Why Do People Leave the Service?
Why Do People Leave the Service?
Transcript
Why do service members leave the military? As is the case with the reasons why people choose to join, the reasons why service members choose to leave the military are wide ranging. Those who joined to gain experience, or particular training to enhance their employment prospects, or who sought the economic security of veterans benefits, especially health care and educational benefits, may be ready to leave after just a single four year contract, or enlistment.
Evolving professional or personal circumstances of a service member may also lead to a decision to leave the military. Some may receive an appealing job offer from the civilian sector. While others may decide that they're simply ready to try something new.
Being in the military can be particularly stressful on families. And so service members who were single when they joined may find, as they enter relationships and have children, that their priorities have shifted. And they may seek a life without frequent moves, potential deployments, or other disruptions to family life.
Service members who discover that their image of the military does not match the reality may decide to leave the service. Just like any job, a bad experience in the military, with a mission, with the unit, or with their command, may prompt a service member to leave. Being passed over for a promotion may lead to a decision to leave the service. And cutbacks or drawdowns, in military personnel, may result in some being compelled to make a change.
For some, injury or disability may lead to a situation where service in the military is no longer possible, leading to discharge or medical retirement.
Finally, some service members are separated from the military due to poor behavior or misconduct. Some of those may end up with bad papers, that is, a discharge with a less than honorable status. Although veterans with bad papers are eligible for some benefits, notably mental health care, receiving education benefits through the VA is only eligible to a veteran whose character of discharge is honorable.
Evolving professional or personal circumstances of a service member may also lead to a decision to leave the military. Some may receive an appealing job offer from the civilian sector. While others may decide that they're simply ready to try something new.
Being in the military can be particularly stressful on families. And so service members who were single when they joined may find, as they enter relationships and have children, that their priorities have shifted. And they may seek a life without frequent moves, potential deployments, or other disruptions to family life.
Service members who discover that their image of the military does not match the reality may decide to leave the service. Just like any job, a bad experience in the military, with a mission, with the unit, or with their command, may prompt a service member to leave. Being passed over for a promotion may lead to a decision to leave the service. And cutbacks or drawdowns, in military personnel, may result in some being compelled to make a change.
For some, injury or disability may lead to a situation where service in the military is no longer possible, leading to discharge or medical retirement.
Finally, some service members are separated from the military due to poor behavior or misconduct. Some of those may end up with bad papers, that is, a discharge with a less than honorable status. Although veterans with bad papers are eligible for some benefits, notably mental health care, receiving education benefits through the VA is only eligible to a veteran whose character of discharge is honorable.