If you live by a military base & see soldiers riding around in $60,000 chargers & grand Cherokee’s, take a look at their ranks. They’re either an E8 that can barely afford it, or an E2 that’ll be in debt for 10 years because they bought a $60,000 car with their $16,000 bonus. Don’t be misled by the nice clothes & cars. Soldiers don’t have it all that well, financially.

1. Lack of leadership 2. Not a lot of money 3. The military is not what you thought it was

I got out of the Active duty Marines because of poor leadership I told my CO (Captain) my Infantry platoon commander was an ass hat on my exit interview. He laughed and then sat there for about 30 seconds with no expression then said. “I agree with you”. He also said, would you believe me if I told you he is not the worst one. I shook his hand and then told him well thank you for letting me know I was making a good decision.

I had no prior knowledge of the military until I started watching your vids. Your a great source of information for those of all types of background

I had a two year enlistment, back in the 1980s. I enjoyed my time serving my country and when I got out I was offered a job as a cop. I put in 27 years in one of the largest law enforcement agencies in South Florida. retired at the age of 50 with a great pension and insurance benefits for life. Still in great health at the age of 54 and loving life.

Been a year in and ready for my contract to end. Only 2 years left. Been having big opportunity’s come my way that will pay me way more than the military. Basic and AIT was fun but the big army ehh. Excited to get back out to civilian world and take advantage of these amazing opportunitys!

1 The field 2 PT 3 Lack of logic

What Matt Ward said is true. I'm in a combat MOS and did 2 non combat rotations. Don't expect to enlist in a combat MOS and deploy to a combat zone. Keep up to good info sir.

My reason is primarily that I have a creative mind and love to read and write, and I have come to realize that the army saps all my creativity and is nothing but a machine, a system, that is all about new trash in, old trash out. You are just a number, a replacement.

On the bus heading to 30th AG rn. I think I’m one of the last 14 week infantry OSUT. Thanks for all the tips Matt, helped a lot

I leave in a week to Fort Jackson! Thanks Matt for all your advice throughout the past few months and helping me make this decision in my life.

I’ve met some of the best leaders while in the Army that there lessons they taught me will stick around for the rest of my life. Also met some of the worst human beings in my life that were NCOs. Just the way it is I guess

I was a Navy Corpsman. I worked as a Boot Camp Clinic Corpsman/Cancer unit then I became an STD Corpsman! Enough said! Did my 4 years and tapped out. Honorable discharge! Even my Command retention Petty Officer said , Hmmm maybe you next 4 years will be better. I could not contain my smile and said thank you First Class for your time. He never bothered me again!

Any job will have its ups or downs. Military or civilian you can/will have terrible bosses. The difference is being the person who doesn't react to your environment, make your environment react to your actions and you will be successful.

Finally got the chance to go for my hearing test again, i passed it Friday, i go Wednesday to swear in

Granted i didn't serve in time of war in the 80's so it wasn't as stressful but the Army has many similarities as civilian life in the sense you have good bosses and bad ones. Same as the military but unlike in the civilian world where it's not smart to jump around at different jobs unless the nest one is better which is rare to find. In the Military you basically change units ever year or 2. People come and go in all ranks the entire time you are with a unit. You lose friends and you gain new ones. same with leadership you lose good ones and gain bad ones and vis-versa.Now that i'm 56 now you come to realize a 3 or 6 year commitment in the Army goes by fast. When you are young it seems like a lifetime.Bottom line is to enjoy life in the moment. Don't rush the days away like many do in the Army by having count downs to being a civilian again.It seems the so called New Army of today has a lot more to offer in benefits and recreation then it did during my time. Take advantage of it and life for today not tomorrow.In my experience i signed up for 3 years and couldn't wait to get out. When i got my ets orders i became scared to become a civilian because i became accustomed to the Army life being young and single.So i re-uped but eventually got out into my states Guard unit for another 3 years. But Regular Army is way better then the guard for me anyways so i left. But no regrets at least i did it and can't say at age 56 i wonder what being in the Army or Guard is like. Think about what i said to the future Soldiers out there.

Agree with some of this. Having a great experience and leadership but I intended to go to college and for the past 5 years I haven't had any time to do so. Finally I have downtime, out in a year, and just now starting school

The military should always be a last resort unless you go officer.

I think it depends on the Agency and person, plus it helps them get off the streets and learn a trade and gain respect. My nephew did six years in the AF, came out, straight to a University (Medical Major), accepted with open arms, no paperwork needed. Commitment is key! :)

We finally got to the real conversation!

If I had joined the military and leadership was an issue, I would try to handle it. I would not quit. I would rather retire with all that extra benefits.

No one cannot stress enough the toxic leadership and shitty commands is what drives Soldiers that have so much potential and can be great leaders than that.

What I learned from the Army? It was my biggest mistake for ever joining. My story isn't the same as many, my company was actually court martialed, but really afterwards, when I got out on medical, none of the branches wanted to reenlist me. I seriously wanted to get into the Navy but because of troubles I went through in Army that sent me out on a medical, couldn't join any military branch.

It’s not about making the world a better place. It’s about getting that promotion.

Awesome Matt《☆》Your chain of command can definitely make a difference in your military career🤓☻🤠

Along with bad leadership, there is also bad follower behavior among the rank and file. Many soldiers endure the basic and advanced training only to revert to juvenile attitudes one at their unit. I worked with personnel records in the army and a majority of the discipline problems were with soldiers that had less than two years service. Particularly in the combat arms units, the leadership spends so much of their time dealing with recalcitrant and incorrigible soldiers that once the bad soldier is given an administrative discharge, another bad soldier has to be dealt with. As a result, the good troops are put on a back burner and not taken care of. Many a philosophers have stated that in order to be a good leader, one must learn to be a good follower .I’ve heard many a young soldier state that they don’t want to be led by someone their own age group or only if the leader can” whoop my a$$. I told one commander that I joined the army to be a soldier and a leader of men, not a thug tamer or juvenile probation officer.

I’m going to meps this friday, wish me luck 🤞

Been in for one year, sucks to say its not what I thought itd be, thankfully i only have a 3 year contract, Also im a fister same as your brother!

I got out due to simply burn out. Running a supply room by yourself with no clerk, leadership up your butt treating everything as a top priority I reached burn out in only 8 years. I went part time in the national became an insulator at a nuclear power plant under construction making 150,000 a year. Sure my personal time is drastically cut due to ten hours a day Monday through Friday eight hours a day Saturday-Sunday with every other Sunday off but I don’t care cause I was told something I’ve always told myself and my command team thought I was crazy for saying it. “We are not on a time crunch, you rush you make mistakes, take your time so you can do it right the first time” would’ve probably stayed in if my leadership got the concept of taking your time

Hey Matt! Thank you for all the helpful info you gave us so far. Hell, it's helping me grow a pair and join the Army Reserves! But I've got a question: Have you ever volunteered for active duty 'tours'? If not, what have you heard about it? Any and all answers would be appreciated!

Number 4: to much Bravo Sierra. If you don't know what that means, study Military Phonetics. In General, I refer to petty policies and Micro-management. More specific to my MOS, 31B, were directives that came about because of complaints: To many vehicles with obscene bumper stickers, or people not walking their dogs with a leash and/or not picking up the animal's waste. I spent hours driving parking lots on Ft Hood looking for Abandoned Vehicles. That was one of my MANY Tasks. Traffic Accident Investigator, Abandoned Vehicle Program "Coordinator" ( I got Voluntold I was doing that), Mail Clerk, B.O.S.S. Rep (Basic Opportunities for Single Soldiers), Police Dispatcher (RTO In Military Speak), and Armorer. (These are not in order btw). So besides investigating accidents and doing traffic enforcement (moving violations), I had to find broken down vehicles, and do daily mail delivery, and meet with the Brigade CSM Bi-Monthly to discuss how to make single soldiers' lives better (I hated that job because there is nothing like having a CSM and 1SG leaning on you to figure stuff out). So, for me, Bravo Sierra. Secondary for me was that thought in the back of my head "I see back-to-back deployments to Iraq in your future".

It took me 10 years to adjust to the civilian world after 8 years, I missed the structure and order of the military

as always , i enjoy your videos! :D

Heading to Bragg soon! Airborne school was fun and ready for the next challenge

My option was dealing with 6 month deployments, working 12 hours days, 7 days a week or go to college with my girlfriend. It was a easy choice

It’s not all the military’s fault, sometimes you just get lazy soldiers who want everything handed to them on a silver platter and more often than not this doesn’t happen. Of course the biggest reason I saw in my three decades of service is the leadership simply didn’t care about their troops. I’ve seen it more than I can count E7 wants to make E8 & E9 and or 04 wants to make 05 and has dreams of wearing an Eagle someday (06) and so they push their troops for their own benefits and totally forget what a team player is all about what a true leader is supposed to do (troops first, self second) and because of this the military looses great service personnel every year.

You've mentioned that you are a software developer. What industry do you work in? How does being a reserve officer help you succeed in the civilian world?

I left because it sucked. Plain and simple. Haha For real though if you’re not in the good old boys club you aren’t worth anything.

Leadership is always the key to keeping folks in regardless of service. The tone, the effort, the appreciation makes folks want to stay in. When you exceed all the youngsters on a PT run test as an old dude, then it makes an impression. When you show up at midnight to check on your maintainers in -20f conditions, then you make that positive impression. Leadership makes the difference and their actions speak more loudly than words.

The biggest regret I have is not getting more pictures with the boys, hated 3/4 of leadership but made some of my best friends ever

My MOS sucked (21W) and being deployed for 15months was the final straw. 4 and done

Graduated fort benning aug 16

I still havent recieved a 2nd LT coin I purchased from your store a several months ago

Damn you getting paid phat my guy

im 16 now im almost there

I want the 1st LT coin but the way a newly SPC gets paid 😂

My broo if you were shooting for your 20 years you finish that 20 years no matter what man. Do not give up a comfortable retirement for a woman who is 50% likely to betray your ass sometime in your life. You do not want to end up alone, bitter, and wishing you could collect that extra 2000 a month or more + benefits if you could only stay a few years longer but your girl at the time was hungry for attention. Please please please keep this advice in the back of your mind

i leave to OSUT for Infantry on the 3rd. My biggest concern is if I am going to get to do what I want to do, advanced schools etc. I signed up for 6 years active and got the 40k bonus. Hopefully I get to do what I really want to do.

Fort jackson 25 bravo September 9th any advice would be great im really nervous @Mattward

I did basic at ft Leonard wood in 1983 @ 17 years old I was a capt platoon leader in r.o.t.c. it was hard back then

British army reservist and I want out this year in fact I am in last yr or so been bit of bumpy ride completely fucked off

Excellent video

One phrase.....army needs if they need it it will happen if u need it it probably won't happen everybody's experience will be different that's what's awsome about guard reserve even,if u hate it its only part time 😆 great video

I was the STD Navy Corpsman for 30 months. Enough said. I had a hard time not laughing at the Retention Petty Officer.

Going to Benning in September. Y’all got me spooked about reception. Any advice?

I had a neighbor that was in the navy and he was there for three years and he never saw combat.

Grew up in military. Got drafted and served. Had enough.

I ship out September 23rd to Ft. Leonard Wood as a 68W. I'm scared but mostly excited ((:

I was thinking of doing 11b so when I’m out I can be prison guard or something in that nature

I ship out to Fort Jackson on January 6th. 91B

Fort Jackson September 24

Hey matt totally non related question but do watch the jocko podcast or any other military/leadership podcasts? I think you would really like his book Extreme Ownership.

Damn, Sir, you got your own coins? That's pretty baller. I probably shouldn't say this at all, but I'll be honest. It seems like the Army likes to shoot itself in the foot so many consecutive times in a row with different factors, and I of course won't spill out the details of those factors just to give the Army some respect, but it's just not something I want to keep living day to day every day. I didn't really have high expectations, but I really didn't expect what's happened. I mean, it's the Army, it is what it is. And the days of going overseas and doing all the high speed stuff are pretty much over for now, it's in more of a garrison dominated period than a deployment dominated period. It's good that hostile deployments have died down, don't get me wrong for a second, but garrison periods are just not good for militaries, in my opinion. It's made me value my personal freedoms so much more and has made me want to put down roots somewhere and live adult life, and has made me determined to be there every day possible when I finally have a family. I was open to the idea of a military career, but I knew I'd need to check it out first. I know I wouldn't have the family life I want to have if I stayed in, because I've essentially been away over 80-90% of the last two years. That 80-90%, I've been unable to drive, go shooting, see my friends and family, or really just go outside without either someone else being with me or my leadership tracking what I'm doing. Wah wah wah, get over it, I know. I'm not really bitching, just laying it out. I can handle it. It's just not what I want the rest of my life. That being said, though, guys, don't take my comment as entirely negative. It's easy to spill off all the things you dislike about the Army. I can do that ALLLL day, I haven't even started. But that means it's also easy to skip past the good experiences you have along the way, the training you wouldn't have had otherwise, and the work ethic you won't get anywhere else. Do the military of you really think you want to, give it an honest shot. Just be open for disappointment. But also surprise, don't let disappointment get you so hard that you miss the good times. I know I never would have been to Korea and experienced that side of the globe if I hadn't joined. Yeah, at the time, you hate it. But everyone I know from Korea wants to go back. I know for me, it's been a great period of getting my act together and gaining great experiences, opening up new doors. But it's also been shitty. Take the good with the bad and make your choice. It's not a bad way to make a living if you thrive in it. Some actually do. I know that I needed time to figure out what I want to do in life. I'm 25 now, already been to college, and now I'm halfway through my contract with the military. I think it's helped me finally get it. Don't be discouraged, guys. Experience it and then form an opinion. Sir, I've watched your videos for a while, since before I joined. You have great information, excellent advice, and you really pump me up. I hope you really do get to change things. Even if you can make only one unit better, happy but also effective in their tasks, you've done fantastic. An army crawls on its stomach. I hope you can spread that attitude far and wide.

Fort Jackson September 9 for 15p anyone else?

In response to #3, your SO shouldn't make you pick between military and staying married. Marriage isn't about ultimatums.

Idk how you don’t have more subs! Every time I have a question I swear you have posted it in the past or magically post it at around the same time 🤣 15 pounds left to lose and I’ll be going off to pick my MOS and swear in! 😁💪 I’ll be going active as a wife and mother at 28 years old lol how many statistics can I break at once? 🤣

On the leadership issue, it is the same in the civilian work sector. In the civilian workforce I can leave if I want to. In the Army, not so easy. The one thing that really bothered me was the lack of cross training. I was in a CAV unit and when I stated I was retiring I was moved to S-1 (Human Resource) since I had some experience in my first enlistment. The Army stresses training in the soldiers MOS. The downside is that there is no training for combat. Here is the reason I brought this up. In Iraq the LOGPAC run had a security element. I was informed that S-1 had to provide a vehicle with crew. Let that sink in for a minute...... Got it, good. I quickly picked the crew, CPL Alexander was ex infantry, and two others that were available. This had to get done quick. The other two were clerks and scared. Went thru a quick inspection and informed them that whatever happens, listen to me, and hauled ass to the assembly area. That had to be a very tension filled convoy run I ever experienced. They were just thrown in the mix with no training. A friend of mine mentioned about the explosion in the Kabul Airport, how many of those personnel were properly trained? Trying to get these guys training with other units to get hands on weapons and tactical training was a hit or miss.

Green weenie approves of this message...... (16:35) CONEX INVENTORY BY COB HOOAH?

Lack of money, yet the military pays for your medical/dental insurance which is EXPENSIVE as a civilian. I have a daughter with autism and her therapy is all paid for by the army thankfully because I wouldn't be able to afford the therapy she needs. You get a lot of tax breaks from your retirement plan so definitely invest your money into it. Also your college is paid for as long as you pass your classes while al your buddies in college are wracking up student loan debt! Sure it's not a lot of cash up front but you definitely have a lot of perks that civilians don't have. I've been through a lot of ups and downs with the army but it definitely has some pretty convincing perks that will convince you to stay in. Only issue i have is the time away from my wife and two daughters, I've missed out on a lot due to training or leadership that shafted me.

Thank you for the info but what is the name of your intro please?

if someone need recruiter in nyc let me know

When I turn 18 I wish to sign in the Army as an 11b and could use advice on how to get their. I am currently in 11th grade and am 16 years old. I can use any tips and advice you guys got.

What happens if you leave the military before your contract ends ?

Fort Jackson in September 29. Anyone else?

I'm still in, got about a year left. My top 3 thus far: 1. Terrible leadership, they give zero fucks about us. Abuse of rank, etc. 2. Constant pressure of PT tests to the point where they're more annoying than anything. 3. Pay isn't all that great, I'm a SPC but still. Seriously, I'm not lying when I say I've quit better paying jobs than this.

I got discharged from the Navy with Re-3 code im thinking i might go to army but im waiting next six months to apply hopefully i can back to Navy or the Army

Hey, I’m thirteen and wanting to do military service when I become of age. Do you have any recommendations I could do with all these years to go?

How slow is promotion in the Reserves/ National Guard? (For enlisted and officer) I recently talked to veteran who served 20 years as a Marine Reservist and highest pay grade he reached was E4.

Fort jackson September 16 wya??

Could you do a video on 15 tango

Is there a way to get deployed or have a higher chanse to be deployed. Tips?

no money for airborne, cool schools and courses. We need the money for officers nice hotels, and expensive rent cars.

The army doesn't really want u to retire

Wait your brother left the military?

Anyone going to fort Leonard wood on sept 3? I’m doing OSUT for MP. My MOS is 37F (PSYOP)

From 4:45 to 4:55 I felt like it was personal lmao, stop bullying me 😂

Going to fort lost in the woods tommarow ○_○

Do you still get benifits after the contract is over

Officers, butter bars, have it a lot easier than lower enlisted.

Some just stay in the military

Hey sir where are you stationed!

I imagine not getting killed plays a big factor into getting out

Anybody going ft jackson end of September?

The military is like being a minimum security prisoner from my experience

1. Shitty leadership 2. Shitty leadership 3. Shitty leadership

Was Matt ever active duty?

Why are so many homeless veterans? Everyone is homeless now.

What benefits do you get after 4 years?

The military is a waste of life and career minus 30days paid vacation and full benefits. I don’t know if that’s even worth it bc it’s only an eight grade education level job and incredibly stifling for career growth. Very dead end career.

Lt. D-Bag