Today, I put on my ACUs for the last time. What was the hardest part of your transition (if you got out/retired)?

2014-06-20T19:37:20-04:00

So, today, I put on my ACUs for the last time, and signed out on transitional leave.

In just 75 short days, I'll be "retired" from the US Military.

While I'm at it, if you know someone who needs a CompTIA Network+, Security+ (pending - take the certification test in July), or A+ Computer Tech/Manager, please send me a PM.

In response to the question I posed: for me, it has been getting all the crap done that needed to be done before I was able to sign out on leave, and there is no real clear checklist of what you should do in what order (for example: I was told several times that I had to go to Retirement Services AFTER going to Finance, but it is actually the opposite! Oh, and I had to sign out on Leave BEFORE I finished with Finance, so I had to leave Finance, go to my unit, argue with the EOC/Staff Duty to get them to sign my leave form, and then return to finance!)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2014 8:14 PM

2014-06-20T20:14:39-04:00

Congratulations, and thank you.

Response by MSG Mitch Dowler made Jun 20 at 2014 9:22 PM

2014-06-20T21:22:19-04:00

The hardest part for was driving on and focusing on the mission while I had multiple job offers in the queue and all of them wanting me to start work immediately!

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jun 20 at 2014 10:36 PM

2014-06-20T22:36:03-04:00

Congratulations! The hardest part for me was trying to learn to sleep in! I'm still working on it, retired in 2006 and still have a hard time sleeping past 6, even on weekends!

Response by Capt Richard Desmond made Jul 17 at 2014 4:38 PM

2014-07-17T16:38:56-04:00

Congrats on retirement! For me I separated so things were a little different. The toughest part was honestly was dealing with the VA to get the benefits I needed. The good thing about retirement is you have a check in the mail, but for us we have to stand and wait forever for the machine to chug out things we all took for granted like medical coverage, tuition, and money. Next to that was the culture shock, mine was not as traumatic because my last assignment was Air Force Recruiting which is basically ran like a civilian business, but I still miss the camaraderie and the uniform. Its been 7 months and a day doesn't pass where I don't think about the service. Thanks for your service and good luck on your next chapter.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2014 8:43 AM

2014-07-25T08:43:10-04:00

SFC,

If you happen to have a clearance, the DC area is hiring for the skillset mentioned, although it may be lower than what you expect given the skills. Still, given a foot in the door at an agency here, (with the high turnarounds) means quick promotion.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 25 at 2014 7:55 PM

2014-07-25T19:55:18-04:00

Congratulations SFC Private RallyPoint Member! Thanks for your service. For me it was not being around people who, "got it", then Rally Point came along...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2014 2:50 PM

2014-09-13T14:50:49-04:00

SFC Wayman, congrats on your retirement from the Army. It was an honor working with you. I hope to join you around this time in 2016 as I plan to drop my packet next year. Good luck in all of your future endeavors and thanks for staying in touch. Take care of yourself brother!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 13 at 2014 11:00 PM

2014-09-13T23:00:10-04:00

How goes retirement SFC Private RallyPoint Member ??

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 14 at 2014 12:54 AM

2014-09-14T00:54:20-04:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member Congratulations and thank you for your service. May your transition be smooth.

Response by LTC Rex Wilson made Sep 14 at 2014 8:59 PM

2014-09-14T20:59:43-04:00

First congrats on your retirement. One door in your life is closing but many more are opening for you!
For me the most difficult thing about retirement was missing my Brothers-In-Arms. Service members share some difficult times together and create bonds which are virtually impossible to duplicate on the "outside". Most of us miss those times but we can maintain many of those friendships even if we don't see our buddies every day.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2018 9:58 PM

2018-03-05T21:58:55-05:00

Congratulation! I'm sure it's a bittersweet transition. Seven more years for me.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Mar 6 at 2018 12:43 AM

2018-03-06T00:43:31-05:00

Thanks for your service, SFC Private RallyPoint Member.

Response by Georgeann Carter made May 8 at 2018 6:46 AM

2018-05-08T06:46:40-04:00

I hope that you are enjoying retirement at this point.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made May 8 at 2018 12:37 PM

2018-05-08T12:37:50-04:00

I got out of active duty in 1992, It took me a long time to get used to dealing with civilians and realizing my Army training really didn't leave me with useful real world skills. That was hard, when I retired from the Guard, easy peesy, I was ready. The incompetence I saw at so many levels infuriated me on a monthly basis. I swear my blood pressure went up every month on Drill weekends. So When I said goodbye I was ready.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2018 7:49 PM

2018-05-12T19:49:24-04:00

Congratulations on your retirement! I retired a few months ago so for me the hardest part was developing a primary and secondary plan; to work or not, federal or corporate, what industry, what level to jump in, how to put 30 years of military service on a 1-2 page resume, etc.. I ended up going with my secondary plan; back to school. You shouldn't question your decision to retire. You've made it farther than most. Only 17% of active duty make it to their retirement year so welcome to the "Check of the Month club"!

If you're going to take terminal/transitional leave then get a "Statement of Credible Service" letter from your command before you depart that way you can apply to those Federal jobs while awaiting your official 214 documents. You have 30 days to set up your medical coverage (after retirement) but DEERS needs to have the status change first so get the blue ID card at your first opportunity. (Bring your retirement orders with you to the DEERS office.) Then visit with a Veteran Service Officer (VSO) (Disabled American Vet, American Legion, VFW, etc.) in lieu of the VA. Your local county should have VSOs as well and they're not as well-known or busy as the state VSOs. The VSO can hook you up with all the other information. If you're filing a claim with the VA, be prepared for a very long wait to hear a reply. (I'm still waiting for a reply.)

As far as your CompTIA Network job hunt, in a single word: LinkedIN. However, I'm confident you'll find something to your liking. It's a great career field and everybody needs them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2018 9:03 PM

2018-05-12T21:03:26-04:00

So, uh, hey, I appreciate everyone wishing me a great retirement, etc, but - well, this post is over four years old! SO, long story short: I retired. I started working as a contractor, for the military, and still do. Love my job. Life rocks! Things are great! If you have questions about retirement, the best thing you can do is MAKE A PLAN! Have a plan for what you want to do, and have a plan for if that falls through! You should probably have a backup to the backup too, because we all know, no plan survives first contact with the enemy (the enemy being life in this case!). Thanks for your well wishes though!