What activities or hobbies did you take up after transition to civilian life?

SSG Ray Strenkowski — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 10:56:59 -0400

Transition to civilian life had some benefits, namely that I now had time to do things I couldn't do before. I found that riding my motorcycle provided great stress relief...

What do you enjoy now that your a civilian?

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 29 at 2015 11:00 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 11:00:27 -0400

Target shooting, photography & darkroom, machine shop, wood shop, motorcycles

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jul 29 at 2015 11:00 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 11:00:31 -0400

Spending more time with my wife and granddaughter!

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 29 at 2015 11:13 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 11:13:41 -0400

Photography. Wine. Bourbon.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jul 29 at 2015 11:32 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 11:32:16 -0400

Before I moved to Denmark, I was hooked on hunting, fishing, reloading. Here in Denmark with the gun laws as they are, and hunting nothing for me, I changed a bit. I do a bit of forging work. Also next Wednesday I am going to start to learn to play "pasture pool" - yes golf!! I think it might be fun. Here's a link to my forging work: http://www.dawson-horses.dk/Page6.htm

I've also made my own mechanical hammer, took about a year as 80% I got from the scrap yard. Here's a youtube video of it in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N7auIRvzLQ

FORGING

Being in Denmark and huntinghere is nothing like hunting in Idaho, I have channeled my free time interestinto forging. I have a coal and gas forge in my shop. I have gainedan interest in making knives, and diverse things in the forge. Damascussteel is a favorite thing of mine. On this page you will find some of thedifferent things I have made. Winter time is when I usually do my forgingas I have more free time for it.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Jul 29 at 2015 12:23 PM

Sgt Kelli Mays — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 12:23:06 -0400

PC's were just coming out when I got out...there wasnt really an internet for three or four years...but when it all began I was right on it...learning, teaching myself and figuring it out. Next, I had kids...that took all of my time..... Then I took up photography. Love photography and can get lost for hours with my camera.

Check out some of my work.
https://youpic.com/photographer/kellioconnormays/kelli.oconnormays-from-texas-united-states-specialises-in-nature?flow=pic

Or here is another site...but it has a lot of family photos thrown in between.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/kellimays/albums
https://www.flickr.com/cameraroll

Photographer - kelli.oconnormays - Nature - Texas, United States - YouPic

Photographer from Texas, United States. Loves to shoot images of Nature with a Nikkon. Their photos have been liked 18295 times.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 29 at 2015 1:34 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 13:34:57 -0400

I build computers for fun, and read a lot... Plus getting to know me has been the trip of a lifetime... and it didn't start until I started Seminary and Chaplaincy training...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 2:29 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 14:29:54 -0400

After deployment, nothing new. My bar selection has more depth & I target shoot more often, travel more often, etc.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Jul 29 at 2015 2:33 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 14:33:03 -0400

Another job... LOL!

Response by CDR Laurel Meadows made Jul 29 at 2015 6:34 PM

CDR Laurel Meadows — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 18:34:04 -0400

I've made a lot of friends around the world and try to meet up IRL when I travel. People are amazed that I go and stay with perfect strangers. Couchsurfing anyone? Another great hobby is geocaching which can be done solo or as a family or group event. There are over 2 million caches worldwide including on Diego Garcia and Baghram Air Base. Too bad I didn't cache when I was those places!!

Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made Jul 29 at 2015 9:43 PM

SGT Joe Sabedra — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 21:43:58 -0400

Started learning preparedness and started a network.
Now years later teaching and expanding.

Military taught me to never stop learning and to always be prepared and be ready for the next conflict or problem.

NETexaspreppers on FB.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Jul 30 at 2015 2:32 AM

PVT Robert Gresham — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 02:32:15 -0400

I started buying comics and just king of saving them when I was in the Army. I became a HUGE fan of X-Men, and Wolverine in particular, in about 1985. By the time I separated I had a collection of about 250 comics, all just laying around in a box.

After my ETS I started reading about collecting comics and found out that some of the comics that I had laying around were actually worth a bit of money, especially in "Mint / Near Mint" condition. I started collecting seriously, including buying, bagging and boarding my comics about 1994.

I still collect today, and my collection now stands at over 3000 with a worth of over $15,000. More than just a hobby, I also see it as an investment for my Wife when I pass away. (Hopefully, at least, another 3000 comics from now ........ :-)) )

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 1 at 2015 3:54 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 03:54:27 -0400

In addition to riding my motorcycle (2011 Road King) I have become involved with the Patriot Guard Riders and Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (Vets Helping Vets). I have also tried to get involved with support groups pertaining to parents of autistic children (my daughter is mildly autistic).

I've also gotten reacquainted with my family and take my dog to the local dog park a lot and get to meet a lot of people I otherwise would not have had a chance to meet.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Sep 6 at 2015 2:59 AM

SGT Michael Glenn — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 02:59:39 -0400

I have gotten back into Building car models.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 6 at 2015 2:02 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 14:02:47 -0400

I read RP, lift weights, sometimes I cook and clean, watch my college football games, and I help PTSD and Depression patients.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 3:43 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 15:43:11 -0400

I enjoy riding my motorcycle (HD Heritage Softail), helping my elderly neighbors and mostly working in my garage tinkering on stuff. Good life indeed!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2016 10:04 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 10:04:46 -0400

Shooting, motorcycle and scuba diving.

Response by SGT Jimmy Carpenter made Mar 16 at 2016 7:12 PM

SGT Jimmy Carpenter — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 19:12:14 -0400

Target shooting, metal detecting, fishing, and my wife and I are going to see if we can keep flowers alive.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Mar 17 at 2016 8:50 AM

SA Harold Hansmann — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 08:50:59 -0400

Since I was an avid hunter and fisherman before I enlisted. I have included steelhead fishing and duck hunting to my list. I have made glass beads, which is relaxing. Now I am going to try fly tying as I have access to a wide variety of feathers and fur. (A fly tyers wet dream.)(my wife works with feathers and fur.{see pics}) maybe I can come up with a new style of flys.

Response by PO2 Weaver Brian made Mar 17 at 2016 3:19 PM

PO2 Weaver Brian — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 15:19:49 -0400

I went to work as a mechanic, and became a work-a-holic for years. Also collected classic military tactical vehicles. Retired now from old Navy injuries, still collecting military and civilian classic trucks, and heavily involved in the VFW. This will be my 4th year as Post Commander, was District Jr. Vice Commander. this year, hoping to move up to District Sr. Vice Commander in the coming year.