I've got 13 months left on this contract. That will put me at 8 and a half years. I just don't love it the way I used to. I've got a family now that I've been lucky enough not to deploy since my kids were born. The past few months I've just felt like it's time to move on to the next step. My wife has a degree and can support us while I use my GI Bill to get mine. I don't know if this is really what I want to do, it might just be recruiting duty (aka the pits of hell for a military man) brining me down. I feel like this is what I want to do, but I also feel like I'm being selfish and putting my family into uncertainty. In a few months it's gonna be crap or get off the pot time.

Thoughts, comments, concerns, *****es, moans, complaints?

You've served your country, there's nothing wrong with moving on to a new phase in your life. Just be sure - with the force reductions there may not be an opportunity to go back. You also need to think about medical coverage, etc that the military provides. Weigh it all out, and do what you think is best for you and your family.

Obviously you will do what is right for you. My cousin was a Major that took an early out in the 90's after 12 years. He bounced around since and just got a job at 50 with the border patrol so he can work towards a retirement. 12 years sounds like along time off but your kids won't even be finished with high school when you retire. Get you degree while your in and then go to law or med school or whatever your dream is while your still a young man but your family priorities are set and taken care of. I sure wish I would have done that and that is the same advice I have been giving my son. Not to mention the current economic shape. It might take 6+ years just to soak up all the underemployment and recent grads now.

ask yourself these questions:

1) How is your 401K / retirement fund?

2) What job do you have lined up once your retire?

3) Military or Civilian - some jack-hole will be telling you what to do...

It's almost axiomatic that 'career' military will experience burnout around the 8-10 year point. I think it's especially true when that coincides with a defense drawdown. We (in the DoD) are right now about where we were in 1992 with respect to budget cuts. Serving through a drawdown is no fun because you don't have the resources to train like you need to. It will get worse before it gets better but this is a cycle that repeats itself. The odds are that by the end of your military career that there will be a recapitalization of the military after it dawns on the nation that the latest drawdown went too far.

Going to school right now is going to put you in competition with a large population of Veterans who are all doing the same thing and will enter the job market while it is at its toughest point in several generations. Of course, if you believe that the current economic policy has been effective and the economy is just about to take off again then this might be the ideal time to forgo the security of shipping over for another tour and take advantage of the nascent economic boom.

My few posts on this board probably highlight me as someone who is similar to you in both time-in-service and feelings towards the job. When I'm done early next year I'll have completed over 9 years of service.

I've already got things lined up once I'm out and I recommend you do the same if you're even considering leaving. It never hurts to put your resume out there and talk to companies. I had interviews at the 6-8 month out point.

As other people have pointed out, there are plenty of people that leave the service and wish they hadn't a decade later. Make sure when you're done that you have every thing in order.

_____________________________
"Guns don't kill people, I kill people."

If your heart is not in it, then it is time to find your calling elsewhere. If you stay in and end up deploying, you will be miserable and your unit will suffer. You have to be committed to your service. Every member of the team has to give it 100% or else your fellow warriors will have to take up your lack in order to succeed. It is better to open up your position to someone else who wants than to take it up and burden your unit. It is not about you, it is about them. What is best for your family and your fellow Marines? Let that be your guide.

Semper Fi!

Fightn, are you west coast or east coast? I know we have talked before but I cant remember

I was on Pendleton for 6 years. Currently recruiting in Washington state.

quote:

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ask yourself these questions:

1) How is your 401K / retirement fund?

2) What job do you have lined up once your retire?

3) Military or Civilian - some jack-hole will be telling you what to do..

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Focus on 1 and 2.
Getting a job right now is very hard. Especially if your military skill is focused around killing bad guys.

agree with finding a job first. i'm looking at possibly getting on 1 May, and i'm starting the process right now for lining up employment. also, i've never been on recruiting duty, but i hear that it's one of the most stressful b-billets a Marine can have. maybe try a little more fleet time before making the call to get out. also, have you thought about the reserves? i'm leaning that way myself.

I hit burnout about the same time. Reduced motivation, etc. Got out, good job, did well but really missed the Corps. Had a chance to go back in. I did; never looked back. Glad I got out and even "more glad" I went back.
Big decision. As others said, today, with drawdowns, you likely won't have the chance I had to go back. Try to think past recruiting duty. And, if the wife says get out, disregard anything I said. If she's OK with the Corps, and if you still get that "tingle" when you hear The Hymn, better stay.

Really appreciate all the advice. I've been very thorough and made sure I didn't make this decision in haste. But I'm going to go ahead and let the green grass fool me. It's been a great 8 years and I have many great things to thank the Corps for, but it's time for me to move on. I fully expect the first few years to be rough while I go to school, but I'd rather sacrifice a few hard years to give my family some roots. Fair winds and following seas, brothers. I EAS in 368 days.

If so, put as much $$$ away as you can right now for a rainy day!






We keep you alive to serve this ship. Row well, and live!

It's not about the money any more. I will probably have to work until I'm 65, and I'm okay with that. I want to give my kids roots, I want them to grow up with their cousins. I want them to have memories, not just pictures, of their grandkids. I have served my country, now it's time to serve my family. I completely understand that this is not the best financial option, but I believe it is in the best interest of my family.