u/SirCicSensation

It's the same basic schtick. "I'm going to do nothing but this until someone gives me something to do."

I'm genuinely confused by this. I've seen it said time and time again "I've been unemployed for going on 2 years". While that's all good and great but why?

I don't mean this to sound tone deaf, I'm genuinely curious. As someone with no degree, no technical experience, no hidden gift for numbers or memory. I've always managed to find delivery jobs, courier positions, deck hand work, maintenance. All easy jobs that pay me around $1500/mo to have very little responsibility.

While I'm not arguing it'll keep you out of debt. I don't know why we wouldn't focus on making some money instead of none.

I also get that you would need to make time for interviews. All of my jobs that I've had, considering that they are low pay and revolving door jobs. They don't care if I don't come in. I've had 3 back to back jobs that just tell me "Just let us know the day before if you don't plan on coming in." That's it. So if I have a doctors appointment or some kind of random emergency. I just don't show up and I've never been fired. I'm 30.

I deeply apologize if this question is offensive, I'm truly not trying to come across as stuck up. I am again reiterating that I have always worked low paying jobs. I just don't get why you wouldn't want to make some kind of money while you wait for another job instead of waiting around for 2 years for one like many people claim to do. Thoughts?

I’m spiraling gents. Prior service marine. Got out as an E-5.

33 male,

Currently working yet another shitty part time job. Mental health hasn’t been great but it’s gotten better.

Got out in 2017 when a pregnant recruiter literally shredded my reup contract. She genuinely wasn’t in her right mind and was NJP’d. I did 5 years active and 2 years reserves.

I thought I’d just get out at 25 and go back to college. Fast forward 8 years and I’m just now finishing my bachelors. I’m getting my masters in social work to work with the VA.

I’m 60% and between disability, school, job, I make about $4700/mo. Not terrible especially since I don’t have kids yet. Bills are only $1500/mo including food and gas.

I got depressed, goofed around for a few years, figured things would fall into place eventually. I saved around $150k and struggled in college but finally figured it out. No debt. Car paid off. Good credit. No problems. Just don’t have a career figured out yet.

My partner has her masters and works for the state. She has another 20 years before she retires.

I never thought I’d make it this far honestly. Kind of an idiot. Now we’re planning to start a family. It’s a lot. Too much. We can manage it but based on my projections we may be living on ramen for the next 20 years. Just enough to retire but not enough to live.

At best, we would both be making $60k each. After mortgage, childcare, insurance etc. we would be left with $1500 each month. Not terrible.

I just didn’t expect life to be this way. I need advice. Would you go back to the military if you were me?

Things I’m considering

Cons:

- Promotions aren’t guaranteed and I might not even get a retirement. Least that’s how they do things in the marines.

- I’ll lose my partner. She has to stay in NC to retire by 50.

- I am simply doing it for the money.

- I will most likely end my career as an E-6 only making an extra $1800/mo.

- I’ll be 47 if I rejoin by 34.

Pros:

- I wouldn’t be poor

- I’d get a retirement

- I could join as a butter bar

I really don’t know what to do. I’m still young and fit and could easily rejoin but it might not make sense for me. I really need help.

I’m spiraling gents. Prior service marine. Got out as an E-5.

33 male,

Currently working yet another shitty part time job. Mental health hasn’t been great but it’s gotten better.

Got out in 2017 when a pregnant recruiter literally shredded my reup contract. She genuinely wasn’t in her right mind and was NJP’d. I did 5 years active and 2 years reserves.

I thought I’d just get out at 25 and go back to college. Fast forward 8 years and I’m just now finishing my bachelors. I’m getting my masters in social work to work with the VA.

I’m 60% and between disability, school, job, I make about $4700/mo. Not terrible especially since I don’t have kids yet. Bills are only $1500/mo including food and gas.

I got depressed, goofed around for a few years, figured things would fall into place eventually. I saved around $150k and struggled in college but finally figured it out. No debt. Car paid off. Good credit. No problems. Just don’t have a career figured out yet.

My partner has her masters and works for the state. She has another 20 years before she retires.

I never thought I’d make it this far honestly. Kind of an idiot. Now we’re planning to start a family. It’s a lot. Too much. We can manage it but based on my projections we may be living on ramen for the next 20 years. Just enough to retire but not enough to live.

At best, we would both be making $60k each. After mortgage, childcare, insurance etc. we would be left with $1500 each month. Not terrible.

I just didn’t expect life to be this way. I need advice. Would you go back to the military if you were me?

Things I’m considering

Cons:

- Promotions aren’t guaranteed and I might not even get a retirement. Least that’s how they do things in the marines.

- I’ll lose my partner. She has to stay in NC to retire by 50.

- I am simply doing it for the money.

- I will most likely end my career as an E-6 only making an extra $1800/mo.

- I’ll be 47 if I rejoin by 34.

Pros:

- I wouldn’t be poor

- I’d get a retirement

- I could join as a butter bar

I really don’t know what to do. I’m still young and fit and could easily rejoin but it might not make sense for me. I really need help.

I’m spiraling gents.

33 male,

Currently working yet another shitty part time job. Mental health hasn’t been great but it’s gotten better.

Got out in 2017 when a pregnant recruiter literally shredded my reup contract. She genuinely wasn’t in her right mind and was NJP’d. I did 5 years active and 2 years reserves.

I thought I’d just get out at 25 and go back to college. Fast forward 8 years and I’m just now finishing my bachelors. I’m getting my masters in social work to work with the VA.

I’m 60% and between disability, school, job, I make about $4700/mo. Not terrible especially since I don’t have kids yet. Bills are only $1500/mo including food and gas.

I got depressed, goofed around for a few years, figured things would fall into place eventually. I saved around $150k and struggled in college but finally figured it out. No debt. Car paid off. Good credit. No problems. Just don’t have a career figured out yet.

My partner has her masters and works for the state. She has another 20 years before she retires.

I never thought I’d make it this far honestly. Kind of an idiot. Now we’re planning to start a family. It’s a lot. Too much. We can manage it but based on my projections we may be living on ramen for the next 20 years. Just enough to retire but not enough to live.

At best, we would both be making $60k each. After mortgage, childcare, insurance etc. we would be left with $1500 each month. Not terrible.

I just didn’t expect life to be this way. I need advice. Would you go back to the military if you were me?

Things I’m considering

Cons:

- Promotions aren’t guaranteed and I might not even get a retirement. Least that’s how they do things in the marines.

- I’ll lose my partner. She has to stay in NC to retire by 50.

- I am simply doing it for the money.

- I will most likely end my career as an E-6 only making an extra $1800/mo.

- I’ll be 47 if I rejoin by 34.

Pros:

- I wouldn’t be poor

- I’d get a retirement

- I could join as a butter bar

I really don’t know what to do. I’m still young and fit and could easily rejoin but it might not make sense for me. I really need help.