Following Gut But It's Tough

Here's my situation: My separation in January 2010 will put me at 11 years. My wife just commissioned and received orders to Ohio. 

My plan is to separate and finish my bachelor's ( I have six classes left) and possibly join the reserves and look at commissioning opportunities. 

I am A-10 Avionics, I'm separating because I want to cross-train and due to the manning constraints in my career field they rejected the request. 

Am I crazy? I'm trying to follow my gut but man it's a tough decision. 

(Submitted by Mike Fallorna)

Comments

[Downtown RDB]

Mike, you are experiencing the same thing that many before you have. Only you can make the call as to what to do. As a 30 year navy veteran and now 10 years of doing HR and Transitional Services jobs my cut is you can never go wrong with furthering your education, especially if you keep your military time running in the reserves while doing so. In the military manning constraints "rule" a lot of decisions. In the civilian sector changing career paths normally means changing companies. Bottom line...it is a tough decision but once you make it stick to your "plan". Best of luck.

[Stephanie Croxton]

Hey I completely understand where you are coming from. Feb 1, 2010 is my separation date and that will also take me to 11 years. I am also separating because I'm not able to crosstrain into something I'd like to do so I am taking my chances out of the military. I plan to join the reserves but, I am definitely folowing my gut and I know it's time to let go. I can definitely sympathize with you cause I know this is a very hard decision. God Bless.

[cyng]

Mike, you may want to reconsider this decision right now, however I do sympathize with you. I retired after 20 years of service. As an MP, I also tried to cross-train several times but was not able to until I was in 16 yrs. At my 12th year mark I was ready to get out, but was encouraged by my fiance and my family not to. I am grateful they pushed me on. I have been retired for 8 years now and it is tougher than you can imagine out here, it's not always greener on the other side. I strongly suggest you finish your degree while in service. You must seriously consider this fact. You have 9 years to retirement and drawing a pension, if for nothing else it is a huge weight off your shoulders when you can't find satisfying employment, to have that income for (the rest of your life). I don't care who you are, after 11 years you will miss a great deal about the military. Don't base your decision on your wife's accomplishment, because you want the same thing. What I mean is you only have six classes left, I don't know how it works transferring to the reserves, but in general if you have not finished your degree by the time you get out, your college credits may not transfer with you, leaving you scrambling to take more classes to make up for what will not be accepted by your college or university. That's just another thing to consider. I strongly encourage you to reconsider the reasons for your decision and wish you the best of luck.

[anchored]

Hey Mike, listen to cyng. I spent 8 years in the Navy. I got out in 1992, when the military was paying people to get out. I was an E-5 Radioman, and my rate was being merged with another rate. I have been out for 17 years, and have been fumbling from job to job looking for something satisfying financially as well as mentally. I have not found it. I spent 3 years in the Naval Reserves, and it was just not the same as active duty. It was more like a part time job. I went to a web design school which promised me a job, and did not fullfil. This was the same time as 9/11. Trust me, there is'nt a day that goes by, that I had'nt wished I would have stayed in and retired. With the economy like it is, my retirement would've taken a financial burden off my shoulders. My advise, stay in! Even the fortune companies are laying off. The only jobs going strong are medical, hospitality, and retail in my area, and call centers. I am trying to get an insurance career going and it is tough.

[anchored]

In fact, military retirement is the only guarateed retirement around today. Lets hope Congress does'nt screw with that.

[Mark]

Hey Mike,
Maybe try this:
In general, you need 60 credit hours, out of the 120+ for your degree, in the same University to get a Bachelors diploma from that particular University. I would suggest talking with the guidance counselor at your present University, see if you can take the other six (6) classes at a local college in Ohio, and transfer the credits to your present University. This will cost some money and time, but it should work. It will largely depend on the classes and what you are majoring in. Some core courses have to be taken at that specific University. Good Luck

[Frank Colon]

Stay in!!! you will be sorry if you dont. Im happly retired,

[RJ]

Mike

I agree with cyng. Pls re-evaluate your plan. Eleven years is a lot you and your wife have accomplished and earned. Stay in and retire. Also use TA and finish your six credits while you're in, that's only two classes which you can do in the evenings or weekends depending on the subjects. Yes there are times were you get deployed and all the hardship duties, it's part of service, however the service does take care of its own people and appreciates their service, value, and accomplishments regardles of MOS. I think you still will have the opportunity of doing what you want to do later such as commissioning. I suggest you talk to your career counselors. The current economy is very challenging and competitve.

Resp.
Gunny,
retired and loving it.

[PL427]

I'd get out and finish school and try my hand at civilian life. I did after only 4 years active following the Vietnam War. I later came back into the Reserves and completed my time for Retirement before Rumsfeld, threw everyone out over 50, the SOB.

I have a good Government job at the County level that will pay me about 3k's at age 60. The Navy Reserves about 1k. That's not counting my other investments, 401k, etc. I also do Real Estate and sub-teach, and will probably do so after Retirement. Retire anytime after that and it's about $500 added per year. Now that isn't a bad deal. Yes, you can make it out there. It's rough, but you can find something you like and be successful. Hell, and I consider myself a failure..

Should I have stayed in? Now that's a decision we all have to make and live with. personally, I loved the Reserves...and really miss them..