Posted on Jul 14, 2014
What does your final orders (retirement) mean to you? When you cross your finish line and take that final knee?
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As told on my final military orders:
You are released from active duty and, on the date following, placed on the
retired list . The people of the United States express their thanks and
gratitude for your faithful service. Your contributions to the defense of the
United States of America are greatly appreciated. On date placed on the retired
list ...............etc,etc
To me I can't describe 25 years of duty but in three words as quoted by the legendary General of the Army Douglas MacArthur " Duty, Honor and Country" my duty to my country. It's what I truly believed in as a Soldier!
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/America/United_States/Army/USMA/MacArthur/1962_speech_to_the_Corps.html
You are released from active duty and, on the date following, placed on the
retired list . The people of the United States express their thanks and
gratitude for your faithful service. Your contributions to the defense of the
United States of America are greatly appreciated. On date placed on the retired
list ...............etc,etc
To me I can't describe 25 years of duty but in three words as quoted by the legendary General of the Army Douglas MacArthur " Duty, Honor and Country" my duty to my country. It's what I truly believed in as a Soldier!
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Places/America/United_States/Army/USMA/MacArthur/1962_speech_to_the_Corps.html
Posted in these groups: 
Military service
Military service
Edited 6 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
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I look forward to my final orders SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL which should arrive in about six months. Those orders will enable me and my wife to turn in our retired reserve ID cards and be able to have pictures taken for our initial Blue gray retired ID card which will be replaced for the final ID card which is issued at age 65 coincident with the Medicare requirements when we must elect Medicare Part B coverage and move to TRICARE for Life coverage.
[Update 7/7/2017] FYI, I finally retired on 10/9/2016 and received my first DFAS military retirement payment at the end of October 2016.
I was able to get my Blue United States Uniformed Services ID card issued on October 8, 2016 from the Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base which is the home base of the West Virginia Air National Guard 167th Airlift Wing located at the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport, 4 miles south of Martinsburg, West Virginia.
The Active duty bases would not issue my Retirement ID card or my wife's until the business day after my birthday which would have been October 11, 2016.
If you are reserve or national Guard I recommend you get your retired ID card from a National Guard base since they understand the reserve processes unlike many active duty bases.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC John Shaw LTC John Mohor LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. MSG(P) (Join to see) SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas CPT Gabe Snell SFC William Farrell SGT Michael Thorin SCPO Morris Ramsey SPC (Join to see) LTC Wayne Brandon SSG William Wall MSgt Jason McClish AN Christopher CraynePO2 Harold AshtonMAJ John RolleysonSgt Trevor Barrett
[Update 7/7/2017] FYI, I finally retired on 10/9/2016 and received my first DFAS military retirement payment at the end of October 2016.
I was able to get my Blue United States Uniformed Services ID card issued on October 8, 2016 from the Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base which is the home base of the West Virginia Air National Guard 167th Airlift Wing located at the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport, 4 miles south of Martinsburg, West Virginia.
The Active duty bases would not issue my Retirement ID card or my wife's until the business day after my birthday which would have been October 11, 2016.
If you are reserve or national Guard I recommend you get your retired ID card from a National Guard base since they understand the reserve processes unlike many active duty bases.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC John Shaw LTC John Mohor LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. MSG(P) (Join to see) SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas CPT Gabe Snell SFC William Farrell SGT Michael Thorin SCPO Morris Ramsey SPC (Join to see) LTC Wayne Brandon SSG William Wall MSgt Jason McClish AN Christopher CraynePO2 Harold AshtonMAJ John RolleysonSgt Trevor Barrett
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Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis
SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth - David, there is a form of service called the State Guard. It is authorized by Title 32 of the US Code. About twenty states have active State Guards. The three big ones are NY, TX, and CA. GA also has an active State Guard; I had an Uncle (since passed) who served in it. He was my inspiration.
The State Guard does not pay (except for paid State Orders). The service requirements are one day per month, eight hours, plus a miscellaneous amount of time that totals up to 200 hours per year. I joined the CA State Guard (CASG, formerly known as the CA State Reserve, or CSMR). Because I retired as a Lt Col, they took me in as a (CA) Lt Col. I was subsequently promoted to (CA) [full] Colonel, and finally got to wear eagles. My duties were as the Deputy Commander of a Brigade (AF Wing-level-equivalent) like unit. I served as the acting Commander several times. Hands down, that was the best military assignment I ever had.
I recommend you look into it, in your State.
The State Guard does not pay (except for paid State Orders). The service requirements are one day per month, eight hours, plus a miscellaneous amount of time that totals up to 200 hours per year. I joined the CA State Guard (CASG, formerly known as the CA State Reserve, or CSMR). Because I retired as a Lt Col, they took me in as a (CA) Lt Col. I was subsequently promoted to (CA) [full] Colonel, and finally got to wear eagles. My duties were as the Deputy Commander of a Brigade (AF Wing-level-equivalent) like unit. I served as the acting Commander several times. Hands down, that was the best military assignment I ever had.
I recommend you look into it, in your State.
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CDR Tom Davy
SCPO Morris Ramsey - Please look again, TRICARE for Life (TFL) is our "benefit" once we are eligible for MEDICARE. You will lose most of your medical benefits. TRICARE will cease to be your primary health insurance. You probably won't be able to have your Primary Care Physician at a military medical treatment facility.
There was a time when we truly had medical care for our wife and us for life - those days are gone. By the time we are 65, TFL will be different, so I won't give details except that retirees need to robustly monitor their benefits. There are numerous TFL/MEDICARE supplemental insurance programs from many organizations. I'm a retired Medical Service Corps officer and will do and publish my research with recommendations in the years to come.
There was a time when we truly had medical care for our wife and us for life - those days are gone. By the time we are 65, TFL will be different, so I won't give details except that retirees need to robustly monitor their benefits. There are numerous TFL/MEDICARE supplemental insurance programs from many organizations. I'm a retired Medical Service Corps officer and will do and publish my research with recommendations in the years to come.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
I did not feel like I crossed a finish line or took a knee. I do feel like I reached ORP, but the mission is still active. No wars or battle have been won yet. There is much more in front of me than behind me...God's will be done...and I am excited to see what is still in front of me.
I did not feel like I crossed a finish line or took a knee. I do feel like I reached ORP, but the mission is still active. No wars or battle have been won yet. There is much more in front of me than behind me...God's will be done...and I am excited to see what is still in front of me.
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I can't help. Whenever I see that this picture this is what I am thinking of.
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SSG V. Michelle Woods
Every good Christian knows Jesus was a Ranger CPT (Join to see). That's why I used to date exclusively Rangers.
But then I learned that just because they are a Ranger does not mean they are like Jesus.
:)
But then I learned that just because they are a Ranger does not mean they are like Jesus.
:)
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CPT (Join to see)
True. Just like Moses. He was a land nav no-go and never got his tab or made it to the promise land. SSG V. Michelle Woods
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SSG (Join to see)
25 Years of service where some cannot complete one year. SFC Davis outstanding job and it was great serving with you. Multiple deployment and multiple change throughout the army itself. Retiring out the army means being bless by the man above.
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MSG Brad Sand
CPT (Join to see)
As an actual historical fact, Jesus was a Mista'arvim (IDF officer specifically trained to operate undercover, in enemy territory, in order to assassinate or capture wanted terrorists member). He just took his mission to the next level, converting the enemy and making them leaders in the Kingdom. We all should take a page from his FM.
As an actual historical fact, Jesus was a Mista'arvim (IDF officer specifically trained to operate undercover, in enemy territory, in order to assassinate or capture wanted terrorists member). He just took his mission to the next level, converting the enemy and making them leaders in the Kingdom. We all should take a page from his FM.
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