Take winnings or fight another round?

[Leonidas]

Originally Posted by Average Joe

It’s the next assignment that’s bugs me.

Previous next assignments looked like adventures. I don’t have that feeling any more.

As you say we can always hang on for more until we reach the point where once again we can hang on for more. As long as long you’re a winner they keep a carrot dangling to distract you from other things you might be missing. I see some guys straining unhappily to reach the next rung and think to myself, “if I were in his shoes, I’d be gone.” The test of whether that’s true may come in a little over a year.

Found myself feeling the same way two years ago. Only difference being that if I left then my pension would be higher due to acting higher classification pay.

It was the next pending assignment that did it for me. Tough job, but not an adventure. One of those "somebody has to do this and do it well" gigs that none of my peers wanted. It would make me a more marketable player at my rank, but I had already done all of the adventure jobs and anything I might get after wouldn't be a challenge. Plus, there were a lot of crappy places I could wind up to boot.

Like Caroline said, I left so quickly I left skid marks on the floor as I walked ran out the door.

Now, none of that matters. I don't miss anything except friends I worked with every day, and I talk, visit and hang out with them on a regular basis.

Not a day goes by now, even those days that have the occasional aggravation in them, that I don't wish I could freeze time forever and keep it just like it is now. The home team must feel the same way, because I get a lot of "I'm so glad your home" comments.

Like Nords said, you have to be open minded to all the possibilities, and that may mean passing up some extra money in order to get back that part of your life that you had to subborn to your job.

[clifp]

Joe, I haven't met any activity duty who were in your situation O5/6 or E7/8 who regretted their decision to get out after 20 years. I do know a Lt. Col who stuck around trying become a full Colonel, didn't make it and got out at 25. Financially, I think he did fine, but he didn't have a great 2nd career.

I think one poster made a good a point getting out at 43 makes you "closer to 40" in the eyes of potential employeers as oppose to being 47/48 which makes you closer to 50. It is only 4 years in reality but the decade of perception is a big deal.