My Miltary Retirement

[jazzspot]

Ken, Many congrats on your 21 years of service!!! I know how you feel. This year is my 10th year of my retirement from 21 years in the USAF. Man... time flies by!!
Like you, I had much trepidation and uncertainty of what I was going to do with my life. I was a single parent at the time (daughter was 17, son was 13). And at that time I hadn't found my love for BBQ'n.

The one thing I did was remained positive about my retirement from the USAF and that my technical skills/education/maturity would be highly sought in the job market. I knew I had to find a job and if a job opened in a good awful location, I'd suck it up, just like I did on those many TDYs and deployments I had to undertake. But thankfully, I was offered a good job right near the base that I retired at and the location was just fine. I bought a home and my children did not even have to change schools. Talk about positive thinking!! I knew I wasn't just lucky, for I know that I was blessed by the Man upstairs that He allowed me and my children to have a life after the military where their lives weren't disrupted by a move to another location.
Ten years later.... I'm still in NJ, now married 4 years, still working but for a different company, my daughter graduated from college in 2004 and going to be married next year, and my son as been in the USAF (stationed in England) for almost 3 years and is doing well. And I've found my love for BBQ'n!!!
So life does go on. But as always, I steadfastly remained positive. And that in itself is a rather difficult attitude to have in these very trying times.
You'll do well Ken. Enjoy life!! You have what sounds like a loving and caring family. And in the end... they ARE what really matters in life.
Just my .02¢

 

[bamafan]

Soboke, congrats on the long haul. I know when I retired I couldn't wait til the day. At my retirment ceremony (20 years 1 month and a day USAF) I felt great until my squadron comander spoke then I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Could even speak except to mumble let's party! But good news he offered me a job as a contractor right after that. Enjoy your retirement! If I was able I'd bring the big squadron smoker over and we'd go 15-20 butts together all night. Catch a lotta fish!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jasandalb]

SCOUTS OUT!!!!

CONGRATS!!!

 

[sumosmoke]

Happy retirement, Ken! My thoughts echo most of what has already been said, thanks for your service to our country.

Now I see why you have more time to rake leaves and clean the pool!!

 

[seboke]

Thanks Laurel! If I don't get a job soon, I'll have new landscaping all around! Got two good leads, one with an official offer. Wish me luck!

 

[grillin_all_day]

congrats on the retirement!!!! the years seem to fly by, don't they? i've got 12 more years to be in the same boat as you. enjoy it and good luck w/ the job hunting.

 

[oldairforceguy]

Congrats, and welcome to the land of multiple-colored clothes (LOL). Here's what will be the most difficult for you -- they were for me:

1. What clothes will I put on today (you mean I get to choose?)
2. Will my wife stare at me when I answer her with a firm "Yes, Ma'am."
3. I don't have to keep my shoes shined, if I don't want to.
4. I can use a real suitcase when I travel - and not a Duffel Bag with my name and last four of my social stenciled on it.
5. Will anyone "out there" understand me when I answer all questions with a crisp "Hoorahh!"
6. Just who will I outrank, and why can't I seem to find who the real leader is?
7. Will my neighbors think me a bit off my rocker when I police all their front lawns every morning -- at 5 a.m.
8. Can I jog on my own without counting cadence, singing military marching songs, or carrying a unit flag?
9. Will I find myself drawn to the main gate of the closest military installation every week -- and I don't know why?
10. Now that I am no longer a "lifer," just what will I be called?

And here's the one great thing you can do and not feel one bit lost, or out of place:

Hang out in the meat department of the closest commissary every day waiting for that "perfect" brisket to hit the cooler -- and talk to all the other retired military smokers who are there for the same thing! It is here, in the aisle between the end cap of baked beans and the second cooler that holds the pork butts and beef ribs, that you will realize you never really left the Army ... you merely changed clothes and grew your hair a bit longer (maybe.)

Terry Shay, TSgt, USAF, Ret (1968 - 1988)