I just got out of the army yesterday, and you pinpointed exactly what i've felt during my time in service. There's more to life than the military.

I’ve been out for three years as well. It was the best decision I ever made. There’s nothing like having a peace of mind and freedom to control your own life. The toxic leadership, shitty work environment, low pay, etc. wasn’t worth it.

It’s refreshing to find a video of someone being honest about there experience.

You are preaching the truth brother. I have been in the Army for 12 years now and still counting, what you said hits all the spot. At this point im still debating if i want to get out or not. Toxic and Negative "leaders" are everywhere in the Army. It does affects everybody. Note of advice to brand new Soldiers. Do your thing. Dont get involve, dont be involve, have a plan, do your plan and get out.

Came in the Navy wanting to do 20 years that instantly changed in the first 2 years. Only a year left until I get to take that sweet terminal leave for 60 days and never report back.

DD214 life for the win🔥🔥🔥

Thanks for the positive energy and life guidance

This has been one of the most open-honest videos I have ever watched of veterans getting out. Your experience will help me what to expect once I ship out to the Navy. Thank you for your service.

This really helped me. Getting closer to getting out and finding it daunting but hearing your experience make me feel at ease and excited for the future

One of the best videos I’ve watched thank you for the advice

Thanks man. Your video is an eye-opener! And thank you for your transparency. I don't hear that a lot from key leaders and individuals in the organization.

I have about 3-4 months left in the Navy! I cannot wait! Looking forward to the amount of freedom and just being happier.

thanks man, i needed to hear this.

Thanks for sharing man✊🏽 It’s Raw and real

Watched the whole thing and subbed man! Enjoyed the video and gave me some perspective!

This video is so relatable. Thank you

I enlisted with an undergraduate degree as an 11B and I loved it! I graduated from Ranger school, did a tour of Iraq and Afghanistan, made some good life long friends and experienced lots of new things. Most importantly, the army gave me the confidence that nothing man-made could keep me from being the best me that I could be!

Today marks 3 years since I got out as well. I was following you back when you were getting out and it really put into perspective how getting out actually feels. These last 3 years have been good to me and I look forward to the next 3.

Currently a conscripted sergeant in the Korean army. Lived in another country for 15 years and came back to finish mandatory service. My mindset was and still is very westernized because of my upbringing, and I thought this kind of toxic environment was just unique to Korea because of its strict society... I’ve become super depressed thanks to it... Tried to perform my service with a positive, hard-working mindset but that just disappears so easily when among toxic people. I’m glad I found this video and I’m also surprised that there are lots of soldiers around the world that are dealing with similar stuff. Thanks for the advice regarding toxicity. Now I know I’m not really alone on this. Hope every soldier around the world finishes their service safely.

Thank you for that bit of needed info

thanks alot man for sharing your input i'm getting out in three months i can't wait

Thank u ... this vid is real thing.. exactly how I felt.

Thank you so much!!!!! Amazing man!

Hey man, great video! I just got out of the army this year after almost five years of service. I don't regret serving, of course not. But I'm glad I did. Even though I really believed everyone saying that I'm meant to be a lifer. It really got in my head and I actually thought it was my destiny. I am a super positive person ( always have been) and I was through most of my service, but certain individuals and chain of command and sucky work really dampered my spirit. I planned on a 2 1/2 year contract at first, but then reenlisted to deploy. There were many good times, and I was good at it. But it's not what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I didn't wanna just do 20 years to get a pension and hate my life, I joined to serve a few years, then get out, not just collect a paycheck. I still think of reenlisting at times, like I wish I did airborne, or maybe I'll go Rangers for just 3 years, but I'm trying to stop that. You just gotta know when to stop sometimes. I am happy being out now and I wish the best for you man. Thanks

Wow! That's amazing brother keep being yourself! Enjoy your civilian life again!

I'm getting out of the service this month, and I really feel all that you've mentioned. I've only been 4 years, I definitely feel that I've become really isolated person and negative torch my own family. This is definitely not what I want for my life. It's time for me to find a new north

i'm On my way out the army now after 5 years. never have i been so depressed in my life. Was taught to treat women like shit, be an alcoholic, be negative , only few good nco's taught me right as a 19 year old boy. I'm becoming happy again, stopped drinking since last year, just a clear mind. Left you a like, good vid.

I feel you man. I graduated in 2007 and I struggled to find work. I eventually did but it wasn't anything spectacular. So I did what I had always wanted to do, join the military and being an Infantryman.

You helped put my concerns/feelings into perspective, been in the Canadian Army Reserves for almost year now, and while I don't regret joining, I'm starting to see why this career/life may not be for me in the long run, especially since my main ambition/ passion is in my own personal business. I gave myself a plan to try out the military for 1-2 years to decide if I wanted to stay in or out, and the fact that I'd have to sacrifice my summer full time to do some trade training at a certain point was a real deal breaker for me, especially given my civilian job is most crucial during the summer. Imma give it at least another 6 months to a year before making a decision of leaving cuz I'm hoping to get an armed security job as a good substitute first before leaving, cuz I'm hoping it'll be more accomomodating for my lifestyle/personal business. Thanks for making this video

I joined in 2004 and got out in 2008 and it was such an awful time to be getting out due to the recession as there'd be 35 people waiting for 1 factory job it's insane to see how different it is today. It's interesting to hear someone explain what it was like going in at that time.

Thank you for this video 😊❤️

First of all, thank you for your service to our great country. You're right on some of your points and commend you on the life skills and experiences you've gained. No matter where I've been in the private sector or military, there's always toxic people, I've used those experiences to better my life, career. I'm currently coming up at 24 years and have gotten approval for a 3 year extension, then retirement thereafter. Live your life to what makes you happiest! I hope to visit you someday and have a couple of beers and shoot the shit. I'm planning on taking leave after this COVID restrictions end and visiting Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Philippines soon. Take care Warrior!

Yes!!! 🙌🏼💯 More videos like this. More Advice for people transitioning out of the military

make more content like this. im on a similiar path... SEP2020 is my DEROS/DOS .. and im at the point where I have to pick a path.. and currently I know many others that are in these same boats with not much guidance on the outside. Thanks for taking time out to update 3 yrs later..

Great video! Wish more separation vids like this were made. Thank You for your service! Seriously, no one can take that from you, and glad you're happy with the choice you made. 7 yr AF, recently separated. Like you, had a lot of pros, but also a lot of cons. You meet the Best and Worst people when you're in lol. Was told the same, "You're rough on the outside, no job security, no healthcare(bullshit tricare🤣)". So I made sure to invest and put my money to good use. Take Care Brotha!

This video needs 1 million views !!

god bless thank you for the info

This man is stating the facts. I got out in 2020. Even with the chaos of the pandemic, it was absolutely worth it.

Just finishing my contract in the IDF after 6 YEARS. All the things you said about the army life are so true. I felt that everyday these whole 3 years as an NCO after my mandatory service. Rotten minded people, settling for mundane average life, there is more to life! When I said I don't wanna sign for another year everyone was like shocked, tried to pull me back in. I do not regret those years, the army builds you up mentally as a man, you learn how to become a leader and its super important, I've took the good stuff, now its time to pack my bags.

New sub and first time comment. Totally agree that negativity must go. On my last rodeo before retirement. Prior Thai business owner/partner as there is no business without a Thai partner. Back in the states were I took care an aging parent. Now paying off student loans before retirement. Enjoy your content and have been binge watching. Enjoy paradise brother.

well said! thank you for speaking the truth!

Thanks for making this video. I have subscribed to you for a while now and enjoy the content. I had a similar experience with noticing how I acted in versus out of the army. I never thought of it as coping but the negative behavior definitely is how people get by. Embrace the suck lol.

Haha you checked off all the boxes. I'm going on 2 years since ETS now. Life is good! I've been traveling A LOT. I do miss it sometimes, but then I fall back to the reality of why I got out. Bittersweet.

I have been looking for someone who would tell the truth about the military, I want to get out and everyone is trying to keep me in. Thank you

Congrats man!

Military was worst decision of my life. Now working on wall street after Masters in finance and wish just went into finance straight away...military wasted 4 years of my life

Not gonna lie, I found your videos in 2019. and it’s January 2021 and I’ve been home on terminal leave for almost a week. Ive never been happier

I just got out of US military since 2018... yeah it has been rough and my MOS/NEC couldnt even translate over to civ department. I moved to thailand since 2018 Thanks for your Service Lee

Great summaries of all the phases we go through when we serve. I went in - in 1998 at the age of 33 after working many years in Atlantic City casinos as a Slot Technian. I was burned out but because my father was a WW2 soldier, a corporal and he never spoke badly about the Army believe it or not I went in. And in NJ the cutoff age was 34 yeas old and I was just a year younger than that. I went in for an $8,000 bonus for an MOS of 63T, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle hull mechanic and my first duty station was in Colorado. Also, I was married like a few months when I decided to join, so after Basic and AIT I lived off post with her. I did not go to Iraq because the year before the war began in 2003 I signed another contract to re-class, change MOS to a position in signal, wroking in SATCOM, as like a technician, grade was E-4. Anyway it was tough my wife and I have 2 children, but the younger one is a boy with low-functioning autism so by 2010 I got out. And that's when things got really difficult but I was 45 years old and because it was tough running a couple miles a few times a week. I did 8 more years as a Sergeant (E-5) and so that equals 20 years of service so I got out in 2018 for good!!! Pension starts at age 60 in about 6 months so I'm good.

Hey man, I got out of active duty army after 6.5 years and it's also been WAY better, though I did join the MA guard as a reservist. Stay strong and enjoy that DD214 and veteran license plate! Enjoying your videos so far!

Needed this

Hello, this video has given me a lot of excellent information. I am three months from my ETS date and I'm very much on the fence about retraining into a different career field or getting out altogether. I have an excellent civilian job that I have found that pays quite well with good healthcare and a good amount of PTO almost matching my annual leave time in the military. I'm heavily leaning towards getting out.

The thing I hate about the Army is when you when you meet toxic people you have to be with them for 2 years and you cannot just change/quit your job

Hey this is the video I kinda needed. Although I do want to leave the military to want to have full control of my life and pursue my career. The benefits, the comradarie and the potential for a deployment is what’s making it harder for me to want to leave the Air Force Reserves. my unit is not bad at all or anything but I always felt for the past year as that I needed to take control of my life again and i haven’t fully had my life since I was 18 years old. I always felt like I want to believe in myself in order to make the happy life that I want and to improve my finances without the need of the military. I guess the familiarity, and how much the military has became a huge part of my growth for the last 7 years is what makes it really hard to leave. But I feel like In order for me to want to grow as a person and build the life and self image I want to have, I need to separate myself from it. Not from a place of trying to leave the toxicity but just wanting my freedom again

I haven't served in the Canadian Forces but I know several Americans and a few of my own family members who did serve. Unfortunately most of them had a similar shitty experience, and even lost close comrades in Afganistan. Some of them are still struggling, but every single one of them is strong man, on their own, and they know how to get things done. Freedom is the best thing for them, like you say. My son seems headed for service as an airman in the RCAF, and will hopefully become a pilot. I think his experience will suit him. I hope so.

You explain toxicity so well lol. When I got to boot camp and my unit I swear I met the most craziest toxic people on earth.

Thanks Forrest, really agree with everything you said. I commented on your getting out video already. But everything you say about others telling you you won't get a good job, won't have a good career, you are leaving a secure position etc etc. It was all total bull. It was underpaid, unrewarding, and toxic for the most part with a lot of undermining. Leaving and starting a totally new career was the turning point of my life and me taking more control. The one thing I did take from the military was work ethic, precision and dedication.

This. 1000x this. It's all why I got out too

Funny how you mentioned that separation speech we all received. I was told the exact same thing. My response was," I don't talk down to you for wanting all this for your career".

24, enlisted at Air Force. Thinking the same thing, just don't have the courage. Thanks so much bro.

I have a year left, thanks for the good advice

Well said, brother. (I've never been to the killitary, but, I respect your truths).

I can feel your pain , I served for 12 years in the army. I’m introvert myself or at least somewhat.

Man, this is me right now. Joined at 26 a year ago after college. This was a childhood dream of mine as well. Thankfully I only enlisted for 4 years. Would be awesome if you could make some more videos like this regarding transitioning back into civ life

So glad I watched this and got my head straight. I'm currently in the Air Force and made the mistake of telling my peers I'm thinking of leaving. Now I'm bombarded with them nonstop trying to get me to reenlist and to be honest their reasoning almost got me.

Thank you

Great video

Like your honesty

Military : Everyone experience varies . Depends on your age, MOS/AFSC/Rate , enlisted or officer, branch, and the overall atmosphere of the country .

Make more videos like this. Excellent

I hear you when you say that part of you wants to come back in. I am close to retirement now, but I have met countless Soldiers that have re-entered service.

I got 12 months left and I cant wait to leave the toxicities of Fort irwin and the people in my unit act like middle schoolers it's sad for me I've isolated myself from others with the exception of 3 people that are positive and I will finish my contract I just cant wait to be around normal people that are not so toxic thank you for this video

Jesus Christ yes, never had my time wasted so much till i joined the army

definitely toxic. I have 497 days left until I hit my 10 year mark/DOS. And everyone keeps telling me I should stay in, "what's 10 more years?" "You're halfway there." "You can retire at 40." But what good is it for me to do 10 more years in something I'm not passionate about. I was a very optimistic person when I joined back in 2012 and I've now been known as grim/negative. Loved the video!

Question! How did you get to travel after the military? I’m currently looking to join the military for maybe 3-4yrs but I also want to know how life is like after the military... Thank you for serving our country 🙏🙌

Most honest military video I ever watched

biggest problem I have had in my life was all the losers I had to deal with in my job--I'm 64, retired at 56 due to cancer, and don't miss the assholes I left behind

I have 9 months left of my 6-yr contract. This was always my dream, wanted to do 20, I LOVE my job so much, but since my dad died a few months back it honestly messed me up. Sure, I got emergency leave. But I haven't felt the same since I've been back. Can't wait to get out. It's such a conflicting feeling because I do love being in, but I also don't want to feel trapped anymore and sick of sharing a space with teenagers over the last 6 years. I want my own life now.

Lol. The “you won’t make it in the civilian world” speech, given by all of the lifers. Lol. Get out, be excellent, experience life. I got out....now I’m rich lol.

Cool vlog bro. Honest.

I tried to enlist but nobody wanted me. I used to have learning disabilities and the Army turned me down. I have a M.A degree in history and still I couldn't get in. Thank you for your service.

I’m still a positive person even though my army experience is exactly how you described it. Any good resources to make sure I take advantage of all the benefits and ensure I have a successful transition into civilian life? Any videos of yours?

I remember when the army recruiter came to my high school in 2002. He said he was an infantry man. He said your the first to get sent out on the front lines to get shot up. He said he actually volunteered for it. I instantly knew that the army was not for me.

That's also what im feeling now. It's been 10yrs that I served the Phil. Navy and I realized that I'm not happy anymore, I don't have sense of living and it is really a toxic environment..

Once my ets day arrives if anyone tries to coax me into re-enlisting I’m looking them dead in the eye like I’m peering into their soul and laugh as loud as humanly possible in their face and dipping once all my shit is done. Once I’m 100% a civilian again I plan on devoting every bit of my energy towards my dream of starting my own studio for animation and game design and development as well as increase my time in the gym working out where and when I want without having it feel like a choir because I have to do it for my job(I plan on getting a personal trainer). I would like to say it isn’t the worst thing I’ve experienced or it isn’t as bad as I thought it would be but I would be lying. Combined that with the fact that my anxiety has always been on ten since joining and I only really joined out of a since of necessity instead of a genuine want I’ve been just looking towards the day when I put up the uniform for good.

This is exactly what I’m going through and why I’m getting out

Jesus Christ ...................... i thought i was the only one that felt this way !!! I wanna get out so bad

Realest advice ! I’m getting out in sep 2024

The army taught me a lot

I have 1 more year left in my contact and after watching this. I’m defs getting out.

Can't wait till my ets!!!!!!

While in the military i got to live in the Philippines @ Clark AB for 4 years and Osan AB Korea for 4 years. This is why i have a interest in Thailand and Vietnam. Military life was not hard for me once you learn the ropes. My youngest son is in the AF. He's now deployed to Detroit giving out vaccines. He enlisted as a AB and now he's been a Capt for 14 months. Some of the benefits of military service is a retirement check for life and a VA home loan where you can buy without a down payment. I stayed on the fatboy program for 20 years but i was in good shape, played football and ran track in high school. Military life is not for everyone.

Exercise is an excellent way to be healthy, it helps the entire physic from heat to toe. It helps alleviate excessive negative, disease causing stress.

Oh my God! Now I'm really terrified.

I am fighting to get a med-board retirement after 23 years I bought a bar in Pattaya Thailand, and I am waiting to get the F out! I am clearing ASQ April 9 just in time for Songkran if you are in Thailand come have one at the Bangkok Bar Pattaya. I

glad you left the army!!

thanks for this video! I have been in for 13 years and the last 3-4 have been pretty miserable. I have been on the fence but absolutely feel the pressure of "after 10 years you just have to stick it out till retirement" but it's breaking my body and mind. Feeling more and more like the money isn't worth it and starting to look into jobs that build on the years I already have in like federal service or reserves. I hear horror stories of people who couldn't get a job and came back in and then I hear success stories. my question for you is what has allowed you to get out and travel so much? Do you work remotely/telework? Were you just really smart in saving and investing before you got out? thanks again!

We joined the same month and year. I just completed 12 years of service and I also left

3-5 months left now. Im so ready to get out, but I’m scared. 23 yrs old going back home to live with my mom doesn’t sound ideal at all, but it’s my only option right now.

First of all, this is not slamming your choices at all. DO WHATEVER MAKES YOU HAPPY, and for a lot of people, the military is not it. However, one thing I've noticed when watching a lot of army guys videos is most of the worst things they mention I can't relate to as Air Force. These exceptions are honestly the only reason I consider extending at all, however, most of the negatives are still there: 1) the negativity. I don't work with a single person who likes their job and after a while, that just starts to change you as a person, no matter how much you try to not let it. Additionally, the few people who are the exception are crushed or get out after one enlistment. 2) the wasted time. While the Air Force (at least my job, at my base) has never made me cut grass, clean toilets, etc., there have been probably hundreds of 12-hour shifts that were 90 percent hurry up and wait. 3) Having zero control over your life. Covid really turbo-charged the restrictions and made me acutely aware of how little control you have over your own life. 4) The military's gift for complicating everything in endless loops of bureaucracy. Want to cross-train, promote, commission, get a special assignment? Here's a checklist of 70 different things you have to complete over a 9 month period, and any one of them could end it all, or force you to restart completely. They purposely make everything complicated to weed out people who don't have the patience for it because they know the higher up you are, the more patience you'll need to deal with the endless bureaucracy. Fuck efficiency and actually accomplishing something, we need people you just deal with the rat race of fraud and waste. 5) Zero sense of fulfillment. Operational jobs may be different but for me, it's an endless cycle of following orders to complete band-aid fixes on aircraft so my superiors can juice their stats to help them promote. I could deal with all the rest, and make the most of it, but I just don't want to keep repeating a job that doesn't provide any intrinsic value for me. Granted, there's plenty of other jobs that don't either, there's a reason you're paid to do this. I'm happy things worked out for you, and you made the leap. I hope I can say the same next year!