They will NEVER fire you unless you do something really dumb like drugs, etc. I've met lots of people who would get fired from McDonald's due to poor work ethics but able to keep Army job because they learned the system. Nobody on civillian side will pay poor performer as a cook, mechanic, etc 60 k COLA adjusted. Top performers leave Army because there's no real merit inpromotion system. Army doesn't need stars but mediocracies. Mediocracy will make it through by simply notfallingtoo far behind while top performers always want to do better but hit the ceiling. They get no rewards, no sooner promotions, no competitive assignments even in cyber field. I left to work for contractors and make 3 times more money wise pulling only 40 hour work week, not 100 hours of sitting around like conventional Army teaches soldiers.