What did you do in the days and weeks afterward when you left the service?

The first time I was in Germany... I was without work for 6-months as a dependent of my then active duty ex-wife! No one there to tell me of my benefits to their fullest beyond the new ACAP which had a lot to be desired if anyone remembers its early stages in the early ‘90s. The second time, I was medically retired, almost a blessing, but, not, because it was pre-9/11, so yet again, nothing was in-place as it is today to assist the troop and ACAP although it had improved, had a lot to be desired, because of the level of experiences of the personnel running, and the PEBLOs doing their best in providing you an idea of your future, based on the outcome of the PEB. You had a 10/90 chance of being retired, depending on your issue, unlike today where I believe they are more for the troop and understanding of a lot of what some of you have/had gone through with research and science!
I was stationed at Buckley AF base and live in Parker, CO. The PEB gave me 21-days, 14 of which was to clear at that time. I chose to sell back my maxed leave since I found a job that would start the Monday after I was retired (3-days later).

Great question COL.
I ran back to school and started working on a Masters. After an interview with the Department head, I applied to ultrasound school.
Why I did not run back into the Navy after ultrasound school, I do not know. It just did not cross my mind. But, after three civilian compassion training classes, I am a new man. No longer telling fat bodies to get off the dam phone and get to work.
Have a great day COL.

I was in Montgomery, Alabama, had some terminal leave to take, and already had a job lined up to go to. So my transition was fairly seamless. I felt excited about the future.

Today's job market has significantly changed. If you don't have a degree, file for you VA benefits and get started. If a degree is not practical in the short term, look for an industry certification that lines up with your MOS/specialty and take/pass the test. Be sure your LinkedIn profile and resume are aligned. Don't expect your military service to be immediately perceived as a beneficial trait; get on board first and then shine.

Probably the most important: keep up with your existing personal network. If you don't have one, get busy building one. It's not easy. I'm not talking about LinkedIn connections or Facebook friends. I'm talking about people who know you. Make time for them. See if you can do something for them first before asking them to do something for you. Good luck.

Bought a pair of hush puppies that didn't need spit-shined or laced. Bought a pair of "Buddy Holly" glasses which wouldn't have been approved by Uncle Sam. Prepared to go to college.

My last duty station was Hickham AFB, HI. My car was shipped from Hawaii to the West Coast. A friend of mine that I used to work with at Hickham AFB was stationed at Travis AFB, CA he brought Me to Oakland to the port and where I picked up My car. I took about three Weeks just traveling across the United States and seeing as much as a Could. I drove from California to Massachusetts. Visited Yosemite National Park, San Francisco, San Diego to include the zoo, Disneyland, Knots Beery Farm, Death Valley, the Painted Dessert, Old Route 66, Grande Canyon, Messe Verde National Park, the Colorado National Monument just to name a few of My stops on the way. Even stopped at Whiteman AFB, MO to visit one of the guys I worked with at Hickham AFB, HI Within one week of arriving home I was working on the Falmouth (MA) Police Dept. within three months went back to college. (I already had two years) and 2 years later received My BS degree. Shortly after that I went to the Sherborn (MA) Police Dept and one year later got married. One year after We were married We bought a house where We have now lived for 40 years.

I WAS OUT PROCESSED AT FT DIXS NEW JESREY AND I MOVED BACK HOME TO WASHINGTON STATE WHERE I ATTEND COLLEGE FOR A YOUR TIME AND GOT A JOB AS A MANAGER IN A GAS STATION. THAT WAS BACK IN 1990 AND NOW I A WAS BUILDING AIRPLANES THE 777 AT BOEING SINCE I HAVE HAD 3 SURGERIES ON BOTH HANDS AND ELBOW I HAVE CHANGED INTO WORKING IN A TOOL ROOM.

Retired 31 July 2001 after 20 years and began my new private sector career the next day. No regrets and I enjoy what I do. I had planned and prepared about a year in advance for that time. I can't emphasize enough the need to prepare to be successful.

I retired from Chanute AFB in IL. I was a single parent. First thing I did was take my son to Disney World. He started school in September. I started looking for a job. After that I bought a house. I also filed with VA for compensation.

The day I left, I had my future wife's red Honda Civic. I loaded it up with my stuff, and drove home. Wouldn't you know I got a speeding ticket in NJ. Ugh. Anyhow, I had only a week off before I started a job with BankBoston in their customer service center. This started a string of one year jobs over the next two years. I finally landed an IT job in November 1999. Since then I've worked for 4 different IT companies. My recent was a 10 year job with EMC. In Feb, I started a new job that I hope to be the job I retire at.

Stopped shaving and slept in.