Need some guidance brothers and sisters?

[Orion922]

Been doing the navy for 24 years now. Half enlisted - half officer to include three years in the Chief's mess. I am currently deployed again on an easy deployment, but mentally challenging. Currently officer-in-charge of a unit that I have done before. I put on O-4 in a few months and my current tour will take me to where I can retire at that pay grade with 27 years. My struggle is... those who have done this (guessing same on other side) before; I'm requesting help. I have a tug on my soul to move on even though I am a few years away. I have always tried to long-term plan, so to me, it is around the corner. I feel like I am quitting mentally! Moreover, I might regret later that I did not give myself a shot to go as high as possible. Futhermore, would I enjoy another life outside the Navy? Part of me wants to teach 1-5 grades, but am nervous I would be miserable without the constant stress. My wife supports any decision I make. I am slowly learning from the best woman ever--it's ok to feel this way. This all might sound corny, but I am at the point where the easy decisions seem hard.

[The gurg]

my experience of getting out after almost 8 years is "the grass is always greener on the other side".

If you can afford to retire out of the military, i'd do it, especially after your "high 3" or whatever it is. civilian life is a lot less stressful, and there's a lot more time for fishing.

[Bassman469]

I understand what you mean by mentally giving up. The longer I am in the more I feel like I have gave up mentally in some ways. I know I am ready to retire even though the wife wants me to go to 23 years. I honestly believe that I need to retire at 20. I am makings progress at setting myself up for a nice job once I retire. I am honestly tired of leadership that doesn't listen and Soldiers that don't give a shit! Im sure that it is the same in all branches.

My best advice is to listen to your heart. You have done your time and earned your retirement, if your heart is saying its time to go then listen to it and enjoy the rest of your life!

[jigman51]

Well, you are kinda thinking about doing what I did. I retired as an O4 with 20 years then taught 4th grade for 8 years and was a principal for 9 years. I am retired from everything since last July 1st. There is a learning curve getting into the teaching business. I had an elementary education degree and had my masters in administration and supervision before I retired. Are you trying to do troops to teachers or do you have an education degree? Where do you plan to retire, near a military base or somewhere else? I retired near a base and there were already some military people in the system so they were kind of used to us and that helped. You will have to go through the interview process and need to be up on the latest buzz words in education as well as the latest software used for grading, specifically what the district uses where you want to work. You will have to know how you plan to incorporate technology into your instruction and really some types of available educational software. Don't think they will give you a job just because of your military background.

There are tons of things in education that will drive you nuts. If you think privates and 2LTs are hard to deal with, just wait till you get a classroom full of 9 year old kids. You will be evaluated often if your administrators are doing their job. They will hopefully give you some solid guidance and assign you a good mentor. I really enjoyed my time in education but there is a tremendous amount of pressure for districts to do well on standardized tests. You are probably going to work somewhere once you retire so you might as well do something you think you will enjoy. Starting salary in our district is about 38K a year spread over 12 months. They were holding out 14% for retirement so you do the math and see if you can live with it. You will get annual raises and raises as you gain more education, work toward at least a specialist degree if you have G.I. bill money coming. I'm rambling but if you have any questions you can pm me anytime. The big plus is you will be home every night and will have summers for good vacations. Make sure you get to know the people who run things and be social, there can be a lot of politics involved in moving up in the district. Would I do it again, I don't know. I was medically sent packing at 20 but if I was able I would stay till 30 then just retire and put the wife to work.

[Bassgod]

I punched out at 24 1/2 years. I was going to make W-5 in a year or so, but my next set of orders were going to be in D.C. I had family reasons to get out as well, kid was about to start senior year, etc... The PC was killing me and I didn't enjoying serving as much. You just know when it is time, and it sounds like you are there bud.
Best of luck either way bud, thanks for serving shipmate!

[n2ratfishin]

Been doing the navy for 24 years now. Half enlisted - half officer to include three years in the Chief's mess. I am currently deployed again on an easy deployment, but mentally challenging. Currently officer-in-charge of a unit that I have done before. I put on O-4 in a few months and my current tour will take me to where I can retire at that pay grade with 27 years. My struggle is... those who have done this (guessing same on other side) before; I'm requesting help. I have a tug on my soul to move on even though I am a few years away. I have always tried to long-term plan, so to me, it is around the corner. I feel like I am quitting mentally! Moreover, I might regret later that I did not give myself a shot to go as high as possible. Futhermore, would I enjoy another life outside the Navy? Part of me wants to teach 1-5 grades, but am nervous I would be miserable without the constant stress. My wife supports any decision I make. I am slowly learning from the best woman ever--it's ok to feel this way. This all might sound corny, but I am at the point where the easy decisions seem hard.

I had my usual long response typed out. But I think you answered your own question. Would you enjoy life outside the Navy? Life will go on fine post military. Follow your heart. Salute!

[ChuckUsn]

21 in the navy and was ready to retire. What i have found is follow your heart and dreams. Talk it over with your wife and family cause they will all be affected.

[Gunny]

I was going to punch the ticket at 20, but my Colonel came to me and ask for one more year because they didn't have a replacement due in for 8 months, so I stayed the extra year. I knew I was going to miss certain aspects of it but was also ready to hang up my boots. So I did what I thought was the next best thing, I came right back to work for he Marine Corps as a Civilian, now I have the best of both worlds, I'm around Marines everyday (which I love) but I don't have to do all the stuff that started to get old after 21 years. I love it!

[BOATS]

You gave up as soon as you left the mess.....LOL, seriously , retire when you think it's right. If you stay to make a certain rank and feeling the way you do, you could end up getting low performance marks and get passed over.

[Capt Ray]

As a CWO5 with 29 YOS believe me I have struggled with what you are currently going through. I was planning on punching out this past April as I didn't think I could give my best any more (mentally spent). Well, after much contemplation the wife and I decided to stick it out as I would need to work anyway for another 4-5 years to meet our financial goals. The extra 2.5% for the next four years is an additional 10% or over $800 more for the rest of my life, not to mention the more your base pay at retirement the larger the pay increase post retirement. For me and my goals it was the right decision to stay.

[booter]

I was forced to medically retire 3 years ago due to developing a heart arrhythmia that disqualified me from sea duty right before going to SWO Department Head school. At the time before the disability, my goal was to put on O5 and do a command at sea tour and call it quits. Since I've been out, I miss being out at sea, but I don't miss the administrative side of the Navy with all of the SAPR training, writing evals/fitreps, and the prepping for countless inspections and certifications. Overall, I feel like a big burden has been lifted off my shoulder and it just feels good knowing you are in control of your own life again an I can what I want in life. Even though I now have a GS13 job in Norfolk because that's the only jobs available in this area since the wife doesn't want to move yet, it's still better for me than being in uniform, having to stand watch, and be able to go home every night. Regardless, you'll still have stress finding a job once you get out. But it all comes down to how well you feel financially prepared to retire and not being dependent on that steady paycheck every twice a month. If nothing else, you will be spending more time on the water ripping lips and on BBC....lol

[usmc03]

I punched out when it was not fun anymore. There were other things out there I wanted to do before I really got to old. Most of those that posted above all have good reasons to stay or go. As for me, I just got bored with the daily routine, day after day, getting ready for O-S deployments, CAX's, or personnel issues. Think about it....... and if you do punchout make sure you keep your Tricare after retirement and get a dental plan. LOL If you have a Master's, think about teaching at a college level.

[TampaJim]

GF and I both punched out early and both regret it.
Things aren't the same on the outside - good and bad.
After 24 years, I think you'll be happier inside.
Whatever you do, you'll be fine. You're trained for it.

[rhundemer]

I spent 5 years on active duty as a logistician and regret making that decision most days (luckily I can still go back in!). I loved what I was doing but was pissed at some of the other BS that we all have endured. I thought the grass was greener and it would be no different blah blah. Turns out civilian life is filled with just as much BS as the military, if not more! Granted, this all depends on what industry you go in to. I work 11-12 hours a day and some times 6 days a week, depending on over time, as an operations manager. There is no 30 days of leave a year, or hour and a half lunches, or 4 day weeks, or even federal holidays (private sector). Now that you know this, it will help with your overall decision! Do what you think is best for you and your family. Your first job out of the military probably won't be the one you keep until your next retirement (unless you land some cush contractor or gov gig). If you ever want to know more just shoot me a message! Best of luck to you sir!

[Fishahaulic]

This was a decision I made 13 years ago, and as I look back I know it was the right decision at the right time. At my first duty station as a young E1 I was having a conversation with a soon to be retiring E8. Explaining to him that even though I was just starting out in the military, I knew I planned on staying in a minimum of 20, so I asked him how he knew it was time for him to retire. His answer was pretty simple. "You'll know". And after 23 and a half years of service his answer to me was absolutely correct, and the only answer I can give to you. When is the right time for you to retire from the military........"You'll Know". Not only in your mind, but in your heart, and in the mind and heart of your wife and family as well.

[XpressJeff]

You will survive this!

I retired (from USMC) 23 years ago and now I am actually RETIRED!