Posted on Dec 29, 2014
Retirement Identification Card, How Did It Make You Feel When Issued?
46.2K
639
125
48
48
0
I recently obtained my Blue Identification Card(United States Uniformed Services/U.S. Army Retired Identification Card-DD Form 2). It's hard to believe, after 25 years I have one. The NEXT TIME I RENEW IT IS FEBRUARY 28, 2035. Then for LIFE after that. I have had three ID cards in the Army, the ole green/white with the plate on it with your name, the green one/non-CAC similar to the dependent ID card/retirement and the CAC Card. I thank God, Country and Family for the new phase of my life as I go forward in the future.
"Duty Honor Country. Retired But Still Serving"
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" TSgt Hunter Logan CPT (Join to see) LTC Stephen F. SSG Warren Swan SFC William Swartz Jr SFC A.M. Drake COL Mikel J. Burroughs SSgt (Join to see) CPT L S SP5 Mark Kuzinski SP5 Michael Rathbun CW5 (Join to see) CW5 Charlie Poulton 1SG (Join to see) MSG Floyd Williams CSM Michael J. Uhlig SGM Mikel Dawson CH (MAJ) William Beaver [~305380:CSM Charles Hayden
"Duty Honor Country. Retired But Still Serving"
SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" TSgt Hunter Logan CPT (Join to see) LTC Stephen F. SSG Warren Swan SFC William Swartz Jr SFC A.M. Drake COL Mikel J. Burroughs SSgt (Join to see) CPT L S SP5 Mark Kuzinski SP5 Michael Rathbun CW5 (Join to see) CW5 Charlie Poulton 1SG (Join to see) MSG Floyd Williams CSM Michael J. Uhlig SGM Mikel Dawson CH (MAJ) William Beaver [~305380:CSM Charles Hayden
Retirement
Transition
Leadership
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 50
13
13
0
Bittersweet. I wasn't done, but God (and my body) disagreed. How goes the retirement brother?
(13)
(0)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SFC Mark Merino, Awesome and glad to be moving forward, never forgetting those Veterans who came before me and I served with current/past and the future Veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
(15)
(0)
MSG (Join to see)
I concur, SFC Mark Merino. When I got my retired ID card I felt (and still do) that I still had a lot to offer to the Army and the young soldiers of my unit. But alas, father time has a way of letting us know that we are not those 20 something spitfires anymore. I'm reminded of a day working out in the gym in Baghdad a few years ago. A 1SG buddy of mine turned to me and said, "You know each year we get older, but the privates are always 19."
(3)
(0)
9
9
0
I'm with SFC Mark Merino. I wasn't done but my body was and DA said if you can't be Infantry anymore you have to go. Just as well. As I have no desire to be anything else. I love mine tho
(9)
(0)
PFC Pamala (Hall ) Foster
I was in PATRIOTS and couldn't do the job anymore. Do I miss it? Sometimes. Do I want to go back? Sometimes. Am I glad to be out and alive? ALWAYS
(3)
(0)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SFC Royce Williams PFC Pamala (Hall ) Foster I respectfully and diligently thank you for your service to U.S. Armed Forces of America. You did your time and its appreciated.
(11)
(0)
8
8
0
I had mixed emotions when I received my blue ID card. I was ecstatic that I had finally retired, and sad that I'd no longer get to do all the stuff (esp. the hard stuff) that I loved to do and that I'd no longer lead Soldiers. I was also unsure about retiring, but was relieved when I finally did. So, yeah - big ol' mixed bag...
(8)
(0)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SFC (Join to see), so true in missing the professionalism and the love of your self-worth in the essence of Soldiering
(12)
(0)
MSgt Jim Pollock
SFCs Wayman and Davis, The beauty of being a retired NCO is that a) you never lose the professionalism. b) those that appreciate it notice it and ask for advice...you are no longer required to 'mentor' the difficult cases.
(2)
(0)
8
8
0
7
7
0
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL, I will let you know just as soon as I get my hot little hands on it! I am looking forward to the "retired" license plate. Every time I see one, I think, little closer! I will miss my times in when they are gone though.
Thanks for your service.
Thanks for your service.
(7)
(0)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
CMSgt James Nolan, we will be waiting on you, open invitation brother. Well deserved when the time comes.
'+
'+
(7)
(0)
SGT Michael Glenn
It made me feel as if a chapter of my life was finally closing and a new one was opening...good feeling !!!
(2)
(0)
SFC Mark Merino
CMSgt James Nolan I thught we were going to swap war stories in Guam, Saipan, etc??? Don't you retire on me just yet. I should get the word shortly.
(1)
(0)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
CPO Don Alfera , with the earnest hopes and respect to the Armed Forces it is a long hard battle, but bittersweet...Reality will come to the masses and YES you must exit one day. I WILL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE THE CAUSE of Veterans quality of life for now evermore. It has been more than a dream.
(11)
(0)
6
6
0
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL , first off welcome to the club!
When I got my own blue card I felt like running the base naked screaming "FREE!!!"
In all seriousness it was one of the greatest days of my life. Right up there with getting my DD214, getting married, and the birth of my daughter.
When I got my own blue card I felt like running the base naked screaming "FREE!!!"
In all seriousness it was one of the greatest days of my life. Right up there with getting my DD214, getting married, and the birth of my daughter.
(6)
(0)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
PO1 John Miller SWEET! Well articulated and straight to the point. I appreciate your service.
(9)
(0)
6
6
0
CMSgt James Nolan
COL (Join to see) Understand that sir, it would mean that we are finally growing up. LOL.
(3)
(0)
5
5
0
I bet you felt amazing and deservingly so...imagine if you had your first one still, you could frame them side by side. Congrats, you earned it
(5)
(0)
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SSG(P) (Join to see), thanks for the kind words of service to Duty Honor Country. I will always have respect for ALL that protects my freedom for me to be retired. I know understand what freedom means from the standpoint of serving my country.
(10)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google