Posted on Feb 5, 2017
Retirees: What were your reasons that made you hesitant to submit your retirement packet? Possible promotion? Not fully committed yet? Other?
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Over the years, many of us grow comfortable in the military lifestyle and benefits that provides for our families. After all, 20+ years deserves a big retirement for faithful service to the nation. Were any of you having second thoughts to submit your retirement packet when you could have stayed in longer?
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Retirement
Retirement
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 21
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I delayed my retirement to serve out DESERT SHIELD/STORM at the request of a General Officer. I'm glad I did. When the redeployment started, I put in my retirement papers again and never looked back. My primary reasons to retire were being passed over for O-6 and the real possibility of a remote-unaccompanied assignment (Korea) if I didn't retire. My decision was best for my family and for me.
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Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen
I was pretty much the same as you, except already had the remote-unaccompanied (Turkey) under my belt. It was time.
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My only hesitation was potentially leaving O6 on the table. I did not make it in the zone, despite success in command. I asked around, had branch do an autopsy on my file, figured the 8% chance AZ was a moon shot so I pulled my Reserve. I sit at about 40% regret level, especially as peers have made the list AZ. More than I ever remember. The 60% part has a happier family, did not PCS needs of the Army with no leverage, and got a pretty good job. Have not froze my ass off at PT this winter. Can't go back now.
What it really boils down to is, are you done? Has your career run its course? Are you still up for the next Army thing? Is your family ready to support that ? Are you financially ready? Do you know what direction you want to go?
What it really boils down to is, are you done? Has your career run its course? Are you still up for the next Army thing? Is your family ready to support that ? Are you financially ready? Do you know what direction you want to go?
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CPT Jacob Swartout
All are good points that will be heavily considered. Now I have to get my spouse to agree on a few things that I see could happen or it's time for me to find my next career. She will for sure let me know how she feels about more time added vs. starting something new and going for another retirement some place else.
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I retire next week and I will not miss this part of my life, I'm so ready to move on its unreal.
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CPT Jacob Swartout
SFC A.M. Drake My time will come one day and part of me is ready to leave now however, I still have some time to go before I hang up the hat for good. Best of luck in your next career.
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SFC A.M. Drake
SGM Steve Wettstein - With all due respect I was AGR so if I had original stayed in I would have retired in '06. So nawww I won't miss it at all, besides I'm older than you sooooo that means yes I'm tired...lol
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SFC A.M. Drake
CPT Jacob Swartout - Thank you sir. I think one of the reasons why I'm ready is because of the command I was in has taken a lot out of me over the years...so it's good to leave on your own terms.
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LtCol Craig Covert
All of you naysayers - I'll tell you this - you WILL miss aspects of military life, regardless if you were active duty, guard or reserves. You will find out that the camaraderie you have in the military can never be duplicated in the civilian world in the same way you've experienced it before. You will find out that civilian life isn't all its cracked up to be when it comes to getting the job done, efficiency and honesty among coworkers. You will find, believe it or not, that civilian life has just as much BS red tape to go through to get things done over a longer period of time than it did in the military. Agreed, you won't miss the hurry up and wait aspect nor the F---games, but you will miss being able to put on that uniform and feel like you are part of something bigger than yourself. Maybe not immediately as you transition, but eventually you will succumb to it like all of us who have already transitioned or retired. Funny thing - The guys who only stay one tour of 3, 4 or 5 years who whine the loudest about how they hate the Corps or the Army or Navy or AF or Coast Guard are almost ALWAYS the same guys who a few years later are wearing military t-shirts, telling fish tales, bemoaning about how they wish they could be in the fight when they see some action on FOX news or CNN, and who are plastering their cars with military stickers. The same guys who claim they hate their time in and can't wait to get out are almost always the same ones who eventually are seen hanging out as often as possible at the VFW or American Legion, or riding motorcycles with a group of other veterans. They are the same guys who seek out veteran ID cards and are always happy to claim their "veteran" status for free discounts at restaurants, etc (not that there is anything wrong with that - a great perk if you can use it). It happens, guys. Face it - you're all going to end up in the same boat to a certain degree. Embrace it!
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Hesitant? LOL! I HYTd at 20 Years and they kept me for another Year to Babysit an Ancient Computer so I got to do 21 and I would do it again in a Heartbeat!
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
CPT Jacob Swartout - It is a Pain in the Ass, No Doubt About It! but giving up the Keys to the Magic Kingdom? "Need to Know" "Sir I am Providing Your Communications, Might as well Read Me into whatever Program You're running because I will Know Anyway" It is One thing to Read the Newspaper it is Another Thing to Read the Daily Intelligence Brief to the President for the CIA, DIA and NSA.
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I didn't have any hesitation at all. It was time. I could've stayed longer, but it was time to give back to my family for all of their sacrifices over my 20+ years.
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CPT Jacob Swartout
Family will always come first. I know a lot of my peers could have stayed in however, family situations dictated what was the best course of action in their case.
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+2.5% per year. That, and my AFS clock got reset when I was appointed. And then I got promoted to CW4 under "high 3". Plus 60 is a nice round number. And...
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I will let you know in two years how I feel CPT Jacob Swartout . But one thing that I can assure you, is that there will be zero hesitation on my end as these two years cannot come quick enough.
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CPT Jacob Swartout
SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM for me, it is a matter of having to choose between family matters or personal goals to stay in longer. I could stay in for another 4-6 years and get promoted but for reasons, it looks like I will be retiring with nearly 22 yrs when the time comes. My goal was to achieve the most out of my career and despite not crossing all of my list of goals, I will be content with what I did accomplish.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
CPT Jacob Swartout - Hard Choices Capt'n Nature of Our Chosen Business. Whichever way you choose, We Understand!
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Here's my retired story back in 1990.
I was never hesitant to submit my retirement package. I had seen other members be bitter towards the end of their career so I decided to leave when I was still having fun. I submitted my retirement application year year in advance. I had to have ten years commissioned time to retire as an officer. I tried to get the Colonel I worked for to approve my retirement and he said he wouldn't sign off on it because we were going to leave at the same time. (He was a great boss.) So I waited again until he was out of town and they had delegated administrative responsibilities to a young Captain and I convinced the Captain to approve my package.
Several months later I was back in Missouri with my wife on leave when I received a page (yes, we used pagers back then) from the new Colonel I worked for. He congratulated me for being picking up for Major Below-the-Zone which was unusual for a cop. When I returned home everyone was saying they knew I would withdraw my retirement after being selected for Major. I wasn't so sure about that because our Personnel HQ had said I was going overseas if I put on Major. Our new Colonel called and said if I would pull my retirement he would guarantee me three more years in Denver. So I delayed my retirement for three more years and retired in 1990.
Sorry for the long story. I enjoyed every single day of my 24 years in the Air Force and don't miss a day of it except for the camaraderie of the cops.
I was never hesitant to submit my retirement package. I had seen other members be bitter towards the end of their career so I decided to leave when I was still having fun. I submitted my retirement application year year in advance. I had to have ten years commissioned time to retire as an officer. I tried to get the Colonel I worked for to approve my retirement and he said he wouldn't sign off on it because we were going to leave at the same time. (He was a great boss.) So I waited again until he was out of town and they had delegated administrative responsibilities to a young Captain and I convinced the Captain to approve my package.
Several months later I was back in Missouri with my wife on leave when I received a page (yes, we used pagers back then) from the new Colonel I worked for. He congratulated me for being picking up for Major Below-the-Zone which was unusual for a cop. When I returned home everyone was saying they knew I would withdraw my retirement after being selected for Major. I wasn't so sure about that because our Personnel HQ had said I was going overseas if I put on Major. Our new Colonel called and said if I would pull my retirement he would guarantee me three more years in Denver. So I delayed my retirement for three more years and retired in 1990.
Sorry for the long story. I enjoyed every single day of my 24 years in the Air Force and don't miss a day of it except for the camaraderie of the cops.
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CPT Jacob Swartout
Great read for sure. If we could stay in for 40+ years, some of would actually do it. Part of me wants to retire while the other half says to stay in. Just one of those things I have to make the final choice given the circumstances around me and the family.
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I had no choice, I aged out. I get to work Funeral Details with Young Troops from all branches. I am impressed with them, they are good and they are dedicated !
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