What's something you did to treat yourself (or plan to) when you hit your ETS?

2016-12-21T22:14:51-05:00

Military life is not always convenient for what we really want on a day-to-day basis. Whether it's four years or 20 years that you put off our heart's desire, be it hobbies or vacation or companions, what are you waiting to jump on at first chance?

I got pets, because I was never in a pet-friendly housing arrangement. My kitten is the sweetest tornado and my hedgehog hates me: Life is good.

Response by TSgt David L. made Dec 21 at 2016 11:41 PM

2016-12-21T23:41:58-05:00

I bought myself a Harley.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 12:05 AM

2016-12-22T00:05:26-05:00

After retirement, I fully intended on growing my hair long, growing a beard, and sleeping until noon.

Long hair sucks - I constantly had to groom it to keep it neat, so I cut it to a "just out of regs" length.
Some jerk replaced my black beard hairs with white ones - and I look like I am 80 with a beard, so I cut it.
I was able to sleep until noon for... a phreaking WEEK... then nature took over and I'm getting up at about 0630 every morning, whether I want to or not.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 12:45 AM

2016-12-22T00:45:12-05:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I moved into an apartment and enjoyed the privacy. I also bought a black and white TV. I started working and going to school full time, so I did not have much time to watch TV or do much of anything else.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Dec 22 at 2016 5:16 AM

2016-12-22T05:16:18-05:00

I got braces. The Army wouldn't let me get them because they were for cosmetic reasons.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Dec 22 at 2016 8:52 AM

2016-12-22T08:52:19-05:00

I took my family to Disney World. Most of the time when I took leave, we just went back home to see family. So when I got out, I planned an actual vacation and it was honestly the best thing ever.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 9:03 AM

2016-12-22T09:03:46-05:00

grow a beard, gut and get a Harley lol .

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 9:51 AM

2016-12-22T09:51:56-05:00

When I first ETSd back in 2003, I didn't work for 6 months and slept in as late as I could every day.

Response by SGT Morrison (Mike) Hogwood made Dec 22 at 2016 11:54 AM

2016-12-22T11:54:28-05:00

bought my first home,that was very rewarding

Response by LTC John Shaw made Dec 22 at 2016 1:44 PM

2016-12-22T13:44:15-05:00

In 1991 I promised my bride a trip to Hawaii on our 20 anniversary. As only the Army Reserve can do, I was deployed during our 20 year. So we planned it for our 25 anniversary and I am deployed again. So when I am out, hopefully this May, 2017, I will be able to schedule the trip that I promised all those years ago.

Response by SFC Dennis A. made Dec 22 at 2016 3:23 PM

2016-12-22T15:23:35-05:00

It took a few years after I got out but I bought my motorcycle and went on a mission of riding across every state in the US and as much of Canada as I could.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 11:17 PM

2016-12-22T23:17:52-05:00

Pay cash for a house hopefully

Response by CPL Anthony Slaughter made Dec 29 at 2016 7:41 PM

2016-12-29T19:41:42-05:00

I grew out my goatee, got a beer gut, and tried to grow out my hair, but long hair sucks, and I live in Florida now, so I still shave my head. I basically had a six month vacation where I collected unemployment, slept in every day, stayed up late every night, and haven't run a single step since 2009.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 30 at 2016 3:24 PM

2016-12-30T15:24:12-05:00

Bear Claws. I ended almost a decade of privation. To continue to make ABCP standards, I lived a miserable existence of highly selective eating with some rare exceptions, periodically enduring fasts. At the end that was Backed up with about 2 hours of PT everyday, PT before PT started. I was always tired, sore, and miserable, never seemed to get me where I was trying to go, just left me hovering near the edge of pass/fail.