mrjusmc2171
Marine

Alright so I know I'm a late to offer any kind of consolation or meaningful advice, but here goes: Figure out what it is you love and do it. An occupation is not worth the money if you can't do it with pride and happily.
I stayed in the AF for the sake of my kid and I was a damned good medic. Things changed for me though, I made it to the point that I totally lost the love of my job. I could make rank, but all that meant was a pay raise, a big desk, and more people whining at me. I don't like desks, money I could make anywhere else, I don't mollycoddle my trainees or troops and I don't do kinder, gentler, or PC. My daughter was tired of bouncing between my husband and I, she was tired of one or both of us being gone. My husband and I were tired of not being able to be stationed together and only seeing each other every 6 to 8 months for maybe a week or two. I chose to get out, for the sake of my family and my sanity. My husband stayed in the Corps.

This year the dilemma came up for my husband... re-enlistment time was coming near and we were in a crunch to decide what he would do. He had offers everywhere from Cisco to CENTCOM, he also put in for WO and didn't want to move our daughter around so much. Me? I'll stand beside him no matter what he chooses. He was stressed to the umteenth degree. I asked him, "What is it that you love to do? What will make you feel satified in your work and your life?" His reply was taking care of our daughter and me and being able to provide for us. So I said, "That's not what I asked you. Will you be happy with more money? Because as it stands we live more than comfortable. Don't cop out and say it's for us. What do you want? Because we will always be with you. I know one thing for certain when it comes to your job, it's not so much the job you do but being a Marine that you love, and maybe being here at CENTCOM with all the nonsense and politics has shaded your love for it, but I see it still when you talk about your Marines that you have under you. The civilian job offers will always be there and be better later, so if you want to re-enlist then do it. If you want to get out and take the GS-13 slot then take it, it's pretty much been guaranteed to you. I need you to be happy with what you choose, because I'm not going to tell you what to do. You didn't tell me what to do, and I am more than happy with my choice. It's your turn now." So what it came to was he re-enlisted and we moved to Jacksonville. He may move around a lot, but we won't have to, which is what he wanted mostly.