One of the biggest adaptations after retirement.... learning a new language...

PO1 Ken Johnson — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 07:59:54 -0500

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...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2015 8:03 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 08:03:28 -0500

Don't worry, I think it will be like that for most of us when we look back a few years after service. I am currently in the process of possibly leaving the military and am not sure how the adaptation is going to go.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2015 8:03 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 08:03:49 -0500

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.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2015 8:04 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 08:04:06 -0500

What do you mean they don't phonetically pronounce acronyms because everyone's heard them?!?!

DO THEY EVEN PUT THE BLUF IN FRONT!?!?!?!

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Jan 16 at 2015 2:28 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 14:28:47 -0500

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!

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 16 at 2015 4:17 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 16:17:44 -0500

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...