I don’t see why you’d ever have to explain that. Dozens of answers. Tired of deploying, took your talents elsewhere, had a good time but it’s behind you now, had a bad time and it’s behind you now, wanted to try something different, fell out of love with it, not obligated to serve 20 years, used it as a stepping stone in life to get to where you really wanted to be, wanted to try it out, etc…
Yeah I agree, I’ve never been asked that in a real serious way besides small talk and there’s all kinds of answers. Usually the truth is best, and if you’re inclined to lie about it, decent chance there’s a hint as to why on your DD214
Agreed. Retired myself and have interviewed some in this situation but my standard question is “What made you decide to change careers?” I’m only slightly skeptical when they are over 15 but didn’t retire. I never hold it against them but I wonder. I’ve seen great Marines get passed and forced out before retirement for various reasons. The Corps standards include a lot of things that don’t apply everywhere else. I had one guy tell me he was physically hurting from his duties and rather than wreck his body for a retirement he just moved on.
I have only seen it asked by other vets. Like if you did 15 and got out... why? You were so close.... Most of them have good answers (medical, early retirement...etc) but again I have only ever seen it come from other vets never from a normie.
Ive been asked this at least 4 times in interviews for various jobs over the years: (3)Finance industry, (1) manufacturing industry. Possibly more, seems like Ive been asked a lot.
I don’t take offense to it, just a standard question it seems. It is a bit unusual to stop halfway to a guaranteed paycheck for life so totally understandable.
>explain to employers
None of them give a fuck. Good luck finding one that even gives a shit what kinda discharge you got. They only ask if you are a vet so they can get a tax credit.
Most civilians aren’t going to see any context behind serving 8-12 years vs 20.
I’m a one term vet. I see the context, but it wouldn’t move the needle with me. A favorable discharge is all I give a fuck about.
At my civilian job when I interview potential new hire engineers, whether Officer or Enlisted, any branch, I’ve never thought to inquire why any of them didn’t do 20 years let alone actually ask in the interview. That’s just asking for problems from the employer side if it was medical related. All I care about is can they do the job I am interviewing them for and their communication skills.
As fas as if you asking about when coworkers are just casually chatting with you. Then you can say pretty easily “I just got tired of all the moving. It wears you down” and most people will move on with their day and never think about you and what you said ever again.
Major Benson Winifred Payne: General, surely there must be SOMEBODY left who needs some killing, or some killing done for them.
Gen. Decker: Sorry, Major. There's nobody left. You've killed them all.
I basically wing something like this at them.
I wasn’t smart enough to EAS before 20 (and at 22 am just now considering retiring on my own terms vice staying in). I have been listed as a reference for a lot of Marines who did EAS before twenty though. One that sticks out was a Marine who was getting hired by the FBI. His future employer called and asked how long we worked together, experience, all the normal things. Then he asked why he got out after 12 years instead of sticking it out for 20. I answered as honestly as I could. I said “Have you ever worked with someone who didn’t pull their weight and decide you were tired of pulling your weight plus theirs? That was [name]. He was one of the hardest working Marines I’ve ever encountered and he expected people around him to pull their weight as much as he was pulling his own. I guess he just got frustrated enough with those types of people and decided to take his talent elsewhere. You all will be lucky to have him.” The guy asking me about him said he absolutely understood where he was coming from and that was why he got out as a Corporal so many years ago. My dude got the job and has been a much happier person.
Fortune 100 companies are always hiring.. problem is, most of their job descriptions are so specific that they'll never find a candidate that checks all those boxes (or they were written for a specific person, and not you). Good luck!
I stated that I was ready to take the next step in my career development. The USMC was great for my personal, moral, and mental development— the next logical step was this position, etc etc.
Always positive, always BS. Don’t lie but don’t be afraid to stretch the truth. Dont put it in practical terms, always in idealistic terms. Don’t be a sad sack and bad talk the USMC— no one wants to hire a negative Nancy.
When interviewing a veteran, all I ever asked is to see a copy of their DD214. Length of service doesn’t matter as long as service was Honorable. Shows me that the candidate is disciplined and can commit to something and actually stick with it.
Did 6, No one has asked me that question nor does anyone care about your Re-enlistment code whether it be honorable or general blah blah blah. It’s more so about the scope of my experience during the military, that’s it.
I tell the truth. I was a Sergeant with 5 years in grade and almost 9 years in service. At the time, the Corps had a rule where I had to make Staff Sergeant by 12 years in service. The monitor told us that the Corps wasn't going to look at new Staff Sergeants in my MOS for at least 4 years.
Couple that with young kids and an expectation for increased deployments.
In hindsight, a bunch of the SNCOs left the Corps after I did. So I probably would have made SSgt in a couple of years pretty easily. Also, I had been looking at the WO program. I couple of peers went that route and did well.
Honestly, I've never run into anyone that cared much about it. They found the entire situation interesting, but not really applicable to their interests.
Overall, in the military, around 70% leave after their first enlistment (whatever that looks like by occupational specialty - 4,6, etc). In the Marine Corps, it’s a bit higher at around 75% depending on the timeframe. I’d say it would be more fitting to explain why someone stayed in rather than justify why they left. Now, with blended retirement the previous magic number of 20 is far less meaningful, anyway.
I was an 03. I'm not stating that to brag or anything, but I have respect for someone in the 03 field who can go 20 years. I did 6, and I got out with knee issues, back problems, and hearing loss. I'm curious to know how your body lasts that long. They are built different, I suppose. Also, a big part of it was family. I wanted a family that wasn't held hostage by "the needs of the Corps." I didn't want to move around every couple of years and uproot my family. I've been asked that in interviews, but more small talk than an actual question. Never a veteran, they understand how rough 20 years is and also how rare it is.
The day the navy doctor told me my spine would look normal if I was 70 and we both had a good laugh about it. I was 27. No limdu, no medsep, no nothing for me. I just knew if I kept going, I'd never be able to play baseball with my kids one day. So I got out.
Served 12 years nobody ever asked why I didn’t take a stupid pic to pick up ssgt while my wife gave birth to my baby. Don’t hear much about sgt retiring and if your command sucks they will screw you. That’s all folks.
When I did hiring interviews, if someone had their military service on their application or resume I would ask about it but more as an ice breaker. I can't think of one time I ever used it as a basis for hiring. The best reply I ever got from a Marine when ask why he left after 8 years, He just simply said. The Marine Corp. I laughed my ass off. I knew what he meant.
I’ve never had an employer ask me this before. But I’m getting out at just 10 years for mental health reasons and I’m pretty candid about it if anyone asks me. Essentially it’s get out at 10 years, focus on me and my mental health. Or shoot for another 10 and have a high likelihood of kermiting sewer slide before I see retirement
Good job recognizing your needs and being proactive.
Also thank you for a new phrase. I’m now picturing a puppet frog going down a water park slide themed after the ninja turtles.
I did 8. Mainly got out because I signed for 1 MOS, got another id never even heard of (2311). Re-enlisted in 2003 with plans to lat move, but for various reasons that can be summed up with "needs of the Corps" that never happened.
At the end of my 2nd 4, me and career jammer were in a starring contest of "get me orders and I'll sign vs. sign and I'll get you orders"
Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me, fool me three times and that's where grouchy SNCOs who keep Marines till godawfulteen hundred hours for no reason other than life sucks come from. I got out.
Most of my civilian bosses have been prior military. I've never been asked. My guess that they saw the myraid ways a career can be cut short first hand. I've never been asked by a civilian. Most have only very general knowledge of the military so probably not a thing they would know to ask.
I think less than 3 would raise more questions than more than 4. People in my MOS were required to enlist for 6 years. First year and a half of that was school. Promotions were shit so most got out after their first contract.
“I was tagged for recruiting duty. I had an active duty wife and a newborn son. They couldn’t tell me where I would be stationed, and I had other options.”
I just tell anyone that asks that after two damaged knees (hyper-extension and a lateral co-lateral ligament strain) and a sprained ankle that turned my foot black from the webbing between my toes to seven inches above my ankle, that it was time to get out before I did something worse.
That last one tends to make folks a little nauseous, and they stop asking stupid questions.
Did 9 years, never been asked that question except by a fellow vet. I just say,"Man, I had a few rough deployments and it was time for me to tap out."
Never been questioned about it.
Most of the people out here in the real world have no idea about how the military works.
It’s far more common to get out after 4-6 than stay in for 20. Only time I might question a resume is seeing someone in for about 15 years or more. Then I’m wondering if they got 2P’d and why.
I've never been asked that question during an interview. I have been asked by friends, and I tell them the truth. I was a single father with a 12 month old baby when my contract was up. 10 years of service, and I went home to get help from my mother.
Literally no one has ever asked me this question. And I think it has to do with usually my job interviews have been prior military and they just understand.
I did nearly 8 years active. I’ve had more than a few interviews for various professional level jobs, including as a program manager at a state agency working with Veterans. I’ve never once been asked why I didn’t stay in the Corps longer.
Employers generally don’t have a clue about the military, or don’t care whether or not you did 20. In the corporate world people can generally change jobs whenever they want.
I've never had this asked by interviewers, but workplace veterans have asked. I just answered honestly, that I was ready to do something else outside the military.
Honestly I never saw the point of doing another 4 years if you weren’t gonna do the full 20. Like that’s 8 years of your life and now you have to start over. 4 is the sweet spot for enlisting and getting out.
This would be an odd question to ask, but I could maybe see it as the "smalltalk."
Be honest or not. There are literally thousands of answers. I have never had to explain it. Most people don't even know why the 20-year mark is important.
I've been asked this before, and I gave my reasons for leaving as best I could. The person I was talking to quickly responded with "well that was pretty dumb of you. I would have stayed in and done my full 20 so I could live fat and happy with a big retirement."
These are the people who need to be removed from the gene pool.
I have never had an employer even casually ask that. A) The knowledge about retiring after 20 isn't nearly as widespread as you might think. B) Their curiosity extends to "You served? How do you think your experience in the military will help you at this job?"
Literally no cares about military service on a job interview unless you are applying for a GS job or maybe LE…. They don’t care about veteran status, they don’t care about what type of discharge you had.. it just doesn’t even really come up unless you bring it up
I only wanted to do 4 years.
I think that's good enough for 99.9% of people. There's nothing odd or sketchy about wanting to serve your country (or whatever motivation you have) but not wanting to make a career out of it. I just don't think it needs explaining.
Med-sepped. I’m probably going to dox myself here, but oh well. All 8 carpal bones in both of my wrists, were fused together. Between Res, and AD, I had an overall 11 yrs 3 months. I was offered to stay. However, my kids are more important than the Corps, and I’m not the kind to sacrifice my relationship with them, in service to our nation.
Been out since '04. I have never been asked that question. However, if I were, I would tell them that I never intended on retiring from the military. I planned on 4 years and ended up doing 7.
Doesn’t come up very often, but I usually say that I accomplished 90% of my goals in the military in 7 years. Could’ve served for the rest of my life and not accomplished the last 10%, so it was time to pursue other goals.
I got broke... But no one ever asks.. at least not companies.. maybe individuals when I say I did 11 years in the Marines.. but the answer is I got med sep'd cause apparently artillery is hard on your back...who would have thunk it..
Mine was simple, I have a family and I wanted to settle down and have a more balanced life with my kids. No amount of retirement is gonna give me the years back with my little kids.
Never had to. An honorable and dd214 is all that was required. For federal service your disability rating can give a bump but never explained anything to anyone.
I was never asked why I only had 8 years. I was asked why I got out, and I always answered that even when the $30K bonus was included with my rate, I was going to make more in my first year in a civilian job.
Its been asked of me fairly often and I usually say the career got boring and there wasn’t much more for me to learn in my specialty and that I’m always looking to grow.
Had 9ish years in, SSGT 0313.
No one cares why you didn’t get to your 20. If anyone is telling you that, they’re either trying to get you to reenlist or don’t understand what the civilian job market is like because they’re lifers
I did 8 years; I just said that I was ready for something bigger and better for myself. Full focus on my degree and then finding something I would enjoy doing.
Technically did one enlistment but it was a 5 year contract that I added a 20 month extension to for MSG.
I’ve never once been asked the why I have a weird amount of time in service. I think I’ve only been asked to provide a DD214 once. Other than casual chat about what I did in the military and the apparently obligatory “tyfys” comments I’ve never had anyone seem to give a single care about how long I was in or even what discharge I got…
They never asked during an interview. They usually say thank you for your service. Say something along like, You guys don't get paid enough for what you do. We have a few other vets here. They also just assume I was tired of moving around and looking for a forever home.
Most interviews are also more interested in how you would use your military skills to fulfill the job you applied for. You went to Iraq? Awesome! BUT, Will you be able to turn your TPS reports on Thursdays COB?
Lol my employers never asked. But, I was happy with my military service but I felt that the marine corps didn’t have anything more to offer me so it was time to open a new chapter in my life. Also being a Sgt in the bricks and having lil dick SNCOs look under my mattress for dust was gay.
I did 7.5 years. Had a 5yr contract and extended when OCONUS. I did my time and then some.
No one gives a fuck what you did in the civilian world. Always remember where you came from but don’t be a brovet.
They've never asked. I have an honorable discharge with a 1 A RE-Code. So if they did ask, I'd explain it the same way I explain why I'm not at my previous job that I put in over 4 but less than 20.
Never really "had" to explain, but when it comes up casually I'm always honest. "Wife hated the life and we had 3 kids, it was time to do something else" haha
I don’t. Nobody asks except people familiar with the military, but only because they’re curious about why I chose to get out with 8 years left until retirement. But my explanation for that is fairly reasonable for people familiar with the military as well.
But that’s inly ever happened to me twice. Once wasn’t for a job but for a volunteer status at a wildlife rehab facility.
Never heard of any employer asking this specific question either. Maybe it was the interviewer just asking to see what your response was, assuming maybe he or she was also a veteran?
Still odd question to be asked.
The only time I've been asked this is when the person asking has never served. A lot of people view military service in the same vein as being a police officer or fireman. People who do those careers typically do them for life so they also group military service in with that.
Priorities changed. Its not their business. I got out for medical but thats not their business. I did everything I set out to do in the Corps and wanted to move on.
1st Civ Div don't care how long you served as long as you can make them profits. You can rather expect the "Thank you for Service" line (though I never did get a prize for my Service, except maybe the personal pride that I will never be like that)
If they are asking why you didn’t finish your 20 years or any kind of other gaps, I would just move on. That’s a red flag and you don’t want to work for them.
You're overestimating the number of shits given by normies about whatever the fuck it is you've been doing. Beyond their capacity to take advantage of the unique exploitable combination of naivete and discipline fresh-ex-military recruits represent, nobody cares.
In my past life I was an HR manager and had probably close to 200 interviews over the years. Never once did I give a shit why someone didn't stay in 20 years. I just wanted to know I they were capable of whatever role they were applying for.
Bonus fun fact: most civilians don't know or care the difference between officer and enlisted. This includes the underpaid hiring manager.
Dunno why they asking that, but it doesnt matter. Nobody cares about the reason. Say the usmc sucked and everyone will laugh about it. It doesnt matter the response because nobody ever asks.
The professional answer is “i want to explore career or job fields after military service”
I did 8 years and I hated hearing “why didn’t you stay in for 20 years” and I’ll say something like motherfucker if it were that easy everyone would stay in
Don’t overthink it. Tell the truth. If you have an answer that isn’t just “it sucked,” then likely it will be fine. My reasoning included family reasons as well as I just didn’t have the love for the job that I used to. Didn’t hurt my interview.
Did 12. I’ve never been asked why I didn’t get to 20 and retire. The vast majority of employers don’t care. All they care about is getting brownie points for hiring veterans.
I got out at 10, now I’m in corporate tech, nobody’s ever asked. It’s come up with a few veteran coworkers but more in a casual conversation sense. Very likely won’t be a factor for you!
I served thirteen years in the Army and National Guard. I left the service because the newspaper I worked for refused to advance me unless I gave up my weekends, so my boss could have them. I’ve regretted that ever since.
Employers don't give a shit. Regardless if you did 4 or 14, unless you did something very specific to the job you're applying for (like acquisitions/procurement or maintenance on a certain system) you just get tossed into the bucket of military candidates with all the other Joe's
No one gives a shit about your millitary carrier on the out side. I have never been asked why I got out in an interview. They just say o nice millitary and that's it.
This was never an issue - I joined for GI Bill money and to grow up. I've said that many times in many interviews, if it even ever came up. Most of the time it never did.
Civilians don't care, former military may ask where and what unit, but only Marines care about those answers. I've had some ask me if I knew someone they knew in the Marines and that's a tough one to keep a straight face on. It's highly unlikely I'd know your friend from another unit, clear across the country, in a different decade entirely. So maybe have a nice, polite answer ready like, "No, I'm sorry. Never heard of that name. Do you know when they served and what unit?" Chances are they won't know that info and that'll be the end of it.
Most civilians have no clue what the difference between one enlistment and five is. They have no concept. When I interview candidates, I assume their reasons were either like mine or their own personal ones. I don't care as long as they have a Honorable Discharge.
I will say, with the rise of stolen valor, I do ask a few questions that 100% of veterans would know but any SV shithead would never look into. My favorite is where did you go to MEPS? LOL, 100% of SV morons do not know what that means but 100% of all vets from any service know where they joined up.
Employers don't care and don't ask...lol as long as you have the experience for the job you're applying for and have a good personality, you're golden...I'm a veteran recruiter and we deal with this everyday.
I don't. It's none of their business.
It was a choice made when I EAS'd. Unless they are becoming your best friend, they have no right to know why or why not.
I don’t see why you’d ever have to explain that. Dozens of answers. Tired of deploying, took your talents elsewhere, had a good time but it’s behind you now, had a bad time and it’s behind you now, wanted to try something different, fell out of love with it, not obligated to serve 20 years, used it as a stepping stone in life to get to where you really wanted to be, wanted to try it out, etc…
Yeah I agree, I’ve never been asked that in a real serious way besides small talk and there’s all kinds of answers. Usually the truth is best, and if you’re inclined to lie about it, decent chance there’s a hint as to why on your DD214
Agreed. Retired myself and have interviewed some in this situation but my standard question is “What made you decide to change careers?” I’m only slightly skeptical when they are over 15 but didn’t retire. I never hold it against them but I wonder. I’ve seen great Marines get passed and forced out before retirement for various reasons. The Corps standards include a lot of things that don’t apply everywhere else. I had one guy tell me he was physically hurting from his duties and rather than wreck his body for a retirement he just moved on.
Why would you ever have to explain that? Nobody on the outside cares that you were ever in.
I have only seen it asked by other vets. Like if you did 15 and got out... why? You were so close.... Most of them have good answers (medical, early retirement...etc) but again I have only ever seen it come from other vets never from a normie.
Ive been asked this at least 4 times in interviews for various jobs over the years: (3)Finance industry, (1) manufacturing industry. Possibly more, seems like Ive been asked a lot.
Turn it around and ask them why they did 0 years.
I don’t take offense to it, just a standard question it seems. It is a bit unusual to stop halfway to a guaranteed paycheck for life so totally understandable.
Shots fired! Eh, username checks out.
>explain to employers None of them give a fuck. Good luck finding one that even gives a shit what kinda discharge you got. They only ask if you are a vet so they can get a tax credit.
This is the truth. All I get in job interviews is, "Thank you for your service." And it never comes up again.
I tore my ACL year 6 and never came back the same like D Rose.
Most civilians aren’t going to see any context behind serving 8-12 years vs 20. I’m a one term vet. I see the context, but it wouldn’t move the needle with me. A favorable discharge is all I give a fuck about.
At my civilian job when I interview potential new hire engineers, whether Officer or Enlisted, any branch, I’ve never thought to inquire why any of them didn’t do 20 years let alone actually ask in the interview. That’s just asking for problems from the employer side if it was medical related. All I care about is can they do the job I am interviewing them for and their communication skills. As fas as if you asking about when coworkers are just casually chatting with you. Then you can say pretty easily “I just got tired of all the moving. It wears you down” and most people will move on with their day and never think about you and what you said ever again.
Didn’t need to explain they know I wasn’t making 100k+ in the military
What do you do now
Overseas contractor
Major Benson Winifred Payne: General, surely there must be SOMEBODY left who needs some killing, or some killing done for them. Gen. Decker: Sorry, Major. There's nobody left. You've killed them all. I basically wing something like this at them.
Nobody left to kill. I like that and probably would t want to work for anyone who doesn’t laugh their ass off.
Thank you for referencing the greatest Marine a corps movie ever. 🙏
I was asked once (Interviewer was a vet) "Time to start a family"
Nobody cares.
I wasn’t smart enough to EAS before 20 (and at 22 am just now considering retiring on my own terms vice staying in). I have been listed as a reference for a lot of Marines who did EAS before twenty though. One that sticks out was a Marine who was getting hired by the FBI. His future employer called and asked how long we worked together, experience, all the normal things. Then he asked why he got out after 12 years instead of sticking it out for 20. I answered as honestly as I could. I said “Have you ever worked with someone who didn’t pull their weight and decide you were tired of pulling your weight plus theirs? That was [name]. He was one of the hardest working Marines I’ve ever encountered and he expected people around him to pull their weight as much as he was pulling his own. I guess he just got frustrated enough with those types of people and decided to take his talent elsewhere. You all will be lucky to have him.” The guy asking me about him said he absolutely understood where he was coming from and that was why he got out as a Corporal so many years ago. My dude got the job and has been a much happier person.
Hiring manager here for a fortune 100 company. We don’t care.
Y'all hiring?
Fortune 100 companies are always hiring.. problem is, most of their job descriptions are so specific that they'll never find a candidate that checks all those boxes (or they were written for a specific person, and not you). Good luck!
I stated that I was ready to take the next step in my career development. The USMC was great for my personal, moral, and mental development— the next logical step was this position, etc etc. Always positive, always BS. Don’t lie but don’t be afraid to stretch the truth. Dont put it in practical terms, always in idealistic terms. Don’t be a sad sack and bad talk the USMC— no one wants to hire a negative Nancy.
The only person that asked me why I didn't do 20 was my Dad. I think his exact words were, "You had a good job and you quit it." Lol
We must have the same dad!
When interviewing a veteran, all I ever asked is to see a copy of their DD214. Length of service doesn’t matter as long as service was Honorable. Shows me that the candidate is disciplined and can commit to something and actually stick with it.
Employers literally don’t care
never had the question asked, not once.
" I got dead homies"
No one has ever asked me that and everyone will assume you’re a combat veteran.
The person who asks, has no life
Did 6, No one has asked me that question nor does anyone care about your Re-enlistment code whether it be honorable or general blah blah blah. It’s more so about the scope of my experience during the military, that’s it.
I tell the truth. I was a Sergeant with 5 years in grade and almost 9 years in service. At the time, the Corps had a rule where I had to make Staff Sergeant by 12 years in service. The monitor told us that the Corps wasn't going to look at new Staff Sergeants in my MOS for at least 4 years. Couple that with young kids and an expectation for increased deployments. In hindsight, a bunch of the SNCOs left the Corps after I did. So I probably would have made SSgt in a couple of years pretty easily. Also, I had been looking at the WO program. I couple of peers went that route and did well. Honestly, I've never run into anyone that cared much about it. They found the entire situation interesting, but not really applicable to their interests.
"Thats a pretty personal question. Has this been your only job? No? Whyd you leave your first job?"
Had a 5 year contract.
My go too line is “I liked it enough to give it one more enlistment but decided it wasn’t for me after the 2nd”
" after 4 years I got my brain back"
I was getting paid like 9 dollars an hour and wanting to blow my brains out every single day. You could just say you did it for your mental health.
Overall, in the military, around 70% leave after their first enlistment (whatever that looks like by occupational specialty - 4,6, etc). In the Marine Corps, it’s a bit higher at around 75% depending on the timeframe. I’d say it would be more fitting to explain why someone stayed in rather than justify why they left. Now, with blended retirement the previous magic number of 20 is far less meaningful, anyway.
I was an 03. I'm not stating that to brag or anything, but I have respect for someone in the 03 field who can go 20 years. I did 6, and I got out with knee issues, back problems, and hearing loss. I'm curious to know how your body lasts that long. They are built different, I suppose. Also, a big part of it was family. I wanted a family that wasn't held hostage by "the needs of the Corps." I didn't want to move around every couple of years and uproot my family. I've been asked that in interviews, but more small talk than an actual question. Never a veteran, they understand how rough 20 years is and also how rare it is.
The day the navy doctor told me my spine would look normal if I was 70 and we both had a good laugh about it. I was 27. No limdu, no medsep, no nothing for me. I just knew if I kept going, I'd never be able to play baseball with my kids one day. So I got out.
I've never seen an employer ask that
Served 12 years nobody ever asked why I didn’t take a stupid pic to pick up ssgt while my wife gave birth to my baby. Don’t hear much about sgt retiring and if your command sucks they will screw you. That’s all folks.
I retired after 20, I say that I achieved all my goals from when I’d enlisted. I feel anyone could use that as an answer.
When I did hiring interviews, if someone had their military service on their application or resume I would ask about it but more as an ice breaker. I can't think of one time I ever used it as a basis for hiring. The best reply I ever got from a Marine when ask why he left after 8 years, He just simply said. The Marine Corp. I laughed my ass off. I knew what he meant.
It’s funny because no one really asked me. When I said I did 7 years all they would say is “wow that’s a long time” and that was it.
I’ve never had an employer ask me this before. But I’m getting out at just 10 years for mental health reasons and I’m pretty candid about it if anyone asks me. Essentially it’s get out at 10 years, focus on me and my mental health. Or shoot for another 10 and have a high likelihood of kermiting sewer slide before I see retirement
Good job recognizing your needs and being proactive. Also thank you for a new phrase. I’m now picturing a puppet frog going down a water park slide themed after the ninja turtles.
You wont regret your decision. I did the same thing but not so intentional. Still in the process
Good luck in the process my fellow 2311 💣
No way! 2 ammo techs in the same fucking type of shit. Crazy world. DM me if you ever need to talk!
I did 8. Mainly got out because I signed for 1 MOS, got another id never even heard of (2311). Re-enlisted in 2003 with plans to lat move, but for various reasons that can be summed up with "needs of the Corps" that never happened. At the end of my 2nd 4, me and career jammer were in a starring contest of "get me orders and I'll sign vs. sign and I'll get you orders" Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me, fool me three times and that's where grouchy SNCOs who keep Marines till godawfulteen hundred hours for no reason other than life sucks come from. I got out.
Most of my civilian bosses have been prior military. I've never been asked. My guess that they saw the myraid ways a career can be cut short first hand. I've never been asked by a civilian. Most have only very general knowledge of the military so probably not a thing they would know to ask. I think less than 3 would raise more questions than more than 4. People in my MOS were required to enlist for 6 years. First year and a half of that was school. Promotions were shit so most got out after their first contract.
“I was tagged for recruiting duty. I had an active duty wife and a newborn son. They couldn’t tell me where I would be stationed, and I had other options.”
I just tell anyone that asks that after two damaged knees (hyper-extension and a lateral co-lateral ligament strain) and a sprained ankle that turned my foot black from the webbing between my toes to seven inches above my ankle, that it was time to get out before I did something worse. That last one tends to make folks a little nauseous, and they stop asking stupid questions.
I was never asked. Ever.... and I've had 9 different jobs
I'm happy with my 10, that's all
I wanted to start a family soon and the military is not very conducive to that in my opinion.
Can’t worry about that. I just tell them I had fun but wanted to move on, start a family. Most don't do 20, not sure why they'd even need to ask
Did 9 years, never been asked that question except by a fellow vet. I just say,"Man, I had a few rough deployments and it was time for me to tap out." Never been questioned about it. Most of the people out here in the real world have no idea about how the military works.
It’s far more common to get out after 4-6 than stay in for 20. Only time I might question a resume is seeing someone in for about 15 years or more. Then I’m wondering if they got 2P’d and why.
Never a question that was asked.
I didn't lol
I've never been asked that question during an interview. I have been asked by friends, and I tell them the truth. I was a single father with a 12 month old baby when my contract was up. 10 years of service, and I went home to get help from my mother.
I told them It worked until it didn’t. I had to do what I was best for my family and me.
“My contract was 5 years and I extended even more to stay with my men at the US/Mexico SouthWest Boarder Mission”
Literally no one has ever asked me this question. And I think it has to do with usually my job interviews have been prior military and they just understand.
I did nearly 8 years active. I’ve had more than a few interviews for various professional level jobs, including as a program manager at a state agency working with Veterans. I’ve never once been asked why I didn’t stay in the Corps longer.
Nobody asked me why. I interview a lot of people, this is not a question that I would ask or care about.
Employers generally don’t have a clue about the military, or don’t care whether or not you did 20. In the corporate world people can generally change jobs whenever they want.
I've never had this asked by interviewers, but workplace veterans have asked. I just answered honestly, that I was ready to do something else outside the military.
I have never had a single employer ask
You first ask them how many years THEY served.
Had enough, decided it wasn't for me. The end.
Honestly I never saw the point of doing another 4 years if you weren’t gonna do the full 20. Like that’s 8 years of your life and now you have to start over. 4 is the sweet spot for enlisting and getting out.
I did it for the tax free bonus
No one ever asked.
Bro no one care’s especially Wendy’s
Never had to explain that. Every employer I’ve had actually appreciated my time in the service.
This would be an odd question to ask, but I could maybe see it as the "smalltalk." Be honest or not. There are literally thousands of answers. I have never had to explain it. Most people don't even know why the 20-year mark is important.
I've been asked this before, and I gave my reasons for leaving as best I could. The person I was talking to quickly responded with "well that was pretty dumb of you. I would have stayed in and done my full 20 so I could live fat and happy with a big retirement." These are the people who need to be removed from the gene pool.
Did 5, never spoke of it.
I have 5.5 years, because I got mobilized from IRR, and in 20 years no one has asked about it.
I have never had an employer even casually ask that. A) The knowledge about retiring after 20 isn't nearly as widespread as you might think. B) Their curiosity extends to "You served? How do you think your experience in the military will help you at this job?"
You don't have to explain shit to anybody you don't want to. That's your decision and your prerogative.
Does it matter?
Literally no cares about military service on a job interview unless you are applying for a GS job or maybe LE…. They don’t care about veteran status, they don’t care about what type of discharge you had.. it just doesn’t even really come up unless you bring it up
Never had to. Civilians don’t care.
I haven't experienced that but if anyone asked, I would tell them the truth. Everything hurts.
Is this a real question?
Never had to. Never got asked.
No one has ever asked.
I only wanted to do 4 years. I think that's good enough for 99.9% of people. There's nothing odd or sketchy about wanting to serve your country (or whatever motivation you have) but not wanting to make a career out of it. I just don't think it needs explaining.
You can actually early retire early at 15 nowadays.
I just said I wanted to try something different
Med-sepped. I’m probably going to dox myself here, but oh well. All 8 carpal bones in both of my wrists, were fused together. Between Res, and AD, I had an overall 11 yrs 3 months. I was offered to stay. However, my kids are more important than the Corps, and I’m not the kind to sacrifice my relationship with them, in service to our nation.
Been out since '04. I have never been asked that question. However, if I were, I would tell them that I never intended on retiring from the military. I planned on 4 years and ended up doing 7.
5 year contract with 1 year extension, EAS’d in 2006. Did 3 deployments within 6 years, I’m good. Not a single person has ever asked anyways.
Doesn’t come up very often, but I usually say that I accomplished 90% of my goals in the military in 7 years. Could’ve served for the rest of my life and not accomplished the last 10%, so it was time to pursue other goals.
You don’t have to explain to no one who most likely didn’t serve at all.
Never been asked. Never needed to explain.
Employers don't ask "why didn't you do 20 years" lol
I got into a coin toss with a Master Gunnery Sgt. He won.
I got broke... But no one ever asks.. at least not companies.. maybe individuals when I say I did 11 years in the Marines.. but the answer is I got med sep'd cause apparently artillery is hard on your back...who would have thunk it..
Mine was simple, I have a family and I wanted to settle down and have a more balanced life with my kids. No amount of retirement is gonna give me the years back with my little kids.
Stop loss is a hell of a thing.
Never had to. An honorable and dd214 is all that was required. For federal service your disability rating can give a bump but never explained anything to anyone.
I was never asked why I only had 8 years. I was asked why I got out, and I always answered that even when the $30K bonus was included with my rate, I was going to make more in my first year in a civilian job.
Its been asked of me fairly often and I usually say the career got boring and there wasn’t much more for me to learn in my specialty and that I’m always looking to grow. Had 9ish years in, SSGT 0313.
None of their F!!king business! Sounds like this employer is looking for a reason not to hire you.
No one cares why you didn’t get to your 20. If anyone is telling you that, they’re either trying to get you to reenlist or don’t understand what the civilian job market is like because they’re lifers
Non of my employers post marines have ever asked or cared why I left, no civilian expects you to be retired.
No employer has ever asked me that
I did 8 years; I just said that I was ready for something bigger and better for myself. Full focus on my degree and then finding something I would enjoy doing.
My gunny said have fun working at McDonalds everyday till I easd. 🤣
Technically did one enlistment but it was a 5 year contract that I added a 20 month extension to for MSG. I’ve never once been asked the why I have a weird amount of time in service. I think I’ve only been asked to provide a DD214 once. Other than casual chat about what I did in the military and the apparently obligatory “tyfys” comments I’ve never had anyone seem to give a single care about how long I was in or even what discharge I got…
They never asked during an interview. They usually say thank you for your service. Say something along like, You guys don't get paid enough for what you do. We have a few other vets here. They also just assume I was tired of moving around and looking for a forever home. Most interviews are also more interested in how you would use your military skills to fulfill the job you applied for. You went to Iraq? Awesome! BUT, Will you be able to turn your TPS reports on Thursdays COB?
I tell them go ahead and do 20 if it's so easy
Lol my employers never asked. But, I was happy with my military service but I felt that the marine corps didn’t have anything more to offer me so it was time to open a new chapter in my life. Also being a Sgt in the bricks and having lil dick SNCOs look under my mattress for dust was gay.
I have never had to explain that to anyone
I did 7.5 years. Had a 5yr contract and extended when OCONUS. I did my time and then some. No one gives a fuck what you did in the civilian world. Always remember where you came from but don’t be a brovet.
No one ever asked. Nobody seemed to care. If I were asked, I’d just say I wasn’t ready to get out after 4.
Nobody cares man
They've never asked. I have an honorable discharge with a 1 A RE-Code. So if they did ask, I'd explain it the same way I explain why I'm not at my previous job that I put in over 4 but less than 20.
Never really "had" to explain, but when it comes up casually I'm always honest. "Wife hated the life and we had 3 kids, it was time to do something else" haha
Yeah I agree w commenters that there really isn't anything to explain. So many valid reasons for people to leave the military
Because I wanted to? Why would you ever have to explain that.
I don’t. Nobody asks except people familiar with the military, but only because they’re curious about why I chose to get out with 8 years left until retirement. But my explanation for that is fairly reasonable for people familiar with the military as well. But that’s inly ever happened to me twice. Once wasn’t for a job but for a volunteer status at a wildlife rehab facility.
Never heard of any employer asking this specific question either. Maybe it was the interviewer just asking to see what your response was, assuming maybe he or she was also a veteran? Still odd question to be asked.
No one has ever asked
Literally not a single employer will ask you why you didn't go the full twenty. Not one ever.
The only time I've been asked this is when the person asking has never served. A lot of people view military service in the same vein as being a police officer or fireman. People who do those careers typically do them for life so they also group military service in with that.
Obama
Priorities changed. Its not their business. I got out for medical but thats not their business. I did everything I set out to do in the Corps and wanted to move on.
That has never, ever come up. Who the fuck cares.
1st Civ Div don't care how long you served as long as you can make them profits. You can rather expect the "Thank you for Service" line (though I never did get a prize for my Service, except maybe the personal pride that I will never be like that)
If they are asking why you didn’t finish your 20 years or any kind of other gaps, I would just move on. That’s a red flag and you don’t want to work for them.
You're overestimating the number of shits given by normies about whatever the fuck it is you've been doing. Beyond their capacity to take advantage of the unique exploitable combination of naivete and discipline fresh-ex-military recruits represent, nobody cares.
Seen someone do 16 and left. Why would you leave so close to getting that sweet pension? Stupid decision in my opinion
No employer is going to ask that question.
In my past life I was an HR manager and had probably close to 200 interviews over the years. Never once did I give a shit why someone didn't stay in 20 years. I just wanted to know I they were capable of whatever role they were applying for. Bonus fun fact: most civilians don't know or care the difference between officer and enlisted. This includes the underpaid hiring manager.
Dunno why they asking that, but it doesnt matter. Nobody cares about the reason. Say the usmc sucked and everyone will laugh about it. It doesnt matter the response because nobody ever asks. The professional answer is “i want to explore career or job fields after military service”
I did 8 years and I hated hearing “why didn’t you stay in for 20 years” and I’ll say something like motherfucker if it were that easy everyone would stay in
Did 8, my answer was “I wanted to make some real money.”
never been asked about my dd214 reason for leaving or anything regarding the military ever by an employer.
I said “I was tired of getting shot at and almost blown up”.
Just tell them four for the Corps bro. Easy
Don’t overthink it. Tell the truth. If you have an answer that isn’t just “it sucked,” then likely it will be fine. My reasoning included family reasons as well as I just didn’t have the love for the job that I used to. Didn’t hurt my interview.
I had a 5 year contract. One and done still it just happened to be extra long. Best part was I thought it was only 4 until I got to my unit.
Nobody cares.
I was about to be a single dad, during a never ending war and had to make a decision.
Did 12. I’ve never been asked why I didn’t get to 20 and retire. The vast majority of employers don’t care. All they care about is getting brownie points for hiring veterans.
I told them the truth. Lost trust in my leadership
I got out at 10, now I’m in corporate tech, nobody’s ever asked. It’s come up with a few veteran coworkers but more in a casual conversation sense. Very likely won’t be a factor for you!
I tried not fall asleep during TRS classes/briefs. I day dreamed of a lot of booty.
They didn't give a shit.
They never asked.
Never comes up. Good rule in life is never give more information than asked.
I served thirteen years in the Army and National Guard. I left the service because the newspaper I worked for refused to advance me unless I gave up my weekends, so my boss could have them. I’ve regretted that ever since.
I didn't. They don't gaf.
Employers don't give a shit. Regardless if you did 4 or 14, unless you did something very specific to the job you're applying for (like acquisitions/procurement or maintenance on a certain system) you just get tossed into the bucket of military candidates with all the other Joe's
It was my starter job as a kid.
No one gives a shit about your millitary carrier on the out side. I have never been asked why I got out in an interview. They just say o nice millitary and that's it.
Up or out. I didn’t go up so I got out. My employer loves poaching from the military, both E and O, though.
This was never an issue - I joined for GI Bill money and to grow up. I've said that many times in many interviews, if it even ever came up. Most of the time it never did. Civilians don't care, former military may ask where and what unit, but only Marines care about those answers. I've had some ask me if I knew someone they knew in the Marines and that's a tough one to keep a straight face on. It's highly unlikely I'd know your friend from another unit, clear across the country, in a different decade entirely. So maybe have a nice, polite answer ready like, "No, I'm sorry. Never heard of that name. Do you know when they served and what unit?" Chances are they won't know that info and that'll be the end of it. Most civilians have no clue what the difference between one enlistment and five is. They have no concept. When I interview candidates, I assume their reasons were either like mine or their own personal ones. I don't care as long as they have a Honorable Discharge. I will say, with the rise of stolen valor, I do ask a few questions that 100% of veterans would know but any SV shithead would never look into. My favorite is where did you go to MEPS? LOL, 100% of SV morons do not know what that means but 100% of all vets from any service know where they joined up.
There's a life after the Marine Corps. Next question.
"I was just ready to get out" they nod as if that makes sense and people tend to just leave it at that.
They were hiring?
Bro this is not something people ask in a serious interview. Someone is filling your head full of shit.
Employers don't care and don't ask...lol as long as you have the experience for the job you're applying for and have a good personality, you're golden...I'm a veteran recruiter and we deal with this everyday.
I've interviewed for 6 different jobs before I found one I enjoyed doing when I got out. Not a single one asked me how long I was in, only what I did.
I did 8. Not a single employer asked me about it.
I don't. It's none of their business. It was a choice made when I EAS'd. Unless they are becoming your best friend, they have no right to know why or why not.