You gotta be kiddin me?
For as many reason to leave the Navy, there are too many more to stay!
Including the most reason, if I leave, I might actually have to work for a living???
This is way too much fun, I wouldn't desire to do anything different.
When I was simply an Avionics technician, it was me against, or with the jet. I suppose it is somewhat the same for flyers? Everyday the only thing I cared about was how the jet was either going to cooperate or I would fight it. After a while, some sooner or later, man against the machine leaves very few opportunities for satisfaction. But those few situations where I kicked the jets ass were very rewarding.
But mostly it's the people. the senior folks are definitetly the most professional group of individuals you will ever work with, (granted a lot are anal, including myself at times, but that comes with every field and the sooner you accept that and deal with it, the more fun you have).
But most of the time you work with senior Officers that will trust you to do your job, those are the greatest leaders of all. And the job satisfaction that comes with that, no amount of money can compensate for that.
The junior folks are incredible and are what keeps me in. I certainly learned along the way that they are the lifeblood and leading them and training them is what it's all about.
Once you get to a certain level of leadership and responsibility you finally figure it out that if you aren't doing it, who will???
I kinda feel sorry for you flyer guys that really never get a chance to lead sailors. And those opportunities are diminishing. The Div "O" jobs you guys hold for the short periods of time are your only real chances to be a front line leader, unless you move on to Dept Head (ops or maint).
Involvement is the key there, and the most successful dept heads I have run across are fully engaged. But at the same time they let the real professionals do thier jobs. Setting policy and goals and then watching the LDO/CWO's and senior enlisted guys carry it out is totally rewarding.
Long story short, that is what has kept me in, is working with professionals and the humble opportunities to lead. Challenging but very rewarding.
I dread the day when I finally have to call it quits and have to stop goofing off and actually have to work for a living? I can't even fathom having to punch a time clock!
Thanks for the time reading this diatribe....
Have Another Great Navy Day!!! (they all are)