[99z28monster]

Just curious to see how long some of yall have been in the military or police force. The 7th of Feb marks four years for me. I have mixed emotions with my current postion I would love to be a civilian again. However I know that my job is not done here yet so maybe in four more years I can retire the ol boots.

[oldjarhead]

25 years and 11 days...but I quit counting...lol
I would have stayed longer but HqMC told be I'd be in So Cal for many more years to come...I distinctly told them I wouldn't.
Even after only 4 years transitioning back into the civilian world may not be easy. You have done more, seen more, and accomplished more than any of your high school buddies who didn't serve...four short years makes a difference. I'd surly do it all over again.
Thanks for serving!

[privateer]

I only did 4 and ahalf active. and another 18 months reserve. that was enough for me. It's easy to look back and say if I had only stuck it out ... But I did my tour and It was time for me to ditty. I loved some of it , hated some of it , and cant remember most of it.

[jerry]

26 years

10 Active. Got out for 6 mo, joined the Guard (spent another year active) and never looked back. Best of both worlds.

[blkbird513]

12 January, 1968 to 10 December, 1971...3 years, 10 months, 29 days and 12 hours..!!! Last tour with VP-16, Sigonella, Sicily.

JOHNC

[Pope130]

Twenty-four years, four months, eleven days in the Air Force. If I had the choice I'd still be there.

Robert

[srt 10 jimbo]

4years 81-85

[gunnerdave]

A little over 20 years. I would likely stayed in longer, but after Sick Willie got elected and I saw how badly all of the Armed Forces were getting degraded I submitted my retirement packet as soon as I could (Jan 1994). Just guessing here, but is the current CinC/Congress one of the reasons you're thinking about hanging it up? I almost got out during the Carter years, but then Reagan got elected and we all got a nice (24% in my case) pay raise. With the current istuation, I can't say I'd blame you for wanting to pack it in. My nephew is likely to be going for his 3rd combat tour soon. With the recent Mickey Mouse rules of engagement, I worry. I thought they were ridiculous enough for Desert Storm, but I've heard they're much worse now. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

All the Best,

Dave

[Yogi]

20 years 1 week. 79-99 All active USAF Security Police.

[turkn8r1]

20 years 2 months 12 days. 18 1/2 Navy active 8 year break in service the rest Army active.

[lynxpilot]

20+ years active duty, 24+ counting ROTC time. I'd have some serious doubts about being under the current CINC. My philosophy on use of the military is a lot different than his. Thanks for serving though. If you don't like it, do the best you can until you're allowed to leave, then leave. Don't leave early (in body or in spirit), it doesn't help anybody.

[big boomer]

2 years Army, 6 years Nat. guard, 4 years Army reserve.

[rice paddy dadd]

2 years, 9 months and 28 days. US Army.

[White Rook]

6 years. USAF 80-86..........." Airman, give me a 341"..

[Big Dog]

Four years in USAF, '76 to '80. Wanted to reup, but they said I'd stay at Tyndall AFB, Florida another four years, I wanted to travel.
So, reupped in USN for another six years ('80 to '86) - travelled..... boy, did I travel.
Small ship means beaucoup sea time! Mostly shorter cruises though. One 7-month deployment to MED/IO.

I enjoyed the Navy time more, saw the world, had some fun times. Almost wished I'd stayed in, but it conflicted with other interests. No regrets.

[Dan22]

USAF 4-years from Feb '58 to Feb '62.

I thought long and hard about re-enlisting but at that time my career field was frozen for rank.

We were in the cold war and often worked 12 hrs a day, 7 days a week and were on call the rest of the time.

I was on planes for the Bay of Pigs in Cuba, the Panama Crisis and Berlin.

We would load our gear on a C-133 and start rolling down the runway and then they would abort the mission.

It was a crazy time and the threat of nuclear warfare had us puckered up more than once.

[tlkuns]

20 years, 4 months in the Air Force
7 years (and counting) with the sheriff's department.

[Ten Man]

4 years ROTC, 6.5 years Active Duty, and 10 years Reserve.

Funny how we get wistful about it as we get older.

I miss the jet flying and the comraderie of my fellow aviators. I DO NOT miss the politics and BS.

When you are young, you are full of hope for adventure. As time goes on, priorities change.

Do the best you can for your duty, 99z, then go for what achieves your dreams.

[bobvonb]

2 years ROTC, 4 years active duty USAF, 2 reserve. Never left Lackland AFB but got great computer training that carried me thru life and got to shoot on the base HiPower Rifle team. Enjoyed it a lot, but couldn't afford to have a family and stay in. I still have dreams where I re-up. Oh yeah, I also got to marry one of those hot Texas country girls!

[CopperniX]

3 years roughly.