Why Many Don't Reenlist in the Military

While many people have turned to the military as adeception.
job opportunity in the midst of the recent recession,Another explanation that is given for the decision to
most of them finish their initial tours and do notnot reenlist is the loss of freedom. Many individuals
reenlist. With the military offering such benefits as aare not cut out to live in a word where someone
housing allowance, free medical and dental care,else makes the majority of their decisions for them.
tuition assistance, professional training, exclusiveAs adults, they strongly resent the feeling of being
military discounts, it's hard to imagine that anyonecontrolled. In the military, orders are given, and they
would not want to reenlist, but despite earning aare expected to be followed. Anything else, even
paycheck and proudly defending their country, a lotquestioning, is likely to be seen as insubordination.
of servicemen and women swear they will neverThe most common explanation for not reenlisting is
reenlist even if it involved a salary increase.the same reason that led people to enlist in the first
One obvious reason is the uncertainty of both lifeplace, their families. Many individuals join the military to
and location. Upon enlisting, many enlistees are toldsupport their families, but as time goes on, they
they will be sent one place to serve and instead,realize how much they are missing by not being at
they are assigned to a different area. Recruits whohome. Every father wants to be there for his child's
are told their chances of going to either Iraq orbirth and perhaps a daughter's prom, and no parent
Afghanistan are quite slim often find that the oddswants to miss a graduation or the joy of Christmas
quickly change against them once they have signedmorning. For some, the benefits of the military pale in
their names on the dotted line. People who are misledcomparison to life's most treasured moments.
once are not likely to set themselves up for another