The Decision
Hey everyone,
I hope you’re all doing well this Independence Day weekend! I just wanted to hop on here and grab a few second opinions, criticism both positive and negative are more than welcome!
I am a 24M and when I graduated HS I had nothing more of a desire to try for SERE. Unfortunately, a few obstacles in life required me to stay home and care for loved ones. Something I would never change, not for a second. Fast forward to today, I have a semi-stable life, my girlfriend and I are moving into our first apartment, and I have a decent paying job in Upper Management inside of the Logistics/Transportation field.
Every couple of years, though, I feel a heavy weight about not having “done my part,” and that feeling is back again. SERE is off the table at this point; it’s a ship that has sailed, but I’m wondering if I should try for the reserves instead.
Here’s where I’m torn; joining the reserves could mean risking my salaried job or putting us in a financial hole that’s hard to climb out of, especially with the current job market. My girlfriend is fully supportive of whatever I decide, but I’m worried I’d be making a choice that hurts our stability. I’d really appreciate any perspectives from people who have balanced reserve service with a civilian career, or anyone who has wrestled with similar feelings of wanting to serve while still protecting their family’s finances. Please also note that I am the “breadwinner”.