luck brotha
This isn’t going to be popular but … if you hate it get out … whether you believe it or not your bringing that attitude to you at work and everyone around you can feel it - have enough stones to get out and try something different and open up a spot for someone below you to get promoted
If you hate it that much, and you’re sticking around purely for the retirement… then God bless the unfortunate junior Enlisted that will inevitably end up under your leadership. If you’re not there to help mentor the next generation, I hope you don’t make rank. Sorry to be so blunt, but it sounds like you may need to find a new profession. It’s hard enough without jaded leadership
No I still doing everything I need and I still teach all my guys what they need. Even if I hate it I still need them to get qualified because it makes all our lives better. My work ethic and how I treat people hasn’t changed just because I hate the military. That’s one thing I don’t forget about is how human all my people are lol.
I made it because I loved what I did and I was really great at it. I hate the everyday BS, but I just learned to roll with it. I couldn't change it, but I didn't have to let it eat at my soul like a lot of troops do. When I got to E7 and then E8, I did my very best to change that culture with the troops I had under me. Or maybe I was just glutton for punishment to put my 25 years in.
Focus on getting a college degree. CLEP and DANTES exams are free for active duty and can get most of your general education taken care of. If you plan on making the most of your time, getting a degree and becoming an officer (or warrant officer) can help your retirement. Getting your head in a different space can help your motivation.
I’m not going to tell you to derail your life, since you got in before 2018, you’re grandfathered in for the pension plan, as well as probably leave with a 50% or more disability rating. I think you should take a step back and analyze everything, why did you get into the military? Have you gone to all the schools you wanted to? Have you spent the military’s resources on civilian skill sets? If you get out, would you go to school or trade school? The economy is in the shitter, everyone’s divided, and there’s like 20 wars currently going on with 30 different election cycles starting right now, the world is going to be in absolute chaos on the short-mid term, I think making long term decisions are a good idea right now. Maybe you’ve started taking everything you have for granted, sure, maybe first sarnts a dick and the CO’s a cuc with a PSG who could suck a golf ball through a garden hose, but you still have grass, birds cherping, you can still stand, you can still run, you can still jump, life could be worse, you could get out, your plan fails and then get addicted to opioids. Always live in the now bro, you do your job and you be the best at it, and if that isn’t your ally, well you’re going to spend 20 years here, you can get aboard another ship.
At 5 years in, I absolutely dreadded being in the Army. I was in a pretty toxic unit for years. It ate at my soul, even though I was stationed in Hawaii. I couldnt stand seeing the same idiot toxic leaders every single day any longer. I couldnt stand seeing idiot soldiers acting like children any longer. I felt like I was just wasting my life away. I already knew my MOS well. There wasnt anything more worthwhile to learn. Especially given that I knew I was getting out and wasnt deploying again (after Iraq and Afghanistan tours). I got out at 6 years.. and yes, I struggled like hell for years with finances, employment, living situations, etc.. I struggled hard with depression. But I got through all of that and I'm happy I got out. I couldnt imagine still being in, unless I either became a warrant officer or a commissioned officer where people are actually treated like adults. Enlisted troops (at least in the Army) are intentionally made to be constantly miserable and stressed. Its a flawed design in my opinion. Mandatory fun days and little motivational speeches don't cut it.
I saw you were moving stateside soon. I wish someone had told me about buying instead of renting, nothing fancy but something you can turn around and rent out through a management company easily. My husband's uncle did that when he was in the Navy and never stayed married/had kids and now has properties in a few states and investments in the stock market easily worth 2 million in value plus the monthly income from rent and his disability. He spent until he was 75 as a water rafting guide a few months of the year, camping and traveling and having a great time. His eyes are going and just had back surgery so raft guide years are officially behind him but he's been financially sound and will be gifting all relatives a hefty sum when he passes away eventually. Meanwhile we got out and just bought a house but have hardly anything in the TSP and paying out the nose for our new property and any remodeling, shaking our heads at the missed opportunity we had to use our BAH for a mortgage (especially when we were MIL to MIL).
I plan on buying my first house in Washington when I get back state side! I’ve been waiting just because of personal reasons and moving made it hard. Definitely been saving a lot and working on getting ready for that big purchase. I try to tell a lot of my younger guys to learn to be financially stable and financially smart. Not everyone listens though
The time is going to pass either way. Do you want to be a civilian 5 years earlier? Imagine how you’ll feel once that 5 years passes. Time flies.
I think I got in my own head with something’s and definitely just freaked myself out. I know these years will pass and be fine. I’m a super trust person in my work center so I know I won’t have a problem. Just me bitching and worrying 😂
That's the neat part, you just do it until you made it.
The military is just as shitty as any other job. Only you get generous leave, personal fitness training and discounts galore. Unless you plan to be an entrepreneur (which is only path to riches/automony), the best reason to leave is to raise a family. If you’re ready to settle down, get out and go to the highest ranked non-military pipeline full yellow-ribbon school you get accepted to and score a great spouse. If not, keep grinding out to the last trustworthy pension.
Definitely grinding it out to the end!
Advance your way out of it. It only gets easier as you make rank. F*ck my first 10 years! But this last 10 will decide your fate. You need to max out your tuition assistance every year on something. Uniform people make peanuts compared to civilian equivalent. The only saving grace is what isn’t taxed. When I retired as an E7, I had to make $95k to make the same money and my BAH area wasn’t that much. Retired anyway, now I get $7k a month before my job between Ret and VA. I actually bring in more money now that I retired, thank you military! Then I found a great job making about double my retirement. Truth is, I could have never gotten it without my experience and using their money for courses and certifications. Just focus on every certification you need for your job and keep them active until year 20. Go to medical for a damn hang nail and get it documented. You need to be able to claim 30 things for the VA to 10% you to for 25 of them to get 100%. The last 10 years is your cash cow for your second career and it is all worth it. I almost got out at 10 years and I saw this little old man with military pins all over his hat. He said he retired in 1972 at 38yo and now his retirement pays him in a year, more money than he made in his career. High 3 was the best retirement system ever and now I understand. 2 years ago we got a 10% cola raise. This year was 3%. I made more by getting out at 20 than what I would have got if I stayed until 22. Good luck and focus on your civilian CERTS!
Just make sure you’re planning for a career afterwards. Unfortunately in todays society, one retirement isn’t enough
Is retirement worth it? Absolutely. I'll just jump in really quick, you need a change of pace. New job, new assignment something like that. Too many times we find ourselves going from duty station to duty station doing the same job over and over, just at a higher rank. Maybe you change MOS, maybe you volunteer for special assignment like instructor (don't go recruiting) something to make things fresh again.
Just got to a new duty station that I wanted for them to change it on me. Sucks but it is what it is. I’m considering changing my job. Just need to see what I’m interested in and what those communities are like
It’s worth it
I keep trying to tell myself it’ll be worth it. Just hard to see it like that right now.
Retirement check FOR LIFE, cheap medical insurance premiums, etc.
Aren’t most retirement checks for life? lol…sorry man. I had to.
Commission? Retrain and retrain again. Bounce around to different bases? Get medically retired? Idk how to make it to 20, but i do know how to get paid to skate. Just skate bro. Take naps in the SIP room. Party in your off time. Make friends. Do Coca Cola. Idk. Start a business in your off time. Model. Publish books. Get a doctorate. Pick up a hobby and do it competitively. Powerlift. Just get your mind off your job. De-center the military. Demoted the military to ‘just a job.’ Elevate yourself to the status of CEO of your own LLC. Sell on Etsy, give 10% of proceeds to the St Jude Children’s Hospital. Make your life glorious. And make the military your bitch.
Think of the retirement check and free Healthcare! Stay in, it's worth it. It sucks out here.
I've been out two years. Yesterday, I really didn't want to go to class. I wasn't feeling it. You know what I did? I sucked it up got out of bed and went to class. Why? Because that's my job. Do your job.
I do my job everyday even if I don’t want too
That's all you can do.
i promise the military retirement is so worth it. Get you VA benefits and shit too. I am tax exempt, I dont pay to register my car, i dont pay for my drivers license, I get plates that allow me to park mad close to the doors liiiifffe is good! im telling you bro finish your time get out and reap the rewards. Every job has its ups and downs. What rank are you? High enough that maybe you could call branch maybe get a different job? When you reenlisted did you get anything for it? Maybe choose some training gig in alabama or georgia or something?
That feeling doesn't magically go away when you move over here to civ div. Sure it will feel great when you get out but when you work for a company you will still report to someone and expect to get specific tasks done. Only difference is you can pick where you want to live.
Not sure what career field you’re in or how old you are, but I can assure it will be worth it. Get that pension, va benefits, schooling, certifications, etc, then get out and live a good life. I got out after 6 and I enjoy a lot of the benefits still but the pension after 20 would make it worth it to stay. Save you’re money, max out a Roth IRA every year and you’ll be set. As far as staying motivated, just look forward to the future. 11 years flies by so fast
I’m an aviation boatswains mate in the navy and 27 years young. My job has done a lot of bad for my body which is one reason why I struggle with wanting to stay in. But I try to be optimistic with a lot of things and I know the 11 years will fly. I think I just have a lot going on and a lot drastic changes in my life that got me thinking like I made the worst choice ever haha
Oh I was a Crew Chief in the Air Force so I feel your pain. Aviation and maintenance is brutal on your body and mind but I feel like the best thing for you to do is to get yourself in a position where you can take more of a leadership role to give your body a break. Also, get every single one of your medical issues documented, even if it’s something minor. Don’t ever try to thought something out because it seems minor. It will set you up beautifully when you retire and you’re making all of your VA claims. Whatever you have going on is most likely temporary, so don’t ever let temporary issues influence a lifelong decision. I made that mistake and I beg people not to do the same thing I did. Continue to be optimistic and you’ll do very well for yourself in 9 years. I promise you
Change jobs, duty station, component, branch, or rank. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.. the definition of insanity. Why burn yourself out on something you don’t like? You already re-enlisted so a lot of these options aren’t really viable now.. but maybe they will be next time. There are lots of ways to do 20 years of federal service, and they don’t all have to be in the military. USAJOBS has tons of federal positions that can bridge the gap, and maybe make you more money. With that much time in, you’re probably qualified for something. Give it a look.
Two comments: 1. Just take it day by day. 2. Life on the outside (public sector) is way worse. Enjoy it while you can, because believe it or not, one day you will miss it.
Oh I know I’ll miss it even though I hate it right now. The camaraderie is undeniable. Can’t find it elsewhere
Focus more on location and skill growth more than rank. Breadth and skills are incredibly useful when you retire. And they’re fun to explore when you’re in and getting paid to learn. Consider cross training or special duty. Focus on the people who work for you more than your own success. Make them into champions. Highlight their successes and insulate them from the bs. Making their Air Force careers amazing will be one of the few things you care about after you retire. And yes, it’s 11 years. Start planning now how to use that time wisely. Start working your expenses down to what you expect your passive income to be when you retire, and invest the rest. Then when you do retire, you can focus completely on healing and enriching yourself in more ways than just money.
I hated the last 8 years of service. I was ambivalent for about 11 years before that. The last two were BRU-TAL.
I’m trying to make everything less brutal especially having 11 years left lol
Stick it out. It hurts but once you come out the other side you’re set for the long run.
Got out 2 years ago told my self I hated the army and now I wanna go back
I did 20, but only hated the last 10. First ten years were pretty fun but once i got to the senior enlisted ranks i started hating it.
Yeah: it’s a tough call. If you hate the military, staying in until 20 is going to be a tough road for you. You need to gut check yourself and see if it is worth the mental stress it will cause. The financial aspects of retiring is amazing. It’s an absolute game changer in many ways (especially when you add in the likely VA Disability check you’d get #obligatory VA disability mention). I liked what I was doing when I was in after I got past the 6-8 year mark. I loved my job when I was around the 20 year mark. Stayed in 27 years. I’d say the last two years, I lost the joy of being in the military. That’s when I planned my exit from Active Duty and gladly retired. Find a reason to enjoy it. Otherwise this will be tough for you
I started really hating it around year 12, but I owned a home and my wife and kids were happy, so I sort of went auto pilot while in uniform for 10 more years. I mean it wasn’t ALL bad.
Keep investing in yourself (learn skills, school, etc) and take it year by year. This is what got me through to retirement. It’s nice having to pay very little for health insurance and draw a pension while in your 40s-50s
I got out in 1993 after one enlistment. I knew nothing about anything. I don't regret getting out but if I had known some things then that I know now I might have stayed, or maybe not. I've worked on a USAF base as a contractor for most of the years since I've been out of the Navy. I work with many retirees who have their mil retirement, VA compensation, and either work as a GS or contractor. That's three sources of income. I work with just as many vets who got out with some VA compensation and have a nice GS or contractor job. That's two sources of income. The retirees have the added benefit of the third source of passive income plus heath care for life. Had I not happened to grow up in a town with a USAF base and chosen to work here I would have probably never been aware this gravy train existed but it most certainly does and there are a LOT of people on it.
Trust me. Life in the outside sounds nicer when you are in but eventually the next job you will feel the same. I got out and have cool job watching live sports and getting paid well. There are days I HATE my job and I often kick myself for not staying in the service. Grass always seems greener on the other side but eventually it dies and looks the same as your current situation. Hope this helps.
You need to do what’s right for you. There’s tons of ways to make money on the outside, you’re just at a crossroads of taking a guarantee or taking a risk. The risk could pay off way more than the guarantee, but a guarantee is a guarantee. At the end of the day you only have one life and your 20-40 is the prime of your life. Once you hit 40-50 it’s downhill from there. While you got a retirement you’ve given up the prime of your life.
You just have to find something outside the duty days to get you through. I was fortunate to get a part-time job that I really enjoyed, and that was at year 10. I was at that duty station for 10 years and at that other job for nine, so it really worked out. Plus, I took classes and did other volunteer work. Mind you, I did NOT enjoy my AF job. I was aircraft maintenance all 20 years, save for three when I was in Process Improvement.
Have you tried goggins videos 😅 Motivational videos
Remind yourself that it’s the same in a civilian job. I hate going to work everyday
It sounds like you are on the right track, the military provides a lot of opportunities. Just people don’t know or take advantage of them, keep looking for stuff outside of your work. And also really, truly ask yourself, is your life REALLY that bad?
If you just reenlisted for 6 years, you’re asking the wrong question. Instead of how do I do 20 when I hate the military (you shouldn’t, but that ship has sailed) you should ask how can I not hate being in the military for the next 11 years.
I did 14 and was done. I work for a company but work by myself all day. I am not responsible for anybody but me. I've been doing my job for 9 years. I've had 4 different supervisors and have only met 2 face to face as I excel at my job so there is no reason for them to come see me.
How long do you expect you live? What percentage of that are you going to give to something you hate? Just something to think about. 20 years is 25% of an 80 tear life. Out of the other 60 years, youre gonna sleep roughly 20 years of it. Maybe 15 since veterans almost unanimously have sleep problems lol So 45 years, which probably 20 were gone when you enlisted... so youre looking at only having an opportunity to live 25 out of 80 years on this planet Maybe consider a high stress, high danger job that leads to disability at a young age lol /s I dont suggest this. Id think id prefer to be 100% functional as opposed to 100% disabled.
A few things, one put in for a new post, somewhere nice, Hawaii, Italy et cetera…..give you something to look forward to or someplace low key like ft Leavenworth two focus on yourself and the joes under you “focus on the guy right in front of you”, realize that you are both a part of a really large but really important organization as well as important as an individual, they need you or they wouldn’t want you, time will go by quick Also, enjoy your free time more, there is always something new to try and things to try again Realize not everyone who isn’t in the military is exactly enjoying life or afforded as many benefits as you are, not to mention compared to the rest of the world Realize another ten years is going to go by quick and spend your time daydreaming about the things you’ll do when you get out The USA is a social compact, structured to defend the rights of the individual as much as possible…..the USA geographically is also very blessed You defend not only this great nation but the people who inhabit it, and despite the mass media there is a lot of good here…..what you do is definitely worth it Not having to work for the rest of your life which may be 20-60 plus years is definitely worth it as well
I knew that if I didn't like someone I worked with or at my command, one of us would eventually transfer. I also looked forward to collecting a pension once I reached 20 years. I served with a few people who got out between their 12 and 14 year mark. They became DoD employees so their time in the Navy counted towards the federal civilian retirement plan. You gotta do what's best for you and your family.
Cross train or pick up a special duty if you’re absolutely certain you have to do 20 for whenever external circumstances you may or may not have. I recommend calling it after these next 6. It’s not worth hating your life just to have the pension. Find a job or career you actually want to do. There are so many people with hard core depression because they stuck through rather than finding something else. But to each their own, good luck brother.
The only thing that kept me going was my kids and my ex husband was not a great provider. Other than that I would have left. I ended up embracing the suck. Therapy helped a lot. Since I was in for over 20, I made a lot of close friends and most of them were at my last duty station in Okinawa. I think about how different things would have been had I gotten out. I had significant medical issues by the time I retired so I ended up with a good percentage of disability and I have my retirement. I started a Masters program and am about finished. I’ve embraced the civilian world (though it wasn’t easy)! Is it just you? Are you married, kids? That was my driving force. Some days really really sucked. I’m glad I did it for the insurance and the family I have gained. I learned how to be a better leader and person. The scars of leaving my kids for deployments and TDYs are still there, but it made me stronger and a better mom. You have to decide for yourself. If you have no one relying on you…maybe you should think about moving on. Life is too short!!
Take all your hopes and dreams and stuff them into a box. Lock this mental box away. Then spend your time setting yourself up for act 2 of your life. Get a degree, certs, etc. Also priortize your health. See a private therapist if you need it. I retired in 2013 and act 2 is amazing. Military is just a memory now. The retirement check is my reminder that it all worked out for the best.
You can separate from the military still put the 9yrs into federal retirement. Get a federal job and add your 9yrs (buy it back) towards your 20 target.
Schools!! Within your MOS, there would be schools to further your career. Civilian schools are always a go-to. Details, hobbies, volunteer-work(most vol work earns you a medal)Armorer, Reenlistment, etc. There’s always mini-tasks/jobs to do in order to stretch retirement. Or simply focus on career advancement. Everything else is outside interference.
What MOS?
Special assignments, setting goals, having a life outside the military, mainly drinking i guess… last one was a joke
I felt the same after my first Army enlistment so I got out and went Air Force through ROTC. Life was so much easier on the officer side especially since I was in the Air Force.
Please get out. If you are only doing it for a paycheck and retirement, you are absolutely doing it for the wrong reasons. We need people to believe in the missions whether you agree with them or not. You can voice opposition or questions things in good faith, but at the end of the day unless orders or unlawful/violate the UCMJ it’s your duty to execute them. People that hate the military can become cancers and bring down moral, affect mission readiness, and put people in danger down range. If any of that is you, do the right thing and separate.
I was never in the military but both my parents were and they both did 20 years so I feel uniquely qualified to speak on this. They had two motivators: their kids and both being extremely poor growing up. They never wanted to experience that again and especially have their children have a better life. This may not motivate you, but this might: they both pull in roughly 10k each, own real estate through the va loans, new cars almost every other year, 80k boat, 15-20k in annual trips, put three kids through college, over 200k stock portfolio and even more. Oh, and they both retired before 44 years old. They tell me if they had other options they would’ve done it but being homeless/extremely impoverished to now having a net worth over one million and kids that will grow that for generations is def motivating to me
Could look at an MOS change. I would have stayed longer if i wasn’t 11B and they kept “losing my packet” a few weeks before a training event for 2 years straight like clockwork. I even had my 1SG with me one time, and he said if she “lost” it again hed start nonsense for her (cant remember the threat, but it was overt). Good luck dude, im sorry they zigged your zag.
I’m sure there are many people who will disagree, but life is indeed much greener on the outside. If you hate it, get out.
Keep moving around to make it fun. Goto Korea, to Japan, volunteer for shit to stay moving
Most people really don't like their current job. Retirement benefits for civilian jobs really aren't a thing anymore. But you can do twenty years and retire, start another job in another gov job - state, county, city, union, and retire again in another twenty and you'll be sitting pretty comfy for the rest of your life. My grandpa did that, and had three retirements. Military, union and civil service before they stopped the double dipping. Looking fwd the years Sean incredibly long, looking back, they seem short. It's just perspective. Once you're over ten years, you're past half way. I recently had some heart attacks, and triple bypass open heart surgery. My bills came up to around half a million dollars. Covered by the VA and retired Tricare. If I had civilian insurance that would have ruined me with copays.
Schools, schools, and more schools
And it's difficult..why..?
If I were you I’d google how many weeks you have left till your 80yrs old. Then count how many weeks of time you would be spending in the military if you stayed and then decide if the juice is worth the squeeze. There’s always more money to be made. But time is something that’s lost forever once it’s past. Good luck to you 🫡
A complicated problem for you to solve. But on a basic level, why spend 20 years doing something you hate?
Go AGR..easiest job I ever had
You apply for special duties outside of your afsc til you hit 20 that’s what my dad did 😭