For All My Military Brothers and Sisters...

SGT(P) Michael H. — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 16:27:01 -0400

This is how I feel today...After reexamining my own purpose in today's Army, Military, as a Citizen, Husband, Father, Son, Grandson, Brother, Nephew, Uncle and Friend...I hope this helps someone along the way. Sometimes you just need to catch a new perspective. On those days when your body aches from so many places from so many past injuries and surgeries and all the physical training you continue to take part in, and you FEEL every second of every minute of every day of each and every month of the 44+ years you've been breathing and thinking and learning and pushing....always pushing...forward and forward again...and then you see it, you hear it, you FEEL the new perspective, you immerse yourself in it...and it reminds you WHY you push past all the pain, all the daily discomfort, the stiffness and even the self doubt, and you remember...for The People....the job needs to be done for The People...and I will push and push and push until there is absolutely no push left, and then somehow, somewhere I will find another new perspective, and I will push on again, in service to The People of this Great Nation. Damned be the beurocrats and the scallywags and those who sold out long ago in an attempt to give our freedoms, that were fought for and paid for with blood, to others who deserve it not...THIS is for you, The People! Respect and Honor!

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2013 12:03 AM

CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 00:03:39 -0400

Good for you brother for finding the strength to carry on with other have not or cannot any longer.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Oct 31 at 2013 8:06 PM

CMC Robert Young — Thu, 31 Oct 2013 20:06:17 -0400

Good on you Sergeant. I feel the same way many days. At 53 and quickly approaching mandatory retirement, I ask the same questions. Take comfort and strength from the realization that you and those like you are separate and apart from all other mortals. No matter the service or MOS/Rate/AFSC, those who wear with the pride the uniform of their nation's military are rare breed, and while too often unacknowledged, our country could not survive without those few dedicated souls.

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 22 at 2013 6:57 PM

SFC James Baber — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 18:57:27 -0500

This has been my mindset for many years before I elected for retirement, I would have even considered pushing forward one more time before I dropped my paperwork, except my wife had just given birth to another child and I had missed so much, too much to be honest during my other 4 children's lives during my 27 years, it was time for me to make the decision that my family needed me to make the sacrifice I should have for them a few years earlier as I had done many times for my country.

I am much happier and less stressed than I have been during anytime in the last 30 years.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Jun 30 at 2014 8:15 PM

SSG Mike Angelo — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 20:15:01 -0400

I retired at 38 with 20 years and a few days of active military service. Knowing that my pension is by no means a living wage, I went back to school and had some interesting and life fulfilling work experiences. At 56, my journey continues the path of public and community service.