Barry Sosnick ⋅ Greenlawn, NY Great Whites Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics ⋅ 5 years experience

This is far more of a life choice question than a career one. It really seems to be something that your wife and you should determine together.

Regarding your passion, you have time to find it if you are planning on heading back to college (you mentioned the GI Bill). Your first year or two is filled with general requirements, so you have almost two years to decide on a direction.

Best of luck!

Constance L Joy ⋅ Virginia Beach, VA Bank of America ⋅ 10 years experience

Hi Joseph, I am here in Virginia Beach and a former military spouse with grand children your age. I know you will miss your daughter but jobs are not that plentiful these days not good paying ones anyway. Then you have to fight with the college grads for the others.

How can deployment help you. Will you ever be in a combat zone? (tax free money). You are 13 years from 1. lifetime paycheck. 2. lifetime medical for you and your wife and college help for your daughter from Va.

Your wife can save vacation time up to a month and plan for family vacations now. Get a gmail account and video chat with your daughter as often as you can. Turn your travels into a learning lesson for your daughter. Teach her some words in a different language while you are gone. I think you can bring a lot more to your family while your gone if you just think about it. Paint them pictures with words. What does the sunset look like over the water. Buy her dolls from other countries and find out what her name is in that language and name her doll that. With today's technology you will not miss very much. Think short term not long term. You can find me, https://www.linkedin.com/in/constancejoy

Jim Williams ⋅ Fpo, AE Navy Facilities Command - Public Works Department - Naples, Italy ⋅ 4 years experience

I talk to sailors about this all the time. Most of the discussion is geared to what is the plan once separated. Granted school is a noble effort there is always the chance you won't find the employment in your field of study. In addition, working yourself back into the civilian work force with the same pay and benefits you receive as a E5 is going to be a real challenge if you do not have solid
transferable skills that make you competitive. I would say test the waters. Take the time to actually draft a resume, apply for comparable jobs see what the job market holds for you. If you shake something out during this effort that is going to work for you and your family then you have something you can actually compare the Navy to when you make your decision. I would not get out without a solid plan in place. This means more than just going to school. Keep in mind there are thousands of college grads every year the flood into the job market. What makes you so special? Your Navy experience will set you apart to some extent but of to the level most vets are led to believe.

andrew pearson ⋅ Suffolk, VA U.S. Navy, Senior Chief Petty Officer ⋅ 23 years served

Joseph,
Being that I am Navy, I look at it this way. In 7 years you have achieved 2nd class. That means you are ahead of the game and tells me you are sound leader that the Navy can use. Prior to that final decision weigh all options( schooling, medical for your family and yes retirement). always think far ahead. I will never force a sailor to stay in. while weighing your options also do what feels right in the heart. While you are inn and if you stay in take advantage of pace course and TA. They along with what experience you have already will get you to a degree fast. Then you can use more of your GI Bill for education beyond a BA or Masters if you so choose. AA & BA are relatively cheap and will be covered by TA but Masters course and PHD's cost more use your GI money for those degrees.
I know the pains of missing family but for me it was and is all worth it Please let us know what you decide so we can help you in any direction you choose
r/Andrew(AOCS)

Frank Nave ⋅ Roanoke, VA Allstate Insurance Company ⋅ 30 years experience

Joseph - Barry is absolutely correct about it being a two person life decision about what to do next. Let me give you something else to think about. While I have not been in the military I know that being able to retire after 20 years is terrific. You can then pursue another career and have two "retirements" to draw from when you reach your older years. Many ex-military that I work with got out and now wish they had maube waited to hit 20. Since you already have 7 of the 20 complete I would not be so quick to leave. I realize that the time away is a huge deal when it comes to family - without question. A thought - it may not be allowed - but can you take college classes or courses while in the military to help better find/understand your "passion"? Anyway - best of luck to you.

Peter Carruth ⋅ Sacramento, CA Strato Communications, Inc - Former USAF ⋅ 15 years experience

Barry Nails it on the head.

Pete

Joseph Magill ⋅ Virginia Beach, VA U.S. Navy, Petty Officer Second Class ⋅ 7 years served

I appreciate the advice!