Paul.. I feel for you bud, and know exactly what youre feeling and going through.. Only did 9 yrs, but not by choice, my career came to an abrupt end as a result of my spouses actions which landed her in prison. After going through a year of mental torment as a result of the Base CO/XO/CMC trying to throw the book at me as a result of her actions, being treated like complete trash, yet completely innocent, also throw in a 4yr old into the mix, the political politics and lack of support I received as a result of the chain left a really bad taste in my mouth... They tried so hard to bury me, court marshal me, and spent a year trying to build the case while I was treated like garbage. Yet my reassigned immediate chain, Supervisor, LT, and OIC saw the truth in my work ethic and moral compass and tried to support me, they were reprimanded as a result of trying to support me. In the end, I had nothing but good evals, had to get a JAG attorney to defend me as well as my rights as a result of the Base CO/XO/CMC, they filed 3 grievances on the base, and the day before my Court Marshal Article 34 hearing (Pre-Trial) cause I wasn't going to let them win or break me, they dropped all charges. Submitted my re-enlistment request and demanded to get the F off that base, all of my immediate approved, when it got to the CO/XO/CMC they all denied, then sent it back down the chain and made them change their approval to denied, which I still have the chit showing this in my personal keepsake for my military records. At the end of the day, due to being on legal hold for a year and going beyond my EAOS date, the Base XO is over all legal hold personnel, he is required to write an eval when coming off legal hold, they got the last laugh when they marked me as non-retainable.. Yet, no charges, no bad evals, nothing negative in my record. Yah I got my honorable dischange, beni's, and 40k separation pay as a result, but that isn't what I wanted. They listed me as RE-4, which I would have to fight through VA to get that changed.
There's a ton of back story and mental anguish they tried to break me with, embarrass me with, and take me down for, but nothing could stand, the prosecuting JAG flat out told the base they had no case after a year of being under investigation and be treated like a prisoner...
The whole process left such a bad taste in my mouth. I did have a good run and enjoyed my prior 8 years while it lasted, and still wouldn't deter young men and women from making that choice to serve. It helped me grow up and learn responsibility and accountability. But on the flip side, we also need good leaders, mentors, and foundation for our military to help guide the young ones, but its become so political, and myself not being a political guy, made it very hard...
At the end of the day you have to follow your heart and what makes you happy. In 3-5 years, if you follow your heart, you will be able to look back and remind yourself whatever decision you make that it was the best decision you made...
Good luck, and hang in there...
