How did your retirement ceremony go? Was it worth the hassle of getting the children out of school and the wife off work?

I really enjoyed my ceremony. The most difficult part is writing a speech to cover 20 plus years and highlighting what was important. I recommend working on that at least 3 months out. You won’t think it’s going to be an emotional event, but it will stir something up in you. It did for me. I had to snivel and tear up for about 30 seconds before my speech. When you receive the flag it’s overwhelming. At your ceremony you will feel like you did at your child’s birth or when you got married. But it all changes when you get your new ID card and start collecting retirement pay. I stopped getting haircuts for a few months and slept in as much as possible. It’s nice when you have your own identity. Rank and authority mean nothing after that. Just smile at the junior enlisted and give them encouragement.

Mass ceremony with absolutely no individual recognition or words, aside from my name and award level (but not citation) being read. Not worth *my* time, let alone my family's. Didn't want to go, but installation outprocessing won't finalize packet without attending a ceremony.

I was privileged to have the full parade ceremony and it was flawless as only Marines can do. It marked a significant change in both mine and my family's lifestyle, so it was important that they be there to provide us all with a clean break. The pictures tell the story for my children, including my son who was four years old at the time and decided it was appropriate for him to join me and the CG as we received the pass in review.