Posted on Dec 29, 2014
Retirement Identification Card, How Did It Make You Feel When Issued?
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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
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You'll like that bad boy even better, SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL, when you slap it down at the doctor's office!
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I have a DAVPERM ID card. For me it was a relief to know I have benefits that I can use when necessary and they can/will improve life for me
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
PFC Pamala (Hall ) Foster, well said and definitely a plus with the benefits earned.
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I received my "pink" USAR retirement card. Will get my blue one next year. For me it was that bitter/sweat feeling of I've made my goal, now what? I odn't care who you are - Reserve / Active, getting that card really says something!
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SGM Mikel Dawson Well said and straight to the point. You know its a good feeling to go through the gate/military installation and somebody address you as your !!rank. It hits home instantaneously!!
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Well, I couldn't talk too much smack about old retirees in the commissary anymore...
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It was a two stage process... first an immense sense of pride of accomplishment. I agree with TSgt Hall. The INDEF moniker meant something. Something along the lines of, I'm part of this family until I die and no one can take it from me. That's the good.
The less great bit was recognizing the difference in demeanor when I presented my retired ID on base the first few times. ORFs are treated with a weird combination of respect and contempt. You are definitely not a priority customer for base services anymore.
Not complaining...just observing. Overall its great to be an ORF!
The less great bit was recognizing the difference in demeanor when I presented my retired ID on base the first few times. ORFs are treated with a weird combination of respect and contempt. You are definitely not a priority customer for base services anymore.
Not complaining...just observing. Overall its great to be an ORF!
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
MSgt Jim Pollock I appreciate your service and greatly acknowledge the post with the utmost respect. I will be ready and face the road as I move along the retired path. I can't wait to wear my retirement hat. I brought that hat 5 years ago, when I had 20 years, but kept on going because I was not done serving. I am ready for sure!
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MSgt Jim Pollock
SFC Davis, Thank you and I highly respect you decision to serve until you are ready to hang it up and pass it on to the younger generation. Â I wrote in another thread regarding the 'correct' rank to retire that the onus is on the member. Â When within the confines of your greater life plan you can say you gave all you can give...you can retire with honor. Â Congrats Sir on a great career!
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL Because I went in at such a young age of 17, I was still pretty young after putting in 37 consecutive years, so I've had the "pink" USAR retirement card now since February 2012. I won't get the BLUE one until I hit the age of 60 in October 2017 (had to wait 5 years in the gray area). When that day comes it will be a great thing to have reached the final goal in my military service - My service has been made up of active duty, guard and reserves, along with deplyoments and humaniitarin missions. Now I'm helping veterans and those two things together will be awesome! I will help veterans now for the rest of my days on this earth! Congratulations Joe on your service!
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
COL Mikel J. Burroughs thank you for sharing, I appreciate your DUTY HONOR COUNTRY selfless service to the nation. It's incredible and sometimes I pinch myself, because I never imagined myself retiring in a million years. Like the old saying goes " one day at a time". Nonetheless congratulations.
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Tired. And as always the picture looked the same as the ones you see on the wall in the Post Office.
The one that had me bittersweet was the VA disability determination. I just didn't like the D-Word.
The one that had me bittersweet was the VA disability determination. I just didn't like the D-Word.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
CAPT Kevin B. thanks for the insight. Awaiting my VA Disability I am in the (Preparation For Decision Phase). I got three more phases. Duty Honor Country says it all. Thank You for your Service to Country.
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PO1 John Miller
CAPT Kevin B. , I was quite the opposite actually. When I finally got off my duff and filed for my own disability I was:
1. Anxious to see if I was as broken as I felt and able to get treatment (or at least $).
2. I was in between jobs at the time so hopeful that I would get a good % rating to supplement my pension income.
When I finally did get my determination, I was very pleased that I was over that magical 50% so I was able to collect both pension and disability and I also got a nice little chunk of back pay (a little over 1 year's worth) so I was able to pay off some debt I had accumulated while I was unemployed.
1. Anxious to see if I was as broken as I felt and able to get treatment (or at least $).
2. I was in between jobs at the time so hopeful that I would get a good % rating to supplement my pension income.
When I finally did get my determination, I was very pleased that I was over that magical 50% so I was able to collect both pension and disability and I also got a nice little chunk of back pay (a little over 1 year's worth) so I was able to pay off some debt I had accumulated while I was unemployed.
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I was more than ready and partly due to the body thing, but mostly because I didn't like the direction the Navy was going at the time. It's less of a Navy than when I had first enlisted.
How did I feel when I got my blue card? To quote the great, immortal Martin Luther King, Jr...
"Free at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty, free at last!" And I did say that to my wife who rolled her eyes because she wasn't ready for my retirement.
But I did feel very accomplished at the end. I have absolutely no regrets regarding my service other than I would have liked to have been a Marine, but a medical condition disqualified me from that branch of service.
How did I feel when I got my blue card? To quote the great, immortal Martin Luther King, Jr...
"Free at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty, free at last!" And I did say that to my wife who rolled her eyes because she wasn't ready for my retirement.
But I did feel very accomplished at the end. I have absolutely no regrets regarding my service other than I would have liked to have been a Marine, but a medical condition disqualified me from that branch of service.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
PO1 John Meyer, CPC thank you for your service and I appreciate and I can imagine the feeling. Overwhelming I bet.
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PO1 John Meyer, CPC
Thank you, SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL, and thank you for your service. I retired over 5 years ago. To this day, I look at my blue ID card and I still can't believe I did it. I had absolutely NO intention of EVER making the military a career when I first enlisted.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL Congratulations. Receiving the card made me sad...that'll I never have to see another "high and tight" haircut! Truthfully though, I didn't think much of it. My time in service was about serving and leading those with whom I have served. The card represents a passing of the torch, another nameless face that will now focus forward while supporting those that still serve. Enjoy your future; live life on your terms and thank you for your service to this great nation!
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
LTC (Join to see) thanks for the kind words and I appreciate your kind hearted words of encouragement. Well said and eloquently conveyed. Thanks for the insight on what it meant to you. Genuine and I must say my favorite word.....SWEET! Duty Honor Country is what the card symbolizes in my soul.
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