What challenges did you face your last year as a SM?

Keeping up the appearance of motivation was hard. I was well past my original ETS date so I really didn't want to be there any more. The other thing was my leadership trying to scare me into staying. They made comments like "what was I going to do, flip burgers?"

Doing PT

Last Command tour so was really focused on bringing all my people home safe. Pushed back hard on mission without force protection so guaranteed I wouldn't make Flag. But when I said "I stand relieved", it felt like I took off roller skates. Didn't realize the amount of stress I was under. Mine was a "Mission Accomplished". Never looked back as it was time to move on.

The hardest part is focusing on what next and still balancing the mission at hand

For me it was staying "in the zone." I made the decision to leave the service, but I still had a job to do. I found myself relaxing a little too much.

Good question and responses. I am just entering my final year and already facing the challenges of taking care of myself first. I have been telling everyone that I am retiring so it won't be a surprise. As an AGR in a TPU world I keep the wheels spinning but am really pushing for someone to step up in my absence. I think I might end up like MSG Colby and get constant questions after I am gone. I am trying to teach them now and ensure there are written instructions in place but know it will be difficult. So, I believe my challenge during my final year will be ensuring that I am taking care of myself and ensuring that I am prepared to transition to civilian life.

Training my replacement(s). I was the AGR S-3 of the Brigade. Wore a LOT of hats. I honestly tried to impart my knowledge of procedures to the TPU's and other FTUS in my final year. After I retired, I would get at least one phone call a day and countless E-mails. "Where's this?" Where's that?" "How do I ____?" The first day of drill after I retired, drove me NUTZ! Had my phone ringing off the hook. After a week of this crap, I threw away my cell phone and set my E-mail to auto-reply "Now you know why I tried so hard to train someone." I never even opened the E-mails from everyone in the unit.

I was just in a job/personality-type mismatch. I'm gregarious and was forced to be a cubicle rat. I'm not a creator - and was forced to produce stuff without guidance and then just told, "Nope, not what we're looking for," about 142 times for each project. I was also in a geo-bachelor situation, so it was rough.

As for the job, I never quit, and I never hit "retired status," until the day AFTER I retired. I also don't regret the choice to pull the plug.

Mine was health. Mine failed me and impacted my ability to find a new job. The VA consumes your time and energy with appointments, and in the change of an unanticipated medical retirement, change in finances strain families. My ride was far from smooth.

Your transition (networking, connecting, making contacts, attending events of interest) should really begin years before your ETS date. Don't wait til the end- that tends to result in last minute attempts (read: desperate) to find employment without knowing anyone for understanding your new industry.