Posted on Nov 30, 2013
Retirees - When did you know it was time to hang up the uniform?
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Whether the choice was yours, your spouse's/family's, medical condition or you ran into one of the military's service length requirements, when did you know it was time to hang the uniform up for the last time?
Thousands of service members retire each year...your responses may impact their decisions.
Note: Keeping your responses short will allow for more views/responses.
Thousands of service members retire each year...your responses may impact their decisions.
Note: Keeping your responses short will allow for more views/responses.
Posted in these groups: 
Retirement
Retirement
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 89
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Years ago when I was a young SSG I remember a SFC stating I love the Army but I am not in love with the Army anymore! I had barely hit ten years in service when I heard him say that and didn't really grasp how he probably was feeling tired, over worked, and under appreciated. Mix that in with an Army that has consistently changed in so many ways I can now truly grasp how he felt.
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I retired a few months ago...turned down battalion command and decided to submit my retirement papers soon thereafter. Most people will tell you that you will know when it is time to retire...and for me, it was that lack of passion about "Soldiering" and I wasn't having fun anymore.
After another yearlong deployment to Afghanistan (apart from my wife for 16 months who was also deployed to Afghanistan this time - staggered deployment), I thought a few months before I PCS to take command would re-energize me and get my passion to lead Soldiers back to where it was...a couple of months turned to three and four and the passion and fun did not return. I knew then that it was time to hang it up. I realized that if my passion for the job is not there, then I will be doing a great disservice to those Soldiers I would be leading...and you can't hide that from your Soldiers.
After another yearlong deployment to Afghanistan (apart from my wife for 16 months who was also deployed to Afghanistan this time - staggered deployment), I thought a few months before I PCS to take command would re-energize me and get my passion to lead Soldiers back to where it was...a couple of months turned to three and four and the passion and fun did not return. I knew then that it was time to hang it up. I realized that if my passion for the job is not there, then I will be doing a great disservice to those Soldiers I would be leading...and you can't hide that from your Soldiers.
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Back when I was a Lieutenant I decided to stay in the Army as long as it was fun. Twenty-Eight years latter my MRD came I round and I had to retire. Along the way I was told you know it's time to retire when the structure you joined in came back. In the Reserves when I joined the army was stove piped, then it went to regional commands and then finally at the end of my career we went back to stove piped commands.
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This is an easy one. When it ceases to be fun. When you no longer love what you do. It took me 31 years to get there, but only one tour to DC. Thank God it was the last tour.
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I have to laugh about this...... It was the day I went to do AEROBICS PHYS FITNESS TEST with my two troops, a young Female Airman and a young Buck Sgt.. I was doing my run, my troops were almost done they looked back to see their Leader wasn't going to make his time. They fell back and PUSHED me like two Boot Camp TI's. They did everything but pick me up and carry me.... LOL. Well, I made it, but my temples were pounding, I felt old, out of shape and it bothered me so much, the next morning I went to Personnel and put in my paperwork. I knew, it was time to pass it on to the YOUTH. This old TSGT was ready for greener pastures. For me it was that simple.
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It was time to leave when I felt like I was ready for a change. I had a blast during my 20 years; however, I wanted to do something different yet still be associated with the military family. I've since joined up with Project Sanctuary (http://www.projectsanctuary.us) and now I continue to serve those very families that serve our country.
At Project Sanctuary, we believe the whole family serves, and the best way to “support the troops” is by supporting the family. We provide therapeutic retreats, enabling military families to reconnect...
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Your body will tell you because when your are in so much pain daily that prevent you from being all that you can be it is time to retire, or if you can no longer say I am ProudlyServing In Today'sArmy or what ever branch it is time to retire.
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When I reached my Mandatory Retirement Date in 2009. Though my USAR drill site was in Birmingham, AL, and I lived in Arlington, TX, and drill was costing me about $1,500 a weekend to attend, I would have preferred to stay with my previous unit and taken them on their next mobilization and deployment to Kwait. Now I have my weekends back, and my son is serving, and I really do not miss it; that's when I knew it was time.
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My decision was clear to me. My oldest was graduating High School in May of 2013. My unit was scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in Feb. 2013. Having spent less than half of my daughter's life with her, I made the decision to retire to ensure I would be there to see her accept that diploma. BEST DECISION EVER! I have not missed a thing about active duty. Having said that, I have been jumping from one minimum wage job to another. All the job offers I am receiving are for sales (specifically insurance) or in another state. Yet, I still do not regret retiring.
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SFC James Baber
I feel your frustrations John, I get those emails on a daily basis for sales positions or insurance salesman, not exactly what I thought I would be looking at after 27 years of LE and military service. You are right, military veterans and retirees are not counted accurately in the unemployment numbers as we are unable to file for unemployment when we retire or ETS, or the other issue is that we aren't eligible because we are drawing a pension that puts us above the monetary level of eligibility for assistance from most states as well. I am at the 70% mark and have been unemployed about the same as you, 25 months and then most employers that I would be able to physically qualify for sort of cringe when they find out that part of my rating is for PTSD, so they kick in the stereotype of the nutjob shooting up the place after flipping out. It needs some more aggressive input from the federal side to get some changes made, and maybe more incentives to get private industry to higher the very qualified veterans that have more discipline and knowledge than the average joe walking in off the street applying for a job.
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LTC (Join to see)
SFC Cook,
I am sorry to hear the frustration of missing out on family. If you want to move to FL, look at the units in the area. Orlando has a big population and may have a unit conducive to your MOS. Orlando is only a few hours. I lost my OPS NCO to a medical retirement and he wished he could have stayed in. The market is very difficult. I think many more NCOs would need your help and the already retired needs to impress how important education and networking is before you get out.
I am sorry to hear the frustration of missing out on family. If you want to move to FL, look at the units in the area. Orlando has a big population and may have a unit conducive to your MOS. Orlando is only a few hours. I lost my OPS NCO to a medical retirement and he wished he could have stayed in. The market is very difficult. I think many more NCOs would need your help and the already retired needs to impress how important education and networking is before you get out.
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SFC James Baber
Jeremy,
As John mentions, you have many options to look at in FL, it never hurts to try, the most they can say is no, and at least you can honestly say to yourself you gave it your best shot and exhausted all options available. Another option I would also suggest looking into would be the AGR assets in the Central FL area as well, many of the reserve and guard units are looking for personnel looking to transition out because of RIF, but you would be an even more viable asset for them as you would be getting out on your own terms, not being forced out, so more options and/or openings could be available.
As you have read from us above and many others in this feed as well as others, the market is deathly right now, and it is most likely going to get worse as long as we have the current administration and Congress that is sitting there taking away more and more benefits and pays from all. So as has been stated by a few of us here, check all other options as much as possible before the making the final decision, as family is and should be the most important, ensure you are able to be there for her in all aspects as well.
Good luck with whatever you are able to accomplish and decide.
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