what are the benefits of leaving the US military early?
I m going into the USMC because i ve always wanted to, I m a proud american dont get me wrong and say if i want to go then dont, its my goal. so i was really considering doing 20 years or more so i can get early retirement but I m not too sure it would go great with my personal life, i want a family, i want to travel the world, and a job that will benefit me so i could at least be useful in society. if you ve done 20 years how did you manage your personal life and professional? is 20 years worth the trouble? I m trying to keep myself at least 5 steps ahead myself
2016-04-11T21:04:10Z
early in terms of just doing 4 years active and 4 years reserves
?2016-04-12T04:49:47Z
I am 16 years in and plan to stay until 20. Let us consider your questions.
Family: I am married with 3 children. I am home most nights but there are times when I have to go to the field, stand duty, etc. Many businessmen have to travel alot for their jobs so they are away from their family as well. Many young military marriages fail; mine did not.
Travel: I have been all over the world. Hawaii, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Bali, Kuwait, Saudi, Jordan, UAE, Iraq, Afghanistan, Australia.....the list goes on and on. Most likely, you will travel in the military.
A job that translates well to the civilian world: Well, I am infantry and that doesn't translate too well. However, I have a vast amount of leadership and managerial skills that would be useful to any firm, getting a degree 100% paid for by the military, 2 professional ASIS certifications and networking with many, many businesses that want vets to work for them. There are degree completion, apprenticeship and licensing programs in the military. Check this website out: http://www.cool.navy.mil/usmc/
I did 4 years and got out. After I got out I realized all the benefits that I was giving up and wound up coming back in the Marine Corps (not because of the benefits, because we were at war and I wanted to do my part.) I have no regrets other than I wish I would have stayed in and not gotten out. I would be retiring next year, but now I have to wait until 2020.
way ahead of your self there bud. who says they will LET YOU do 20 years?! the vast majority will do ONE contract and get out. that would not be leaving 'early' that would be doing a contract and then not re enlisting. the VA benefits are the same whether you do 4 years or 30 years.
retirement benefits can kick in as early as 15 years but the reality is you would need to do at least 20 to maximize the pension.
Same here. Making a Career in the Corps is hard as theirs less then 200k marines in total. That means fewer slots to fill and tight policy on retention. You have to be a super Ooorah MOFO if you want a career in the Corps. I plan on it and am going to be the best damn Marine I can ever be. Being super squared, away , showing leadership, being a PT god are one of many things to keep you competitive. I know once your contract nears re-enlistment can depend on a lot and promotions to higher up are hard unless theirs an NCO preparing to leave. Think hard and I would say do your first years in the Corps and make a decision then once you know the life. Theirs a few actual active, ex marines here so they have good advice rather then a DEP boot waiting to ship. i pan on going enlisted then either green to gold or a commissioning program and/or hopefully apply for a Special Missions Unit like MARSOC.
I did my one hitch. I came out with an Honorable Discharge. I started my civilian career and made good money. I live in a house with a VA loan. It's okay to serve less than 20 years.
I do wish I'd stayed in the Reserves until retirement, but what's done is done.
Most do one enlistment and done Right after A school I had 2 classmates who were going to do at least 20 while I could not wait to get out I wound up doing 22 years while neither of them even tried to re enlist, attitudes change people change