Good evening people, it’s been 10 months since I backed out of my enlistment with the Army NG. I’m still on the books in my state and still haven’t received my discharge yet. Overall the more I’ve thought of it, it definitely was the best decision for me to make at the time. So for anyone who is really not sure about going please don’t. I had my toss and turns these last 10 months to see if it was the best decision which it was. I have no regrets anymore. I’m now in the process of advancing my career which I wouldn’t have been able to do if I went through.

Long story short I’m getting a chapter 13. BC and legal reviewed and approved the chapter. What happens next? CO pulled me aside to sign it today. I obviously chose not to appeal. Active army btw.

Army national guard, 31B

I don't know what I was thinking joining. I guess the college benefits just seemed too appetizing to not sign my life away. I haven't done basic, only done one drill, and I ship out tomorrow to fort Jackson for the arms 2.0 program because I'm 4% over my BMI limit due to a wide waist.

I know I'm not meant to be a soldier, I never will be. I stated that and was promptly threatened with the constable being sent after me if I don't arrive for my ship date. I know I sound like a pussy but I'm scared. Horrified actually.

I really don't think I should've even got past Meps, and I wish I didn't. Then I could've had more time to really think about what I was doing.

I know there's no way out now so I guess I needed an outlet to share my thoughts. Sorry.

Ok so, I'm 2 and a half years in out of a 6 year contract, in the national guard. I was split op in highschool so I'm a year into my "adulthood"/ a year with my current unit. I really want to get out.

I've always had bad mental health but was never able to get the help I needed or anything diagnosed. I grew up in a bad/abusive household, which no doubt contributed, but on top of that they never wanted to get me the help I needed, because that would mean there was a problem. Despite my attempts to ask for help to my parents, and even attempts to go to in school guidance and explain my situation, they weren't able to do anything without parental permission so that was swept away. I feel like it's led to an inner feeling of struggling to talk about my feelings, minimizing my problems, or altogether dismissing they exist.

Same thing with health issues, although I was scared into not saying anything at the doctors. Fast forward to now turns out I have asthma, and most likely have my whole life. I have to take inhaled medicine daily and I have an extra inhaler for emergencies. I sort of gaslighted myself into thinking my lungs were fine until a couple months ago and finally got a PFT, and got the news.

I know I shouldn't have joined in the first place, basic explanation but not an excuse, I went in with the mindset going through something so rough would somehow fix my mental issues and make me stronger as a person. If anything I think younger me saw it as an option out of desperation to stop feeling the way I do. And I wanted desperately to do something to make my family proud. Now I'm stuck in.

Recently I went through SRP for an upcoming deployment and I decided to be honest about my mental and physical health. I filled out the online pha honestly that way there was no way I could backtrack, because I knew I might struggle when it came down to it.

I was marked as non deployable and I'm on a temporary profile for my asthma while my treatment is figured out (3 month wait period) I was told to seek therapy but I'm not sure how concerned they are because nothing's really been communicated to me since then.

I have started therapy, diagnosed with depression and generalized anxiety disorder so far. I'm on an antidepressant, but mostly for insomnia. (amitriptyline 50mg) Hasn't really done much for how I feel depression wise. I have the option for more medication but I really don't wanna just treat everything with pills and call it a day. The insomnia was just desperation because I got to a point I was barely sleeping at all. But at this point part of me wants to go with more pills if it means getting me separated.

Since this is a throwaway and I don't have much to lose, I have reason to believe I could also have a personality disorder. BPD. I'm not diagnosed and I'm scared to even bring up my suspicion because my dumbass is scared that the therapist is gonna shut me down or refuse help because I know there's a stigma.

And I know how it sounds, and I know how easily the disorder gets thrown around. But I don't think I am healthy to myself or others. And no research I have done has perfectly described my mind like it does. And I fit all the diagnostic criteria.

But even if it's true it could take a long time to ever get diagnosed with something like a personality disorder.

I know it's something that would get me separated but I don't know if I can sustain waiting that long even to start the process of separation.

I don't think I'm suicidal but when my emotions are big I really easily impulsively do things that could harm me to that point. But nothing as far as getting hospitalized. The biggest recent thing would be I took about 10 exedrin thinking it might do something but It didn't do anything but make me feel sick for a day.

I don't know if I fit the criteria for separation or how to even go about this all. I don't even know my current situation with the guard. After SRP and getting marked non deployable they asked me to sign a bunch of ROIs for everywhere I'm being seen, and I haven't heard anything since. I've never voiced my desire to be separated.

Everything has been with administration at the nearby base that handled the SRP. I haven't even heard anything from my unit. I don't even think they know about my mental health. I had assumed everything would be communicated to them but they were about to have me do an ACFT despite my profile last drill so I guess that was not the case. Even then all they wanted was my profile and since I don't have one for my mental state, I didn't know if I should even disclose that part of it.

I think my unit knows there's something mentally wrong, but they've never addressed it with me. I'm a complete shut in at drills, never talk to anyone unless I have to, when I do I'm super awkward and I can tell but can't stop. I isolate from everyone else as much as I possibly can.

I dread going to drills, i feel intense anxiety leading up to them, and when I'm there I just feel depressed and numb and wanna go home.

Insanely long story short, I want out, and feel like I need out, but I don't know what the fuck I'm doing, and I'm so terrified of it all. I don't know if this is a cry for help or just a rant but here it is lol.

Prior service here who made the mistake twice thinking reserves would be better. Thinking of just not showing up for drills until they separate me. Wanting to know how this has gone for others? Keep in mind I believe I fall under the entry level separation as I have no gear and have not gone to ait yet and have no uniforms. What are my options here to get out. Already have a good civ job and the reserves need me I don’t need it.

I posted about how I became disabled and was separated on a bs "adjustment disorder" in '22. Well, I fought for a year to get my discharge date changed and the $2k the charged me as "overpayment" dismissed. It took calling every month and a Congressional Inquery, but I won.

I'm now 100%. I feel validated. They took my health from me. My ability to feel joy and happiness. The money doesn't fix anything, but now I can give my family better. The deserve so much more than what I can give them for staying with me through these difficult years. I found out that I have a genetic hypermobility disorder that my injuries and illness from the Navy aggravated. I will never get better. My quality of life will continue to decline. My mental health plummeted. I have PDD,MAD,GAD, panic disorder, and agoraphobia.

However, I choose to keep going because, if anything, I'm stubborn and spiteful. Even if it doesn't make me happy anymore, I'll achieve every goal I had before I enlisted. Maybe somewhere along the way I'll find the spark of life I lost. Maybe not. For now, I just want to be petty and show everyone who said I couldn't that I will.

I think it's ok to not get better and to be ok with not being ok...if that makes any sense? You don't have to be some inspirational story about overcoming whatever. You can just be. That's just me, though.

I’m going to die.

I’m gonna die if I don’t get out of here soon, cuz I’m going to kill myself.

Somebody in my plt just kts earlier this week, and like I guessed everyone’s just moving around it. So nobody would give af if I went. This chapter is taking too long and I’m tired of trying to get people to care.

My life has been for nothing. I’m ashamed.

I'm an Army Reservist and I have medical and PHA this coming drill. I'm looking to write down that I have mental health problems to hopefully get out, I'm not sure how the process would go but this is not how I thought the army would be like and I don't mind lying to get out like how they lied for me to get in. Honestly, telling them I have mental health problems wouldn't be a stretch because I lied about ever having suicidal thoughts at MEPS to get in. I feel like I've been fucked over, I've been out of AIT for months but I still haven't gotten my bonus nor any of my benefits and I haven't even gotten my final 2 weeks of pay before leaving AIT. I'm not looking to get deployed to support Israel in bombing civilians. Also I had surgery very recently and I'm not supposed to exercise for weeks, and I'm supposed to get more surgeries to follow up with that, so I wonder if that would go along with the process of getting out at all.

I'm looking for any insight or suggestions with getting out with medical and how the process goes, thanks.

All the hate I have for this job aside. This shit is really killing me.

-Constant headaches/ migraines & neck pain -My left knee pops & is in pain -my hip joints pop and give me pain when I move the wrong way -legs always sore

It just keeps adding up, i'm tired of PT. I'm tired of waking up at the ass crack of dawn.

I NEED A FUCKING BLUNT I'm starting to gain a dependency on alcohol, every weekend I spend drinking just to try and cope

My cars transmission took a shit and became more work than its worth so I sold it. So I can't drive to sick hall or do anything to get this shit taken care of.

I'm crashing out and i'm starting to show my frustration towards the civilians at H2F and starting to show a lack of giving a fuck at work.

I'm just so sick of this shit, I feel trapped. I'm the only 91F in my entire battalion onroute to deployment so getting chaptered via commanders approval is practically out the window.

I 18(M) have been having some pretty big issues mentally before and since I joined the army. Initially I thought if I just had structure it’d help ease it but, now I’m in AIT and it’s even worse, I wake up feeling stuck to my bed, staying up late going into spirals and overall having some pretty bad thoughts. I’m at the point where I realize the army isn’t for me especially due to my declining mental health here. I never was diagnosed with any mental illnesses or disorders, mainly because my family just was poor and I didn’t wanna have them go into debt because of me needing a therapist or having to pay for antidepressants.

But for the past 8 almost 9 years I’ve been struggling with issues and mood swings, with manic episodes that last several days or a few weeks then reaching a pit for weeks or months even. Some points it got bad and I got to a point of having suicidal idealization and constantly having breakdowns.

My recruiter had me pretty much deny everything if I wanted to get in at the time since I was never diagnosed there was no real reason to worry about it. Now that I’m in AIT I just can’t stand it anymore, even in basic it was bad I was constantly depressed and dejected the entire time I was there. I tried to go to religious services but it has had no avail within these months of training. I’m at the point where I feel like if I stay here it’ll just get worse no matter what. I just don’t know how to go about getting out, since I never had anything on record about mental issues. I’d appreciate any help I can get please.

I know you guys probably will say no given this Reddit group, but I’m 19 years old and I have a girlfriend, who I plan on marrying in a few years (yes, 19 and I’m making a decision like this, but don’t let that define how I make my life decisions, I am a critical and logical thinker when the time arises), however my dad (20 years in the army, joined at 18) says I should serve in the navy so I can learn a trade (plumbing as a Seabee) while I’m in and get any college paid for and learn how to use a gun, have some adventure, etc.

I don’t want any college degree, other than a few art courses online to get better at art and start a small business one day for extra money.

I like the idea of adventure, but what I really want is to move forward in my life, working to getting a good job I’d want, overall just starting my life. I do not however want to join when I will hurt my future wife and I mentally, and I could’ve instead gotten the same experience for my career in a trade school and started my life faster in a much better way. My gf would be there if I did go through the military, but would it really be better if I went the military way instead of trade school?

Should I join?

Why is it that military people can't explain something in a straight forward manner? Rather than a straight forward answer, they either give you incomplete information (missing key information), or they give some circular, round-about answer full of gibberish (acronyms) and unimportant tangential information. When you confront them about it, they act like you're the one with the problem! I literally had to tell a new report who is ex-military to 1. Stop using acronyms for everything because no one on the team knows what they stand for.. 2. Work on his communication skills -- to be more direct without embellishments. I've had the same conversation with other ex-military employees. I just want to understand this.

I have posted before about wanting to get out before basic training air National guard because of asthma. I got a waiver approved but when running I had very bad asthma symptoms and went to the doctor for it. They re prescribed me an inhaler and I picked it up and have been using it. I’ve been having a lot of issues with it recently and needed to take it a lot. I told my recruiter and he said we will talk on drill weekend. Am I going to get separated? Or is there a chance for me to stay in? I’m honestly really demotivated and just want to quit before going to drill at this point. Anyone have any insight?

I promise you I am not reenlisting once these 2.6 years are up. You know, I should’ve listened to furious when he said “Don’t ever go in the Army, Tre. Black man ain’t got no place in the Army.” And now I see why. These regulations are not for anyone who isn’t white or female.

The cornrows on my head look more like a slick back haircut and are closely tied to a length of about half an inch to an inch from my scalp. I’m sure I’m more in regulation than almost everyone else in my unit who isn’t bald and I’m tempted to just walk in with cornrows. What’s the worst they can do if I do; it’s only the national guard, not even the real military.

I didn’t even know this sub existed.

I know you guys will probably tell me no but my brother wants me to join the military.

I’m (28F) currently working a decent job at a top Hotel Chain and currently living alone paying my own rent, bills and still have a little money left over. I had to ask to borrow money from him a few time and he went off on a tangent saying I need to join the army and it could improve my quality of life.

In Dec of 2020 during Covid I did go see a psychiatrist because I wanted to try a medication like Zanex to calm me down. Well turns out the doctor actually diagnosed me with Clinical depression, General anxiety disorder and PTSD. I tried to joint the airforce in 2022 and after listening to my brother who told me not to put this medical history down was DQ because they did a search on my medical history. During the evaluation the doctor told me there was a significant discrepancy with what I put and what was found. Along with a few other things like acid reflux and a Pap smear from 2019.

Now here I am again in 2024 with a recruiter. my brother has been in for 10 years with no medical history like mine and he won’t believe me when I say I am depressed. I stopped taking antidepressants back in 2021 with any doctor orders just weened off them. My brother has told me “you are living paycheck to paycheck, you don’t have anything going for you and you’re broke”. I go to meps to test tomorrow but feel this is all pointless given the history and I don’t feel I would pass even after a revaluation.

Am I wasting my time? Should I not even join if I’m having second thoughts and my medical history? What the fuck am I doing? My worst fear is me being so depressed while in. My brother is trying to convince me there is nothing wrong with me and all I need is a waiver. But even with a waiver the doctor can still say no. I believe this would improve my quality of life but don’t know if I can handle being in with my history of depression. If I could have it my way I would start my candle business and maybe go to s trade school? I just wanted some second opinions..

TL:DR Joined the military to start a good future for my wife and I, started having bad anxiety, don’t want to quit want to overcome it to save our future and my marriage.

Hello everyone. This is a tough situation but I need some advice on what to do or maybe useful tips. Recently I joined the military (Air Force) in hopes of creating a good future for my wife and I. I joined the Airforce because I thought that would be the best choice to basically do a job in the military without having to commit to a combat role, whilst giving my wife incredible benefits like some of my friends have. I left for basic/BMT and have been an anxious wreck ever since. My anxiety was initially based on my ability to complete tasks in BMT quickly. I was scared I would be recycled(meant to go back and repeat 2 weeks of training), because I wasn’t smart enough or there was something wrong with me. About half way through BMT one of the instructors pulled us into a classroom and told us some stuff that made my stomach absolutely flip and caused my anxiety to become even worse. He told us that even if we picked a desk job (me) we could be subject to being in the line of fire whether it be active combat or indirect fire ie mortars and rockets. This was something that I did not know. I genuinely thought that if you didn’t get a combat job you didn’t see combat simple logic to me. Since that day I’ve been obsessing with that fear, I think about it constantly. I’m crushing my wife and family talking about it constantly. I’m always researching whether or not those things are true. I’m currently in technical training and I have thought about giving up a lot but I don’t want to come back home empty handed and lose the future the military could’ve given us. So I need help how do I overcome my fear of War, combat, and developing PTSD perform well in the military and be happy again? Thanks to anyone who can help.

Today I officially started phase 1 for being chaptered (due to ABCP failure) I’ve got all my appointments scheduled, and I turn in all my CIF gear on Monday (army, active). Does anybody know, how long each phase takes? Like once I complete phase 1, how long till phase2? And then after phase 2, how long before I’m actually out the door? Does anyone have a general timeline? I got my BAR counseling today and also my counseling that states my abcp flag is being removed and an involuntary separation flag has been added

Update: my chapter is Chapter 13

I need advice on the best way to get a separation from NG as I am getting stressed out and having difficulty coping with RSP once a month after that I get severe body pains and have persistent back pain due to my desk job. I always feel depressed and have taken a few sessions with a behavior health practitioner and have nightmares as my Basic shipping date is coming closer in 2 months. Please help me to determine the best way to get out of NG

Hello. I’m currently in the Navy and I’m getting Adseped for depression/adjustment disorder. I finished all my appointments a little over a month after getting notified of separation. All the people in my duty section say waiting for the CO and the admiral of NETC to sign off on your packet and getting orders to get out takes months. The last group of CnD people were stuck here for over a year because the legal department lost their paperwork. That batch was given honorable discharges as “retribution” I guess, which is messed up because no amount of benefits can make up for lost time. I’m really not inclined to stay here for 6+ months waiting for two damn signatures because my father was recently diagnosed with MS and I need to be at home to help my mom take care of the family since I’m an only child. I’ve been in contact with senators and congressmen from my state with a shred of hope they can help although that isn’t a sure thing. Is there any way to expedite this process? I’m really fighting hard for this and if there is anything anyone here knows to help speed this up I’d greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

How did it get to the point where damn near every American thinks service members are somehow protecting the country… like, it’s such a bizarre abstraction… and it’s likely that in some cases the opposite is true. We went from the 60s where veterans were seen as aggressors and baby killers (most were not) to today where they are all “defending” the US somehow. Although I will concede that the US troop presence in various foreign countries is good for security. Sorry dumb ramble

Refer back to my previous posts for more context. I got my 2nd hearing for my article 15 for failed drug test max punishment blah blah, now they’re saying they’re not gonna kick me out though.

Idk what else to do, they haven’t said shit about my allegedly pending chapter 5-14 (mental health) and now I’m trapped here in even more bullshit.

Who’s gone awol on this sub and what discharge did u get? I can’t take this anymore

Disclaimer: These are entirely my opinions/experiences, and shouldn’t be taken as gospel. We’re all adults and are responsible for weighing the pros and cons of our situations before deciding anything (especially if you have a family!) The benefits of an HD are nothing to scoff at, and I’m not shaming anyone here who wants to/feels they can finish their contract. I’m Navy, so a lot of this is specific to my branch. I’m not trying to fear monger, but I just want this information to be available to people, amidst all the pro-Navy propaganda.

That being said, I feel a strong sense of urgency with the current recruitment and retention crisis. I’d like to be smug about the Navy struggling, but it’s more so scary for those of us still trying to escape.

On the main Navy sub, there’s an article about pilots now being FORCED to Obliserv beyond their EAOS date in order to finish sea tours. Typically, an Obliserv to fulfill a tour is asked of you, but you could turn it down if you’re okay with gambling shitty orders until you get out. Now because pilots are seen as critical, they don’t even have the choice to say no. Their EAOS will be involuntarily matched to when their tour ends. And the Navy can also randomly decide they want to EXTEND sea tour length for pilots (or anyone).

Another thing from this month is early talks of Big Navy revamping their LIMDU program, to try and make non-deployability not inherently grounds for separation (as in milking whatever desk job they can out of you). This is only a concept as of now, but it should still be on people’s radar.

Lastly, while anecdotal, a Chief at my command said he knew of several Chief’s whose 20 year retirements were just DENIED. They can technically get out, but without pension benefits if they don’t do another tour.

I think you can see the picture being painted here. Look at how low the Navy’s standards are already, failed PRT’s no longer barring re-enlistment, retaining HIV+ people (I’m not trying to stigmatize anyone here), ASVAB waivers, and automatic waivers for recruits coming into RTC and popping hot for weed. The Navy is HURTING and desperate.

Sorry for being long winded here. Without getting into too many details, I work Intel, and most people in my shop are getting concerned with the China situation over the last few months. NOT ringing alarm bells and saying shit’s gonna pop off next week, but if you currently have over 2 years left on your contract, you’re probably taking a gamble. Before Congress resorts to a draft in a time of war, they’d simply stop loss whoever’s already in. Making it damn near impossible to get out. You’d have to lose a limb or just straight up become a deserter. Use whatever separation avenues are left while you still can, if that’s your goal.

Welp, that’s my spiel, you can take it with a grain of salt or not. I understand it may make some anxious, but please don’t do something drastic in an emotional state. And anyone is free to correct me if I’m wrong about anything here. Thanks

TL; DR: The longer you wait, the harder the Navy is going to make it to separate. They’re onto us

My SGT/ escort keeps saying he doesn’t think they’ll separate me. Idk if he’s fucking with me or not. I finished all the clearing procedures, turned in all gear, and phase 1&2 physicals all that stuff. Took a month ish finished two days ago.

I also had a separation pending for medical chapter per my 1st SGT a month ago too. I haven’t heard anything else about that though.

I also haven’t heard the final choice, my 2nd reading hasn’t been done yet cuz the army takes forever to do anything. I’m just in the dark and anxious that I won’t be separated either way.

It’s making me desperate for anything else I can think of tbh. I want to go home.

I am in the national guard I get out march of next year but recently I’ve joined college had trouble with math and I’m getting assessed for a learning disability will this affect me at all? Also how to deal with a toxic unit when you’re about to get out soon

I’ve been a responsible gun owner since before the military. I got out in 2022 after talking to behavioral health about some mental health issues I was having, I told them I had them since before I joined, I did this intentionally to get separated. My DD-214 says “Fradulent Enlistment, Failure to meet medical requirements”. Would this prevent me from legally buying another gun?

Edit: The discharge is a General Under Honorable

Hey, I'm 19 and in my sophomore year of college. I rushed into school after high school without knowing what I really wanted, and now I’m considering dropping out to join the Navy.

I’m drawn to the structure, new experiences, and the chance to travel. Plus, I’d be able to go back to college for free later with the GI Bill, which would help financially. I know the Navy is a big commitment, and I’m ready to work hard, but I’m wondering if it’s worth it long-term.

Has anyone else done this? Did joining help you figure out what you wanted in life? Any advice would be appreciated!

I honestly thought I was joining a professional organization, not a high school popularity contest. I expected a place where promotions were based on your skills and ability to lead, but instead, it often feels like it's about who you know and if you party with your leaders.

I’m not the most popular guy, but I know I’m damn good at my job and I genuinely care about my soldiers. When they messed up, I took the time to sit down and talk it out with them instead of immediately throwing them into smoke sessions. I only had to smoke one soldier after giving him three chances and having some serious conversations.

When I broke my arm and had to have surgery, I was on light duty for a few months because, well, I literally couldn't move my arm or hand properly. Unfortunately, I was accused of malingering despite my obvious injury. Even with a broken arm, I would beg to help out on the ranges, and managed to do so a few times until my PSG told me to focus on recovery. Then that PSG PCS'd, and I was left with someone who didn’t know me at all—only that I had been out of the game for a few months.

It’s frustrating to see how much some people care more about the social aspects than actual leadership and soldiering skills. Just wish the Army upheld a higher standard of professionalism.

I'm drinking as I'm typing this just kinda reminiscing on what could have been. I just really wish it wasn't like highschool and more like a world power's military. I probably would have stayed in but by the end, I had no more drive or even potential. Too many people didn't like me for the malingering accusations and too many people just kept making shit up about me.

I signed a contract for the national guard and before I got there someone called my new unit and told them I'm a shitbag and refused to work. I just can't do this shit anymore. I'm tired as hell. I didn't even know the guy but I guess he, at least thought he knew me.

Hello, I think i just want to rant. I wish i could get out of my contract and go home. I have 3 years left on my contract and i hate it. I realize I may be resilient but this isnt for me. I have so much anxiety, so much dread everytime. I was screwed over in bootcamp, and my IT job was taken away and my original bonus was removed and they said they couldn’t give it back. Fine i chose a new job, hoping i could possibly try to switch my rate later. Well i realize now that i hate it. Im a huge family person and i feel so isolated. Im 21 now and i just am a huge introvert and dont like going out. I am so nervous infront of everyone and its just hard. My family always said im too kind hearted and naive. And i really do think its not for me. I have alot of anxiety and struggle alot and in this i just dont know what to do. Im stuck in another country for atleast 18 months. I just feel homesick often, I dont know why i left. I wanted IT or something to do with being in the air, the only options in bootcamp were not the best. I know my grammar is shit, I usually dont write well when ranting sorry. I mean recently for my prt they miscounted my laps and i got yelled at by a bunch of chiefs. And instead of the passing score i did, i got an outrageously bad prt score. I have meet amazing people here dont get me wrong. But ive also met some pretty shitty ones too. I hate it here, I regret signing that contract everyday. The amount of issues that happens paperwork wise is shitty too. I just want to go home, I have a husband and he wants to join the reserves or maybe active duty. He mentioned he doesnt really want to do it but its better for our future. I have tried to convince him against doing it, just hopefully he does California highway patrol only. But he mentions hes not gonna let himself be screwed over like me. I dont wanna have to deal with the paperwork either with their track record of fucking up. I hope he doesnt do it honestly, Ive been screwed over so many times this past year. Dealing with assholes, Always being anxious, its bad i cant talk properly and so much for me to remember. I hope that i can get through these last 3 years quickly. I look at photos from before and i just wish i never left. My mental health is shitty from feeling isolated. I miss my family, My sister who is in the military as well just the marines instead of the navy. She has even mentioned ive been screwed over alot, and she isnt surprised i hate being in the military now. I guess i can admit that i made a huge mistake, i signed away my life for atleast 4 years active duty. I want to forget about the military. I hate anything to do with it. I have so much resentment and anger towards it. I just wish i could deal with it better. I wish i could just pretend to enjoy it. 3 years is so far and with my husband wanting to join too i just hate the idea of him joining too. Im constantly crying and angry, I try being consistent in my workout but its hard with no motivation. My husband tells me its only 18 months and then i can get new orders to the states. And back to california. Im hoping i can, My sister said i should try going to japan to travel but i hate traveling honestly. I prefer staying home, the only thing keeping me going rn is the fact that i get bah and separation pay. Atleast ill be able to afford a house when i get out. But its driving me crazy being here dealing with so much shit. So far from home and just wanting to return. This life isnt for me, Im a family person and now i feel so alone and isolated. I miss my friends, my family, everyone and i just want to go back. The time zone sucks cause its a 10 hour difference and they are either sleeping or barely waking up. Or im going into work and i cant talk to them. It sucks, and i feel tempted to try out the vapes or alcohol. But my family has had issues with addiction so i cant do that. I wish there was a way for me to just end my contract here and go home. It honestly sucks, thank you anyone who made it this far. Im emotional and tired of dealing with bullshit and only a year in. I hope to just get through it.

I want to go home. They said at my initial flag reading I have two pending (mental health & drug test failure). Atp I’m ready to take the failed drug test chapter so I can gtfo. I’m already done with everything besides two more SFL tap classes and phase 2 physical. How much longer would I have to go?

The common response to people hating the military, or wanting to get out early is “YoU sIgNeD a CoNtRaCt!!1!”

Military contracts are unethical, and nobody can change my mind. Whenever I express this viewpoint, there’s no adequate rebuttal, I’m often just told to grow up or deal with it.

Military recruiting preys upon people in desperate situations, and relies upon hoping that they don’t do all their research. Even if you hear the pros and cons and carefully contemplate your decision, you never know how a situation will affect you until you’re in it.

Nobody has a crystal ball to predict what major events could impact their life over the next 4+ years, (having kids, sick family members, financial hardship, meeting the love of your life that a PCS tears you away from, etc.)

It’s normal for there to be consequences of quitting a job, and contracts aren’t inherently unethical, but when it’s “YOU WILL GO TO PRISON”, yeah that’s coercion, not consent.

Saying that people aren’t allowed to quit the military almost reminds me of that controversy with Steven Crowder saying his ex wife should not have been “allowed” to divorce him, because she signed a marriage license. Not trying to make this political, idrc about politics, but it’s an example.

The cherry on top of all this is the fact that most people enlist into the military between the ages of 18-20, before the frontal lobe is fully developed. It’s all fucked.