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

2020-08-28T23:29:53-04:00

For those who retired from the military, was your retirement ceremony worth the hassle--getting the kids out of school and the wife of work, etc?

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2020 11:31 PM

2020-08-28T23:31:52-04:00

Not sure what you mean. My wife and kids were there.

Response by CW2 Kameron Read made Aug 28 at 2020 11:40 PM

2020-08-28T23:40:44-04:00

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.

Response by SSG Dennis R. made Aug 28 at 2020 11:55 PM

2020-08-28T23:55:58-04:00

I went to the Orderly Room, signed out on leave and, never looked back. All the pertinent documentation came in the mail. I didn't need or want any type of ceremony.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Aug 29 at 2020 12:28 AM

2020-08-29T00:28:14-04:00

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.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 29 at 2020 12:28 AM

2020-08-29T00:28:17-04:00

Yes. Totally worth it.

Response by MSgt Don VandeBogert made Aug 29 at 2020 12:43 AM

2020-08-29T00:43:10-04:00

Yes. Have them there. Your retirement is as much about them as it is you. They served as well.

V/R
Bogie

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 29 at 2020 6:12 AM

2020-08-29T06:12:26-04:00

It was for me.

Response by Maj Robert Thornton made Aug 29 at 2020 7:28 AM

2020-08-29T07:28:41-04:00

Yes, mine was worth it.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Aug 29 at 2020 8:43 AM

2020-08-29T08:43:18-04:00

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.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 29 at 2020 10:02 AM

2020-08-29T10:02:14-04:00

SMSgt Bob Wilson: Dear Bob, if I may indeed, address you by your first name, unfortunately, I did not have a retirement ceremony. I wish that I had had a retirement ceremony.

Response by MSgt Gilbert Jones made Aug 29 at 2020 1:16 PM

2020-08-29T13:16:54-04:00

My retirement ceremony was a hassle, it was held on a Sat and at the base annual open house. I had near 10,000 attendees at my retirement and I was the only one retiring at that time. As for being a hassle on my children, they were proud seeing their dad being retired by the center commander a 2-star general and the remarks she said to me while she was pinning the MSM on. That was a special day for them, plus they were glad to see me retire because then I didn't have to be going off all the time. I missed 4 years of their early growing up plus another approx 2 years going TDY. Did your children and wife feel it was a hassle or like my wife and children they felt proud? I would think they felt proud of you too.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 29 at 2020 2:03 PM

2020-08-29T14:03:18-04:00

As circumstance would have it, I lived in Puget Sound and the retirement was in San Diego. We just make a family trip out of it with the kids staying at Grandma's, as at their age, they'd rather be in her pool. So my wife and I enjoyed a simple Change of Command and retirement and that was it. I had to do the CoC and didn't care much about the retirement thing, but that was the package deal. We both had regular work leave to burn, so it was a nice summertime excuse to hit the road. Getting piped ashore was always a tradition I enjoyed.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 29 at 2020 2:46 PM

2020-08-29T14:46:47-04:00

I was medically retired. I got a flag pin, DD-214, and a flag in a box. I did not care because I was pissed about how I was treated by WTUs at Ft Campbell and Ft Riley. There were several times these WTUs failed to show dignity and respect. Something I lived by in my 20 year career.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 29 at 2020 4:10 PM

2020-08-29T16:10:42-04:00

My Boss ambushed me with it- thought I had dodged it. Take a walk with him, talking about needed changes, past the Post Parade ground and wham- there's my family, troops etc.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2020 6:00 PM

2020-08-29T18:00:57-04:00

Absolutely! It was worth every bit of effort to get as much of my family together as possible.

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Aug 29 at 2020 6:19 PM

2020-08-29T18:19:32-04:00

Skipped it, just like high school graduation and anything else of such nature.

Response by SFC Charles Dennis made Aug 30 at 2020 8:16 AM

2020-08-30T08:16:59-04:00

I retired from the 75th Fires Brigade at Fort Sill, OK as a SFC with a total of 27 years service (20 AD/7 National Guard). My Retirement Ceremony occurred in 08/2013. I notified my Chain of Command of the ceremony details. The only person from my unit that showed and supported me was my out going Battery Commander. When I informed my acting brigade CSM, his response to my pending retirement was "So, what does that have to do with anything?" I felt like I was treated like a junior enlisted ETSing after serving for only three to four years. I was also not given the opportunity to say anything after being presented with my retirement award that was presented during a Battery Close of Business formation. I will say, having my family there to support was worth it and meant so much to me.

Response by 1LT Peter Duston made Aug 30 at 2020 10:00 PM

2020-08-30T22:00:07-04:00

I had an amazing ceremony at West Point with the Commandant, BG Abizaid retiring me. I was 60 years old and had re-enlisted in the Army Reserve at age 47 in Infantry Training. My last three years with the 3/304th INF out of Lewiston, ME, we had the Cadet Basic Training (Beast Barracks) mission plus two years of the Military Intersession mission between winter semesters. I was Task Force NCOIC for the last two years. Of course, in the Reserves, we have to wait until we're 60 to get the pension. In my case, I went directly from drilling to pension. I was wearing MSG stripes but the retirement orders retired me as a 1LT, a rank I held back during the Vietnam era. It took me two years to fix my retirement since O2's make less money than E-8's so I am retired as an officer but paid as a MSG. My buddies call me the only Master First LT in the Army. I have both uniforms and have been wearing them for the past 21 years as a bugler with various Honor Guards. My wool officer uniform keeps me warm in the winter in cemeteries while my polyester NCO uniform is cool in summer. Keeps them guessing!! Hahaha

Response by MSgt Joseph Townsend made Aug 31 at 2020 9:37 AM

2020-08-31T09:37:22-04:00

Never had one, just a hand shake from the 1sr sargent. I was on terminal leave already working for a airline when I retired. My family was in Arizona and I in Texas at the time. My wife received a nice certificate.

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Aug 31 at 2020 10:17 AM

2020-08-31T10:17:28-04:00

Absolutely worth it. Mine was held during the summer so there was no need to get the kids out of school. My wife simply took the day off as we held the ceremony on a Friday. The hard part was getting them, my friends, and family members into a SCIF facility. Fortunately I had a great project officer, a 2nd Lt who was one of my NCOs in another assignment before he went to OCS.

You only get one of these. Celebrate it! For all the good and bad, you have accomplished something very significant and I fully believe you will regret not having a ceremony for all those you love and care for. Also remember, in a way, the kids and wife also served too. The life of a military brat and spouse is not easy dealing with the moves, deployments, long hours at work, weekends, etc. Your retirement is a chance to celebrate their service too.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Aug 31 at 2020 2:58 PM

2020-08-31T14:58:35-04:00

I take the position that the ceremony isn't for me, it's for my family. They supported me throughout my career and I'll use the ceremony to thank them and that they can see that chapter of our lives is complete.

Response by 1LT Peter Duston made Sep 1 at 2020 8:31 AM

2020-09-01T08:31:29-04:00

Not only did I get a "special" retirement at USMA but an article in the Division (98th) Magazine.

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Sep 1 at 2020 8:46 PM

2020-09-01T20:46:01-04:00

Never had one, but I did receive a MSM in the mail about 6 months later. Turning 60 in a few months, so I’ll start receiving my retirement pay finally.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Sep 1 at 2020 11:20 PM

2020-09-01T23:20:50-04:00

Yes.
My daughter got to see some of the great people I served with and hear stories that I never told, and perhaps understand “some” of the reasons why I was gone...... My wife was honored by the unit as well. Very well done.
It was a formal separation/final uniform wearing, clean break for me.
Very proud of my service personally, and it was like a mini reunion with some great folks from all walks of my military world.
I would recommend it. The effort is worth it. It’s a day you can remember later.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Sep 2 at 2020 11:09 AM

2020-09-02T11:09:57-04:00

I was fortunate enough to be stationed in Hawaii when I retired. Had several family members fly out in addition to the wife and kids there. A very nice brief ceremony complete with 2 platoons pass in review and a small 6 piece band.
Even though I had a few bad experiences during my last several years the ceremony helped put it all in perspective. A good memory for all.

Response by MSG Brian Wiscott made Nov 16 at 2020 3:10 PM

2020-11-16T15:10:28-05:00

Didn't get a ceremony, came home from Iriq with 3 blown disk's in my back, went to medical hold and then got my walking papers.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 16 at 2020 4:01 PM

2020-11-16T16:01:56-05:00

Yes. I retired from the USAF in 1991 and again from the Army (civilian employee) in 2013. Both times my wife received a Spouse Appreciation Certificate. She really liked being recognized for her support and sacrifice.

At military retirement my wife and two daughters received flowers. Also our two-star general said nice stuff about me, which I appreciated. I made a short speech thanking lots of people. Also received DMSM.

Civil service retirement was simpler. GS15 Director said nice things. I made short speech. We all had lunch.

Be sure to get a friend to take pictures.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2020 6:50 PM

2020-11-17T18:50:26-05:00

Great as I waved goodbye while my unit deployed to NTC.