Posted on Feb 18, 2016
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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RP Members, Connections, and Friends one of those Questions that was lost in RP Outer Space, but still a great question.

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

Did you take a vacation?

Do you remember where you were when you left the service?

Did you immeidatley start going to school, look for a job, draw unemployment?

How did you feel?

I drew unemployment and starting looking for a job right away, while attending College immediately - I was married and had to get going!
Edited 7 y ago
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Responses: 174
LTC Jesse Edwards
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i used my terminal leave while starting to work my civilian job. We chose to have my wife stay at home with the kids and I needed to make some money to make it work out okay.
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SFC Personnel  Sergeant
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Edited >1 y ago
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Took a few months off. I have to be honest I was lost didn't know how to handle an unregimented schedule LOL. Went to work in the Personnel field with a major Port Facility. Worked there for 4 months and just wasn't what I wanted to do. So I gave my notice. Worked various jobs for the next few years, until I got interested in Harleys. That was my calling, the rest is history.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
>1 y
SFC (Join to see) That is awesome!
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SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz
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Vacation, school(associates), more school(bachelors), and a job during bachelors. Never unemployment or welfare. I work for a living.
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CPO Bill Canada
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My truck, camper and boat were outside the front door when I retired. I ignored the civilian recruiters, walked past them got in my truck and I went fishing. I still am and do not regret that decision one bit.
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SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint
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Retirement is not normally a surprise. Build your plan and then work your plan. I have retired once from the military and now the second time from civil service. I think I have the T-shirt and will not try for another. When I retired from active duty with 21 years, I took a 7 day vacation on terminal leave and then started work with a contractor. Planning is important.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
10 y
SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint Great advice - thanks
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1SG Keith Jamison
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The family and I did some traveling to a few states while on Terminal leave. When I officially retired I started a technical course at Central Texas College (Killeen) and went to work in Austin. I also continued to work my disability claim which was a two year process but turned out successful. Life is good! Every day I think about my time on active duty; the greatest years of my life...no matter the good, the bad, or the ugly.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
10 y
1SG Keith Jamison Thanks for sharing your experience!
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SSG Drew Cook
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I got medically retired after 14 years. I passed go and went directly to vacation status.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
10 y
SSG Drew Cook Your in Hawaii - have you come off vacation status yet? Just kidding of course. Hopefully things are going good for you now
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SSG Drew Cook
SSG Drew Cook
10 y
Actually I just left. Finished my bachelors and getting started on the masters this month. Things are wonderful, thank you!
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
10 y
SSG Drew Cook Congratulations and good luck on the Masters Program!
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1SG Brian Adams
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It was rough, I won't lie. The Army has a transitional program. I was involved in Recruiting and was not near a flagpole. I believe I tried 3 or 4 different civilian jobs before I settled into real estate. I hope that the services have a better and improved version now of transitioning for ETS Soldiers and Retirees alike...
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
10 y
1SG Brian Adams Thanks for sharing!
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PO1 Glenn Colby
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I got out a in my first tour without a plan and went back to my parents house at the age of 21. About a week living back at home, I was ready to go back in. Unfortunately, that was 1993 during the drawdowns, so I did reserves for three years and was able to come back in the Navy. I am glad I did.
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SSG Wally Lawver
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Got drunk,fished, then got a job.
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