Retirement Issues?

I was in a similar situation. I arrived to my last duty station with 14 months until I hit my 20. The unit was prepping for deployment. I let the CSM know before I even got there that I was going to drop my packet. He said it wasn't an issue, but I needed to face to face with him when I got on station.

Once I arrived, I sat down with CSM and 1SG and explained where I was at and where I was headed. We made a deal that I would take care of Rear-D and make sure incoming Soldiers were prepped to send forward. In exchange, once they got back, I would be more or less free to do all the retirement stuff I needed / wanted.

And that's exactly what I did. I ended up staying a few extra months, but it was based on our combined plan that we all agreed was workable and would help everyone without really hurting anyone. I retired with 20 yrs, 7 mos and almost 4 months of terminal + PTDY, did all of the TAP classes I wanted, and even got a retirement PCS move paid for to the next town over and a home my wife found to retire in to. I was also showing up to formations and working in the O-Room right up to my final out, but that was my own personal ethic of "an honest day's work for an honest day's wages."

Obviously your particular circumstances will be different, but I highly recommend sitting down with 1SG and CSM and the three of you come to an understanding of what those last (almost) 2 years will look like, so that you can support the unit and they can support you.

Great answers in this string. SFC Kelly Fuerhoff response is spot on. Both times I retired (USAF & DAC) I worked my assigned duties up to my last day before I started terminal leave. Be sure to let your subordinates know your plan. Start an orderly handoff of responsibilities well in advance of your departure.

If you plan to work after retirement, consider finding the right job your new part time job until you start terminal leave. Be persistent and positive. It will all work out.

You can start TAP as soon as you arrive at your unit. With two years to go, you can spread your classes around so you don't miss much work. The real hustle comes in the last 6-9 months as you're trying to get your VA ratings and possibly use CSP to do an internship somewhere in the last six months, then go on transition leave.