Plans after Retirement/ETS

SFC A.M. Drake — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 13:35:36 -0400

What are YOUR plans after you retire/ETS from your branch of service? Please no generic answers, as most do not have a clue to what they are going to do let alone the processes for getting yourself or family taken care of. So your response may assist others as they transfer on. A well thought out plan is from 2-5yrs in advance? What do you say?

Response by MSG Martin C. made Jun 7 at 2014 1:52 PM

MSG Martin C. — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 13:52:40 -0400

My intent to achieve SGM and stay until the wheels fall off. But if I get out at 20 my option is going into the Border Patrol as a first choice. My second choice will be in the counseling field since my Masters degree will be in counseling with a focus in military resiliency. I also have explored the option of franchising something not sure what exactly be the best choice I still have to do a market analysis for the area I will be retiring.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2014 3:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 15:06:43 -0400

I thought to starting my own Bicycle Shop or Repair Shop. I got bit by the cycling bug when In GE and havent looked back Trying to find a good location and currently working on a business plan.I still have 3 years to go to retierment but if nesisary I can always go one more year longer if it will help to get things off the ground. But I think 3 years is plenty of time for that but then again Im new to all this because the Army is all I really know.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2014 3:07 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 15:07:10 -0400

I got 13 months left. I'm currently waiting on an acceptance letter for CISAC before I reenlist. If I don't get accepted I'll ETS and just use the 9/11 GI bill and work part time. I've been saving money for almost 4 years now. I'm ready for what ever. I got plans no matter what happens. Even if I get chaptered for some crazy reason.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 9 at 2014 7:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 19:05:47 -0400

My plan is to take advantage of one of the programs the army has to train for employment. Leading towards welding right now. I will work part time while takin advantage of the GI bill going to school full time. I am going to be a volunteer firefighter and get on the wait list for a career fire job

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2014 11:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 11:29:18 -0400

I've been in USAREC for 9 y ears, 6 of those have been as a center commander for both the enlisted side of recruiting and now I'm an AMEDD center commander. I have an ETS date of next May and I've been tossing around the idea of getting out. I've been looking in to careers in sales management, staffing/talent acquisition, marketing management, and even operational management. It's actually been great to look in to the benefits that large companies offer and also to see what salaries you can expect. For the most part it pushes you to retire because jobs in sales and sometimes marketing are mostly commission-based, so if you had a bad quarter it wouldn't hurt so bad if you're getting a retirement check. For example, I interviewed with a staffing company in Texas where the base pay was only $40k/year and the average first-year bonuses were around $8k. On the other hand, I've interviewed with a few companies for positions such as healthcare recruiting manager, regional director of franchise operations, and VP of sales/marketing. These jobs start with a base pay of between $75k and $85k and then have annual bonus and commissions around $16k on average. These jobs are in the southeast where the cost of living is low, so the potential of making six figures within the next few years is enticing. With that being said, if anyone has/knows of a company who needs an accomplished, experienced recruiting, staffing, sales, or marketing manager with a decade worth of experience let me know!

Response by SFC Rich Carey made Jun 11 at 2014 11:29 AM

SFC Rich Carey — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 11:29:06 -0400

The day you enter the military, start planning, I know that won't happen.
However- at least 3-5 years out, the earlier the better.

- Pay off all unsecure debt
- Pay of car/truck
- Put money in the bank
- Plan your finances/budget. What are you fixed debt, like house payment vs. variable debt like electricity bill. Be realistic.
- Research what do you want to do? Employment vs Entrepreneurship, obtain needed training/skills
- Write yourself a down to earth letter what you want for you and your family
It can be done, leave the military debt free and money in the bank, make it your decision, own it, live it.
(If I can do it I know you can do it)

Response by SGT Mitch McKinley made Jun 11 at 2014 2:16 PM

SGT Mitch McKinley — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 14:16:57 -0400

I wish I had the advantage of having planned anything.
I was medically separated after 8+ years, while serving in a remote duty station, and had to try to find employment from overseas.
It was not easy, nor fun...but I have been blessed.

Response by LCDR Doug Nordman made Jun 12 at 2014 12:10 PM

LCDR Doug Nordman — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 12:10:20 -0400

Yes-- a good transition plan should start its execution at least two years before leaving active duty.

My retirement plan was to literally "do nothing", and to do it on my own schedule. I was burned out, stressed, and chronically fatigued. My spouse and I were already financially independent and I wanted to stop working. I wanted to have more control over my time, to raise our daughter, to take care of our house & yard, to manage our investments, to travel, to enjoy Hawaii life, and to read more. (Back then I had not even started surfing yet.) I did not want to retire to a different uniform and a different chain of command with more workplace dissatisfiers. I did not feel a "commitment to service" or want to "stay relevant" or to "run with the big dogs". I didn't even want to "see what I could do in the corporate world".

I had three supporters: my spouse, my daughter, and my Dad (another early retiree). As you can imagine, everyone else had lots of unsolicited advice and tough love. Eventually I settled on the disclaimer "Well, I'm going to take a few months off to spend with family & friends, and then we'll see what's next." Most of the villagers put down their torches & pitchforks and agreed that I'd eventually come to my senses.

On my first day of retirement we took family surfing lessons-- and my daughter and I were hooked. (My spouse is apathetic about it.) I'm been carrying out my "few months off" plan for over 12 years, and I think it's going to work out just fine...

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jun 14 at 2014 6:02 AM

1SG Michael Blount — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 06:02:07 -0400

I have no idea where to even find what retirement benefits I'm entitled to. Clueless? Guilty as charged.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jul 14 at 2014 7:09 PM

CMSgt James Nolan — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 19:09:24 -0400

I have this vision that includes a permanent tee time. My beautiful wife has an entirely different vision.............

Response by Capt Seavy Barefoot made Jun 22 at 2016 3:06 PM

Capt Seavy Barefoot — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 15:06:15 -0400

If your plans include working at a job , then that is faking yourself into thinking you are retired. Real retirement is sleeping in, planning your life on the go and enjoying your family with financial security or at least financial stability. My number one piece of advise, buy a small home early in your career even if you have to rent it out, You then can say I at least have a place to lay my head.