Posted: 1/12/2012 9:19:54 PM EDT
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I am seeking advice in regards to the path I want to take my life and figured I'd come here and get some since I've always gotten good advice here. As of right now many of you probably know I'm in the Army. I'm am currently sitting on several choices but I've run into a few problems. Firearms are a big part of my life back home and so is shooting. I don't have a combat MOS and while that doesn't bother me too much the militarizes policy on your own personal firearms does. No I'm not talking about some stupid dumb shit like taking my own weapon to combat I'm talking about just being able to take it with me and keep it in my household. Due to this I'm coming to a conflict and I'm finding it vary hard to make a decision.
Should I finish up my contract get out and go work in the firearms industry? Should I stay in and make a career out of my job? Or should I go reserves one I'm done with active duty and get a job working in the firearms industry? You lose a lot of personal freedoms in the military. Freedom is one of the biggest things in life to me besides, rights, honor, and freewill. So with this in mind I'm at a sort of inner struggle right now. Regardless of choice I will finish out my contract and obviously do it good as it would break my moral codes to not do so. Note this might change depending on where I am at the end of my contract. But as of right now. I need some opinions and advice from people who have had a little more experience in life than I have had. |
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I served 20 years on active duty from 1981 to 2001... I owned multiple firearms, including buying firearms while stationed in Germany and bringing them back into the US via Customs, and never had any problems or issues. I'm interested to know what's changed.
My younger brother is a BDE CSM currently in A-stan, he has firearms out the wazoo as well, and he has not mentioned to me any restrictive issues... what's bothering you? I'm sure things have changed since I retired... The economy is still tough... if not for my monthly Army retirement check, I'd be hard-pressed to enjoy the things I do now. I'm thankful that I was blessed enough to have been able to stay 20 and retire... It's made all the difference in my life more so now with the way things are. I'm not too sure there are many that opportunities waiting out there for you in the firearms industry. Even up until I left SC in 2003 to move back to Florida I remember going to the open range on Ft. Jackson to shoot (recreational), I even volunteered to open and run the range on several occasions... it was fun and many times I had the range to myself. If you have a good career in the Army now... I'd stay. You can take a variety of armorer's courses offered by all the mfgs to build your skills and knowledge for the day you get out. |
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If personal freedom is your top thing(which i can concur to) i would do the reserves. Your time makes up a lot when you go to retire with your active time. Do you live in the barracks because that's the only restriction i can see, were you have to keep them in the armory. We also couldn't buy handguns in Lejeune unless we had a letter from our commanding officer.
I got out medically this december at it fells great to grow a wicked beard but of course i will always miss it. |
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Yea I'm RA and living in the barracks. Single as well so my chances of getting out of them are slim right now. Also I'm a 35F. Currently I'm in AIT for about another 2 months and then I move onto my duty station.
I'm also considering maybe re-classing to an aviation MOS. Specifically something that has to do with flying. |
| Living in the barracks has its disadvantages... I can't offer you any advice on your personally owned weapons, however, if you could reclass your MOS look into that. Right now the job market ain't so hot. Stick with it and make the Army a career... as soon as I'm able to I'll be signing up for another 6 years.... you would have never heard me say that last year until I did a little job hunting until I got advanced. |
| I've been out for 5 yrs active army. When i got out I went to college and also worked at a firearms retailer. I loved my job but I also loved active duty. Your absolutely correct you do make a lot of sacrifices but I assure you permanant party is much better than AIT. That and living in the barracks does suck and can be a pain in the ass to keep your personal weapons in the arms room, especialy every time they have an inspection and some dip shit officer fingers your stuff. I used to keep my guns at a friends house who lived off post and later I got my own place with some budddies. i would advice sticking out your contract. For one it looks good on a resume and gives you real world training. That and it's a steady pay check. All you have to do is show up. |
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This is just my own opinion and take it as that.
You need to get your priorities straight. You enlisted, you are now in your MOS school. Focus on that and not on guns you want to collect. Learn your job, PT, get rank. Worry about what the latest rifle wiz bang whatever when you get out. If you do all these things then when you get out you may have an oppurtunity to work in the firearms field. Maybe not. Nobody knows if they're going to make a career out the military their first 6 months in. Focus on what is important today. |
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Quoted:
No I'm not talking about some stupid dumb shit like taking my own weapon to combat I'm talking about just being able to take it with me and keep it in my household. Due to this I'm coming to a conflict and I'm finding it vary hard to make a decision. Live off post. I had firearms and never told my command about them.... Even though at one point my 1SG saw me walking around with an upper and we had a nice chat about what I could do to make it better (I needed some work done and did it in the Arms room). Quoted:Should I finish up my contract get out and go work in the firearms industry?
Should I stay in and make a career out of my job? Or should I go reserves one I'm done with active duty and get a job working in the firearms industry? That would depend on a few things: 1. Do you like your current job? 2. Can you get a better job out of the military (and I mean can you even get one right now) 3. Will that job pay more? 4. Will getting out have the same or better benefits? 5. How much time do you currently have in? I saw a bunch of guys get out and then a year or two later were right back in. They though the grass was greener, but once out they found they had a hard time getting a job or getting a job they liked. I counseled a bunch of guys before they ETS'd about this. The civilian job market was great back then and even then it was not perfect. Lots of guys kept in touch and had a hard time finding a job or they found out that civilian work has BS just like the military. Now you have to consider the "crazy vet" BS that is keeping some employers from hiring vets right now. Also consider the amount of time you have spent.... If you are at 10 years, you lose a lot getting out right now... 10 years and you get nothing for that time. Very rarely did I ever suggest a guy get out if they were at 10 years of service. Also consider that a military retirement kicks ass... I have a lot of guys that work for me now that have retired from the service. They get a decent paycheck from uncle sam and another one from me..... And they start their civilian life at 38 with one payday forever.... Not bad. These are all things to consider.... Me? Well, I got hurt and had to leave before 20. I still get the retirement check (VA disability) and at 39 it adds a nice bonus to my civilian job. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
No I'm not talking about some stupid dumb shit like taking my own weapon to combat I'm talking about just being able to take it with me and keep it in my household. Due to this I'm coming to a conflict and I'm finding it vary hard to make a decision. Live off post. I had firearms and never told my command about them.... Even though at one point my 1SG saw me walking around with an upper and we had a nice chat about what I could do to make it better (I needed some work done and did it in the Arms room). Quoted:Should I finish up my contract get out and go work in the firearms industry?
Should I stay in and make a career out of my job? Or should I go reserves one I'm done with active duty and get a job working in the firearms industry? That would depend on a few things: 1. Do you like your current job? When I'm actually working yes. Keeps me active and I like that. 2. Can you get a better job out of the military (and I mean can you even get one right now) I was considering gunsmithing. Possibly working for my brother when he opens a gun shop in our area. 3. Will that job pay more? It might. I would have to do further research. 4. Will getting out have the same or better benefits? Not likely 5. How much time do you currently have in? coming up on 5 - 6 months now I saw a bunch of guys get out and then a year or two later were right back in. They though the grass was greener, but once out they found they had a hard time getting a job or getting a job they liked. I counseled a bunch of guys before they ETS'd about this. The civilian job market was great back then and even then it was not perfect. Lots of guys kept in touch and had a hard time finding a job or they found out that civilian work has BS just like the military. Now you have to consider the "crazy vet" BS that is keeping some employers from hiring vets right now. Also consider the amount of time you have spent.... If you are at 10 years, you lose a lot getting out right now... 10 years and you get nothing for that time. Very rarely did I ever suggest a guy get out if they were at 10 years of service. Also consider that a military retirement kicks ass... I have a lot of guys that work for me now that have retired from the service. They get a decent paycheck from uncle sam and another one from me..... And they start their civilian life at 38 with one payday forever.... Not bad. These are all things to consider.... Me? Well, I got hurt and had to leave before 20. I still get the retirement check (VA disability) and at 39 it adds a nice bonus to my civilian job. I did receive some good news in regards to me getting into OCS so I am going to take that route and commission. I plan on staying in now just got to to a few things to improve my standing in life. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
No I'm not talking about some stupid dumb shit like taking my own weapon to combat I'm talking about just being able to take it with me and keep it in my household. Due to this I'm coming to a conflict and I'm finding it vary hard to make a decision. Live off post. I had firearms and never told my command about them.... Even though at one point my 1SG saw me walking around with an upper and we had a nice chat about what I could do to make it better (I needed some work done and did it in the Arms room). Quoted:Should I finish up my contract get out and go work in the firearms industry?
Should I stay in and make a career out of my job? Or should I go reserves one I'm done with active duty and get a job working in the firearms industry? That would depend on a few things: 1. Do you like your current job? When I'm actually working yes. Keeps me active and I like that. 2. Can you get a better job out of the military (and I mean can you even get one right now) I was considering gunsmithing. Possibly working for my brother when he opens a gun shop in our area. 3. Will that job pay more? It might. I would have to do further research. 4. Will getting out have the same or better benefits? Not likely 5. How much time do you currently have in? coming up on 5 - 6 months now I saw a bunch of guys get out and then a year or two later were right back in. They though the grass was greener, but once out they found they had a hard time getting a job or getting a job they liked. I counseled a bunch of guys before they ETS'd about this. The civilian job market was great back then and even then it was not perfect. Lots of guys kept in touch and had a hard time finding a job or they found out that civilian work has BS just like the military. Now you have to consider the "crazy vet" BS that is keeping some employers from hiring vets right now. Also consider the amount of time you have spent.... If you are at 10 years, you lose a lot getting out right now... 10 years and you get nothing for that time. Very rarely did I ever suggest a guy get out if they were at 10 years of service. Also consider that a military retirement kicks ass... I have a lot of guys that work for me now that have retired from the service. They get a decent paycheck from uncle sam and another one from me..... And they start their civilian life at 38 with one payday forever.... Not bad. These are all things to consider.... Me? Well, I got hurt and had to leave before 20. I still get the retirement check (VA disability) and at 39 it adds a nice bonus to my civilian job. I did receive some good news in regards to me getting into OCS so I am going to take that route and commission. I plan on staying in now just got to to a few things to improve my standing in life. |
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1-Do you like what you do,job/mos?.You can always change to something that you really enjoy doing.
2-Do you enjoy military life,friends,places,relations?. 3-IMilitary life is just like civilian life,only in green,you most follow rules,laws,but you have to remember that in the military rules apply equally to all ranks,out here is different. 4-So,if you are thinking of getting out,make damn sure you learn a trade that you like,and has a demand is this new World of Ours,because is shitty out here. |
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1-Do you like what you do,job/mos?.You can always change to something that you really enjoy doing. 2-Do you enjoy military life,friends,places,relations?. 3-IMilitary life is just like civilian life,only in green,you most follow rules,laws,but you have to remember that in the military rules apply equally to all ranks,out here is different. 4-So,if you are thinking of getting out,make damn sure you learn a trade that you like,and has a demand is this new World of Ours,because is shitty out here. I am considering going into aviation. I used to be a pilot before I went over to what I do now. It's not bad. Kinda noticed that. But even the slightest thing can get you in trouble. Hell you can get i trouble just for being an asshole. I will cross that bridge at my 4 year mark. I signed up for 4 as a trial period more or less. I enjoy working on firearms and shoot them. So if I was to get out as I said gunsmithing is what I would get into. |