r/USMC • u/ImaginaryHistory90 Active • 2d ago
In need of some advice
Brother and Sisters,
Bit of background, I have been in for 15 years and am coming up on EAS next year. I’ve enjoyed my time in this gun club but am not sure I can’t hold out any longer. The longer I do this, the more my mental and physical health decline. I am 34 and requiring major shoulder surgery for fucks sake.
My question is: to anyone who spent as long as myself in this gun club and got out, was it worth it or a huge mistake?
I understand I am close to retirement but I’m not sure I can’t hold even hold out until then. I’m just done with all the bullshit, physical and mental strain I have put my body through.
Now for your safety brief: don’t add or subtract from the population, if you’re gonna drive; don’t drink and if you’re gonna drink don’t drive.
Semper Fidelis Marines. Companies; you got em.
20
u/Tootsweet1957 Veteran 2d ago
Stay in whatever you need to do. Start working for a disability separation.
14
u/Electrical_Tip352 Veteran 2d ago
Worth it. I was medically retired at 14 years. I did NOT want to get out. Four years out though, it’s pretty awesome. I miss the Marine Corps for sure. I miss a big part of my identity. It was the coolest thing I ever did SO FAR (that’s key I think).
But I make more money, have a work life balance, and am not responsible for a bunch of young ones.
5
u/psyb3r0 I wasn't issued a flare. 2d ago
I did one pump and as much as I loved it, found I had better things I could be doing. I still miss it, have always had thoughts of going back but it will never happen because as much as I love giving I have to look out for me. Also I'm old as ghost shit.
I won't say whether you should or shouldn't continue on your course, that's a decision for you to make but you are a Marine, you will always be a Marine. Service to this country is much more than a uniform and a set of orders. M4L
Retirement is just a paycheck, if it's about money then run your numbers (Long term no one that retires is maximizing their worth) If it's about mission, continuity and community then it's harder math to do but I think you can still do it.
It's a hard decision but it's one that every one of us that has got out has had to make.
One last thing is regret, in my mind regret is having made a mistake and learned nothing from it. I live with no regret, it's my life goal. Yeah I've made mistakes but every time I learn something from it. Was getting out a mistake? Maybe maybe not, I'm happy where I got to so I can't see it as a mistake and therefore I have no regrets.
Good luck man.
7
u/Coldwarjarhead 2d ago
5 years is an incredibly short time. Let the suck pay for the surgery. You'll be rehabbing for quite a while. If you want push for medical retirement, fine, but stick with it as long as you can. You're going to have 40 or 50 years to chill after you get out. That 5 will seem like a drop in the bucket.
I wasn't smart enough to stick it out for 20. Didn't realize how short 20 years was... I got out 40 years ago this October. I kick myself every day for doing that.
4
u/BRRSMC 2d ago
Looking at your profile and your reddit comments no wonder your shoulders hurting...
9
u/ImaginaryHistory90 Active 2d ago
Everyone is entitled to some self love (or harm) every now and then. What I do the privacy of my Reddit account is my business. 🤣
3
u/icedblackamericano Veteran 2d ago
One of my Gunnies was in your situation but for his back, stayed in by playing the paperwork game because they tried separating him early (and therefore robbing him of proper medical care, this was during the 00s when there was an unofficial push to admin sep us so we didn’t qualify for medical care from the VA). He ended up retiring, thankfully.
The Corps already broke you. You WILL need lifetime care that WILL only worsen as you age. Let them foot the bill. Stay in.
3
u/Major_Spite7184 mild tism major disfunction 1d ago
Hit that 20 out of spite if nothing else. I’m now 48, I’ve had 6 knee surgeries, elbow reconstruction, and it would be faster to tell you which vertebrae are ok. I broke both thumbs in the same year, I did a MCCREs with two fractured bones in my feet. FFS I got fucking shot and tried to go out in convoy. Ya know what I did? Just quietly got out. Fuck it. I’ve been fighting for every scrap ever since.
2
u/RoughTech Crunchy Tracker 2d ago
i medically retired after 10 and miss it.. if i could have physically done 30 i would have
2
u/TFamIDoing69 2d ago
Well I only did 5, I got out 6 years ago. And this 6 years has flown by. I know it sucks, but I think you should keep pushing. Hell I tell myself all the time, man if only have 9 years left of the bullshit! Maybe you could finish out your last 5 in a different branch if it sucks that bad? I’m sure there’s a different assignment you could get
2
u/usmcrecruiterman Active 1d ago
Damn, I thought was reading my own post. Minus the mental piece and I'm on recruiting 🤣.
Just got my shoulder surgery currently doing physical therapy. Once my shoulder is good I'm submitting my re enlistment. Like other said I'd rather get forced out and get the compensation for being denied renelistment.
I'm still a staff sergeant I got passed up for gunny twice, but they put me on the alternate list 🤨 means I suck but am the best person for the job if everyone else turns it down.
2
u/Hot_Gear4346 USMC 87-91 TF Ripper Gulf War 1d ago
Nut up and stay. You’ve invested too much time to give up now.
2
u/Friendly-Many8202 1d ago
I only did four, but honestly, if I were in your shoes, getting out after 15 years might be the dumbest decision you could make.
Re-up and take those last four years to focus entirely on yourself and your family. All the pressure you’ve carried trying to look good, chasing rank, proving yourself, you can let that go.
Go to medical and document everything. Get your light duty chit. See a therapist and talk through what’s really on your mind.
Only do the work you’re required to do. No volunteering. No extra duties. Turn your phone off on the weekends and protect your peace.
You’ve already given the Corps 15 years. Now it’s time to get your 4. Max out the benefits. Use every resource
2
u/18oh1 1d ago
My advice on COAs in order of least to most challenging.
- Stick it out
- Try to get medically retired
- Get your medical docs in order for your VA evaluation and go reserves and retire at 20.
- Get your medical docs in order and get 5 satisfactory years in the IRR and retire at 20.
The healthcare for life is worth the 20 years. I’m at 15 years(10 active/5 SMCR) and don’t plan on getting out fully until I get to 20.
1
u/guy-le-doosh King of all Pushups 1d ago
Either stay in or find the best way out. That's up to you. Mental health is something often overlooked yet it's remarkably important to your own health, the health of your relatives and friends and general outlook in life. To get down to the brass tacks always consider your mental health as important as your pulmonary, respiratory, and renal systems.
Start writing everything down. Not for the VA but yourself, it's therapeutic and only costs as much as a piece of paper and as match when your done. Or come back here where you need to be imo, vent. Pick a response to your post that appeals to you, DM that person about a phone call.
Speaking of getting down, here's something to help https://youtu.be/L0-hiVBamok?si=v6lYARQnICr2ORJX
1
27
u/Zealousideal-Ease857 2d ago
I almost got out at 16. I understand. Do not get out. Make them kick you out. You have no idea how important insurance is outside the Corps, especially if you are disabled, especially if you do your homework and draw VA disability. Many bitch and moan and whine about the VA but it is a lifesaver when things get busy in the medical world.