Additional Coverage:
- My husband quit the military after 10 years because he wanted more stability for our family. He took a pay cut, but we’re happier now. (businessinsider.com)
A military family finds happiness and stability after leaving the service. After 10 years in the Army, Bethaney Phillips’ husband made the difficult decision to leave the military for a civilian career. While he loved his job as a soldier, the strains of the pandemic and the desire for a more stable family life led him to prioritize time with his wife and two young sons.
The transition wasn’t without its challenges. The family faced a pay cut, primarily due to the loss of military benefits like healthcare and housing allowance.
There were also moments of nostalgia for their former life, particularly when facing medical bills. However, the benefits quickly outweighed the drawbacks.
The biggest gain was the newfound stability. No more unpredictable schedules, deployments, or cross-country moves.
Phillips and her husband purchased a home during the pandemic and have happily settled into their community. The consistent schedule allows the family to have dinner together every night, a simple pleasure often missed during military life.
Phillips’ husband now coaches his sons’ baseball team, a level of involvement he couldn’t have maintained in the Army.
The stability also allowed Phillips to build lasting friendships and advance her career, eliminating the constant upheaval of military life. Her husband, now a tractor and diesel mechanic, has found a career with growth potential and the opportunity to build strong relationships with colleagues. While there are occasional on-call shifts, they are scheduled in advance, providing a predictability absent in his former role.
For the children, growing up in one place means developing strong community ties and, most importantly, having their father consistently present in their lives. While the financial adjustment was noticeable, the family emphasizes that the emotional rewards of stability and family time are immeasurable. They are happier than ever, proving that sometimes, choosing family over finances is the most rewarding decision of all.