I will be leaving the safety of the tribe, called the United States Armed forces - what helped you adjust?

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 19:49:28 -0400

I will retire before too long and leave the safety of the tribe which I have devoted 30 years to. There seems to be so many that take advantage of various programs and complain that they are victims of the system.

This goes out to all my RP brothers and sisters out there, those that are in our Reserve Component, our retired Service Members, our Veterans as well as our civilian population that has joined us on RP and live amongst the general population "on the outside".

How do you get along with them, do you see the complaints as hypocritical? Do you walk on by and ignore them? Do you make an on the pot correction? Do you act like you do not notice?

We have people that decry the American flag is hate speech, that is MY FLAG! I have a lot of stress and concerns of trying to "get along" with the population and believe I will have to get out away from the populous...not so sure how I will get along with those that are just out for themselves trying to use the systems and take advantage of the Troops, to use the sacrifice of our Service Members to give them the freedoms to do nothing and have tax payers support them - how have you dealt with it?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 6 at 2015 7:57 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 19:57:58 -0400

Thank you for an eloquent post CSM Michael J. Uhlig. May God bless you and those you love as you transition from the active rolls to the retired.
I do my best to get along with everybody I come in connect with in person or on this net. I recommend treating each person with respect.
I recommend that you continue to treat each person with respect. If correction is required do it respectfully. Sometime you will meet resistance but generally people, respond well to being treated respectfully.
I concur with @Capt Don Porter that being yourself is important. Don't try to change into somebody you aren't. Being a retired soldier is very similar to being away from the base in civilian clothes for an extended weekend - except that weekend lasts the rest of your life .:-)
Are you staying in Germany or returning to CONUS after you retire?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 7:58 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 19:58:02 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig Be yourself. The major difference is that you will probably no longer be the one who is expected to make corrections to everyone.

Just be a cool as you have been on this site, but temper yours self to be an associate not the man in charge.

Don't stop being a leader, but, do by leading not commanding.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 6 at 2015 8:31 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 20:31:25 -0400

First you are the captain of your ship. Don't let anyone alter your course.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Sep 6 at 2015 8:39 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 20:39:16 -0400

Exciting! What are you going to do with yourself?

They are mostly good folks, I love when they start moaning about how bad something in their life is going. I have noticed since the wars have been getting less press, their are a lot less "Thank you for your service" moments unless it is from another Vet. I don't mind, it is just an observation.
I can't imagine you will have any issues 'making it' in the 'real world', you have tons to offer almost any organization! Whatever you decide to do after retirement, I have no doubt you will excel. I do worry about running into someone burning my beloved flag, I am really not sure what I would do in that instance. We are all here to offer whatever support we can, feel free to contact me anytime!

Response by CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner made Sep 6 at 2015 9:24 PM

CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 21:24:23 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig, thank you for your service! 30 years is a long time Brother! You are in for a good case of culture shock when you retire! My wife continually pulls me along when we pass "demonstrations" against the USA, she knows I want to throat punch a few and jack-slap the rest! I am learning to go to my "happy place" and ignore them. I do not watch the news and I avoid Hollywood's portrayals of Iraq and Afghanistan. Some television shows are also on my do not watch list. I am learning to exercise control over such in order to prevent them from having control over me!

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Sep 6 at 2015 9:43 PM

SSG Leo Bell — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 21:43:47 -0400

Good evening Sir
Congratulations on your up coming retirement. To start off its not that easy dealing with some of the civilians out here. Not all of them are hard to deal with. You will just have to over look some of them. You can't do in the spot corrections on them because they might take it as a threat and get offended then try to do something dumb like shoot at you or fight you ( you know some of these kids are out here and afraid to take a beating in a fair fight so if you fight them n they lose they like to run get a gun and shoot). Some of these people have no respect for them selves or other people. It will take you a little time getting use to be a civilian but you can do it and we are all here to help.

Good luck.
Leo

Response by SFC Joseph James made Sep 6 at 2015 10:01 PM

SFC Joseph James — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 22:01:25 -0400

Nothing really, I was forced out by my injuries and medical retirement. It must be easier when it's your choice. Ok, truly my family and friends were the only thing that helped.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 6 at 2015 10:28 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 22:28:47 -0400

I wish you well my brother. There is a reason why I have so much time on RallyPoint. The separation was a little too much for me. I had the rug pulled out from under me at the 18.5 year mark and I got a bunch of surgeries to try to get back in. I was TDRL for 4 years and when I finally got called in for my reeval, the first thing out of their mouths was "put returning to active duty off the table right now." I can't relate to serving 30 years and having a scheduled retirement date. I can only tell you what I learned from my experience. Stay away from those watering holes like the VFW. They won't bring back that sense of camaraderie that we all had. I wish I would have found this site when it first started. It would have saved me some trouble. Your 30 years of experience isn't in any book that can be referenced. There are many aspiring wanna be 1SG's that will need your insight to be successful. The best way to continue serving is through mentorship on this site. I'm sorry to say that for the most part, civilians suck. If you hold any of them to your same work ethic you will lose your mind. I think that is why there is such a long line for people to get hired on in the government sector. In time, I hope you get to that point where you can really retire and just look forward to the sunsets and start seeing the beauty in the world. It is there for all to see but there is so much static in our lives that we cant see the forest thru the trees, so to speak. Focus on learning to decompress and letting go of that sense of life and death urgency. You trained the next generation to take the reigns from here. Congrats on your upcoming milestone. God's peace.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2015 1:51 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 01:51:06 -0400

Want some real advice? If you are a 30 year retiree from the military you should have a Masters Degree. A lot of employers will waive that if you are a brigade level CSM or higher. Of course we are talking about getting job offers that pay as much as you are currently making. If you have a bachelors degree at a minimum you'll be OK. Otherwise you are in a position to be loosing income unless you have a lot of civilian certifications (think EO).

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 7 at 2015 1:53 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 01:53:30 -0400

I would say I jumped into the same basic Job Field, Telecommunications and most Telecommunications Folks I know got their start in the Military so it was a Pretty Easy Adjustment.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2015 2:21 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 02:21:40 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig, you will do an outstanding job in the civilian world as you are doing in the military. As in the military, have firm goals and objectives, and stay busy. I knew I wanted to work on the space program, so I worked and went to school to obtain my degree. Being extremely busy helped me adjust to having to deal with the civilian world, because I did not have time on my hands to think about it. Find new passions that will keep you busy and happy. Enjoy new challenges and adventures! Please let us know how you are adjusting, six months after separation.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Sep 7 at 2015 2:34 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 02:34:07 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig From what I have seen of you here on the RP, I think that you will have no worries. The hard part will be the fact that you will definitely miss the men and women of the service. I say that because that is what I missed after only 8, and it brought me back. 30? Congratulations, that is impressive.
You will find yourself, I think, amazed at how small the world is....
Good luck on your future endeavors.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 7 at 2015 7:20 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 07:20:06 -0400

Just remember the culture shock when you entered. There will be a similar culture shock when you leave. Even if you still work for the military or the government.

Remember the dinosaurs. It wasn't the meteors that killed them. It was when things changed back. They weren't able to adjust that second time.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Sep 7 at 2015 9:11 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 09:11:23 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig . Congratulations on the approaching retirement. You survived 30 years in the Army, were promoted many times and had significant responsibility. You will run circles around most in the civilian world. The biggest caution is to not run too many circles around them. They take offense at being outperformed too much.

Do not rely on others too much. You have learned and done far more than you realize. I as a lowly NCO in the Marine Corps was surprised at how easy it was to out pace, out work but more importantly outperform others. It isn't just about education. It is about commitment, discipline, attention to detail, judgment and dozens of other traits you have acquired over the years.

I have found most folks I work with don't know much about the military and don't think a lot about it. Many know someone who is serving (brother, sister, cousin etc) but they have almost no knowledge of it. Veterans are far better viewed today than decades ago. Most have a favorable view of the military and what they do.

Response by SGT Apollo Sharpe made Sep 7 at 2015 12:39 PM

SGT Apollo Sharpe — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 12:39:32 -0400

The only truly useful info that I can give you is that your transition will take time & patience. You've spent an entire lifetime learning how to operate in a certain environment. Your civilian counterparts have spent an entire lifetime learning how to operate in a completely different environment. There will be hiccups, missteps, & misunderstandings. You won't learn everything that you need to know in time for when you actually need to know it. Forgive yourself for mistakes, you will make plenty. In the end, it'll all work out.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Sep 7 at 2015 11:47 PM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 23:47:07 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig My transition was lucky, in that I had an offer of several jobs long before I ever went on transition leave (lucky), and a little easier, as I still wear the uniform. I can remember two things about retirement, one from mine, and one from when I arrived in Germany in 1998 as a new Major waiting to be on the way to a Battalion to be an S3/XO.

1. As the Executive Officer (my job in waiting) to the USAREUR Provost Marshal in 1998/99, I watched my boss come up on his MRD (30 plus years), which he knew was coming, and for which he was completely unprepared mentally and with regards to what next. He was literally not ready, and was actually hard to be around. The new PM came, and he was still in the office... the new guy was in a temp office until he actually left... What I learned from that (Which I heard from my Brigade Commander as brand new 2LT too) was that the Army is a business, and leaving is quite (Very) impersonal. The Army, at its core, is designed to replace all of us. In the big scheme of things, we really don't matter to the Army. We do, however, matter to our families first and foremost, and then to our units, and those we have connected to and influenced, and who have influenced us. The Army will go rolling along without us, as that is what it is designed to do.

2. When I did my retirement ceremony in 2012, (which I did not want do) I realized that ceremony, after 33 years, mattered (really mattered) to my family... they had been in the Army too the whole time. I also realized, struggling to keep from losing it... that it was over; really over - in that instant. The thing I did from 19 to 51 was finished... But, life went on. It is great, and there is life after retirement.

Thanks for your service CSM, and let me know if I can assist in your transition!

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 8 at 2015 10:58 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 10:58:26 -0400

CSM Michael J. Uhlig First, thanks for your service to this great nation and the United States Army. I can't speak for active duty members that have retired, so transition for me after wearing the uniform for over 37 years (17 to 54) wasn't too bad because I was working through a civilian employer as the President of a company as the same time while serving as a Brigade Commander of a Reserve Sustainment Brigade. They had a Change of Command and Retirement Ceremony all in the same day. That is important and I hope you and your family get the same opportunity. As far as not wearing the uniform anymore I'm involved in veterans projects now, RP, working out of the house, and many other things that keep my days filled up. When I see things that aren't right like you were you talking about with the Flag and people protesting I too have wanted to reach and grab somebody by the neck, but then I realize you can't do that in today's society. I take a deep breath and move on. Doing something irrational could cause further damage for family and livelihood. I don't want my daughters (3 of them) see their father go to jail when I've brought them up to be ladies and respect each other no matter what. (Yes defend themselves, but respect the rights of others). I'll think you will do great CSM and wish you the best of luck. Your always welcome to contact me and reach out for advice or to discuss transition into the civilian world. I'd be more than happy to assist you.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Sep 8 at 2015 4:18 PM

SPC George Rudenko — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:18:03 -0400

As I was a civilian cop, everyone knows the law, their rights etc. fact is that these are the folks we protect. Even the stupid and ignorant. Enjoy seeing a different perspective and on that rare occasion when you can have an intelligent conversation you may just change a heart and mind.

Response by Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay made Jun 19 at 2016 9:42 AM

Sgt Ramon Nacanaynay — Sun, 19 Jun 2016 09:42:00 -0400

Check-out Sebastian Junger's book, "Tribe".