Retirees, Veterans: how did you feel when you were first discharged from your branch of the military.

Lost

Thankfully I had employment lined up to start right after my retirement date, but I felt great, excited to start my new career wearing civi's to work for the first time in many many years. It was strange to interact with true civilians every day that I worked with. The worth ethic sure is different than how it is in the military...not really there. It was an exciting time though, some days I do miss wearing my uniform, but my civilian clothes are more comfortable.

Maybe an end to 96 hour work weeks, almost all of which was overseas

Tired

I felt great, SPC Margaret Higgins. I felt like I had completed a long chapter of my life and it was time to move on to the next chapter. Because I continued to work for the Army as a DA civilian, I had what I consider the best of both worlds. I kept working for and with the Army, but I didn't have to deal with the military "BS" any longer. I had an excellent transition.

I was exited and apprehensive. Looking back, hindsight being 20/20, there's things I should've done differently. I thought I would grow a beard and long hair. The beard was a no-go because of some employers grooming standards. When I was able to let it out, I looked like a Union or Confederate Army Officer. The goatee became nuisance and the hair drove me nuts. Now, I routinely shave (not every day) and keep my hair to military grooming standards.

I was exited and apprehensive. Hindsight being 20/20, I would've done things a little differently.

Honestly I was excited to get out I couldn't wait. But my last 30 days of leave it started to hit and then I was nervous and started the " what if "... A year later, I realized I made a mistake, I missed it, so..I re-enlisted. Best decision I could have made.

scared

My first time out from AD was in 1995 and I had spent 13 years in as an Infantryman. I had no direction or assistance. I was lost for 7 years and went through 12 different jobs. I got selected for an AGR position with the Florida Guard, it was then I vowed not to ever let that happen again. This time, after being medically retired, I was unemployed for three days (only because I had a fishing trip to go on). I have been with the same organization now for almost 4 years. The first time was the most difficult, I did not assimilate well in the civilian sector (mainly due to my PTSD). This time I was m ore prepared and knew more about my conditional and resources available to help me cope.