Military Career
Military Career
Posted on Feb 11, 2024
Retiring soon and trying to get all the things done. I have over 6 months left. Any useful advice?
3.4K
54
18
15
15
0
Retiring soon and trying to knock out all the needed & important tasks on my to do list. Have already taken TAPS classes, working towards a certification useful in my present and future civilian job as well as making a continuity book for any successors. Besides getting a full physical and using all my accrued leave, does anyone have any advice? I have a little over 8 months left to go. My last official day in the army is 31 Oct (Yup, Halloween).
Retirement
Transition
Military Career
Posted 3 mo ago
Responses: 14
One thing many Soldiers don't pay attention to until too late is exploring if the Army's Career Skills Program, DoD's SkillBridge Program, or an Individual Internship Program (basically a DIY option) is something that they would be interested in (especially applicable since you mentioned certifications).
---------------------------
* Army CSP - https://home.army.mil/imcom/customers/career-skills-program/csp-programs-and-locations
* DoD SkillBridge - https://skillbridge.osd.mil/locations.htm
https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/5-tips-for-military-servicemembers-to-choose-the-right-csp-skillbridge-provider/
---------------------------
* Army CSP - https://home.army.mil/imcom/customers/career-skills-program/csp-programs-and-locations
* DoD SkillBridge - https://skillbridge.osd.mil/locations.htm
https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/5-tips-for-military-servicemembers-to-choose-the-right-csp-skillbridge-provider/
(9)
(0)
1LT (Join to see)
CSP is often a phenomenal use of time! I used it, and I always brought it up as an option to my Joes.
(4)
(0)
SGT (Join to see)
It's a great option until a CSM doesn't want to push the packet forward because he's concerned Staff Duty won't be manned appropriately.
(0)
(0)
COL Randall C.
SGT (Join to see) - Open door with your commander in that situation as the CSM isn't the approval authority (first field grade in your chain per AR 600-81*, Chapter 8). The CSM absolutely can recommend that it denied because of mission requirements though.
You do bring up a good point about the programs. The approval to participate in any of them is with the command. There is no right to be in the program, but the guidelines to commanders are, given mission requirements, to provide reasonable opportunity for Soldiers to participate in the program.
If the unit was short staffed for the operational mission or a specific Soldier was critical to the mission due to skills/knowledge, it's foreseeable that the Soldier wouldn't be approved to participate. Disapproval because there is a concern about manning Staff Duty would be something likely to raise an eyebrow with senior commanders.
-------------------------------------------
* AR 600-81 - https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN19863_R600_81_ADMIN_FINAL.pdf
You do bring up a good point about the programs. The approval to participate in any of them is with the command. There is no right to be in the program, but the guidelines to commanders are, given mission requirements, to provide reasonable opportunity for Soldiers to participate in the program.
If the unit was short staffed for the operational mission or a specific Soldier was critical to the mission due to skills/knowledge, it's foreseeable that the Soldier wouldn't be approved to participate. Disapproval because there is a concern about manning Staff Duty would be something likely to raise an eyebrow with senior commanders.
-------------------------------------------
* AR 600-81 - https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN19863_R600_81_ADMIN_FINAL.pdf
(1)
(0)
Other than getting all your medical records lined up so you can start your VA healthcare and disability rating....I think you've covered the majority of the steps needed.
(7)
(0)
SFC (Join to see) If you have not already done so, now would be a good time to review your Financial Planning. Items to review include: Savings and investments, asset allocation. taxes, wills, budgets, loans and other debt, income taxes. Good luck with your next career!
(4)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google