I should preface this by saying I have been extremely fortunate thus far in my career, I got a good career field, sent to an alright first base, and now PCSing to my #1 conus base. Also still an Airman so probably a lot of bullshit I haven’t been exposed to yet.

It seems like everyone in this sub has very negative opinions on the Air Force. I know Reddit is a hive for negativity but I guess it’s kind of fucking with my head a little bit. I’m a 1D7 who is wrapping up my first enlistment, and with that came with a lot of conflicting thoughts on what to do next. During my first enlistment I finished my degree, got my certs and could probably get out and make a lot more money. I spent a majority of my first enlistment with a negative mindset thinking “fuck this fuck that, I’m gonna get out and get my money” because I guess it just seemed like the thing to do. However now I’m realizing that i genuinely enjoy the Air Force, the benefits are great, I get a good amount of job satisfaction and feel a sense of pride in what I do/being in the military, so far I enjoy the opportunity to be able to move to and see a knew place every few years, and yeah the pay isn’t great but I feel like I am able to afford most everything I want.

Despite all this, I still feel like I’m fucking up by staying in. It’s a mix of feeling like I’m selling myself short or that I’m lazy or a loser because it seems like that’s what everyone who stays in is made out to be, especially in a career field where the earning potential is much greater outside.

Honestly not even sure what I’m looking for here, maybe reassurance? Advice possibly? Maybe just to vent. I know I want to stay in and I know I enjoy the military, that’s not the question. There’s just a nagging feeling that I’m an failing for reenlisting.