Originally Posted by
BDGERJMN
I left the Navy(VFA background) in August, 2008, about the absolute worst time I possibly could have left from a $$ standpoint. I haven't looked back once. I did all that with 4 month old twins and mom at home. I did it so I could watch my kids grow up and be there for them and my family. $$ did not weigh into my decision one iota...I firmly believe that those who stick around the service merely to draw on a retirement and benefits at some point in their career be come part of the problem and not the solution(Note: SOME not ALL). The QOL I would have sacrificed for 9 more years(15-20% of my lifespan) of my Naval career wasn't worth the sacrifice given the nearly 11 years I have already served.
Define part of the problem? I understand you say some not all. I think if an officer can offer something to the Navy then there should be no issue staying until retirment. Retirement was never in my plans but it happened that way. Luckily, last tour, I helped pump out X's at VT-6. I took a job here in Pusan, S Korea that nobody wanted. Next I'll help pump out X's in Kingsville. Meaning I've at least got a skill that the US Navy can use.
I've been lucky too in that my during my DH tour, I had a 5 month and a 3 month deployemnt. Busy job no doubt but plenty of family time. Prior to that, was a 2.5 year shore tour followed by the 2.5 year DH tour, 2.5 shore in P-cola, 1 year unaccompanied but family can come here anytime they want. I will finish with a 2.5 year shore tour in Kingsville. I guess my point is it's not always bad, being a away from family is sometimes minimal relatively speaking. Luck of the draw and community dependent though I'm sure. I'm E2/C2 community which is certainly not a always a good thing for family togetherness time. Then again, it's the military and that's military life.