What advice would you give your son that is at his six year mark in the military and he is trying to decide?

wether to re enlist or get out and find a career outside the military? what are the pros and cons esp in this economy, of staying in and getting out. I should mention he has a considerable savings built up and has managed to get an associate degree in criminology.What advice would you give your son that is at his six year mark in the military and he is trying to decide?
Pros: Steady paycheck, benefits, food, clothing, shelter %26amp; retirement pension (after 20 years).





Cons: It's the military (deployments, change of duty station, war - death).








Now with the economy the way it is, I'm not sure your son would find it easy to transition into a real career unless your son specialized in a skill that is high value in the civilian world. Even public servant positions (firemen, police) are hard to come by these days as States / County Governments are hard pressed to meet their budget (and there is a lot of competition).





As such I would either a) opt to re-enlist and possibly make a career of the military or b) be a full time student (if the option is available). The economy will eventually turn around, so if he could get a Bachelors (or masters) than he would put himself in a better position. If he got the GI Bill, I think it pays out $1,321 a month to full time students and if he had a part time job + other federal loans he could pull it off (just go to a State sponsored school and make sure you go in-state to avoid paying huge tuition costs).





Note: You don't need to be retired to receive Veterans preference for Federal Jobs, you just need to have served and got out with an honorable discharge. Getting a Federal Job might also be an option for your son but the Federal Government is VERY slow in hiring and many positions that pay well still require a Bachelors Degree.What advice would you give your son that is at his six year mark in the military and he is trying to decide?
I take it he had a six-year enlistment and it's almost over, right? I retired from the Air Force in 2006 and am now working as a civilian for the Air Force. I get asked this question at work a lot.





With 5M people drawing unemployment in this country, I think I would stay in if I liked the job I was doing. There's a draw-down in the sand if Obama is true to his campaign promises, so the threat of not being at war six months out of the year could be on the horizon. If he's not already in the Paralegal career field, he should probably look at cross-training.





Of course, the college benefits cannot be ignored, either. His tuition is 100% paid, right? If he can knock out that BS degree, he'll be better off on the outside if he does decide to get out after a second enlistment.





If he does get out, make sure he tests the waters. Paralegal is one of the biggest civilian career fields that is still hiring. If he doesn't get a job right away, be prepared to help him out temporarily if he needs it.





Best of luck! I have well-wishes for you both in this very important decision.





--RFM
Well....I'm currently in a similar situation. My fiance is in the Army (infantry) and is trying to decide what to do. Your son has several options...and here's my personal opinion on all of it, take it or leave it.


Pros of staying in: Job security, steady paycheck, can retire in 20 years (most retire before the age of 40 if they stay in)


Cons: You don't make very much money (unless you're a high ranking officer), DEPLOYMENTS (which, if he's not doing anything dangerous...might not be as bad), we're at war...no signs of it ending anytime soon, the military OWNS you and completely dictates your life such as where you live, what you do, etc. etc.


We have decided that when this enlistment is up, my fiance will be getting out to finish his college degree. He had considered doing the green to gold program and becoming an officer, and if we weren't in a war and if he was doing something other than infantry, I'd be a bigger fan of this idea....However, he has spent the last 15 months in Afghanistan (still not home yet) and many of his friends will not be coming home with him....It's not worth it. But it's been a great experience for him. Good luck on making the right decision! :)
I would strongly urge him to stay in the military. His job is the only one that seems to be secure. Even Law Enforcement agencies are putting on a hiring freeze. I know where I live the 4 surrounding cities all have freezes on hiring law enforcement People are getting laid off left and right all over the world. He is better staying in knowing he will have a paycheck and a job everyday. He needs to continue to build on that savings account because he will need it. Retired people are having to get jobs becasue their life savings are dwindling down. I think he should stay in. Good Luck and let your son know thanks for serving our country.
If he is 'undecided' then he probably likes it otherwise he would have already made a decision. With the job market the way it is right now I think he should re-up. Also, the comments made by the first two responders are good advice.
I would say stay in...not just because the economy is pretty bad right now, but if (like others have said) he stays in for 20 years, he gets some retirement. And veterans preference for lots of federal jobs.
Re enlist as theres not much out here right now and at least there he has job security with a paycheck. Thank you and him for his service committment to our country
Stay in the military until he qualifies for a pension (I think it's 20 years) and then use his expertise to secure a civilian job. If he enlisted when he was 18 he should be able to retire reasonably early on two pensions.
its only 14 more years he could retire and then work using his degree.
Most who stay in for 20 don't regret it.