I'm coming up on my 2 years in the Air Force and it's been fun! I do not see myself staying in for 20 years though just to many crappy days compared to good days. I guess it's not for everyone props to the people who stay in for the long haul though.
You know, im not going to lie that I won't miss the great treatment I get from Americans when they find out im serving. I sure don't abuse it, but coming home on R&R, people were so nice to me. Couldn't believe it and made me love this country and it's people more.
How long have you served? I did five in the AF and got frustrated with people who didn't care so I got out thinking I had a better plan and stupidly believed the hype that civilian companies are waiting to hire vets. I had no plan and I bounced around for enough years that I soon wished I had stayed in. Life has been good and I still work for DOD as a civilian but I can tell you, even with the obstacles... you've probably got it made... unless you have a better plan than most who get out.
I do have a pretty good plan and contacts ive made. Just have to start working toward this degree that I want, gotta find the motivation instead of visiting bow forums all day. When did you get out though? In the middle of the recession? Oh ive been in almost 4 years. Its not too much about people caring as much as it is about all that crap plus more that I vented about. Rating system is pretty flawed and I just can't reason with stupid people. I am honestly that disgruntled.
The grass is always greener on the other side. I got out a couple times (max 2 months) and found civilian life was not for me. Too much whining about union rules and not wanting to do this or that so I went back in. Guaranteed pay, guaranteed benefits, that was the life.
I was debating getting out pretty hard for the last year but then they decided to dangle a $40K reenlistment bonus in front of me, looks like I'm gonna be staying in for a while longer. This will be my second reenlistment and will put me well over the halfway mark for retirement so looks like I'll also be one of the lifers also. Can't complain too much, easy money, good pay, great benefits.
After this last boss, ive made up my mind. Ive definitely met some amazing leaders that I wish I served directly under, but theyve always eluded me. Got alot of other reasons too, some theoretical that I don't know if it will pan out in the civilian side or not. But I don't plan on working for the government anymore. Nice guaranteed pay and benefits, but, in the private sector advancements and promotions always mean raises unlike the military.
Hey Chopayne I've been on all 3 sides; 28 years in the Army; 3 years as a Govy; and 10 years as a contractor. Don't believe the story about "guaranteed pay and benefits". They can meet you at 0800 and tell you to pack. Even in the private sector you have jerks that are bosses and workmates that are slugs. People are people. RC
28 years, man im younger than that. Definitely know that people are people and that ill find incompetent bosses everywhere. Atleast I have the option to quit, atleast until my savings runs out! But in the private side I have the options of shopping around to what company I want to work for, not so much in the army. They can put me in a ****hole and forget about me for the next few years. Thanks for all the information guys, really do appreciate it.
Another option before you get out would be to try a selection process for one of the many special operations jobs the army has to offer. I got tired of my prior unit and did it and it has only gotten better. Just some food for thought
Me after a little fire fight. 59 dead NVA. One of my people caught me telling someone what to do or was did. LOL God I was skinny. A younger me in a combat zone.
When I was a brand new butter bar Lt.... a wise old Captain told me, the secret to remember is this. Everyone you talk to the best job they ever had... they just left. Most find fault with the current one in some respect. I only ever ran into 4 real airhead dumb *** leaders. Unfortunately, 3 of them were in a combat zone. The one I fired within 30 days. One I was OPCON to and fought him tooth and nails on a 42 day outing in the woods. My real boss(the greatest leader I ever saw--retired 3 star saved my azz on that one). One was the boss before him. We agreed to disagree most of the time. He never got to write an efficiency report on me as he got fired by Division. We called him 5000 feet CO. If a bullet were fired he always ran back to refuel. LOL Come to think of it.... that's a lot of bad apples in one basket.
Testing links... 1...2...3 Me with a back drop of Naplam in the morning. Picture complents of my medic... tet 1968
