When did you start your "countdown clock" prior to ETS/retirement?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 11:27:24 -0400

I think when I ETS'ed the first time around I started about 6 months out. Seeing that countdown hit double digits definitely put some pep in my step on rough days. Of course starting too far out probably has the opposite effect. Only 3326 days and a wake up for me!

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jul 23 at 2017 11:29 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 11:29:23 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member for me was when I got my RETIREMENT ORDERS, I became a SHORT TYMER about 6 months out. Yes it was a change: I didn't even have to come to formations anymore, just checked in with 1SG that was it!

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 23 at 2017 11:29 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 11:29:45 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member: I don't recall counting down my days until retirement. I didn't want to retire. I was honorably discharged with disabilities.
-Most Sincerely, Margaret

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Jul 23 at 2017 11:34 AM

PVT Mark Brown — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 11:34:51 -0400

My first day in basic training was a good place to start

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 23 at 2017 11:39 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 11:39:47 -0400

My ETS came as a surprise. I had volunteered for a second tour of duty in Vietnam and called DA when no orders arrived. That's when I learned that I was being RIF'd. To be fair, I think I preferred it that way. While serving in Vietnam I paid no attention to any calendar. My R&R as well as my DEROS arrived as surprises. There was no time spent worrying over them.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jul 23 at 2017 11:58 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 11:58:46 -0400

The only time I was on the "countdown clock" was my tour in Vietnam and then the Army in its infinite wisdom gave me a 45 day drop to go back to Ft.Polk as a patrolling instructor, Saints be praised going home on the "Freedom bird" Hallelujah!

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Jul 23 at 2017 12:46 PM

SGT John " Mac " McConnell — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 12:46:16 -0400

About a year and half before ETS.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2017 1:16 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 13:16:53 -0400

The first time I ETS'd, I think my clock started about 365 days out. This time around, I have way too many days to start counting now. I'll probably wait til I'm about 180 days out this time.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2017 3:00 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 15:00:24 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I served four years, and had a plan in place a year out. Three months from ETS, I started getting ready, by buying new tires for my car, giving away excess uniforms and material, etc. When I retired from my civilian career, I started planning a year out. Doing research, asking questions, taking notes, and having checklists, are an immense help. The checklists will keep important details from falling through the cracks.

Response by MSG Lance Kelly made Jul 23 at 2017 3:27 PM

MSG Lance Kelly — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 15:27:30 -0400

My retirement countdown started when I submitted my retirement packet. A borrowed a countdown clock from someone who had recently retired in my building, they passed it to me when they heard I was retiring. I kept it on my desk so my Soldiers could see it. I told them I didn't want anyone to be surprised or claim they didn't know I was retiring. At first I sent it to my retirement date but with two months of leave and permissive TDY I adjusted to my last work day which brought the day even closer. When the person I borrowed it came back in another job I gave the clock back. By this point everyone knew I was leaving soon. In fact I sometimes would get asked why I was still at work.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Jul 23 at 2017 6:24 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 18:24:14 -0400

Prior to joining the military, I had been unemployed and living with mom. I saw the military as another job, which I soon got used to and liked it…it also kept me employed. I’ve always felt, keeping a “short-timer’s calendar” made the military feel more like a “prison-sentence” than something that I chose to do. Twenty-plus years later, I wasn't looking forward to leaving, but I knew that I couldn’t stay here forever. I was more anxious and worried, thinking about what I would do next. The civilian world looks down on 50-somethings looking for employment…at least that’s been experience so far. Since leaving, seven years ago, I’ve worked some “ok” jobs that I tolerated, but not really happy. I did return to college and currently working on a Master’s in Informatics. My advice, Sir, take down that “short-timer’s calendar” from the wall…your ETS or Retirement will be here before YOU know what happened.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 23 at 2017 6:55 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 18:55:27 -0400

I started my countdown at 1 year out. As of today, I'm down to 105 days until Terminal Leave, and 172 days until ETS.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 23 at 2017 6:57 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 23 Jul 2017 18:57:05 -0400

I would say 24 months out. Get TAP done so you can build a good exit calendar and get your finances in the optimum place. You may not really do anything until you get to 365. You can also start hoarding leave for part of your exit cushion. I would also say that you can work civilian qualifications that require people signing off on your experience. Once you are out AKO goes away. Find people now and get good emails, phone numbers, and addresses....don't forget LinkedIn and other social media. Keep your network.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 24 at 2017 6:43 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 06:43:13 -0400

6 months out.

Response by SSgt Holden M. made Jul 24 at 2017 8:05 AM

SSgt Holden M. — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 08:05:05 -0400

I started looking at things when I was a year out what I needed to do for example going to TAP and making sure that I was getting things done on my out-processing checklist for my separation. I wanted to make sure that when my terminal leave came I wasn't stuck still out-processing.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Jul 24 at 2017 8:05 AM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 08:05:07 -0400

About 21 months out, only three months after reenlisting with high ambitions. I started ACAP at about 17 months out. Going on 15 months out now.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2018 4:13 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 16:13:51 -0400

I'm 18 days out, they made me go to the promotion board, I passed. They're making me take a pt test, even though I'm up to date on my pt test. Still even make me show up to pt, while the guys who piss hot, stay in their rooms all day.