What should be on the retirement checklist?

2016-04-17T17:13:16-04:00

I am purposely not including MEB steps. I had PTSD so it was not easy to remember all this stuff.

1. Letters of recommendation
2. Get final OER and NCOER
3. Get DD214
4. Tailor your GI bill
5. Sign up for SBP (optional)
6. Sign up for VGLI (optional)
7. Have a resume
8. Sign up for Delta Dental (I missed this step)
9. Sign up for Tricare
10. Get blue ID card and dependent ID cards
11. Get medical records
12. You have a year of storage paid for government on the final PCS
13. Get a letter from the housing office if you have bad credit

I am sure I have forgotten some nuggets.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Apr 17 at 2016 5:20 PM

2016-04-17T17:20:32-04:00

Along with the resume, ACAP, and going to job conferences along the way. You likely know that when you put in your retirement/ETS paperwork.

Response by SFC Randy Purham made Apr 17 at 2016 5:21 PM

2016-04-17T17:21:24-04:00

I would print off everything in my OMPF (official military personnel files). Once you leave the service it may be difficult to get a copy. I would also print my last ERB/ORB.

Response by CW2 Christopher Esparza made Apr 18 at 2016 12:34 AM

2016-04-18T00:34:08-04:00

Ok let's not put the cart before the horse. MEB so I assume medical retirement. Any idea what you're military retired percentage will be? What about VA percentage? Don't believe the hype, most of the time these are not the same. Will you be placed On TDRL? Will they be working your VA benefits at the same time as the MEB? If not make sure they do. Don't worry about printing or downloading files they're all on ebenefits. Will you or will you not be employable? Because that's two different routes when it comes time to ACAP

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2016 10:29 AM

2016-04-18T10:29:00-04:00

ok I am going to add some to this, and should be done through out your career. You need copies of your medical records, this includes the binder before you transfer because the docs upload and purge it when it gets too big. also every time you were treated at a hospital which will have a separate record with included dates. You are then going to go to VA and first sign up join MYhealthEvet which will give you access to your records and compare. then find the DAV there and have them help you to sign up for comp and pen. I know your healthy, but you are talking about money they owe you and the sooner you apply the better. Depending on when you served and where will give you qualifiers. At forty or fifty you might not feel it but the wear and tear you put on your body adds up. You have to go to the VA to get qualified but if you qual for comp you can go to ther doctors. Make sure to stop by travel because they will pay for you to get to the VA. Now understand that each VA is different and some are a pain and they will try and tell you, that you make too much money. They have to give you a card and once you have a card talk with the DAV guys, they are not employees and will tell you what you need to do.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Apr 18 at 2016 9:22 PM

2016-04-18T21:22:27-04:00

Certified copies of your DD-214, several copies. Probably the most important of all.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Apr 19 at 2016 1:14 AM

2016-04-19T01:14:26-04:00

(1) Business Cards for networking. (2) Up to date LinkedIn profile. (3) Develop a Budget for after service. (4) Buy Interview Clothing (Suit & Tie). (5) Networking attire. (6) Reconcile CIF records with "Stuff" in your garage/basement. (7) Verify leave balance. (8) Start VA process 6 months from retirement if staying in the area. (9) Find a transitioning mentor.