Retirement Issues?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 08:29:13 -0500

I will be PCSing to Fort Bliss in the next few months. I will have 22 months left until I can retire at 20 years. Do I talk to my new CSM about my plans and about focusing on retirement? Or will this make it sound like I am trying to get out of work?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2022 4:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 16:08:40 -0500

How would it be "getting out of work?" Just tell him your plans. I have a little under 2 1/2 years until 20 - I just got to a new unit and the SGM already knew I am planning to retire. He's fine with it. I'm still doing my job. And I can still do it when I start SFL-TAP, etc. They just have to deal with the days I'll be out of the office.

You have to set yourself up for success for after the Army. No one else will do it. Advocate for yourself.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2022 8:30 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 20:30:20 -0500

Do you have an approved retirement date? If not, you can’t even drop a retirement packet until 12 months there so there should be no issue with you planning to retire at your 20. You will have been there for 12 months so you are clear in that aspect

Response by TSgt George Rodriguez made Feb 15 at 2022 8:58 PM

TSgt George Rodriguez — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 20:58:11 -0500

I was fortunate back in 86 when I retired I was already working part time for a state hospital as a flight paramedic. On my retirement I became full time. This worked for a couple of years until we had a new governor elected. When he came into office he made cutbacks to state employees and since I was the newest one I was let go. Not a problem I moved across the street to the VA Hospital and went to work in their Pulmonary Lab. I became burned out working in hospitals and ended up working for Macklinberg Duncan as a crane operator and retired at the age of 62.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2022 12:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 00:37:54 -0500

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.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Feb 16 at 2022 9:36 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 09:36:18 -0500

I think maybe you're not sure about retirement. When I was transferred to my last duty station the Brigade CSM spoke about me working in the gym. I left there and requested an open door meeting with my SCO. I told him I wanted to work in my duty position, that I did not think a senior sergeant working at the post gym was a place for me and I really did not like the idea of being ROAD.
I said that I understood the decision was up to him as, "He may have some influence on the issue." He laughed, saying he would allow that he might be able to 'influence' my assigned position.
I never regretted working till my last month. I had 14 months to prepare for my retirement so I was ready when it was time. I retired from my Platoon Sergeant slot.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 16 at 2022 11:08 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 11:08:34 -0500

Great answers in this string. SFC Private RallyPoint Member 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.

Response by SMSgt Bob Wilson made Feb 16 at 2022 1:10 PM

SMSgt Bob Wilson — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 13:10:26 -0500

Develop your exit plan now! Know what you need to be successful after the military. You don't need to broadcast it to anyone. I've seen good NCOs screwed over because they told everyone they were retiring in XX months. Do your military job for the next 22 months minus terminal leave. You have a couple of chances for promotion; use them, the more rank, the more retirement money. In 22 months you may decide to stay longer because of economic conditions, promotion, slow job market, or medical conditions of a family member. Because of these reasons, when asked when your plan to retire, the answer given is I haven't decided yet.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 16 at 2022 3:45 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 15:45:46 -0500

You should be upfront. But you should be able to perform your duties until you start leave. Your transition can be smooth and well supported if you are taking care of your Soldiers while preparing to transition, ohh th Erwin’s the CSM can make your life a bit harder than it should be.

You know the answers to these questions. You deserve to retire with dignity and honor, you have elevated in the military based largely on how you do your job, you can continue that legacy going out the door.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Feb 16 at 2022 4:59 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 16:59:57 -0500

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.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Feb 16 at 2022 5:44 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 17:44:54 -0500

Your 'real place of duty' before retirement is doing things that will set you up for retirement success. Who gives a shit how it looks, you have done your time for your country and now it is time to be about you. Not how we are brought up as soldiers but how leadership should tell you how the last months will go, time to take care of you. A good six months out your leadership needs to be working well without you because in no time they won't have you as a resource. It is all about taking care of you and being able to do the mission without you and both are roles for leadership that will be around in 23 months when you are out the door.