How I Got 2 Years Off of the Military to Thru-Hike

I always knew I wanted to be a thru-hiker. I began backpacking at a young age and my passion for long hikes grew over the years. I dreamed of the day I could thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. 

There was just one problem—I had to work.

Career vs. Thru-Hiking

I joined the Army immediately upon graduating college, beginning my career as a French horn player for the Army Bands. In retrospect I wish I had taken a gap year between finishing school and starting my career, but it was the midst of the Great Recession and I was affected by the financial panic all around me. In 2009, my senior year of college, the unemployment rate peaked at 10%. It was a scary time to graduate. I felt lucky to have a job offer, especially as a classical musician (not exactly a job in high demand). It would have felt foolish to turn it down.  

I settled in to my military career but couldn’t let go of the dream of thru-hiking. Though active duty soldiers receive a relatively generous 30 days of leave per year, thru-hiking a long trail like the AT takes 5 or 6 months on average, so that was out of the question.

I saved up my leave to squeeze in long hikes whenever I could. I was able to complete some of the shorter thru-hikes such as the Wonderland Trial (93 miles) and the Long Trail (273 miles). I completed 300 miles of the Colorado Trail and many sections of the AT. They were all awesome hikes, but did not satisfy my itch to do one of the really long trails. 

I’m certainly not the first to feel the conflict between career and passion. Who doesn’t daydream about quitting their job to pursue their dream? The military is generally even more of a lifestyle commitment than your average 9-to-5 job, often requiring long hours, frequent moves, and overseas deployments. It’s difficult to maintain the active duty military lifestyle for 20+ years straight. People who otherwise would have stayed end up leaving the military to have babies, go to school, tend to mental health, care for sick family members, or travel the world. In my own career I have seen of number of people separate from the Army for reasons such as these, but it turns out there is an alternative. 

The Army Career Intermission Program

The Career Intermission Program (CIP) is an Army program that provides eligible soldiers an opportunity to temporarily separate from active duty to pursue personal or professional goals. If approved, soldiers can take a one to three year hiatus, and the program promises a seamless return to active duty upon completion. 

Officially launched in 2014, CIP was designed as a retention tool for the Army. It’s a win-win: the soldier gets to the thing they want to do (while keeping job security), and the Army retains a trained and experienced employee.

Does this sound too good to be true? I thought so too. Not all soldiers are eligible, but for those who are, it’s a great deal. When I learned about the program, I knew immediately that I had to apply. This could be my chance to thru-hike the AT! I thought. I was giddy with the mere idea of it. 

Applying for CIP

I completed my application a few months later. I could request any amount of time between 1 and 3 years. With my sights set on thru-hiking the AT, I planned to request the minimum of 1 year. That would be more than enough time to prepare, hike, and recover before returning to work.

As I completed my application however, I began to think that maybe I should request more time. It would be financially difficult to be unemployed for over a year, but it would also open up the possibility for more adventures beyond the AT. 

What the hell, I thought. Maybe I could hike the PCT too. At the last minute I changed my request on the application from 1 year to 2 years. 

I submitted my application in February 2022. Selection for CIP requires approval from the individual’s chain of command and a CIP selection panel. It was a long process. Anyone familiar with the military knows the pain of the scrutiny, gatekeeping, red tape, and bureaucracy involved with routing formal requests. 

I waited and waited. Weeks went by, then months. I tried not to get my hopes up. Though the program advertises that there are no set reasons to apply, I wasn’t sure if wanting to thru-hike would count as a valid reason. It was too late though; my hopes were up. 

Finally in August 2022, 6 months after submitting my application, I got the email. I was approved! I could hardly believe it. 

Halfway Through 

After 13 1/2 years of active duty service, I began my CIP, or “mini-retirement” as I like to call it, last February. I am now about halfway through and having the time of my life. In September I successfully completed a thru-hike of the AT and now I am preparing for a thru-hike of the PCT. (I am really glad I changed my request to 2 years at the last minute!) I am grateful every day for this incredible opportunity. 

The Nitty Gritty

Some program details:

• Participants are obligated to a 1:1 commitment for every month they participate in the program. For example, if you take 12 months off, you will owe 12 months back to the Army upon return. This is in addition to the amount of time remaining on your current contract.
• Participants receive 2/30ths of their base pay during CIP. The stipend amount will depend on rank and time in service. It’s worth pointing out that CIP is not for everyone; you must be in a financial position to temporarily lose almost all of your military paycheck.
• Participants and their dependents retain the same healthcare they have on active duty. (This is huge!)
• The Army will pay to move participants to their designated CIP location.

A Hidden Gem

There is not a lot of information out there about CIP. Most people have never heard of it. It baffles me that this program isn’t talked about more. I personally don’t know anyone else who has participated. Most of the people I talk to are stunned to learn that such a program even exists. 

Because this program is so rare, the procedures to temporarily process a soldier out of the Army are unfamiliar to most everyone involved. There have been some administrative bumps along the way, but no big deal. It’s a small price to pay for the chance of a lifetime.

I can’t say if the air of mystery is intentional or not, but even as a CIP participant, there’s still a lot I don’t know about the program. I don’t know how many people apply, nor do I know what percentage of applicants are approved, or even what constitutes a strong application. All I can say is that it worked for me. 

I also don’t know if the other military branches offer the same opportunity, but I would strongly encourage anyone in the military to look into it. If you have your eyes set on a long thru-hike, or any other big personal goal, this could be your chance. 

Don’t Wait

I could have waited until retirement to thru-hike, but there is always a risk in deferring goals. You never know what life may throw your way later: medical problems, family emergencies, worldwide pandemics, stock market crashes. If you have the opportunity to pursue a dream now, do it.

Breaks are critical to good work, but even more so they provide a chance to expand your perspective and cultivate your identity outside of your career. Nothing can compare to the wisdom gained from a thru-hike. I know that when I return to active duty next year I will not only be rejuvenated, but also more experienced, focused, and well-rounded. 

Learn More

You can learn more about CIP here (but note that last I checked, that website had some out-of-date information). If you’re in the Army and interested in applying to CIP, I recommend starting by talking to your leadership and/or career counselor. 

You can follow my PCT preparation and journey right here on the Trek! Subscribe to my posts below. If you’re interested in my experience on the AT and my other mini-retirement adventures, check out www.mini-retirement.com