ETS Dates...

from JoeUser Forums
This is, what, my seventh? In nearly eight years?

Initial ETS date. Stop-lossed. Un-stop-lossed. Reenlisted. Extended. Stop-lossed. Un-stop-lossed. Extended (today, to meet the SRR for SSG).

That's eight different dates for when I would have gotten out of the Army. I'm already past three of them.

I made promotion points for SSG for November 1st. I extended today to meet the Service Remaining Requirement (SRR) for the rank; I have to be in for a full year after I pin on, so it's the end of next November. There are possible repercussions for what I did today... none of them so severe that I need to sweat the small stuff, though.

I'm in a good place at work. I have a lot of respect from all three levels: seniors, subordinates and peers. (The LTC may start referring to me as "one of my five-year guys.") This is the best I've been set up EVER, I think. Retrospection offers a better picture of the past, and I realize that it wasn't all doom-and-gloom back then; mostly it was my outlook.

I should've fixed myself a long time ago.

But I'm putting aside those regrets. I still must examine the past, and think about the future... but my focus must be in the present.

"By living in the present you are in full contact with yourself and your environment, your energy is not dissipated and is always available. In the present there are no regrets as there are in the past. By thinking of your future, you dilute your present. THE TIME TO LIVE IS NOW." Zen In The Martial Arts by Joe Hyams (pp. 19-20)

Living in the present with an eye to the other times... just to keep it in perspective.
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4,079 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
LET ME BE THE FIRST TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON JU FOR YOUR PROMOTION!

Wow, SSG Pseudo, nice one. Excellent work. It is the fruits of your tireless labors. Notice I didn't say "frustration-less", "burnout-less", or even "fatigue-less". I have the utmost respect for your efforts in the Army. It was an excellent decision to extend to make E-6 happen. I know you will be blessed for it. Thanks for keeping us informed!
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
Hip, hip, hooray!

Grats to you on the E-6. I do hope it works out for the best for you, and hope it brings all that you are looking for.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
So you extended. Where does that place your re-enlistment window?
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
Congratulations--I wish I could buy you a beer. You are certainly among the few who can wear their rank with my full respect. I wish you the best as you navigate now through the merky waters of administrata obscurium. Training your section for the next mission is going to fall squarely on your shoulders; I know you will reach for the high standard of how the unit -should- operate. All my best wishes to you.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
You already know my mixed feelings about the army, and the unit in particular, so, my congratulations and condolences. I know that you're resigned...erm, made your peace with it. You are definitely an NCO that I will remember and respect from my time there. Bleah, too wordy.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! YOU = GOOD LEADER. HERE.....HAVE CYBER BEER.