I'm biased, but I'm not sure why someone would pick Missouri if they can go anywhere. Denver is the finest city in the world, in my opinion.

thanks...

I honestly considered Denver...heard a bunch about the crime tho...

and I'm not sure if I could stand the donkey fans.

I wouldn't think that the crime here is notably greater than in Kansas City. In fact, I'd bet it's lower. The Broncos are annoying, but I think of them as a way to get the Chiefs to come to town once a year. And being in an AFC West city makes it more likely that you'll get the Chiefs on TV, unless of course they've got an idiot coach and lose a couple of dozen games a year or something.

I've never lived in KC, but I would heartily recommend Denver to anyone who's looking to make a start.

2 years is a long time
I know the last 3 have felt like forever

I will google Denver just because of this post... thanks!

Could you please clarify whether you are a paratrooper or not?
I was not being sarcastic. Its tough outside the military right now. the types of bonuses and benefits being offered to our servicemembers now are the best in history.

Sincerely (no sarcasm),
Good luck, buddy.

Denver is great but it is not the "finest city in the world." It is not even the best city in America.

San Diego > Denver

I got out in 97 after 12 yrs (E-7). Everyone, military and civilian told me what a big mistake I was making. The day I woke up free from military commitment (March 13, 1997) I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I did go back and work as a GS employee for the Army and now have 24 yrs towards retirement. Only you know what the best choice/option is for you. Don't stay and be miserable just because others tell you to, do what is right for you and it will all come out in the wash, so to speak.

Several points:
1) Thank you for your service. You have and are doing what most Americans don't have the stomach for. Never forget who you are regardless of what you decide.
2) Assuming this is the end of your first enlistment approaching, a lot can change in 2 years. It seems today you have decided to leave the Army. The new GI bill starting in Aug in 2009 is a great counter to re-enlisting that you earned. It makes the decisions concerning any re-enlistment bonuses/ incentives you may be offerred tougher. I have a suspicion those bonuses are going to start being reduced-they are in the USMC. Makes the decision tougher, particularly with the transferrability for continued service clause of the new GI bill for your family.
3) K.C. area. You hit most of the fan favorite locations. Schools drive many decisions for parents. I returned here after 30+ years (promise to my wife) and came back to visit for many of those in between deployments but was a west coast Marine most of the time. Screw Denver. Choose a career/school/geography with equal weight for you and your family.
4) Tough call but it's yours alone. KC Johnny has great points and I've commanded many marines and a few soldiers that I've seen again after they left once. It's an individidual decision. You likely have an IRR committment past your active obligation. Look at it carefully and remember you have reserve options as well. Most hard core guys I've served with either stayed or walked and did not half-step in the reserves. I have known many however that really appreciated the flexibility of the reserves. I am very familiar with USMC IRR involuntary re-calls, don't know much about the ARMY's. I recently commanded several marines deployed OCUNUS that were involled back to active duty. All were not pleased but were doing their duty as they voluntarily signed the contract to do. Ironically about 1/2 of those guys wanted to re-enlist back into the active component. That was tougher to do while deployed then it should have been due to law/policy and we worked through that. About 1/2 just wanted to complete their tour and get back to school, HVAC business, life, etc. All did their duty and are appreciated regrdless of their personal decision. Good luck with yours and Thank you

For what it's worth, I looked pretty heavily into KC after college mostly because of the Chiefs, so don't let #1 get ya down. In the end, though, I went to Denver to be close to the wife's family and because Rain Man decided to give me a job. Overall, I do like Denver, which has been a big surprise for the small-town Kansas kid that I am. It takes a little bit to get used to the fact that the majority of the people you know are Donkey fans, but other than that, they're not half bad.

Take all the opinions with a grain of salt, of course you got to do your own thing and I wish you luck in whatever path you choose.

Echo the thanks for serving, Brother....

Did five active and three reserves before I got out. Out for 6 years, got an education with that G.I. Bill. Civilian life is very different. Wasn't so hard while I was a cop, very paramilitary. But being in an office felt like prision. Corporate Security is full of politics. If you stay the course, get the education. Do it in something you love to study, don't make it a "practical" choice. I got a BS in Business, very practical and doesn't make enough of a difference in what the degree is in, for most cases anyway. Should have studied Art, could still get the job I have, and I could have enjoyed all those long hours of working and going to school, or at least as much as possible...

I decided to go back in the Reserves. Been one year now, and am staying for a Retirement for sure this time. May even go Active again, after I get a few things working for me. Warrant Officer career and retirement will be a bit more profitable/challenging/rewarding than enlisted.

as I said before, grain of salt, and best wishes.

Your right, the Military does offer some great benefits...


But military life or becoming a "Lifer" is not for everyone. Its not as cut and dried as you make it sound.

Alot of guys need to get out for the betterment of the military and themselves.

Plus, military life is hard on a family , with all the deployments going on right now.

I moved to KC from a small town in Kansas and thought I was just moving up here as a temp. thing and would move on to bigger and better things. I moved with my family when I was 18 and 3 months from 21 now and love the place and hope i'll be here for life. It's a great place that is big enough to have plenty to do yet it's not like cities where you go around and can't even make eye contact with people. Traffic is not bad at all, overall I like to think of it as a city that reminds me of small town life.

He's probably not 'snooty' enough for the Kansas side...:)