Posted on Jan 16, 2015
One of the biggest adaptations after retirement.... learning a new language...
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After years of CDO, CHENG, SITREP, REFTRA, for sailors and Marines and Army have thier own....
Guess what? In many industries that you will migrate to after leaving active duty, you have to learn a new language. I never thought the civilian world would be any where near as bad as the Navy when it came to abbreviations, but alas, I found that I had to learn a new language!
Now after so many years in the civilian world ( if this company was like the Navy, I could be retired again) I read RP and I find myself asking, "What is an OTSC?" or puzzled when I read another thread....
To all the sailors getting ready to reite, let me pass on something that I learned the hard way....
IT IS CALLED A "TRASH CAN" IN THE CIVILIAN WORLD! That is all....
LIBERTY CALL, LIBERTY CALL...
Guess what? In many industries that you will migrate to after leaving active duty, you have to learn a new language. I never thought the civilian world would be any where near as bad as the Navy when it came to abbreviations, but alas, I found that I had to learn a new language!
Now after so many years in the civilian world ( if this company was like the Navy, I could be retired again) I read RP and I find myself asking, "What is an OTSC?" or puzzled when I read another thread....
To all the sailors getting ready to reite, let me pass on something that I learned the hard way....
IT IS CALLED A "TRASH CAN" IN THE CIVILIAN WORLD! That is all....
LIBERTY CALL, LIBERTY CALL...
Satire
Retired
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 5
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Good post, PO1 Ken Johnson. Staying with the Army as a civilian after retiring from the Army, I didn't have this problem. I just keep soldiering on, using the same acronyms and learning new ones as they come into being.
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SSG Buddy Kemper
I'm looking forward to trying to learn that language, tho, Chief. I must admit knowing my guys will step off on next deployment without me makes me a little uneasy. But I know it's time to go...and we all know....the Army will keep rolling along! Hooah.
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PO1 Ken Johnson
Back in '93 when I started at this place I was lost as a duck in the middle of Iran... now, my newest staff member complains that I should speak English more often because I'm fluent in the language of Industrial Boilers. To top it off, I said something like "Who's on First?" when my lead planner said something and the new guy said "What are you talking about?" I said, you know, the famous skit, Who's on First? Poor kid who just made Gunnery Sgt in USMCR looked at me like I was speaking Greek. I told him to GOOGLE IT... Five minutes later he's laughing like a crazy man. Then he said "Wow, even when you were a kid they had some good comedians...." and ran out of my office laughing...
The funeral arrangements will be announced shortly after I get my hands from around his neck!
The funeral arrangements will be announced shortly after I get my hands from around his neck!
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Every group has their own language. Every craft has its own. I wouldn't worry about it. Sure, there will be an awkward period, just like two people becoming a couple. No one adapts quicker or better than a warrior. Adapt or die...
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One thing I learned is how the civilian world and military world has different languages per your post. It definitely has to do with the culture. I straddle both worlds with the civilian and military. I have gotten to the point though that I am able to adjust quickly as needed. Over time I am sure you will begin to adopt the language of your new surroundings!
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