Horrible!, horrible!!, I totally disliked it of how the US ARMY is, the most unprofessional military branch out of all of the US military branches.

The guard should be a serious option so that the benefits exist with a loss of retirement or medical benefits. In the end though, you gotta do what’s best for you now, not later. Eventually you’ve got to be able to cash in on your work. Otherwise what’s the point?

@@TJackSurvival for sure, some really interesting opportunities out there in the reserve component. I’ve done quite a bit of research and shared the resources I’ve found and what I’ve learned from others in other videos and articles. I think that the guard or reserves is def a great option for some people.

@@freereinveteransin the end you have absolutely got to do what’s best for you. Thank you for your insight and this video. You have my respect.

Yup… I agree.

What are you doing?

Insightful perspective and I’m glad you saw what was happening and made the choice that was right for you. I’m sure it wasn’t easy and when you’re in the thick of it, things can be confusing. Your last sentence: on point and 100% agree. And I think for me, it was simply a phase in life. I consider myself someone who appreciates the opportunity and time to be creative. But when I was in my 20s, I wanted structure. By the time I had a bit of experience and maturity, I was ready for a chapter of life characterized by more freedom and creativity. And so it was time. Thanks for watching and commenting and best wishes to you and your family.

Bullshit ..

​@@freereinveterans my girl changed to the point she wasn't my girl anymore and a break up happened. I was trying to figure out if active duty gave her some mental scars and forced her to dump me out of not feeling protect3d. Anyway I join soon and look forward to atleast one contract

Same here. 12 years and I left

Feel ya

I hear ya

This the one…

Nope 👎🏻

You have to act and be a certain way. If you do not, you will be looked down upon, and denied for promotion and career advancement!! I was. I regretted it back then, but now, NO WAY!! I am glad now that I did not put on that immoral character to get a pat on the head by the Army!! I did not fit in!! It was time to get out after almost 9 years!!

That is why it is just another job, we all are getting paid, receive benefits, etc.

Best of luck to you as you transition-hope everything goes well for you! So glad you found something positive in the video and thanks for letting me know 🙂

True, especially in combat MOS's, a great reason why people say stay away from combat MOS's. Bullies, harassment, backstabbing, etc.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Really sorry to hear you’re going through a tough time. We all have them and you WILL get through it. You aren’t alone and there are people out there struggling with the very same challenges and I know it isn’t easy. I don’t get how people do it for 20 years either, man. All I can offer is to stay encouraged and do the best you can. I’m sure it’s incredibly overwhelming to feel suffocated from both a work and family perspective. Don’t wait to seek help if you need it. Lean on your friends or family who you know have your back or consider using resources through the Marine Corps to get help if you feel you don’t have anyone. Just know you aren’t alone. Start making your contingency plan if the medical board doesn’t work out and start trying to figure out what you might want to do on the other side. I find if you occupy your mind only with “leaving” or “escaping” the military, it can lead to a lot more negative emotion vs trying to also fit in ideas about what you’re escaping *to*. Yes, you’re planning to leave, but where do you want to go? That can be overwhelming too, but it also can be exciting!! Think about possibilities and start brainstorming ideas and researching. For me, that was fun and gave me something to look forward to… and it was useful. Genuinely wish you the best of luck on your journey. You’ll get there. Don’t give up!

Former soldier here, Marine. Hang in there. Once you get that DD214, it will all be worth it. The army screwed me over too in more ways than I can even count, so I know your struggle, and feel your pain. The day you get to walk off your duty station knowing you never have to return is one of the best feelings you will ever know.

Checking in. Ran by this and I am hoping all is well and you're maintaining. Need someone to talk to to listen, grab them. You're most certainly not alone. Stand to and stand strong. We do that best, together. -Semper Fidelis

Please stay safe brother. For me it’s 6 years since I left the army. It will get better, may God protect all soldiers 🙏❤️

Thanks for watching… really feels like I’ve just tried to put into words what a lot of people are thinking/feeling already, you know? Wishing you the best of luck as you finish out! Sounds like you’re almost there, stay encouraged!

Hope you’re in a better place now and life is good! It ain’t for everyone, that’s for sure. And for some us, it’s only meant to be a short chapter.

100% agree family > military. My mom actually died of cancer while I was a West Point cadet. Fortunately, there were people who stepped in when her condition became terminal and essentially forced me to go home even though my mom told me she didn’t want me to because it would disrupt my whole timeline, I’d graduate late, etc. I went home, West Point leadership gave me an entire semester off so I could be with her, take care of things, and help my dad. I went back the next semester, graduated a semester later than all of my friends, and the whole timeline thing didn’t matter at all in the grand scheme of things. Anyway, glad I went home. The next year some TAC officers at West Point asked me to talk to a kid a few years younger than me-a plebe (freshman)-whose dad had terminal cancer and he refused to go home and be with him because he thought it would negatively impact his career etc etc. I talked with the guy for a long time and explained how there will literally be no negative impacts on your career and furthermore, none of this stuff even matters anyway. He wouldn’t budge. I don’t know if he ever ended up going home or not.

Congratulations! I’m sorry your experience has generally been negative-hopefully there are also a lot of positive memories and friendships as well. Two months is the final countdown. Good luck outprocessing, enjoy your leave, and wishing you the best during your transition!

You are welcome and I’m really glad to hear it helped. Best of luck as you finish out your time! It’s going to fly by so fast, so try to start making a plan now if you can !!😊

You got it man, I’m here fdnf and hate my decision to come here to Yokosuka. The navy is bad the leaders get worse.

@@cent-ns1lm facts! The leadership is so bad and it’s toxic.

100% all of this. Somehow missed this comment earlier. Thanks for sharing all of that, I think many people can relate 🙏🏽 Hope your transition is going well.

I really hope you’re able to find some peace and time to do things that are important to you now that you’ve left! I didn’t have as bad of an experience as you maybe but I definitely know people who have. And it’s not uncommon. I’m sad to hear that and I know that same “safe option” sentiment I hear from people as well… I couldn’t take it anymore either! Lol. Best of luck to you as you begin to figure out your next chapter 🙏🏽

Sorry to hear you’re going through a rough patch right now. And I can understand and empathize with the drain you’re feeling. I get it. If you can leave and go do something else that gives you time to think and decompress, like going abroad to work in the winter, I think it’d be healthy for you. Get some time and distance from the military so that you can actually remove all of the chaos and distractions and consider what is the best path. Hope things are going better for you and don’t give up hope! There’s definitely a lot to criticize, but I hope you’re able to find some positive things to cling to as well. I think it’s one of the best ways to stay sane. And find some positive friends who push you to be better and will pull you out of a negative rut. Stay encouraged!!!🙏🏽

I am sorry son but you do not live up to the Ranger creed then and you should get out.

Thanks for watching and congratulations on getting out! Hope things are going well for you… The mental toll a lot of this stuff takes on people is just sad. And I think people often feel trapped so I can see how people find themselves in a really dark place. I know about that ego fest you’re talking about! 🤣 Thanks for the love, I’m so glad I had the opportunity to GTFO and go live my own life on my own terms. I appreciate my experience and am very grateful but it was time. Best of luck as you continue navigating life and exploring the free world! 🙏🏽

Good for you! Maybe you can can look back on your time as an formative chapter but be glad it’s over. Best wishes as you progress towards your dreams!

100% feel you on that… no regrets, but definitely glad I decided to move on. Congrats on finishing out, have fun on terminal leave!

So so happy to hear that. It won’t always be easy, but you are perfectly capable of living a successful, fulfilled, fun life out here. Just keep on chugging along and don’t give up! And file your VA claim and apply for your GI Bill letter of eligibility!! 🙏🏽

I’m so happy to hear that you could relate and thank you for watching. It was one is the first longer videos I’ve made and I put a lot of effort into it.

Literally just saw this. May have not been able to view it before because I’ve been in other countries and there are restrictions and sometimes I got notifications that there were comments but then I couldn’t view them. Who knows. In any case, I just read this for the first time and thanks for sharing… definitely can relate to your thoughts and don’t blame you at all for feeling the way you do. For me, it’s hard to know what to think about all of it. But definitely got to a point where I was so completely over it as well. The only thing I know for sure is that for now, I don’t want to be involved. Obviously none of this is simple and things are incredibly complicated, but the best decision for me was to step away and remove myself from this situation while I still had the ability to. I have a lot of mixed feelings about this stuff… Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. And yes, oh my god the PAPERWORK!!!

Can I interview you for my podcast Major?

@@LyonBrave tentatively, sure.

LOL!, 😂. You finally realize the truth. It was just another job, get paid, get the benefits, etc.

I am so glad to hear that! Thanks for commenting and letting me know. First long video I made 😆. Congrats on 10 years and best of luck on your 2023 exit date. I hope it goes by in a flash for you and you are given the wisdom and perspective you need to make smart choices for you and your family! I know it’s not easy, so stay encouraged!

Thanks for listening-and that seems like a great thought! A good way to try to maintain some perspective and not be overwhelmed my cynicism...which seems pretty common with junior officers.

Best of luck on your transition...I’ve found the same thing! It’s pretty amazing that possibilities are literally endless. It’s a completely foreign paradigm.

Thanks for watching and hope the packing goes ok 🫠! Stay strong through the two hour long meetings and rehearsals for the rehearsals lol. But seriously, best wishes to you!!🙏🏽

Thanks so much for listening and sharing your thoughts. I’ve witnessed that type of behavior too… definitely projecting insecurity. Sad that it has to be that way and those kind of leaders can’t encourage people to be their very best (whether that’s in or out of the military) and instead choose to resort to negativity and tearing other people down. Just like you said, those kind of people are what I’ve used to model what NOT to do.

Best of luck with your decision and whatever direction you decide to take your life!! 🙏🏽

I hear ya… thanks for sharing. And “outgrowing” it is a great way of putting it, I think. And it happens at different times for different people. Thanks for watching and enjoy your retirement!

Congrats on getting out and starting down a new path and I’m sorry to hear about the experiences you had. I hope you can continue to heal and grow and I can understand how it was challenging to try to explain this to your family. I think it’s hard to explain it to a lot of people. People experience life in different ways and just because they had a great military experience doesn’t mean everyone had. And on top of that, people have different priorities in life. It’s what makes the world go round 🙂. Hope your masters program is going well and best of luck to you!

Things will get better. You’ve got a light at the end of the tunnel and just need to get through this rough patch. Stay encouraged and try to surround yourself with people who give you positive energy. I’m sure many people want you to stay, after all, we have retention quotas. Maybe seek some mentorship from people you respect on both sides of the equation and by the time your ETS date rolls around you’ll have some more perspective on if you should leave or reenlist. Sounds like you’re on the right track with trying to take care of yourself a bit more. It’s easy to get lost in the constant barrage of last- minute taskings and manufactured chaos where everything’s a priority. Keep doing your best and start thinking about your decision and considering potential exit plans now so you can make a wise decision when the time comes!! 🙏🏽

Thanks for listening and glad you could relate! And yes, sharing it is sometimes the best part 🙂

I went from enlisted to officer. Currently at 12, the army life does wear on you because it seems very silly when you get older and more mature. I’m hanging in there to 20-25 though

@@gtoguy3511 it does have a lot of wear and tear; and in your case at 12 years-in, just keep going one step at time. You're downhill; use it to your advantage. The ultimate goal is finish line; 20 years (pension/healthcare) = FREEDOM. Writing from Korea enroute to Japan with family; byproduct of 20+ YOS. All the best my friend!

So glad it worked out well for you. Best wishes!

That’s a good idea… feelings change and I think we all get caught up in the moment and maybe forget the bad times and ride the good times in different phases of life and if that happens to be around the time where you’re reenlisting, well I guess you might find yourself in for a few more years 🤣. But yes, new journey in your 30s is a good way to go in my opinion!

You are so welcome. Glad you liked it. Congrats on the 12 years and the DoD civ job. Hope you’re at least able to take advantage of some of the Army time buy-back for your retirement 🙏🏽. Either way, it sounds like a good life choice…quality of life for the win. Best of luck to you!!

Thanks for listening!! Glad you liked the ending...I thought about that one for a while 🤣. Trying to experiment creatively with making things more visually engaging so it’s not just my face talking at the camera the entire time. Yes the grad school thing is pretty appalling huh? Only a fool would sign up for that 😬🤣

@@freereinveterans Only a fool? Not necessarily. Some do like the Military service, not because they are fools, but they like the discipline that brings to their life in the Military. You seem more of a free spirit at heart that should have never got into Army. Air Force might have been a better choice for you. In the Air Force, you are more stable, less mobile, during the peace time. There are many reasons people enter military service. Some do it for the FREE education, others do it for family tradition, and some do it because they want to see the world, etc. There are multitude of reasons why people serve. Some over stay their welcome and others enjoy it for the most part. Being deployed certainly makes it a lot harder on you and the family if you have one. It certainly isn't a normal life, but one should know what they are getting into. If one thinks that it will be like in the Civilian World, then they are gravely mistaken.

@@1flash3571 Don’t disagree with any of your points. Except the Air Force part lol! The Army was ultimately the best branch for me and for where I’m headed. My MOS and duty station choices were based purely off of the probability for deployment. That was 100% the reason I joined and it was what I thought I’d do in the Army. I don’t remember if I got into it in the video but while I appreciated the relationships, camaraderie, and travel, and while I appreciate tough, difficult work, I didn’t appreciate the monotony of (from my limited perspective) redundant, repetitive meetings that took up over 60-80% of my time as a company commander; what seemed like endless PowerPoint, MS excel, forms and documents; and being perpetually mired in bureaucratic (typically nonsensical, again, just my perspective) challenges that suck the life out of you. I’m leaving the military because in my own personal experience, I unfortunately felt that I was ultimately not serving anyone but myself (with a paycheck), those soldiers and friends I was able to have a direct personal impact on, and, lastly, in many ways, a very broken system that’s inundated with a great deal of organizational dishonesty hypocrisy (speaking more to the officer corps here) and a lack of personal responsibility and accountability for leaders. I personally observed this for years as a junior leader and you can see it now at the highest levels with Afghanistan. Again, this is my personal experience and I understand that many others have had a different experience. And how I try to honestly describe my experience isn’t meant as an insult to anyone who feels differently about their experience. The last thing I wanted was something easy, stable, and predictable. But, I personally was seeking hardship, instability, and unpredictability in a way that I felt legitimately contributed to something meaningful and truly served humanity in some way. Instead, the way I got hardship, instability, and unpredictability was largely as a result of organizational bureaucracy and what I perceived to be mistakes, carelessness, or incompetence. So, I’m off to find a way to serve that is a better fit. Right now for me, that looks like a year of living out of a bag volunteering internationally following van life. So when I say “only a fool would sign up for that,” I’m not referring to someone being a fool for joining the Army. Nor am I trying to insult anyone. I’m referring to myself as the fool who signed up for a botched talent retention incentive. And I guess the point I’m trying to make is that military recruiters often take advantage of young people who are motivated and bright-eyed to offer them incentives that affect their lives 10 years down the road. I believe it’s foolish for an 18 or 22 year old to make a 10 year decision and it’s much better to take things one step at a time because it affords you much more career flexibility. Anyway, I know that went on for a while, hope that response explains a bit more of the context behind the initial comment I made! Thanks for listening.

Congratulations on almost making it to the end! I’m glad you enjoyed the video, I put a lot of effort into it. And yes, everything you said is accurate. Sometimes I stop and think, oh yea, I’m still unemployed. And oh yea, I’m walking down a new path while feeling around in the dark. Intimidating and exhilarating. Double-edged sword. Without this possibility of complete failure, I don’t think I’d have the potential to truly pursue what’s meaningful to me. Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy your terminal leave!

Wishing you the best of luck on your transition! It won’t be easy but it will be worth it. I’m sorry you’re feeling like you wasted time. I think it’s definitely east to feel that way while you’re stuck, but from my end, looking back on everything, I’m so thankful things unfolded the way they did. I hope you’re able to find peace on the outside and pursue something that’s meaningful to you!

Congrats on that DD214! Sounds like an epic trip, great way to transition out. Safe journey, and enjoy the ride!

Thanks for listening, and appreciate the comment. Hope your transition goes ok and you have some good things lined up for yourself! Best of luck to you as you start a new chapter 🙂

Sometimes that’s all you need to know…you’re not crazy. Glad you could relate, thanks for watching and commenting 🙏🏽

Thanks for listening and sharing!!! That really was a good quote huh...

Well I’m glad to hear that 🙏🏽. Thanks for taking the time to listen. Glad you’re enjoying your life and seeking to challenge yourself on a different path!

Erick, glad to hear that. Thanks for taking the time to watch! Best of luck to you as you map out your own life 🙏🏽

Agreed on that point wholeheartedly… best of luck to you during your transition!

Ahh, just re-read your comment that you said you are *not* leaving. Best of luck in your continued career.

@@freereinveterans I'll still make the move one day haha. Thank you.

@@Ryanbmc4 lol no! You’re stuck forever!!

@@freereinveterans you're kinda not wrong. As I said before though.. I love my job and it hasn't changed. I don't like where we are going, but I choose to make it better in the small way I can I guess. I respect you leaving and usually a mil talking to a mil saying "thank you for your service" is meant to be a joke, I mean it.

Really appreciate the comment, thank you so much. I definitely put a lot of effort into the video even though I had some technical difficulties haha.

Thanks for taking the time to listen.

@@freereinveterans anytime!

Thanks very much, appreciate the love. Glad you’ve found your way post-military. Thank you for watching and leaving a comment 😃

Love/hate is how it seems to be. You’ll get through it, just stay encouraged and do your best to surround yourself with positive people who push you to be better. Easier said than done and it may sound lame, but it’s a way to make the time pass and gives you the best opportunity to have a good impact on those around you. I think that’s all you can hope for!

I definitely hear you on that part… That was a struggle for me to accept. Congrats on your 10 year mark and hope you’re enjoying retired life!

Wow! You left after ten...I think you’re a rarity. Seems like it’s a much more difficult decision once you hit ten. Like you said, I’ve still got some youth! Time to use it and also have some fun while I still can. And thank you-the rig is doing great so far 🙏🏽

Thanks for watching and I'm glad to hear it! If you ever feel like going deeper down the rabbit hole to reaffirm your decision, here are a couple more articles I've written you might relate to: acaptainslog.com/confessions-of-a-center-of-mass-commander-reflections-on-listening-learning-to-say-no-and-being-a-joe-hugger/ acaptainslog.com/major-malfunction-part-one-predictability-is-dead/

Glad/sad to hear you could relate. I think a lot of people end up feeling what you described. Now it just becomes a matter of what you can or should do about it. And that seems to be the more difficult part. Wishing you the best of luck as you navigate this and hope you can keep your heart and mind open to life’s other possibilities. 🙏🏽

Appreciate the support and thanks for watching! I don’t blame you for wanting to leave… If you’re feeling even a bit unsure, there are some options where you can kind of keep a foot in the door with your commission so you maintain options. Hit me up if you want me to send you any info! Best of luck to you as you make your decision 🙏🏽

And thank you for taking the time to listen.

@@freereinveterans I watched your video, I believe my dad was listening in on it too, he retire after 28 years in the coast guard, if you did 10 years already and bailing out at that point, especially if you were not getting passed over, wasn't a wise choice. You can do 10 more years standing on your head and you're still young with one heck of a security blanket that stays with you for the rest of your natural days. And before you or anyone else ask if I was ever in the answer is no, I'm finishing up my masters. I have no plans of going into the military, but I do have the option. I do thank you for the heads up about the difficulties of traveling into Canada, that is where my mother and her side of the family all reside, that will keep the military option off at the edge of the table, plus add the fact that the US military is over run with political correct Nazi's (according to my dad), really doesn't make it an appealing career choice for me.

@@oveidasinclair982 Understandable point with respect to the 10 years, but one that I still think isn’t always valid and can be a slippery slope. 10 years is an incredibly long time and maybe my perspective is partially generational, but I see forfeiting 10 years of my one precious life for a security blanket as one of the worst decisions I could make. If it’s just for a security blanket, there are 100 other ways I could find a security blanket. I really see it as partially a fear-based decision. And to me, there is so much more to life than a security blanket. To me, staying in for an extra 10 years is simply an easy option that requires the least adjustment, change, and work to completely pivot create a new life. Now if I were loving my work in the military, that would be a different story. But to your point, I do think the number of years you’ve served is most certainly something that must be considered-particularly if you have family and financial obligations. So I realize it’s not a trivial matter. For me, I haven’t started a family or bought a house or anything of that sort, so I fortunately have the ability to be much more flexible. And I am thankful for that. But I just would never be able to bring myself to stay in a career simply for the benefits. Unless I was in a situation that required me to do so. I have friends who left the military, went straight for an MBA and are now making 1.5 to 2 times what we were making in the military. So that’s one other way that-in my mind-the argument to stay for an extra 10 years isn’t always valid. For me, at this time I have no interest in corporate work or want anything to do with finance, or large bureaucratic organizations so I definitely will not be taking that route. At least for now. And yes… Canada is honestly just a pain in the ass. Not overly difficult but when you’re filling out five forms and getting approval from three levels to take a three hour drive across the border, it can definitely get under your skin!

Appreciate the kind comment, thank you! 😊

Thanks for the comment, missed it somehow and it got buried. My friend Sophie and I are planning to start posting more videos, the progress has just been slow because we’re trying to do our best with it. Hope things are getting better-hang in there!

Thanks for watching!

Thank you so much!!!

Bye Felicia 👋🏽 Good job on following through with your decision. I think a lot of people probably don’t want to be there, and then they do nothing about it. Hope your transition goes well, and don’t forget to file your VA claim and apply for your GI Bill letter of eligibility 🙏🏽

I appreciate you watching and thanks for commenting. You know, I don’t regret my decision or career path at ALL. It’s made me who I am and shaped my life in a way that I’m very satisfied with. But, I’m also very glad I left when I did. I also think this is a great thing for young people to be aware of. And maybe not so much to deter this altogether, but to just exercise caution, seek mentorship and guidance (from someone other than a recruiter LOL), and to seek a path in the military where you try to preserve as much flexibility as possible. And if nothing else, you can at least be mentally prepared for some of the cultural/professional phenomena you may encounter. $50k is an awesome bonus and for me, my undergrad being paid for and the GI Bill for grad school have/will put me in an advantageous financial position that I’m very thankful for. But I’m sure glad I ain’t doin 20 years!!!! 🤣 That would 100% NOT be worth it for my personal situation. But for some, it is. And I get that. Good luck with your decision, I hope everything works out for you!

Appreciate the comment and support-I’m out here trucking along! Best wishes to you as well.

Sorry to hear that you’ve had negative experiences but glad that you’ve found your way to a better job where you have some more freedom…I’m sure that’s a improved your quality of life a lot. Not sure how many other military commentary videos I’ll make, but I write about this stuff and post to social media much more frequently vs videos. In any case, good luck to you and best wishes for the rest of your time in the military 🙏🏽. Thanks for watching.

So many familiar points here… There are a lot of problems and most of these you can find at any unit at any installation within any MOS. Glad you finished it out and have moved beyond it all! Sounds like you ultimately made the right decision.

I dont believe in friendship in the military unless you are Caucasian American because it's easy. Buy yeah, I learned my lesson, people say stay away from combat MOS's for a good reason, this is true. Bullies, hypocrisy, backstabbing, etc. It's just business, another job that is all.

I will never have friend's in the military, before/during/after the military. I learned my lesson...cuz of me experiencing the combat MOS.

Glad to hear it man. Hope life is good and wishing you the best in this new chapter!

Thanks very much for watching and taking the time to comment… I can definitely sympathize with the two directions you feel pulling at you. Both are valid and should be considered and it sounds like you’ve been able to find some kind of balance in the Guard. I really wanted to be a soldier too. And well, here I am: In a van down by the river 🤣🤣. So glad you can relate to some of the content. Honestly was a pain in the ass for me to learn but I really did try hard to make it turn out nicely…even if I did find a ton of errors after I already posted haha. Anyway, really appreciate the nice comment. Thank you.

Thanks so much for watching and I’m really glad to hear you could relate. Good luck with your reenlistment!

Totally normal feelings and normal to feel conflicted, I think. Since you're enlisted, I'd say a break in service is manageable, much more so than it is for officers. So you have that going for you. If you want to try to experiment a bit, I would consider getting out and doing the reserves. Go to school with the GI Bill or start a new trade or career and spend some time on the outside getting your feet under yourself and exploring a bit, while still keeping a foot in the door in some part of the Reserve Component. That gives you a healthcare security blanket, you're still earning years towards retirement, and you're getting a bit of extra income. Try it out for a little bit, a few years maybe. See how you like life on the outside. Do you miss Active Duty? If so, finish what you started on the outside (school, short-term career goals, certifications, etc) and come back to AD. The downside is, you'll be "behind," but I think that's hardly a disadvantage. You'll have life experience, you'll have outside professional experience, and you'll have had a change to explore other things besides the military. I think these are invaluable. That's just my 2 cents, but don't take my word for it. I would honestly get in touch with some of the reserve or guard units in your region and try to find some senior NCOs who did something similar, rotated between Reserve Component and Active Duty or had a break in service. Talk to them and seek guidance/mentorship. See what their experience was and if they'd do it again, and what they'd do differently. It's definitely hard to tell if you should stay Active Duty if that's been your only experience and if all of the people around are also AD and they're telling you to stay. Get some different opinions in the mix from people who have lived these experiences and you might learn something new! Wishing you all the best as you make your decision--I know it's not an easy one! Another resource that might interest you: acaptainslog.com/tour-of-duty-a-little-known-way-to-exercise-control-over-your-career/

I hear you, it definitely helps you get some perspective, and that’s a good thing. 2.5 years does sound like a long time but when it’s over with, it’ll feel like the time passed so quickly. Glad it’s helped you with life here in the US. That’s a great thing and you can always look back on this experience and be thankful for that, despite all the flaws. As you already know, nothing is ever perfect so you gotta take the bad with good. Wishing you the best as you finish out your time. Try to stay encouraged, do your best, and surround yourself with friends who push you to be better! You can do it 🔥

I just cracked up. I can’t imagine being in that long. I remember becoming really frustrated with people who I felt were “terminal *insert rank*” whether it was E6, LTC, or whatever and just shamming. Because it was easy to think, ok I’m here busting my ass and staying late and these people are like, “I’m outta here,” at 1700. The more and more I think about it, it’s like, who can blame them? I knew I had an expiration date on my time and i was able to sprint (more or less) to the end. But if you’re in it for the long haul, is it really worth losing your family and life over…? Yea, probably not. So while the responsibility was on me to manage the personalities in my company, I think it’s worth having some empathy and being a bit of a realist, and realizing that not everyone wants to kill themselves working. And for me, knowing that my time was going to be much shorter certainly made it easier. Whereas other people are running a marathon. So funny about your evals staying pretty steady 😂. Interesting experiment that sounds like it worked out alright for you. Congrats on making it to 17, you’re almost there!

Hi there 🤠. Glad to hear you could relate, and should def make a video. That’s awesome you’ve been on road for that long. Interested to check out your van!!

Thanks for watching and sharing your experience. Glad you got the help you needed and are in a better place in life now! Sounds like it was a long road, but well worth it, as it seems to bee for many others in situations similar to yours. Wishing you the best in life and hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Appreciate that! Thank you for the kind message. Glad you found your place outside of the military and thanks for sharing 🙂.

Congrats on retiring and thanks for the comment 🙏🏽 And agreed on the institution. Some challenges will just never go away and all you can do is manage them the best you can at the level you’re at.

@@freereinveterans touché. By the way, you should teach me how to shuffle :).

Thanks for the comment man, I guess you've only got a couple more days left before you're out now! Totally understand how you feel. I felt the same, and still feel that way in many ways. I also feel like there were a lot of opportunities I missed out on just because I wasn't aware they existed, which is also shitty. In any case, wishing you the best of luck with this new chapter. You'll finally be free, which is awesome and also terrifying. Stay encouraged and look for other people doing the things you want to do so you can connect with them and seek mentorship. Time to go explore and see a world full of possibilities!!

@@freereinveterans thank you. It was my last day yesterday. Feels very surreal to finally be out and in charge of my own life again!

@@Theaggressivesalad Hell yea!!!

Thanks for your service and for commenting 🙏🏽. Weird how we can all kind of relate, huh? Appreciate the support and I’m doing really well right now! It’s been an epic journey with highs and lows but I’m loving it out here!! Best wishes to you and thanks again for watching.

@@freereinveterans thank you for your service. Yes, a lot of vets that leave the tservice say the same things you do. If I can leave you with one extra piece of advice. Consider the reserves I only did it because I was deathly afraid after I got out, I would be able to find a job one week in a month two weeks a year adds up and when you’re 60 and you qualify for retirement pension, my 2000 dollars a month does seem to come in handy for retirement purposes. all the best to you captain feel free to reach out if you need some advice or just to talk

@@whclcdr appreciate the advice… I’ve got it on my radar but haven’t found a good fit yet! I’ll keep an eye out though, thank you 🙏🏽

Sounds familiar… too many sleep, addiction, and other issues. Wishing you the best as you figure out how to navigate the rest of you time in and make your exit plan! Stay encouraged.

So glad you have found a place that seems to be a better fit! Good for you, I think most of us are still trying to figure that out. And for me, it’s been a continual evolution. Wishing you the best on the start of this new chapter and hope you’re able to learn, grow, and find community!

Glad to hear it, thanks for the comment 🙏🏽

Ugh, doesn’t sound like a good place to be… I can understand how a unit becomes like that though…

@@freereinveterans I know for sure that I am getting out of the Army now. I feel like I can actually stop caring too much about dumb things, or little things.

@@fredmcelroy2839 good for you. Congrats on making your decision. One step closer. Hit me up if you want any reserve component info. It’s something good to look into as you’re transitioning to maximize options and make for a soft landing as a civilian 🙏🏽

I’m sorry to hear that happened. We all make stupid decisions and sometimes we get caught and sometimes it can get other people killed. To me it often seems like things happen for a reason, so take this second chance you walked away with, learn from it, and go be better🙏🏽. Alcoholism is definitely a huge issue in the military in general and people (including myself) develop unhealthy dependencies on stimulants to get through the work week and then many people numb themselves during the weekend with alcohol. It’s a cultural thing and in many ways, it’s become a running joke, but bottom line, it ain’t good, that’s for damn sure. Destroys people’s health, families, careers, etc. I sincerely wish you the best of luck in bouncing back from this and moving on with a new perspective on life. Be well!

Agreed on that one... at least it seems like you can change it to a degree where it’s lasting or impactful on a larger scale beyond just changing/influencing individuals.

Hang in there man and keep trying. It just sounds like it's not a good fit for you, which means this will be a shorter, temporary chapter in your life. And that's ok. Keep pushing to be better, do your best, and remember at the end of the day the only thing you can control is yourself, your thoughts, and your behavior. At the end of it, hopefully you have some solid friends, some education benefits, and you can be proud that you didn't give up. Two years ain't shit--it'll be gone before you know it!

Glad it worked out for you and hope life is good!

Hey there, sorry to hear that life is sucking right now. Totally been there and you ain’t lyin, shit’s broke AF. I get that you’re in a dark place right now and it’s hard when you’re stuck for quite a while longer and there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. You’ve got to find ways to cope, which I’m sure you are. But I also wanted to drop my website on here: acaptainslog.com/ If you’re looking for encouragement, I’ve got stuff there. If you’re looking for practical resources to help plan your exit, I’ve got stuff there. You’ll just have to scroll down to the very bottom of the page for all the articles to load so you can see them all. There’s some non-mil content about van living and minimalism and other hippie shit, but there are military-related articles sprinkled all throughout. I’m facelifting my site now so things will get moved around a bit over the next couple of weeks, but all of the content will still be there. Do your best to stay encouraged and know that you’re not crazy and there are tons of other people out there who feel the same way. And there are plenty of people out there like me who made it out ok on the other end. Lastly, a friend (another Army veteran) and I are working on a project called Free Rein aimed at helping current mil and veterans transition. The focus is on unconventional lifestyles, nature, and the outdoors. It’s in early development right now but if that sounds appealing to you, you can check it out here: free-rein.co Sincerely wishing you the best 🙏🏽

@@freereinveterans awesome, thanks! I'll check out some of your other stuff. Great vidoes - I appreciate you consolidating some great info. I definitely will not miss most of what I've done on active duty, but I have had a chance to meet some interesting people. Pretty sure we've never crossed paths, but I'm sure we would have gotten along - really like your perspective. Happy to be a supporter of what you're doing!

@@sidewinder34E awesome man and back at you. Thanks for the support. Hope things start looking up for you!

Appreciate the support and thanks for watching and commenting! Congratulations on building a new life for yourself after your time in the military. Smart move on learning skills that are sought after outside the military. Best wishes to you. 🙏🏽

One more year will fly by for you! In the meantime, do your best to stay positive and lean on your friends. Sometimes humor is the best medicine. Since you’ve only got a year, you can def start working on your plan for the outside, which will also give you something to look forward to, which is usually encouraging. Best of luck to you!!

I think what you already mentioned is a big part of it, stepping out and trying things. I guess it kind of depends on individual preference, but for me personally, it helps to approach situations like this with some kind of plan because then it feels like there’s a bit of structure and less chaotic or floating around aimlessly. I usually feel better about the direction I’m going if it feels like I’m progressing in some way. Kind of hard to explain in a comment now that I’m trying to actually explain it, but I guess what I’m saying is, some kind of strategic approach/a process for determining what you’re best suited to do in the world is a good way to go about it. Wishing you the best of luck as you try to figure these things out! I’m working on some more resources for veterans and transitioning servicemembers who are trying to find their place in the world so if something like that ever interests you, I’m sharing updates on social media.

I hear you! Sounds like you’ve been able to find your way.

Thanks! Glad you liked it 😄

Hey thanks for watching and I’m glad to hear you still enjoyed it. Appreciate the comment. 🙏🏽☺️

Thanks for sharing your perspective. 30 years is a very long time and it sounds like everything worked out just fine for you. No regrets here on my end either… I’m familiar with Sinek, but I haven’t heard of that specific book before!

Definitely a good piece of perspective there. Similarly have heard people say you should leave the Army when it stops being fun. And if you stay in, you’re best positioned to have a positive impact if you love what you do. Congratulations on your 25 years!

I hear you man. Different strokes for different folks, but for me, it just ain’t worth it. Thanks for your service and hope life is treating you well!

Thank you 🙏🏽

To me, it seems like a career or professional goals can't necessarily provide that--perhaps it's much deeper. But, I know that for many people, work does provide a *part* of their of their "purpose," so to speak. I think for a many of us (and for many in the military), the problem comes when your *entire* identity and sense of purpose comes from your military service. It certainly is a part of you, and it always will be. But when the military is your entire identity, and you finally leave the military (everyone does at some point whether it's retiring at 20 years or a three-year enlistment) people sometimes have an identity crisis and have a difficult time re-integrating into society. Not saying whether or not you should join the military, it may be a good fit for a chapter in your life. You just have to do some real thinking and decide for yourself 🙏

Civilian life is heaven compared to the military. At least in civilian life you have a choice of what you choose to do, in military there is no choice only obedience and a lot of abuse.

Civilian corporate life can be just as bad if not worse than certain active duty military jobs. Both have pros and cons for sure, it really depends on who You* are as a person.