For all the retired RP members out there, when did you know you were ready to retire?

When I got back from Iraq with a collapsed disk in my back and my left shoulder screwed up, I could no longer do pushups, I could have gotten a profile, but it was against my personal standard. I always told myself if I had to get a profile, it was time to get out. I always expected myself to do what my soldiers had to do. If I couldn't, then it was time to get out. Just my own personal standard.

CW4 (Join to see) I had just spent from January 2005 to February1 2012 in to Command positions, deployed for 18 months, deactivated a command and then spent my last 4 years starting and building a Sustainment Brigade from scratch. I was having fun at the top of my game; I had gotten to build a Brigade from scratch and move from one state to another; and 37 years seemed like a long time. It was time to make room for others to move up and time for me to move out. Honestly I didn't want another staff puke job (no disrespect intended toward anyone currently assigned to a staff position). When you are commanding you are at the top of your game and why not finish your career as a Commander. Need I say anymore - it was time!

Well not yet retired, but in the process. I guess for me it was my body telling me. The old "mind of a 20 yr old and body of a 40 something"...lol. it's steadily harder and harder to keep up. That for me was my tell tale sign. A lot of my Soldiers asked why I'm leaving and I told them. If I can't be out there leading from the front setting the example without hurting myself etc it's time to go..lol.