What have you enjoyed most in your retirement?

SCPO David Lockwood — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 11:58:32 -0400

Response by Sgt Charles A Vroman Jr made Apr 27 at 2015 11:59 AM

Sgt Charles A Vroman Jr — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 11:59:01 -0400

Being able to be more engaged with my children and help them to not grow up to be little assholes.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Apr 27 at 2015 11:58 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 11:58:42 -0400

Spending time with the family especially my grandkids. Not putting up with all the political BS that came with the job.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 11:59 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 11:59:18 -0400

Not having to shave daily and the check every month.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 12:07 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:07:51 -0400

I'm still working, SCPO David Lockwood, after retiring from the Army, so I can't say I enjoy the free time, travel, etc. I do enjoy the retired pay that comes in every month - like clockwork. My plan is to try to stay fit and healthy so that check will able to roll in for a good while longer.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Apr 27 at 2015 12:07 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:07:55 -0400

Time. I can spend time how I want. Bike ride. Dog walk. Re-discovering the mid-afternoon nap is awesome! Dinner out with my wife and friends or visiting my daughter at college, whenever the mood strikes. Having your own time back, and deciding what to do (or NOT do), is a great feeling of freedom.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 made Apr 27 at 2015 12:34 PM

CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025 — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:34:14 -0400

SCPO David Lockwood, My retirement is charactized by my appreciation of having discretionary TIME!

I delight in making choices to do what I please, when I please and if I please.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 27 at 2015 1:09 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 13:09:17 -0400

Looking at my bank account

Response by SPC David S. made Apr 27 at 2015 2:34 PM

SPC David S. — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 14:34:23 -0400

Not having to work, I do plan on getting a job eventually. But not HAVING to is very nice. No more having to get up at 6-7 to do PT and then work 9-5 Monday thru Friday. And most importantly, not having to do those 24 hour duties or field problems anymore.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 2:39 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 14:39:09 -0400

Retirement is defined by my cousin as six Saturdays and one Sunday.

I enjoy not being bound by a schedule and being able to do whatever chores I have any day pf the week.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Apr 27 at 2015 2:45 PM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 14:45:54 -0400

Honestly I tried retirement for 6 days and then was back to work - i could not do it. I played golf, worked on the house etc...I was happy to retire but very happy to be back to work. if my wife did not work then that might have been different, we do not have children so back to the workforce and this is where I will stay till death. i was not meant to sit back and relax I do not know how to do that. You would think that after a mild heart attack I would have learned but nope.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Apr 27 at 2015 4:56 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 16:56:27 -0400

Sometimes I get a little "over retired" LAZY, but I can deal with that. I travel a great deal, not only in the US, but overseas. Have a home in the Philippines where I plan to end up, so to me it's all pretty good. The only problem I have is sometimes you do get just a little bored. I don't drink or hit the club circuit and due to certain problems, can't deal with crowds very well, but then being retired means you don't have to.........lol So I think it is good!

Response by SGT Richard Ellis made Apr 27 at 2015 5:37 PM

SGT Richard Ellis — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 17:37:50 -0400

Spending time with my family and friends

Response by SSG Donald Mceuen made Apr 28 at 2015 7:30 AM

SSG Donald Mceuen — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 07:30:45 -0400

I travel in the hill country of TEXAS. Fish the bays of the gulf. and carve wood.
So i stay away from crowds and main events . We take our grandson all over
with us he is young but we hope he is learning from the trips we take him on.
My wife still works so i have time during the week to fish. and weekends to travel
and we take long weekends.

Response by SGT Kevin Smith made Apr 28 at 2015 10:24 PM

SGT Kevin Smith — Tue, 28 Apr 2015 22:24:28 -0400

Definitely not shaving everyday is a plus. Also not having to deal with with stupid stuff.

Response by Sgt Spencer Sikder made Apr 29 at 2015 9:25 AM

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 09:25:10 -0400

I enjoy doing what I want to do, when I want to do it (or when my wife tells me). Sure there are many opportunities to volunteer or pick up work here and there, but after working for about 40 years, I'm taking the break. Only two years into this retirement and I still haven't found anything so important to redirect my attention. Not to say in the future I may pick up some steady volunteering gig. Many of the volunteering opportunities are centered around some sort of, I shudder to say it, "schedule." At 57, still enjoying my time!

Response by CPO Richard Castrillon made Apr 29 at 2015 9:33 AM

CPO Richard Castrillon — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 09:33:10 -0400

The free time.I was on fast attack submarines my whole life. Their designation was SSN which stood for Saturdays, Sundays and Nights. Currently I am raising a 14 and an 11 year old as I waited to retire to have children as a full time Dad and not missing anything. . Howerver I do miss the Chiefs mess where i Knew I good get help anytime. But todays Navy is not the same as 20 years ago.

Response by CPO William Knox made Apr 30 at 2015 9:28 PM

CPO William Knox — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 21:28:47 -0400

The freedom to do what I want, when I want. I do miss the Mess, but the Navy has changed a lot ... I don't miss the politics!

Response by CPO Michael Callegri made May 8 at 2015 7:42 PM

CPO Michael Callegri — Fri, 08 May 2015 19:42:11 -0400

I cant say that I'm still working because I want to, because living in California my retired pay would not allow me to enjoy life the way I would like. Although I'm still working because I enjoy it. I think the biggest thing is, since I've met the retirement time and age in my current job, it's knowing that I could leave any time I get ready and not have to worry about medical and those type of things. I enjoy my job and the people I work with. When that changes I'm out the door.