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 >1 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 27
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SFC Joe Davis - you are so very welcome and may God bless you in all you do !
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Honestly SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL and LTC Stephen F. I didn't want to retire and ended up a little depressed with the thought of it approaching. Once it hit, it was really bad. After a few months things turned around, I picked myself up by my bootstraps, luckily found a job I was suited for and am content now.
....... I will take a contracting job overseas in a heartbeat!
....... I will take a contracting job overseas in a heartbeat!
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
LTC Bill Koski my goodness what a share/read, thank you for your honored and faithful service. " Well done my friend"
TSgt Joe C. SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F.] SGT Robert George SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see) SFC Dave Beran SGT Philip Roncari SP5 Michael Rathbun SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish COL Mikel J. Burroughs ] SrA Christopher Wright Cynthia Croft SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM
TSgt Joe C. SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F.] SGT Robert George SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see) SFC Dave Beran SGT Philip Roncari SP5 Michael Rathbun SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish COL Mikel J. Burroughs ] SrA Christopher Wright Cynthia Croft SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL - well said Joe, thank you for the mention also.
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It meant giving up the life I loved and leaving my brothers and sisters behind to start paying my family back for allowing me to live that life.
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Amen, and may it ever be so, brother! I am one of those gray reservists, retired from drilling but not yet receiving retired pay. I look forward to that day in 2027 when I am placed on the retired list, drawing pay and benefits.
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I look forward to that day now, but know I'll dread it after it comes and goes.
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I was AD in my 19th year working with the Alabama NG and went to the 9 mm range on a nice bright day with a slight wind. I had developed PTSD and did not know I had. It was new to me. I thought it was just a lot of stress.
I had always qualified expert on the 9 mm so I was very confident. My first iteration I flunked. I was not going to be denied and did not care if others watched me shoot again. I shot 3 more times and failed 3 more times. For petes sakes I have qualified from 70 ton tanks with the 120 mm cannon.
I was humbled. I sat down on the bleacher and looked at the gravel, trees, and the sky.
I was sad. This was the first time I had intimation the end would come soon. I was seeing the future before it came. On a few occasions I had to balance the needs of the soldiers vs the needs of the army. I had to be honest and decide if I was irrelevant to the army, and I knew I must hang up my boots. My wife pointed out that I had constant tremors. I would not have qualified in a 100 years. I kept sitting deep in thought and I was sad. I always wanted to finish strong, but not this time.
I had always qualified expert on the 9 mm so I was very confident. My first iteration I flunked. I was not going to be denied and did not care if others watched me shoot again. I shot 3 more times and failed 3 more times. For petes sakes I have qualified from 70 ton tanks with the 120 mm cannon.
I was humbled. I sat down on the bleacher and looked at the gravel, trees, and the sky.
I was sad. This was the first time I had intimation the end would come soon. I was seeing the future before it came. On a few occasions I had to balance the needs of the soldiers vs the needs of the army. I had to be honest and decide if I was irrelevant to the army, and I knew I must hang up my boots. My wife pointed out that I had constant tremors. I would not have qualified in a 100 years. I kept sitting deep in thought and I was sad. I always wanted to finish strong, but not this time.
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My final orders said that I was placed in IRR status, as of 12/16/2017, under guidelines for the Guard, I will be fully retired out of the gray area. 24 yrs. service to state and country.
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