[MaryJo]

For all of you that know me, you know that when my son is deployed I go into my anxious mode and worry mode. I am so afraid he's going to be injured again... But, he's halfway through this deployment and he just sent me a message saying he will be home on leave the end of Jan.!!!!!!

So, I'm doing the happy dance and making mega meal plans for his stay with us!!! He placed his orders for dinner and lunch so now I have to plan them all out!!! My understanding is he is NOT going to reup when his time is done !!!! He's been in 10 years and he says that's enough for him. Soooo, that means he'll be moving back home and settling down!! I will believe it when I see it!!! lol
I just wanted to share the great news with my SG family !!!!! I'm so excited I can't wait to get my hands on him and give him a great big hug!!!!

[dukebballfan]

I'm so happy for you, Mary Jo! How wonderful!

[Sherry Lynn]

Doin' the happy dance with ya MaryJo!

[Smiles]

That's wonderful news, MaryJo!
10 years is a big milestone - half way to that retirement.
It's a truly tough decision - I remember being on the fence at that time.
But that was in peacetime, so a very different choice.
The skills he's learned and experiences he has had will be a huge leg up in the civilian world.
Blessings to you both!
hugs,

[MaryJo]

You are so right Gayle! It is a hard decision for him to make. The Army has been great for him and he's achieved so much. But, he tells me its not the same Army he joined and he just doesn't want to put up with the BS they are dishing out now and the bonus isn't enticing enough . I told him to think real hard that retirement would put him in a great place financially! Right now if he stayed in the for the whole 20 he'd still be young enough to have another career when he's out. Plus, he still has the $50,000 for college that he hasn't used yet! But, he's smart enough and wise enough to make the right decision for his life. He doesn't know any other kind of life and I think its a scary thought to leave what you are so comfortable with! I just pray he makes the right decision

[mbc72]

Wondeful news, Mary Jo!

[April Showers]

Great news. Enjoy your time wiht him MaryJo!

[Julie - scrapaholic]

Think I'll join you in your happy dance Mary Jo.
:party-smiley-048:

[MargotW]

MJ - joining everyone in the happy dance!
What wonderful news to receive!

[SandiC.]

OH! I know you're so thrilled to be having him home soon. Happy meal planning. This is a great day for everyone. I wish him safe travel and a very restful time at home.

[Smiles]

MaryJo, he always has the option of doing 10 years in the Guard or Army Reserve to finish out his retirement. He wouldn't draw it till he's 60, but at that time he'd have full retirement benefits (healthcare etc) and there are many benefits that apply to "Gray area retirees" (in the Retired Reserve but not yet drawing retired pay). He doesn't have to make that decision now. But with 10 years active duty, he'd have a very healthy chunk of change coming in each month. He would also be very desirable to a Reserve Component unit with his Service.

[jeschaff]

This is great news, MJ! I think everyone will understand if you're absent from SG while you cook and entertain!

[Pireps]

I'm so happy for you and your son. I'm sure he can't wait to get back and pig out on your yummy food!

That ten year mark is a hurdle for everyone I think. My husband hit it 6 years ago and decided to stay in, but your son is right. The military is different now. For just that reason my husband began separation papers last year, to get out with 4 years left to retirement. He was going to take a full-time air guard slot which menat no deployments and he could finish out the 4 years and retire seemlessly, or stay in the guard a little longer. Then they offered him a slot in Alaska. Dirty pool I say. It has been on our wish list since day one...lol. So here we are.

This is probably also a great time to use the college benefit. College would probably be a piece of cake compared to the last ten years.

Tell your son welcome home and thanks for his service and dedication. He deserves a bright future and tons of happiness!!

Gwen

[KFiasco]

Great news, MJ. I too left the Army after 10 years. I sometimes kick myself for not staying in the 20 like I planned, but it's a decision I had to make. Hope he has a great time at home.

[Jo Corne]

wahooo MJ, so happy for you. enjoy enjoy enjoy this wonderful time

[Sarah in VA]

Woo Hoo! Mary Jo! Wonderful news. For now and at the end of his tour! Enjoy!

[catinkeri]

Mary Jo that's absolutely WONDERFUL!! Thank you so much for being the wonderfully supportive mum for him, you know it means a lot to him!! And I don't blame you for wanting to get your hands on him. Please thank him for all he has done/is doing for this country. Yeah on his returning!!

[MaryJo]

I just love SG's. To wake up to all these wonderful comments, well it made my day..... I am going to talk to him about the comments on the Reserve and all. I don't want him to regret his decision if he decides to leave, but its his life and I have to understand that. I would love for him to have the wisdom at 26 that I have at 52,but that's life and we all must travel that road. As a Mom you just don't want to see him make mistakes!! lol like I could talk him out of it! I know we are going to have lots of time to chat and the subject will come up, it always does.... I always tell him not to make any big decisions when he's over there, to just wait til he gets back to the states and has some down time. Alot of what he does now is just talk, to get his mind off of where he is!!!!

[Smiles]

MaryJo, I'm no Reserve Recruiter, but as a personnel officer I was quite familiar with retirement eligibility. If he has any questions, now or later, I'd be glad to talk with him. He will probably have to talk to a Reserve Component recruiter as part of his outprocessing.

[MaryJo]

Smiles, on 18 January 2010 - 08:11 PM, said:

MaryJo, I'm no Reserve Recruiter, but as a personnel officer I was quite familiar with retirement eligibility. If he has any questions, now or later, I'd be glad to talk with him. He will probably have to talk to a Reserve Component recruiter as part of his outprocessing.

Oh Wow Thank You Gayle!! I will tell him about your offer and let you know. I just want him to be informed and to make the decision based on all the facts he can gather and not on emotion or feelings! does that make any sense at all??? He can be rather spontaeneous (sorry about the spelling) when it comes to making decisions, he is Infantry after all!!! lol Anyway thank you so much that really means alot to me!!

[Shelbi]

Great news Maryjo I am so happy for you and your family.

[sunnie2004]

Super MJ!! So Happy to read this!!

[Smiles]

Ah, yes, I think the Infantry ones have the hardest heads! (I can say that - DH was Infantry then SF). The good news is he can wait a bit and then go into the Reserves if he needs a break.