Difficult situation? Stay in or Get OUT?

Question

Well, I am currently deployed in Iraq and have served in the US Army for 8 years. I am under 1 year and am having a hard time deciding to re-enlist or get out?
This has been my only job since I got out of high school, so I dont have the experiance with the "civilian" work force.
My decsion to get out is because of this "war on terror" and the fact that this may not be my only tour in Iraq? This is my 2nd tour in the middle east and the uncertainty of coming back fustrates me. It has been a tour that I will never forget... I have seen 4 fellow soliders dead of an IED blast and I lost a soldier to an EFP not too long ago...
I dont want to see another tour like this again.
The only thing that keeps me wanting to re-enlist is the benefits and medical care for my wife and family. Plus, the fact that I will only have 12 more years until I can retire.
This is the hardest decision I will have to make so far in my life.
Thank you and God bless our troops.

Answer 1

I know how you're feeling man. I got out in Jan of 06 in order to do a green to gold scholarship after serving 2 tours. I was dead set to just do my time and get out. Yet, now it seems that all I think about is my buddies and my soldiers. I had a sit down with my wife and her and I had a VERY long talk. I explained that even though I hated my time in the desert, and I have a lot of pain associated with that time in my life, I now realize that I need to be there. I need to be leading the joes that have no clue. I know our Army is hurting real bad now and she needs all the experience that she can get. My wife understands that I am a soldier and this is what I do. If you too feel this sense than you need to let the wife know. If you don't feel this then get out and move on with your life. How did you feel on your mid-tour? Were you dreading going back or did you start to get the itch to go back because your people needed you? That is a good indicater on where you're at.Transitioning to the civilian life has been challenging to me. I'm sure, especially if you're an NCO, that it will be for you too. Think about this hard. Screw the benefits and the retirement. We are going to be at war in Iraq for a while. How committed are you to going back 2 or even 3 times. If you're not, then you have nothing to prove, you have done you're time and get out. But, if you feel that itch and you start to feel like there is something missing, then stay, otherwise you will never forgive yourself.

"America's not at war, the Army and Marine Corps is at war, America is at the mall"

Answer 2

Thanks for serving whatever you decide. I was in the army for nine years right out of high school and was going through the same thing that you are. All of my adult experience in schooling and training was what the army gave me. Still I got out and started my own flying business. I went from all of that job security, medical benefits and the chance for an early retirement in another eleven years to risk taking entrepreneur overnight. And with a wife and two young children to depend on me for their livelihood.. I've since had the most fabulous civilian career imaginable short of playing third base for the Yankees. Was some luck involved? You bet but I would have missed the lucky chances had I stayed in the army.

On the other hand, I constantly think how things might be different had I stayed in until retirement. I loved the Army even though after Vietnam it had deteriorated to nothing like the highly professional organization that it has become today because of you fine soldiers. So you have a tough decision to make but think about this. Do you want to some day be lying on your death bed saying to yourself I wish I'd done this or seen that?

Answer 3

I got out after 13 years. In my case it was predicated on me being in a bad marriage and the looming probablity of being a single parent
Adjusting to civilian life will be a bit more difficult for you than me in that you have seen more. Desert Storm but was a REMF. Would have gone into combat if that was required (always wondered how I would do) and old enough to be grateful that I didnt have to see the things you did.
At the same time if your wife and you are a strong couple it will be easier. Dont feel like you are abondoning your friends. 8 years active with 2 tours in Middle East. You have done far more of your duty than most Americans ever will.
You can go back to school. Use the GI bill. Work part time..UPS-type jobs are good for that.
Its a tough decision and whichever way you choose. Good luck. If you want to talk just email me.

Answer 4

You could try reclassing.
Retension might be alot more flexible about reclassing since numbers are so low.

The only good thing you have to look forward to is that at the end of your deployment, we're pretty much going to have a new president. And depending on who it is, we will have a change in War policy and deployment.

Either an all out pullout, or a significant reduction with a different mission.
Thats in IRAQ

But Afganistan will still be the hot zone. But Id settle for Afgan than Iraq on any day.

So think it out.
Ask yourself if you can see yourself fighting in Afganistan....
because thats probably your next assignment in 2 years.

But again, Id prefer Afgan over Iraq any day.

Good luck.

All the way!

Answer 5

I am so sorry to hear about your fellow soldiers.
And I'd also like to thank you for your service. I think you guys need all the support you can get since the government hasn't been doing a very good job of it. I wish I could shake your hand, sir. And say thank you to your face for fighting in our armed forces. Even if I don't agree with this war.

As for your question, I'll ask you one.
Where do you think you'd be the most help to those around you? At home, here in the states? Or in Iraq with your fellow soldiers? The desire to come home is probably quite strong and at the same time, you might feel that staying in Iraq will help the others around you.

So where do YOU think you can do the most good?

It must be a difficult decision for you. But it's up for you to decide. All I can do is say thank you, sir. For all that you do.

God bless.

Answer 6

God Bless you.
I'm used to be a Marine so I'll give you the best advice I can give you.

GET OUT!!!!!!!!! and Join the Air Force. The Air Force is so much better and they treat their people much better.

If the Army will give you that $20,000 bonus than I would say stay in for that. Try to get it for a 2 year contract.

Remember they are getting everything out of you so get everything you can out of them if there is nothing you can get than move to the Air Force for a better life pretty close to civilian life or just get out.

Anyway with your years in you will easily get a GS job. Making more money and 40 hour work week. You get base access and the benifits of the military w/o the BS.
Check out usajobs.gov i think Google it

Believe me people will hire you for jobs.


EDIT> I have a friend that got out as a Marine Sgt did 8 years. He now has a job as a WG2 same as GS 2 Janitor spuervisor. ESY job working only 40 hours a week and getting paid more than he was a sa Sgt

Answer 7

definitely one of the most complex questions i could answer.
we need GOOD guys in army.... though they need to have a real understanding of the bigger picture.
what's being setup is FAR beyond oil, the weapons industry, or some made up 'terror' thing. NAU & this 'globalization' is a step closer.
my suggestions? take a crash course on understanding the mason world - then crash through understanding satanist direction and motives (seriously! colors/symbols /doubletalk/lavey&crowley (thor/pan/ra/loke)/ ordo sinistra vivendi, discordians & other groups)- then crash through the hermetical (many officers read yeats)... - then look at the pope's bavarian speech - the hats that mean killing infidels in the name of islam... look at 'Vivendi Universal'...
go see the 'spy museum' in dc - take a GOOD look at the masonic logo on the tour. take a good look at religion in general - who's running what. mormon, jehovas witnesses, christian science, scientology, theosophy, commercialized satanism, commercialized witchcraft (wicca), the kkk... all have something in common. albert pike is an interesting character....
also.. about 1/2 of 'mainstream' christianity is now mason owned/operated & is behind most of the 'unity/uniterian/universalist type churches. "liberty" = ishtar.
until you see the bigger picture - you really dont know what best to do. i dont even see the full picture... but i know enough to be paying attention. 1984 is a good book. www.fotki.com/honorablepassion is an interesting 'game' that shows 911 foreknowledge 6yrs prior (among MANY other things). - printed in 1995
`sigh` - so much to explain :/ Rev 3:9(the families & lynn spyworld), Is 54:16 (smith's lic plate in the 'Matrix'), Rev 17:2+5, Is 14:12-16, Enoch 14:4
google 'masonic abbreviations'
g = generative principle.. see original 'Wicker Man'
i wish you well bro :) dont become a slave.. but i think bond servant is legal ;P and a very AWAKE one is the best :)
333 = choronzon = evil. ~smiles~ & the guy above me meant
Luke 8: 25, & Luke 24: 44-47 nice :)

Answer 8

I am retired. The retirement means nothing if you cannot save your family.

If you still want to be a Soldier, ask your family if that's what they want. Make them realize you may be deployed a lot in the next 12 years, but you should come out with a good job and a pension with benefits.

This isn't a duty issue. I see your commitment to country. But this question is one of a man and his loving family. Do the right thing. Include them in your decision.

Answer 9

First of all, thank you for serving our country. It's not easy being a soldier, especially during war time. This is a decision that only you can make. I wouldn't count on some of the people in this forum to give you the proper advice, so be careful, for obvious reasons. Pray and talk to your wife. This will make your decision more meaningful. Again, thank you for serving our country. You are a hero.

Answer 10

I feel your pain. You want to be a good provider for your family, and you feel that it will be difficult for you to do if you have to start a new career right now. So let me ask you this, how much will you benifit your wife and children if you are dead? Money should never be the reason you keep a military job. If you felt it was your duty to your family to fight for them and you did so by being in the Army, then stay in. If you are only being bribed to serve with the benifits, then you are possibly endangering the lives of those around you because you might not be as focused as you need to be in your environment. Although, my brother is a recruiter for the Army in Delaware, and he has told me that every day he gets someone wanting to get back in because they can't get good money elsewhere.