I am retiring from the National Guard with 20 years of AD in the next year. Would anyone have advice on what to expect or prepare for?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 09:40:29 -0400

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jul 6 at 2016 9:51 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 09:51:24 -0400

Congrats on a great career of service. Did you have a sense of what type of civilian role you may enjoy working in? Or are you wishing to retire completely?

Response by SGT Willie Gonzalez made Jul 6 at 2016 9:55 AM

SGT Willie Gonzalez — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 09:55:10 -0400

Welcome to the USPS we are Hiring Vets.

Response by LT Carl Martin made Jul 6 at 2016 9:59 AM

LT Carl Martin — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 09:59:27 -0400

First, congratulations on your retirement and thank you for your service. If you are planning on a follow-on career, be advised that you may encounter a tax surprised the following year if you haven't planned for it. Should you find a job that pays equal to or more than what you bring home now, your retirement check may bump you into the next tax bracket, thus discovering during your next tax filing that you may not have had enough taxes withheld to offset the increase in overall income. Also, if retirement pay for ANG is like retirement pay for Active Duty, you will need to tell DFAS how much state tax to withhold, unless it is automatic. I recommend checking on both of these issues.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jul 6 at 2016 10:30 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 10:30:35 -0400

1. If you plan on moving after you retire, network in your new area now.
2. Prepare to be underwhelmed at the job market.
3. Get your purely civilian friends to read over your resume and help you translate it.

Response by SPC Carlos R. made Jul 6 at 2016 11:06 AM

SPC Carlos R. — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 11:06:35 -0400

Depends on what your are planning on doing.

Make a plan. What time of job do you want? Do you have such training for such job? Start researching background and making connection in that particular industry.

This is a very important point. I knew I wanted to work in investments so prior to my ETS, I reached out to senior leaders and managers in that industry and made introductions. When I was ready I already had contact and was hired immediately.

Best of luck and thank you for your service.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2016 1:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 13:22:38 -0400

Good luck, If you have a college degree you may have a better chance.

Response by SPC Justin Gay made Jul 7 at 2016 7:34 PM

SPC Justin Gay — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 19:34:25 -0400

First do you have a civilian job or were you active guard?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 7 at 2016 8:33 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 20:33:35 -0400

When you enter a new job, take time to get to know the culture of your new workplace.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jul 11 at 2016 6:18 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 18:18:42 -0400

There are several "What to expect when you retire" kinds of discussions on RallyPoint. Here's one with some good insight.
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/i-will-be-retiring-within-a-year-any-advice-on-what-to-look-for-or-expect

I will be retiring within a year, any advice on what to look for or expect? | RallyPoint

I will be retiring next June 2015. Have about 90 plus days of leave and am looking for sound advice on what to expect. This decision was a tough one for me and I have mixed emotions about it but I need a new challenge in life. 22 years this is all I have known since high school. It has been a great ride and I have met many life long battles who will always have a place to visit. So please if you have any advice feel free to let me know. I am...

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jul 11 at 2016 6:19 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Mon, 11 Jul 2016 18:19:10 -0400

I'd also check out this one: https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/advice-on-how-to-prepare-for-retirement

Advice on how to prepare for retirement | RallyPoint

I retired on 1 Sep 2014. In the two years that led up to that date, I found that there were many things that I had neglected to prepare for, and yet, I also found several communities that provided much needed support so that my transition was not as bad as it could have been. My retirement could have been better, and I could always have been better prepared, but I know now, that no amount of preparation will lead to a flawless retirement....