Best advice on preparing for retirement? 23 months out

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 22:41:32 -0400

I am 23 months out from retirement, currently deployed and saving up money/paying stuff off. As I get closer to retirement when is the best time to actually start looking for and applying for jobs? I know I will not be able to enjoy all 60 days of terminal leave on the beach somewhere as I will need to start working shortly thereafter so there are no pay gaps. As far as getting the most out of disabilty does anyone have any words of wisdom and any other advice on this subject feel free to give me some knowledge. Thanks!

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 4 at 2015 10:59 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 22:59:43 -0400

It is never too early to start looking for the next job - especially if you cannot weather six months or more with no paycheck. The sooner you know the employment market in the area you would like to live the better. Also, it helps to be prepared to relocate to wherever the work is.

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Sep 4 at 2015 11:53 PM

Cpl James Waycasie — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 23:53:03 -0400

I would start looking right now. Find companies you are interested in and get your resume out there and detail when you will be available.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2015 12:32 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 00:32:05 -0400

I would start looking at Usajobs probably about 2 months out. As far as disability is concerned, it is imperative you make sure that any injury you sustained on active duty is in your med records. Good Luck!

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Sep 5 at 2015 1:21 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 01:21:18 -0400

If you haven't started networking, especially "on the other side," this would be a great time to start. I would recommend that you develop a LinkedIn profile and start posting your resume on employment sites. Get to a job fair, or two. Talk to potential employers... now. This might sound a little quirky: But, if you think you have decided on the area to where you'll relocate, call the local recruiters --as they're already connected to the community, they're great resources. The best time to look for a job is while you have one... and Never jump out of the plane without a parachute. Good luck!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 5 at 2015 5:37 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 05:37:18 -0400

Take your medical record and any records that may not be in your Army medical jacket (I know that in the Navy if you go to a Naval hospital some of that stuff will not make it to your record) to a DAV (Disabled American Vets) or even a VA rep (most of these offices have representatives on base, at least in the Navy) and have them look through it and file your disability claim for you. Make sure you do this while you're still on active duty. Don't wait until after you're retired.

If you do it while still active your claim will be expedited and supposedly you will start getting paid (and thus eligible for VA medical) the same day you officially retire.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Sep 5 at 2015 12:05 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 12:05:53 -0400

SFC Private RallyPoint Member well congratulations on your journey, use the time wisely and get everything in order. I took time to financially pay off most of my bills, relocate the family and do my medical. Attend all your Soldier of Life classes, and do some of them twice. They are really helpful. Prepare for your VA Disability if you are claiming disability. It must BE SERVICE CONNECTED(CHRONIC). Be sure to enroll in the BDD program 180 days out.

https://soldierforlife.army.mil/
http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/
http://benefits.va.gov/predischarge/claims-pre-discharge-benefits-delivery-at-discharge.asp

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2015 12:55 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 12:55:54 -0400

1. Get copies of ALL your medical and military records. Make extra copies.
2. Your DD214 may take a little while, so get a letter from personnel office.
3. File your VA disability claim as soon as possible.
4. Take the Transition Assistance Program class.
5. Save up between 6 to 12 months of pay. Yes, it can take that long to find your next job.
6. Ask yourself, What do you want to do? Be realistic.
7. Ask yourself, Where do you want to live? Be realistic, consider multiple locations, and do research.
8. Do research on the job market in the areas you want to live.
9. Start networking now.
10. Tight up your resume.
11. USAjobs and Indeed.com are great resources for job searching.

Response by MAJ Rod Harden made Sep 5 at 2015 6:09 PM

MAJ Rod Harden — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 18:09:54 -0400

As far as preparing for the transition, you are in the window. Start with TAPs and getting a solid resume created. Ever thought of being your own business owner? This is a great opportunity with a Military Friendly Employer:
http://www.farmers.com/become-an-insurance-agent/

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Response by CSM Carl Cunningham made Sep 5 at 2015 9:32 PM

CSM Carl Cunningham — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 21:32:41 -0400

The best advice is to start the Soldier for Life program ASAP. If you take it seriously, it will help steer you in the direction you want when you retire. And do NOT take your phone in there. You unit can live without you for a bit.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 5:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 05:54:33 -0400

Thanks everyone for the great advice! That's one of the things I will miss most about serving, there is somebody there to help when you need it!

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Sep 7 at 2015 1:41 AM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 01:41:43 -0400

Get Veterans Survival guide from Amazon. Get tested for sleep apnea.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Sep 7 at 2015 9:27 AM

MSG Floyd Williams — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 09:27:21 -0400

1) Start putting your resume together and tweak as necessary before retiring
2) 6 months before retiring is a reasonable amount of time to sent out your resume to different employers
3) Have about 2 or 3 copies of your medical record put safely away at home
4) Have someone from a Veterans Organization to represent you when making a claim through the VA, it helps to have somebody to fight for you. If you try it alone its like running into a brick wall, representation is a must in my opinion
5) Be prepared for the culture shock in the civilian world totally different from the military
6) Use your skills and knowledge in your new surroundings
7) Allow your military experience to be a mentoring tool to individuals and the community
8) Stay connected to the military community and veterans to help you cope when things seems unbearable, and offer advice to those still serving to help enhance their careers
9) Check out the topics on employment on Rally Point Board on different websites for employment
10) Once you get established in your employment and new resident go fishing as much as possible for the relaxation

Just to name a few, I wish you well!

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Sep 7 at 2015 6:22 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 18:22:50 -0400

Make sure your fishing License is up to date. 23 months is enough time to scope out online all the good holes and rivers. Practice makes perfect so buy a nice fly rod and start practicing now with cheap flies so you dont loose the nice ones ( yes I speak from experience!!) Electric coolers are probably the best on long weekend fishing trips but bring a good Igloo Hard plastic one too so you can travel a bit further than just around your rig and have something to set on after you have lost all your flies and want to try bottom fishing ( again...experience !!) NEVER EVER go into WallMart with your fishing gear in the hopes of getting fish there, not only do they frown on that kind of thing (Experience !!) but the only fish in there are already chopped up and in bags , taking all the fun out of fishing....Ohhhh you meant jobs and the IMPORTANT issues of retiring.... I think everyone else already covered that!!!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 10 at 2015 7:16 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 19:16:59 -0400

1. You will be assigned a Physical Evaluation Liaison Officer (PEBLO) on post.
2. I went to the post hospital to get a physical done by the VA. Take a list of ailments because you might forget.
3. After several months the PEBLO will give you your Army and VA percentages.
4. The Army and VA will give you a medical definition to justify the percentages. I noticed my conditions were congruous to a higher definition and thus a higher percentage. The PEBLO helped me appeal my Army percentage. I printed out an email with the higher definition to justify an appeal. I got the higher.
5. The DAV helped me get a higher percentage from the VA.

I take it you are employable?

Response by CPT Brent Ferguson made Nov 4 at 2015 6:29 AM

CPT Brent Ferguson — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 06:29:42 -0500

I left this advice for another retiree earlier today. Apologies for the repetition, but it's pertinent and you might find it helpful.

I can't emphasize this enough. GET YOUR RECORDS. All of them. You need medical, dental, personnel, and ANY POSSIBLE EXPOSURES OR INJURIES THAT ARE NOT IN THEM documented with letters from your command, buddies, family, anyone that can support the statement. The minute you walk off base take a photocopy of them and register for the VA. Get all dental work done ASAP. The wait can be quite long and can actually put you past the time frame where you CAN get the work done. I have seen people at Atlanta Dental who just ETS'd try to schedule, and the earliest available date was after their eligibility period. Also, since you are older, sorry but you are old enough to get a colonoscopy. Don't fall for that virtual colonoscopy BS. I know a lot of physicians and NONE recommend it. You see, the virtual puts you thru all the discomfort without anesthesia. Virtual CANT fix any problems they find. A regular colonoscopy CAN. So, if you get a virtual and they find something - you get double the fun and you have to turn around and go for a full colonoscopy. Within the first 3 months insure that you address all medical issues with the VA - and at least have appointments pending with them.

I hurt myself on active duty 24 years ago and am still trying to get the VA to address the medical issues, because I was a stalwart soldier and gutted it out. At least the fractures show on X-ray, but all the other medical records were lost by the VA long ago. Get those records, put the originals in a safe deposit box. I still can't find any of the 30 or so witnesses to the collision, loss of consciousness, or fractures - the VA really doesn't look for you. Thank goodness for that one X-ray record.

One final anecdote: 20 years ago, when I broke my teeth and jaw during company PT, the dentist told me they would eventually fall out and the VA would make me some new ones. Back then they used arsenic to kill the roots of broken teeth. We now know this is bad and causes systemic health issues.

My point? What we know now may not be what we know in 20 years. You're not just getting the records for what you know now, you should be trying to document WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW. Toward that end, yes, get all your records. Certainly write down exposures and treatments you had and when/where. Also write down who you were with AND HOW TO CONTACT THEM. Try to keep in touch and update that information at least annually. That way, if some of your buddies start to drop because you all got the experimental anthrax vaccine - or some other cause - you can get a heads up, perhaps even thwarting an adverse outcome.