Has Anyone Felt the Need to Take a Step to Symbolize the End of Your Career?

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 14:52:40 -0400

I could not live in the past as I needed to focus on now and the future. What I did in the past is immaterial to me. I have sterilized my house of anything military and gave my 31 military coins to a veteran. He was more tickled to death than I was lamenting giving them away. It gave me a semblance of freedom.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 3:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 15:03:14 -0400

I personally feel that you cannot live in the past, as you have absolutely no ability to change it. You can however, learn from it and use the past to help mold your future. The end of my military career was not a choice that I made, but think about it often...fondly. Just my 2 cents.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 3:08 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 15:08:49 -0400

Perhaps nobody is trying to force churches to perform same sex marriages, but give it time. Will the judicial system get involved as well and make the priest or pastor do their bidding?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 3:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 15:12:44 -0400

Have you considered maybe a job working with Veterans? You would have the best of both worlds.

Response by PO2 Jeffrey Sheibels made Sep 4 at 2015 3:25 PM

PO2 Jeffrey Sheibels — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 15:25:15 -0400

Everyone needs to mark the end of their time in their own way. . For the first 5 years after I got out. I didn't want anything to do with the Coast Guard or remember any of it. . I put everything I had in a box. I moved a couple of times over those years. Now I proudly hang my unit plaques and my achievement medal certificate on the wall with my zippo lighters and challenge coins. I'm proud of what I did. . It helped me become the man I am today. I see it as a reminder of what I did and what I went through. . Sometimes it's nice to think back at what I did. It keeps me humble. I understand that some only want to look forward to the present and future. . But you have to remember history or you will repeat it.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 3:27 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 15:27:49 -0400

I have mixed feelings Ken. when I first left active duty, it seemed like a major departure...new clothes, new haircut, etc. I focused on NOT having an identity crisis. However, time seems to make things more clear, and as the years go by (getting close to eight now, six since leaving the selected reserves), It seems incomprehensible to detach who I "was" from who I "am". I still get asked my opinion on matters concerning the military by civilian peers, and have found some justification in trying to share my experiences with younger service members. That said, I have been altered to the extent I could never go back...I'm much too insubordinate, opinionated and contemplative these days-LOL!

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Sep 4 at 2015 3:46 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 15:46:57 -0400

This is an interesting question for me. I plan to retire from AD in 2-3 years and with the exception of a 5-year break in service I will have worn the uniform my entire adult life...age 17 to 60-61. I know nothing else! I am very much looking forward to a different life and have the mindset of retirement benefits but nothing really beyond that.

We are leaning to live in a community that offers the lifestyle we desire but there will be no military bases nearby to take full advantage of retirement benefits. My sweetheart will also retire from AD as a colonel and our discussions follow the same logic, she too will have spent most of her adult life in uniform. What I do know is retirement will certainly be a departure of the life we now know and one of enjoyment as we will be free to explore, live, and stay as long as we wish anywhere.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Sep 4 at 2015 7:17 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 19:17:37 -0400

MAJ Ken Landgren, First let state that this is NOT a point of criticism. I do find it interesting that you've made such an attempt to divest yourself of the military and your history therein. However, you've logged on the RallyPoint with this declaration. We can ALL identify with your sentiments: It's who we've become... and we'll continue to take it forward (just not in uniform).

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Sep 4 at 2015 10:04 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 22:04:30 -0400

Maj Ken Landgren, See y'all next go around Major. Nice to have seen your posts! CSM Hayden

Response by SMSgt Keith Klug made May 23 at 2023 9:26 AM

SMSgt Keith Klug — Tue, 23 May 2023 09:26:18 -0400

I was so ready to retire from Active Duty. My career field had gone down the tubes so badly in the last five years or so I was in. SNCOs were being undermined by both officers and Junior NCOs and the pride in wearing the uniform had just be undercut from even some commanders. It is just a jobs program now.