Gents,

It had taken me 2 long years of contracting and 1 divorce to realize that the contracting money is good, but some times not always worth it. So to those of you who are thinking of giving up that LEO or Active duty job for a piece of quick cash.... think long and hard about what you are doing.... money is nice, but it's not always everything. I'm only 24, and it's finally come back to haunt me. Contracting took everything I had.... My life, my family, EVERYTHING.

So to those of you who have the option to re-up or leave tha LEO job, think twice...

It may fuck you over in the long run.

I'm sorry to hear that bro. It ended my marriage as well but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

sorry for the trouble bro, fortunately 24 is still a good age to find your way back. i hate to say it but better to deal with it now instead of 40 when you have a lot more invested emotionally and monetarily. Fortunately i have a very strong wife and the last 5 years have proven it. With out her support i shutter to think where my life would be headed.

I agree with Alley Cat on this one Trick. Hang tough brother. I also offer you my support as a friend and brother. It takes a special woman to stay with a man who is rarely home. I am fortunate and have one of these special women. Anything I can do for you trick, I am just an email or PM away.

I am not the "know-all-be-all" but I can tell you what has worked for me. I am 40 and have been contracting since 2000, also prior LEO for 10 years and in the Army/NG for 15 years. First of all, you are 24 and have a lot to look forward to.

The first piece of advice, get a college degree, it may not open a lot of doors but it will get you a second look sometimes, especially with the LEO/Mil. Degrees are easier now with technology and online degrees.

I left AD with the Army and went NG, I can find temp jobs if needed, TDY, or something else. Also, I applied to the reserve PD. This means I can find something to do during the downtime.

My point with this is to ALWAYS have a backup plan; I know a lot of great trigger pullers who will have a hard time if/when this stuff ends. I have set myself up for the day the contract phone line stops ringing.

For the wife issue, I tell anyone the only thing tougher than a good looter/shooter is “Household 6”. If they bail because of this line of work, it was not meant to be. Now, do NOT totally neglect them! I keep mine in the decision making process and it helps. (Sometimes I even get to make the decision…lol)

My dad, who is a retired O-6, most favorite expression is, “People do not plan to fail, they fail to plan”

I am not trying to preach or anything but maybe give you something to think about.

I wondered when a thread of this magnitude would surface.

I see it all the time in this business, it sux but it is so common

alleycat wrote:

sorry for the trouble bro, fortunately 24 is still a good age to find your way back. i hate to say it but better to deal with it now instead of 40 when you have a lot more invested emotionally and monetarily. Fortunately i have a very strong wife and the last 5 years have proven it. With out her support i shutter to think where my life would be headed.

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