View Full Version : Well it's over
Well guys it's over, I'm out of the army after 13 years and I can't help but feel that I let america down has this feeling ever come over anyone else that has left the forces?
The Reaper
01-08-2007, 21:09
Thanks for your service.
TR
TR, I'm really regreting my deciscion about getting out.
The Reaper
01-08-2007, 21:44
TR, I'm really regreting my deciscion about getting out.
Well, you will get over it, or come back, as long as your re-up code is okay.
TR
CPTAUSRET
01-08-2007, 21:51
I was retired at as a CPT over 20 (years), and I was not ready to hang it up!
I still miss it!
I was a good boy just ETS'ed could'nt take the crap from soldiers anymore we keep lowering the standards. And the bad thing was being a NCO It was my duty to besure they came home from combat alive at all cost.
82ndtrooper
01-08-2007, 22:18
Thanks for your service !!
You did your part and then some, I'm sure. For that you have my deepest gratitude.
You did your service. I am sitting at 25+ active duty and think about it often. If you left on good terms you are always welcome back.
Good luck in what your lext livliehood is. You never really leave us. People always will look at you for what you have been. Remember that.
Great wishes,
Z
Surgicalcric
01-08-2007, 22:33
...being a NCO It was my duty to besure they came home from combat alive at all cost.
I would argue that your job is to accomplish the mission for which you are tasked. If you bring home all your men thats great but that of itself shouldnt be the deciding factor.
Thank you for your service.
Crip
Yes crip,
I kind of agree with you but I've seen my fare share of single moms and mothers that have lost there sons, and I was'nt about to have that hunt my dreams for the rest of my life.
CPTAUSRET
01-08-2007, 22:56
I spent 3 1/2 years flying gunships in VN, killing VC (sometimes NVA), so that more young Americans could come home safely!
I sleep just fine!
Still miss it!
CDRODA396
01-09-2007, 05:16
Chance, as long as you departed honorably, you nothing to regret or be ashamed of. You made a committment to serve and lived up to that committment in a very difficult time to be in the military.
Now that you are out, there are plenty of ways to continue to contribute to the cause, capitilze on your experience and keep the "I really miss it," feelings at bay. You can look into civil service, the defense industry or a whole host of other options.
Thank you for your service and good luck in the future.
Thank you gents for the kind words. There is always the chance that I can get into 20th though MSG Edwards so wish me strength for that task to come.
Jack Moroney (RIP)
01-09-2007, 06:06
TR, I'm really regreting my deciscion about getting out.
Thanks for your service. I am assuming that you arrived at your decision after careful weighing of all the factors you considered important to you which makes it the best decision you could have made. Now treat it as a launch point and move forward. Unless you enjoy wallowing in your own misery don't dwell on the past but draw from it all those things that are worth building on.
Good luck.
Chance,
Thanks for your service. You will miss the SOLDIERS very much, you'll miss the sense of purpose and mission as most civilian jobs/careers simply can not offer that level of satisfaction. You will not miss the hurry up and wait thing to much I suspect. Good luck.
has this feeling ever come over anyone else that has left the forces?
Let my country down? NO.
Let myself down? Yes.
If you miss the life now either get over it or get back in NOW. Don't wait till you're in a rocking chair mumbling would have, could have, should have. - My .02.
Thanks for your service. SG out.
bost1751
01-09-2007, 12:01
Chance:
Thanks for your many years of service. I echo what the others have said, you will always be a soldier at heart. I retired after getting so fed up I did not think I could take another day. I have missed it every day since that day too. Transitions can be difficult also. Do everything you can to make it as smooth as possible. From my own personal experience, make sure you made the right decision for you. I am sure you can get back in if that is what you want. Best of luck to you.
Trip_Wire (RIP)
01-09-2007, 12:58
Thank you gents for the kind words. There is always the chance that I can get into 20th though MSG Edwards so wish me strength for that task to come.
The National Guard and/or the Reserve is your best bet IMHO! This would give you just enough of a
taste of active duty to keep you satisfied. (Hopefully!)
More importantly, it will give you a chance to add to your 13 years and get a retirement at some point in time as well as keep all your skills updated.
Of course, these days in the 'Guard or Reserve, you just might find yourself back in a combat zone leading young troops again! :rolleyes: ;)
I hope your right Trip-Wire, but I'm pretty sure you are about the reserves giving me what I need for my fix for the military, and of course I did get out with a plan in place for other work that would help fill the need to help others and I'm happy to say that I just completed phase 2 of the hiring process for the police dept.
Warrior-Mentor
01-09-2007, 17:52
Chance,
Thanks for your service. No shame in 13 years of good service. It's a hell of lot more than the majority of American these days.
If you feel that strongly, come back, stand on your head for 6.5 years (figure 6 months for ACAP and Ret Leave) and collect a retirement for the rest of your life. Don't second guess or feel guilty about getting out. Only come back if you feel the calling again. You and our guys need folks who want to be here. Especially now.
Take care,
JM
smanders
01-09-2007, 18:55
Even if you thought about it for a year (and then came back in) you'd still retire before you're 40. Don't beat yourself up about it. You have plenty of time to make a decision - at least you're thinking positively enough to have a plan B (i.e., LE).
Good luck
Chance, thank you for all you've done...and my best wishes for whatever it is that you decide to do in the future.
Sionnach
01-09-2007, 19:39
Thanks for your service, chance.
The Reaper
01-09-2007, 19:46
Don't come back till you resolve whatever made you leave after 13 years.
Good luck.
TR
TR, you have my word that I won't return unless i'm 100% mission capable.
spectre919
01-09-2007, 21:55
chance,
An Irish proverb for you:
May you have the hindsight to know where you've been
the foresight to know where you're going
and the insight to know when you're going too far.
Thanks for your service, best of luck in the civilian world, and always know you will always be a member of the largest fraternity in the world...
I'll have an extra pint of Guiness for you ;)
S919
Gotta love a good pint, heres one for you to try go half Guiness and half apple cider Hornsby is a good one.
Chance:
I know you'd thought long and hard about your decision, You made the comment about not liking the quality of the troops that are coming in. My son said the same thing about 2 weeks ago, when he called to tell me that he was home for Christmas leave. He's a 19D - Cav Scout serving with 2/325th PIR, 82nd Abn. He was thinking about becoming a drill sergeant. He felt that was one way of being able to help the troops. Two days later, his unit was recalled to Bragg and he's now in the sandbox.
There are good positions within the defense industry looking for people with experience. A fellow co-worker told me just this past Monday that he had an interview with another department. They specialize in developing communication systems for Special Ops forces. One of the problems they have is nobody can relate to the needs of SOF. Sure, they can develop the hardware and software, but they don't have the slightest idea of the operational side. He pointed to the Special Forces crest on my shirt and said that I needed to go over there and talk with them. Maybe I will, but the thing is that you need to keep all your options open.
I wish you the best of luck in whatever you do, my friend.
Roycroft201
01-09-2007, 23:13
Thank you for your service, chance. Best of luck in whatever you decide.
Roycroft201
Chance. Thank You for your service.
Best of luck to you.
Thank you for your service.
Trip_Wire (RIP)
01-10-2007, 13:38
I hope your right Trip-Wire, but I'm pretty sure you are about the reserves giving me what I need for my fix for the military, and of course I did get out with a plan in place for other work that would help fill the need to help others and I'm happy to say that I just completed phase 2 of the hiring process for the police dept.
As a former LE (34 Years in the King County Sheriffs's Dept.) I can vouch for the fact that you can get your 'adrenaline fix' in the LE service. There are many avenues of LE service to keep one 'fixed.' To include the every day activities of Patrol, etc.
I know that during my career in LE, they always came to me, because of my military skills and background when the were starting up some of the Special units.
So, I wound up doing the following things.:
1.) Rescue/Recovery SCUBA Diver
2.) Motorcycle Officer (Sgt in Charge motor unit)
3.) Police Bomb Technician (Commander of Bomb Disposal Unit)
4.) SWAT Team member. (Commander of SWAT team)
Prior to the formation of the SWAT team (Or Tac-30 as it was known in my department.) They often asked me to vounteer for high risk stake outs, etc.
As a Sgt. I also ran the Riot platoon, during the many demonstrations during the war in Vietnam. Lots of action during this period.
You didn't mention which department you are trying to get on or what area. The amount of activity you may have has a lot to do with that. I think that had I not been in LE and enjoyed my jobs there, that I would have gone back on active duty. Of course, being in the SF Reserve, and on an ODA helped me in this area too!
I wish you well in a LE career and also hope, you will find a place in a Special Forces National Guard unit. If you get there in these jobs, you'll find little time to miss anything. :D ;)
Thanks Trip_Wire for the encouraging words ,I'm trying to get on the Clarksville ,TN Dept just past the written test now its on to the board.
Did 21 years then retired. They only got the extra year because of stop loss. I never regretted anything but the promotion system. Other then that it was a great adventure, thanks to contract work it continues. Best thing about contracting is once you redeploy back home no one is going's to call you in to make a jump or take a language test. Worst thing about contract work is missing the A-Team cohesion and friendship. I remember that last trip to FT Bragg in uniform to sign out of the Army at One Stop. I remember walking out of One Stop thinking this is the last time I will ever wear the Green Beret.
kgoerz see I thought about contract work but i dont know who to go with or if they would even touch a former trans operator for kicking in doors.
sfrecrutr
01-10-2007, 19:59
At your service!!
Ed
Roguish Lawyer
01-10-2007, 20:27
I never served. I think I'm the one who should be feeling guilty, not you, chance.
aricbcool
01-10-2007, 21:18
I never served. I think I'm the one who should be feeling guilty, not you, chance.
I have yet to serve. Ditto RL.
--Aric
82ndtrooper
01-10-2007, 21:40
I never served. I think I'm the one who should be feeling guilty, not you, chance.
Counselor,
There's still time.......JAG possibly ?...............:p
FearTheCats
01-11-2007, 21:34
Chance, thanks for your service in the GWOT. I've heard it said of anything you miss: don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.
Some of us were never able to serve due to medical issues or life circumstances. In my case, I let others talk me out of enlisting early in the Reserve or Guard and instead I went straight to college AFROTC. Yup, developed asthma, and it was a sad day when I turned in the Blue Suit. Tried again during DS/DS ("Army! Enlisted! Infantry! ANYthing, Sar'nt Recruiter!"), no go. Kicked myself for years. After 9/11, I knew I had to get in uniform. It took until last year, but I got it done.
So let me echo Trip_Wire and tell you that LE can sure scratch the itch, even though I serve only part-time. There's something about putting on the vest, uniform, badge, and belt that makes you go "ahhhh ... yesss!" Many of my friends are Airborne and SF and in their mighty company I feel not ashamed.
Should it not work out in TN, come on over to NC and get a sponsor for Basic Law Enforcement Training to get a foot in the door. If you're an action junkie you'd go bug-nuts in our county, until that one call in 300 that makes you glad to be wearing dark brown uniform pants. Complacency is our biggest enemy, all the more so because he inflicts injury and death only sparingly--but surely.
Gentlemen! I am very honored and humbled by your words of encouragement; thank you very much. I hope and pray that I may still be able to serve as a LEO. As of this week I have a board scheduled with the Clarksville, TN Police department on Jan. 22; once again thank you very much.