Why do people choose to stay in the military and reenlist?

BeachBum

Beats me!

I did 4 years and got the hell out even though I did very well graduating at the top of my class from MI School; but, the truth is that the military flat out sux the big one.

If you want to become 'property' then by all means sign the bottom line. I've seen guys get article 15s for getting sunburned on the top of their heads... it was called 'damage to government property.'

Heather W

Because when your in a good unit it becomes like your family. When your full time you get way more from your job then you do a civilian job, such as free housing, and completely free medical care for you and your family. Being in the military can be a pain in the butt, but most of the time the good outweighs the bad. Its just like asking the question " if everyone is complaining about that fact that they don't get payed enough to put up with what they have to put up with in there civilion jobs then why don't they quit?"

a military wife

Lady Gwar

some ppl do it for the colleg money and the retirment benifts

smadair2

some chose it because of the benefits and traveling opportunities others chose it because they want to give back to thier country

Its not me Its u

Guys that were wounded, lost parts of their limbs, etc, had one request.....to return to their units in Iraq. When asked why, most responded that they wanted to be with their buddies. They felt guilty being stateside while their 'brothers' were in harms way.

frankie59

Look up Patriotism in the dictionary. This is a feeling many people have.

manic

I assume you mean those assigned to Iraq. I think that you form a brotherhood with the guys who cover your @ss when your life depends on it and you do the same for them. You can't leave your Friends out there without covering them. If your best friend died the day after you bailed. Would wonder if you could have saved him.
Some people don't quit a job just because it's difficult.
Everybody really has their own reasons just like you have reason to question the motives of those braver than you.

distill80

An excellent question and a reasonable person might expect this would be newsworthy.

J.D.

Because it's really not a bad career. Good people you meet along the way and some long-lasting friendships too.

crash

Because of the benefits, job security, travel.

luknbill13

i just re uped for 6

i think its a good life something different than a 9 to 5

Kitty

My husband has already served for 28 years and has another 6 to go. I am a Pacifist and frankly I would rather he had gone with his original career choice which was Law! but he loves it, it's his life. He believes that what he does (EOD) saves lives and he believes that considered and educated people strengthen the Army. It has to be said that as a Senior Officer you enjoy a good lifestyle, although I am sure he could have earned more in Civilian life, and I have to say that he saw his last tour of Iraq, with a huge Command, as an opportunity to be of use and service to the people of Iraq whilst they climb back onto their feet. he is not a 'typical' Senior officer, or how civilians imagine they might be. He is 'terribly English' but is joyful, kind, funny and immensely gentle but he is, frankly institutionalised and I think that is why many of them stay in for their entire career.

clarkz2001

My uncle was in the military for 22 years>he chose that as his profession in life just as a doctor, lawer or anyone else would. He fought 2 wars and survived but retired and cancer killed him. What i`m trying to say is that after a length of time, it`s just another job.

Tichy

How can they like the security? It sounds like a kind of insecure job?

aurastin

Because it is a great career choice, and some of us believe in defending our country and her interests.

Natasha

People have many different reasons for choosing a career in the military. There are the tangible benefits. Re-enlistment bonuses (some of my soldiers have gotten over $20,000) are one reason. The medical and dental plans are very comprehensive (free everything including prescriptions). It is a solid pay check that does not fluctuate. They have job security as long as they don't do anything illegal and can perform to standard. If you stay in for 20 years you will earn half of your salary as retirement pay and still be young enough to have a second career. However, there are a lot of other intangible reasons why people chose to stay in the military. No other profession creates such a strong bond between its members. In many careers your ultimate purpose is to earn a company more money, however in the US military your ultimate purpose is to protect and defend the Constitution of the US against all enemies. You are giving back to a country that has given you so much. You learning and continually practicing self-discipline. You have a job that doesn't involve sitting in a cubicle. There are a lot of good reasons, both tangible and intangible but ultimately what degree each of these plays a role in the decision to stay in (or indeed to join in the first place) depends on the individual servicemember.

ZigZag

Its a good job to have where else can you get paid weekends, paid to go on leave, free houseing, free medical, and alot of other things that come around. The Military isn't for everyone but it is what you make it stay out of trouble and do the right thing and it can be really fun and the most important thing is you get to travel for free to all parts of the world....

lucky_j_2003

don't think there is a single answer some like the travel some like the regimentation some like the security lot of reasons

electricpole

Ther are probably as many reasons as there are people. They can fall into a few greneral categories. People get familiar with what they do, some individuals take to the lifestyle, many have a sense of purpose that is above convenience and monetary consideration, (think fo the carreer pilot or radar tech, who could make a killing in civillian life), some folks just don't have anywhere else to go.
After your 2nd tour, you get to a place in your life where it might just be too much of a setback to get out and start again. Probably more likely for an enlisted person without a college degree, etc.
I did 6 yrs, and found I was on the brink of having to make the choice of staying in all the way or making a clean break and get going on a civilian carrer. I did not have a job in the military that would move over easily into the civilian market.

From what I understand people "choose" to re-enlist because they are offered a good bit of money for it. I've heard it's about $20 000 to re-enlist. The other reason is that if they don't "choose" to re-enlist, they are stop-lost and forced to stay anyways, with no additional money.

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