This question goes out to anybody who has served in the military and is a civilian now: What made you decide to get out and what would have to happen to get you back in boots?
Still serving and love it. I don't know if i will ever get out 100%. I would miss it to much. Would have to atleast to Resever or National Gaurd
I was gonna go guard but then I saw a picture of my homie while he was deployed and they are still using old ordinance and hand me down equipment and vehicles. I was thinking of going reserve but I dont wanna change my MOS and I doubt Ill be able to get the MOS I want because of my inability to get a security clearance.
did 21 years in the Navy and retired, but if the law changed, I would get a haircut, shave and go back active tommorrow
what kind of job do you have now, if its not too personal to ask?{USI}_Zombie wrote:
did 21 years in the Navy and retired, but if the law changed, I would get a haircut, shave and go back active tommorrow
I got out of the Army because they screwed me over. I wouldn't re-enlist unless I was desperate. Met some good people, and had some interesting times... but it wouldn't be worth it anymore.
i served in the Air Force for 2 years until i was stupid, got my self in trouble and was discharged
and i still really hate my self for it too, i had 1 month left of my school, and i was going to be stationed in Okinawa
and i still really hate my self for it too, i had 1 month left of my school, and i was going to be stationed in Okinawa
I'm still Active Duty Navy. I was at the point I could have been on terminal leave when I re-enlisted the first time. 10 years to go baby!
on man I could imagine the amount of shit that was thrown at you by your buddies when that happenedjaktar wrote:
I'm still Active Duty Navy. I was at the point I could have been on terminal leave when I re-enlisted the first time. 10 years to go baby!
I served in the USAF...was honorably discharged for medical reasons...still miss it at times tho.
Not too personal at all. I am in management at Wal-Mart now. Tried selling insurance for a while and it didn't work out. I know I could do better somewhere else in the country, I was an Aviation Electronics Technician in the Navy, but there are few opportunities for that work here in Virginia Beach. My wife likes it here, and I like being married, so here we stay. Wal-Mart is not the evil empire, (well mostly not), that some make it out to be, at least I am employed. But I do miss the Navy and that lifestyle, plus I was at a good place when I retired, I was AT1(AW), or Aviation Electronics Technician First Class (Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist), which all that for you non Navy people means I fixed aircraft electronic systems, E-6 paygrade, and got a special qualification, back in the day before it was a requirement btw, that entailed knowledge of all areas of aircraft maintenance and operations. Thanks for your interest, and I kinda like bragging about my service, it was special to me anywayGunSlinger OIF II wrote:
what kind of job do you have now, if its not too personal to ask?{USI}_Zombie wrote:
did 21 years in the Navy and retired, but if the law changed, I would get a haircut, shave and go back active tommorrow
Active Army 1992-1995
USAR 2001-Present
I went to Somalia and Haiti as Active Infantry, got out because my time was up and I wanted to go back to school.
Went back in (the reserves) because I missed the people (yes, I re-upped before 9/11). Spent 18 Months in Iraq (Apr 2003-Aug 2004) and couldn't believe how much worse the officers were than I had remembered. It's kind of hard when you are a 30 something, experienced, troop to take the fucking like you did when you were younger, so my mouth got me into trouble quite a bit. Just one example of the fucking: We were told by a Major that our convoy would be taking the 'ambush alley' route because the unpaved route through the open desert was, "Hard on the equipment." Nice to know the equipment is more important than the lives of the troops. Personally, I believe the prick wanted to get into some shit so he could put himself in for a Bronze Star with V. Lot's more happy shit like that over my whole 18 months in Iraq, it was really disgusting.
My current enlistment ends in July, and I won't go back in unless:
A) We have a situation, with a clearly defined enemy, where the US is threatened.
or
B) The officer corps gets an enema to wash out all the shit.
USAR 2001-Present
I went to Somalia and Haiti as Active Infantry, got out because my time was up and I wanted to go back to school.
Went back in (the reserves) because I missed the people (yes, I re-upped before 9/11). Spent 18 Months in Iraq (Apr 2003-Aug 2004) and couldn't believe how much worse the officers were than I had remembered. It's kind of hard when you are a 30 something, experienced, troop to take the fucking like you did when you were younger, so my mouth got me into trouble quite a bit. Just one example of the fucking: We were told by a Major that our convoy would be taking the 'ambush alley' route because the unpaved route through the open desert was, "Hard on the equipment." Nice to know the equipment is more important than the lives of the troops. Personally, I believe the prick wanted to get into some shit so he could put himself in for a Bronze Star with V. Lot's more happy shit like that over my whole 18 months in Iraq, it was really disgusting.
My current enlistment ends in July, and I won't go back in unless:
A) We have a situation, with a clearly defined enemy, where the US is threatened.
or
B) The officer corps gets an enema to wash out all the shit.
Last edited by whittsend (2006-04-27 06:19:17)
I feel ya right there. I was a joe during my time in the army and I got sick of how the quality of our NCO was not due to merit but to how good you could suck up to the PL or Plt SGT. Its like they were giving e-5 rank away. I remember when I first got in in 2000 and before deployment in 04, in order to become an NCO you had to throroughly know your job even though the points are one of the lowest for promotion for infantry. But it seems the army cares more about keeping soldiers and giving rank to renenlisters than to take care of the seasoned experienced troop.whittsend wrote:
Active Army 1992-1995
USAR 2001-Present
I went to Somalia and Haiti as Active Infantry, got out because my time was up and I wanted to go back to school.
Went back in (the reserves) because I missed the people (yes, I re-upped before 9/11). Spent 18 Months in Iraq (Apr 2003-Aug 2004) and couldn't believe how much worse the officers were than I had remembered. It's kind of hard when you are a 30 something, experienced, troop to take the fucking like you did when you were younger, so my mouth got me into trouble quite a bit. Just one example of the fucking: We were told by a Major that our convoy would be taking the 'ambush alley' route because the unpaved route through the open desert was, "Hard on the equipment." Nice to know the equipment is more important than the lives of the troops. Personally, I believe the prick wanted to get into some shit so he could put himself in for a Bronze Star with V. Lot's more happy shit like that over my whole 18 months in Iraq, it was really disgusting.
My current enlistment ends in July, and I won't go back in unless:
A) We have a situation, with a clearly defined enemy, where the US is threatened.
or
B) The officer corps gets an enema to wash out all the shit.
WHat kind of process did you go through to get in the reserves with the 6 year space in service and all? Was it the same as if you were a brand new recruit or was it different because you were prior service?
It was a little bit different. You have to go to MEPS and all that again, but people treat you differently when they know you are coming back (even more so when they find out you are a combat vet - although I'm sure that's not as big a deal now that just about everyone in the military is a combat vet).
A lot of it goes much easier. Obviously, you don't have to go to basic again. I couldn't get promoted for a while because I had to get MOS qualified first, and that wasn't a priority until 9/11. Like you, I watched a lot of young troops with little experience promoted into NCO slots. Don't mean nothing...until you hear you are going to a combat zone, and they have to turn into leaders, fast!
I really loved my time in active Army, but looking back, I think I was really fortunate in the NCOs and Officers I got to work with - they really looked after us. Sadly, I saw quite a few dirtbags who had no business leading troops this time around. It's really amusing, because I always put my troops first, and when I saw someone do something stupid, I always said, "I think that's a good way to get my people killed." Trouble is, they always know better than you, and you just earn a reputation as a troublemaker. Anyway, when I made it clear that I was getting out, all I heard was, "we need your experience..." or "you are an asset to the company". Yeah, whatever, then why are you blocking my next promotion scumbag?
When they start caring about troops again, I'll think about going back; but not one second before.
Edit:
Training in Iraq: "React to an IED" - classroom training on procedures for driving HMMWVs with NO armor.
Squad Leader: What do you do if you get hit by an IED?
Me: I'm going to spray myself, in liquid form, all over my driver, who is going to seperate into several pieces, drive the vehicle 10 feet into the air, and flip it upside-down, crushing my gunner on impact.
That drew a few laughs from the troops, and a few frowns from the officers and senior NCOs.
A lot of it goes much easier. Obviously, you don't have to go to basic again. I couldn't get promoted for a while because I had to get MOS qualified first, and that wasn't a priority until 9/11. Like you, I watched a lot of young troops with little experience promoted into NCO slots. Don't mean nothing...until you hear you are going to a combat zone, and they have to turn into leaders, fast!
I really loved my time in active Army, but looking back, I think I was really fortunate in the NCOs and Officers I got to work with - they really looked after us. Sadly, I saw quite a few dirtbags who had no business leading troops this time around. It's really amusing, because I always put my troops first, and when I saw someone do something stupid, I always said, "I think that's a good way to get my people killed." Trouble is, they always know better than you, and you just earn a reputation as a troublemaker. Anyway, when I made it clear that I was getting out, all I heard was, "we need your experience..." or "you are an asset to the company". Yeah, whatever, then why are you blocking my next promotion scumbag?
When they start caring about troops again, I'll think about going back; but not one second before.
Edit:
Training in Iraq: "React to an IED" - classroom training on procedures for driving HMMWVs with NO armor.
Squad Leader: What do you do if you get hit by an IED?
Me: I'm going to spray myself, in liquid form, all over my driver, who is going to seperate into several pieces, drive the vehicle 10 feet into the air, and flip it upside-down, crushing my gunner on impact.
That drew a few laughs from the troops, and a few frowns from the officers and senior NCOs.
Last edited by whittsend (2006-04-27 09:48:17)
Lima Co. 3/7 from 91-95 then ARNG from 99-05. I got out of the Corps to go to school, I joined the Guard to pay for it...I'm now a Civil Engineer. I originally planned to go back to the Corps (potentially to fly) after graduating; however, my dick got in the way...I now have a beautiful daughter. Anyway, after having served active duty in the Corps, I found the Guard to be a pretty miserable experience.
Combat is a young mans game...I'm old enough to know my own mortality!
Combat is a young mans game...I'm old enough to know my own mortality!
Sounds exactly like my Guard experience. +1 for you my friend.whittsend wrote:
When they start caring about troops again, I'll think about going back; but not one second before.
Edit:
Training in Iraq: "React to an IED" - classroom training on procedures for driving HMMWVs with NO armor.
Squad Leader: What do you do if you get hit by an IED?
Me: I'm going to spray myself, in liquid form, all over my driver, who is going to seperate into several pieces, drive the vehicle 10 feet into the air, and flip it upside-down, crushing my gunner on impact.
That drew a few laughs from the troops, and a few frowns from the officers and senior NCOs.
and its fucking truewhittsend wrote:
Training in Iraq: "React to an IED" - classroom training on procedures for driving HMMWVs with NO armor.
Squad Leader: What do you do if you get hit by an IED?
Me: I'm going to spray myself, in liquid form, all over my driver, who is going to seperate into several pieces, drive the vehicle 10 feet into the air, and flip it upside-down, crushing my gunner on impact.
That drew a few laughs from the troops, and a few frowns from the officers and senior NCOs.
Brandon Sapp KIA 15 AUG 2004
Thanks guys. +1 For Brandon, and for Jimmy Martin, KIA 3 OCT 93
you got me thinking about those IED's. I think a huge problem right now is that every time a unit does a rotation, they feel out the terrain and the action for the first few months and lose a lot troops in the process. But once everything is well established and an SOP is developed IED casualties become less frequent and mission success usually turns into 100% percent (but there is always fucking MURPHY). All the IED's that went off on me were from known IED hotspots from the previous deployments and it took my TF a couple of months to really get handle of things. That right seat- left seat ride doesnt do anybody any good because we were still getting hit in the same exact spots we were getting hit at before. I feel that there is so much more to be done to combat that threat. I remember the two or so prototype countermeasures that I witnessed in my time were a fucking joke, 5 minutes after they would say a route was clear an IED would go off about 1k back. I seen a whole bunch of nasty IED attacks, especially when we would do the QRF and respond to the immediate attacks but I seen a whole lot more discovered IED's the later in my deployment. I would say for every IED that went off on us, we would have found about a dozen or so that didnt, and about half the ones that went off on us didnt even damage the track or guntruck. Training for IED's is a joke because haji adapts faster to us than we do to them (well half the time, I have seen a lot of dumbfuck hajis). I guess my best method against the IED was close my eyes, floor the gas, brace my self and think of a really nice thought.
Served in the National Guard in Norway from i was 21 - 35 (am 35 now) as personell officer. Before that i attended a Squadleader school in a regular infantry outfit.
Corporal at 20, went the grades to 2nd Lt before i left this year.
Corporal at 20, went the grades to 2nd Lt before i left this year.
Wait behind the line ..............................................................
I think that was everyone's SOP in a known hot area.GunSlinger OIF II wrote:
I guess my best method against the IED was close my eyes, floor the gas, brace my self and think of a really nice thought.
Serverd 5 years in the Navy and got out only because my wife wanted me home more. If I had never married, I'd still be enlisted.
I did a short 3 1/2 years . Would never go back . Too many idiots in control of my well being .
I served a few months over 4 years due to stop-loss in the Marine Corps. Like a few other posters, I left because my wife wanted to sart a family and didn't want me gone for most of our baby's life. She also didn't want to deal with the stress of my being in combat zones anymore.
I'd still be there if I could be, I really miss my comrades and just being a Marine. I'm a theatrical stage manager and carpenter now, but civillian life is just really fucking boring most of the time. I was a field cannoneer, got promoted to dergeant before I got out, but not soon enough to actually enjoy the rank while in active service.
I can't rely on anyone out here in the "real" world like I did back in the Corps, too many unproffesional, selfish assholes for my liking. But I stay out for my family, who are more important than my wanting to blow shit up and command Marines.
Semper.
I'd still be there if I could be, I really miss my comrades and just being a Marine. I'm a theatrical stage manager and carpenter now, but civillian life is just really fucking boring most of the time. I was a field cannoneer, got promoted to dergeant before I got out, but not soon enough to actually enjoy the rank while in active service.
I can't rely on anyone out here in the "real" world like I did back in the Corps, too many unproffesional, selfish assholes for my liking. But I stay out for my family, who are more important than my wanting to blow shit up and command Marines.
Semper.
i wish i joined....i had recruiting officers on the phone my senior year of highschool and i was ready to enlist but....just chose to go play soccer for college....at times i regret it, i wish i was over in Iraq....fighting for those who i lost in 9/11 and stuff...i dunno, but for those who have or are still serving, thank you....and i mean it.