Military Retirees Sound Off

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Mike Powell

Mike Powell

Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2013
Messages
551
Location
League City, Tx 77573
I know there are a ton of retirees on the site. So here is my question to you. For the first 6 months to a year, was your life in order, how well did you adjust to civilian life, and did you have a job planed?


I will retire 1 Dec 14, last day of work, some time in Sep. It sounds like a really long ways off, but when I return from this deployment, I will only have about 4 months left on AD.

My future plan is finishing my college, which will be about three years, and then going to work. I have been a cop, and 20 years as Ammo troop (ordinance, I build bombs), I figure its time to help people for a while. So I will be going for my RN license. Im excited to start a new chapter in my life, but I am also scared to death of walking away from the security of the Military.

You guys want to share your stories with me?
 
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I retired in September 1988. I was fortunate to have been offered a position with the Virginia Lottery (before it started up). I took the leave I could not sell back and began working in August.

I never looked back. I did miss the camaraderie the military oozes, but I did not miss the bureaucracy.

While my circumstances may not be typical, I did tend to change jobs every two to five years as in the civilian world, at least for the agencies/companies I worked for, the only way to climb the ladder was to leave the rung I won on with company A and jump up a rung or two with company B, C, D ....
 
That is always an issue, why do think the suicide rate among MR's is so high, but having a plan, like you do will make it easier. Keep in touch with the VA assistance services in your area, volunteer at the local VA or military hospital and join the local VFW chapter. We stayed near a military base, because of medical issues, and it will keep you going, being involved with the civilian community, most love the retired military. One big mistake I made was not making some down time for me and my wife. You are always welcome to PM me and I will send you my mobile if you like.


Richard Ray, USAF Retired
 
I've been retired since 1994. I was working part time for the company I'm still with. I did have think about how I wrote the date for a little while but other then that I found the transition fairly easy. I do miss the camaraderie but that's about it. As with the military you'll have to put up with bone heads and those that like to throw there position around and you have those who are willing to take you under their wing. I was thinking the other day I'll be retired 20 years this November it really does not seam that long. I guess that because for the last 15 + years I've got to share everything with the love of my life. Evelyn is a LPN and enjoys taking care of people and she teaching them. Mike I know your going enjoy being retired as all of us retires do.
 
Thanks guys, I am really looking forward to it, the military has changed so much in the last 20 years.

Dan, I joined the month and year you retired. My date of enlistment in 22 Nov 1994. My wife is an RN and certified as a Clinical Oncology Nurse (OCN I think, its just more letters behind her name that make her more money).
 
First.......Take some time for YOU.

Going back to school/college is the smart thing. You got a plan......you know what you want......GO FOR IT. And don't ever forget that little trooper you have at home. She is now your reason for going forward. Remember her always. Do the little things you promised to do when you were overseas.

Others have told you.....Go to the VA for anything you need....That is what they are there for. Help out those who need it. Assit where you can. Take a weekend and spend it at a local VFW or out with the guys who need the help to go fishing/hunting/traveling.
It will do your heart good. The friendship is there....you just have to go find it for yourself.

Most of all......Once you are done.....find that peace in yourself.
 
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My official retire date was 1 July 1997. Was working at a Dodge dealership in May before I retired while on terminal leave. I adjusted well but the wife at the time was used to me being gone all the time. She left the following Feb. Like was previously mentioned, if you can make the time with SWMBO, take some time for yourselves. Congrats and thanks for your service. Semper Fi!
 
I retired from the Navy in June 1993. About a year prior to my retirement date I applied to teach the NJROTC program and was accepted. About six mo prior I hit the bricks and was lucky to be hired as an instructor here in Chattanooga, where I still live. I just retired this past year from that position after 20 years. The only problem I'm having right now is that I have so much free time on my hands, I can't get anything done. Seriously.
 
I retired on 1 Apr 2005, from the USAF EOD. During my 20, I was deployed for over 10 years, so my wife and I wanted alot of down time to ourselves. We bought a RV and volunteered at National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges for 6 years. It was a great life, but we finally wanted to park it somewhere. Now, I am self-employed as a handyman and am really enjoying life. We do what we want, when we want.
 
Mike,

I am probably the most recent military retiree of the group....My ceremony was in August and terminal leave until December.

Do as most stated, take time for yourself. I highly recommend you take as much terminal leave as you can. It keeps the money flowing in while you are looking for that transition to civilian life. I was able to take 3+ months of terminal leave and it was well worth it.

You need to set yourself up for the transition financially. That is the MOST IMPORTANT part! It may take you a while to find a new position. It is harder than most think. Especially if you limit your location and field. I am unsure how your specialty transfers over to the civilian life but you need to decide what you want to do. Do your best now with the extra deployment money and incentives to pay off as many bills as you can. That allows the stress of the transition to be minimized. DAMHIKT

I will say that you will likely do alright with the transition based on you asking questions. That means that you know what is coming and are trying to set yourself up for success.

If you have specific questions, send me a PM and I will do what I can to answer the questions.

Good luck with your transition!! Fitting in is not as hard as you might think.
 
One thing that may not change is folks telling you how to do your job who have no idea on how to do your job or telling you at my ........... we did it this way or that way. And it does not even come close to the way is has to be done.
 
After 23, 6 and10, I hit the bricks in 2005. I still miss it, and would still jump on my ship in 3 seconds if called back active. Serving in HSS has helped the change over...spend time on USS Comfort, on board different ships for Fleet Week. Been hard for me to let go. Just for you Dan...I'd ask my Chief if he needed me for anything 3x a day..."No Commander...we've got you back sir!!" They ran the boat...I just sat in the sand!
 
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Retired in Aug 1981. Had electronics training from the Air Force and turned it into biomedical work. Did that for 23 more years and finally really retired and now do as my wife allows me to. Seems that you have a plan. stick to it, ask for help when you need it. Best of luck and hurry home safe!!
 
I retired in Aug 2008. I was on what they called the "ROAD" program. Retired on Active Duty. My last command (USS WASP) kind of looked out for me. We were in the shipyards so my Chief sent me to work with engineering. Wait it doesn't sound bad.. My job was to call the departments when a contractor came and have someone from the duty section meet them and escort them where they needed to go. I worked from 8am-12pm then got recieved by the 12-6pm guy. Got a job at the same hospital my wife worked at for 20 yrs. I do security now.
 
I retired in 2009 after 24 years. 3+ months of terminal leave. Wasn't sure what I wanted to do when I left...which is bad. luckily my wife had a good steady governement job, so I took some time to wind down. I had been doing some woodworking/turning on the side and started to take in orders...not much just enough to stay busy. Started my own business and figured out that I was neither organized enough or dedicated enough to work in the shop 8 hours a day to make a living on it. That was pretty much a 3 year vacation until a position landed in my lap. A friend asked for my resume, and after some procrastination (6 months) I put one together and gave it to him. Got hired as a Navy Instructor teaching the same equipment I worked on while active. I didn't realize how much I missed everything....especially training sailors and troubleshooting.
Biggest thing I learned about getting a job is, networking is huge. Make sure you hae a LinkedIn account as a lot of employers are looking there now. I didn't even have an interview...was hired from my resume and the fact that 6 people at the command new me from other places and put in a good word.
 
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Not military retired, but I am retired after 40 years in the traffic and transportation industry... I did do 4 years in the Navy back about the time we converted from sail to steam....:biggrin:

Truthfully, the day I woke up and realized that that date was my 40th anniversary in the industry... I also realized that I was just plain tired of the rat race and retired within the month, 2005... haven't looked back and regretted the change... wood turning has kept me busy and things fresh.
 
ROTFLMAO! If there are ANY secure jobs these days, RNs are some of those jobs.

Look in any newspaper in any town in America and there will be classifieds begging for RNs, home care nurses, PAs, nurse anesthesia, and other licensed Heath care professionals.

This is NOT meant as a political commentary! Since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, health care professionals have been leaving at an alarming rate.

The better hospitals here in Paradise are paying SUPER WAGES for RNs, and in many cases, offering upwards of $15K signing bonus.

I think you'll do fine! And thanks for your service.
 
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I held two one-on-one pen making classes in my shop this past week; one was a 34 year Air Force vet with several deployments and the other was a Naval retiree. It was a hoot talking with these American servants, getting to know them and helping them find a fun hobby/craft to fill in some time for them to enjoy. One made a Honduran Rosewood burl Mesa and the other made a cigar in Bethlehem Olive wood. Both pens came out really well and they were delighted with their first effort. I served in the AF for 6 years but was dumb and didn't stay for the "gold watch" event. Thanks for your service troops, you kept us safe.
WB
Both of these guys will be on here in the near future.
 
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