Transition/PTDY Leave...RP, what would you do if you were in my shoes while on leave?

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 08:55:43 -0400

Its that time RP in my life, for the last 7 months, I have been transitioning life after the military. I am finally on Terminal/Transition leave as of 25 October 2014. I officially retire 31 December 2014 with 25 years and 3 days. For the last 6 years, I have been deployed 3 times and catching up spending time with the family is a priority (been without family for the last 16 months. I am doing my medical and getting ready for the Veterans Affairs Compensation Pension Exam in two weeks. I have a job offer/interview later this month. I am just overwhelmed at the feeling of starting a new chapter of my life. 21 November I participate in the Joint Base Langley Eustis Retirement ceremony. There comes a time and place ALL ACTIVE DUTY ARMED FORCES members must transition back into the civilian world. You must prepare-yes for the change, but I will miss SFC Davis of the U.S. Army. Soldiering defending Americas freedom with the brave/bold Comrades of the Armed Forces forever will always be a natural high.

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made Oct 30 at 2014 9:00 AM

MAJ Dallas D. — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 09:00:09 -0400

Congratulations on your retirement. Hard to believe it's been 2 yrs since I went through the exact same thing. After 25 yrs in the Army it was tough at first but it is also a great feeling once you get that Blue ID card and you know you did a great job.

I think one of the keys for me was to just think of this as a new chapter in your life. Once you get your next job, your civilian co-workers will say thank you for your service but to be honest they could care less, they only care about you doing your job. You have great leadership skills but you may be working for someone who doesn't. Use the skills you learned to help your new civilian organization and make it better.

You will always be SFC Davis but now it's time to be Joe.

I wish you the best of luck and ENJOY your family!!!!

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Oct 30 at 2014 10:59 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 10:59:36 -0400

Thanks for your service, SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL -- how awesome is it that the SFC Davis in you can carry on forever here on RallyPoint!

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Oct 30 at 2014 12:34 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 12:34:38 -0400

Congratulations on your retirement! You've got the right idea spending much deserved time with your loved ones!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 12:42 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 12:42:49 -0400

SFC Davis, congrats. You might feel like you are walking around underwater for a while, with a mixture of pride and sad emotions. Think of it as a renewal. You achieved another big milestone in life. You won the lottery--you have a million dollar + pension. Be grateful to yourself, your country and to all the people and family who helped you along the way. Keep that positive and humble feeling and move forward. It not what you were but who you ARE that is important. Define yourself. Enjoy the transition. Help other veterans when you can. Use the tme to get your VA stuff in order, your resume fine-tuned....Understand that few people care about how many medals you have or bonding experiences. It's what you've done lately that counts. In the words of Mark Twain: "Find a Self. And Stick With it."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 12:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 12:45:22 -0400

Congrats Brother! I'm on retirement leave myself (until 30 NOV), finished with 26 years. What I/we did was took a 7 day vacation with my wife to Florida. It was an awesome way to really let it sink in that I'm no longer SFC Smith...but now I am Paul. Stayed at the Holiday Day Inn Resort at Panama City Beach...one of the best resorts we've been to....FYI.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 30 at 2014 1:13 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 13:13:26 -0400

SFC Davis, enjoy the time off. You have richly deserved it. Use the time to be with and enjoy your family and the things you enjoy and have missed over the years.

Like so many of us, once you start your new career, you will totally immerse yourself in it and, again, your personal life, family, etc. will suffer. That sense of duty, dedication and professionalism is ingrained in you. It is who you were for 25 years and 3 days, and it is who you will continue to be, although you may no longer wear the uniform of our nation.

Relax and enjoy your time off... I promise that you will not regret doing so.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 4:29 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 16:29:35 -0400

Congratulations SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL !! Thanks for giving us your 25 years of dedication and service, go enjoy that time off with the family and look forward with excitement to your upcoming job opportunity. I'm sure you will integrate quickly and be an asset to whomever is smart enough to hire you!

Response by SFC Tony Price made Oct 30 at 2014 5:45 PM

SFC Tony Price — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 17:45:11 -0400

Right there with you Joe, I retired last year in August and I still have mixed emotions. I now work at a Major Hospital as an IT Specialist. Civilian Life is weird. Still not use to it. But I am getting use to it. Good Luck to you.
Tony

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Oct 30 at 2014 7:02 PM

SPC David Shaffer — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 19:02:26 -0400

Congratulations on your retirement SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL ! Enjoy your family, you deserve it!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 8:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 20:19:50 -0400

Thank you for your service! I'm sure retirement will treat you well and it's certainly well deserved.

Response by SSgt Gregory Roland made Oct 30 at 2014 11:10 PM

SSgt Gregory Roland — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 23:10:37 -0400

Congratulations Sir! I am glad you posted this I am getting ready to transition myself and have very mixed feelings. My family and I have decided that me going reserves is the right move, so not fully civilian but definitely partially. Enjoy your family, and God bless!

Greg

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Oct 31 at 2014 8:40 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 08:40:58 -0400

Congratulations on the impending retirement!!! Thank you for the 25+ years that you defended this great nation of ours!! I retired last Sept 30, so I have been adjusting for the past year....like most have already said, it is a little strange at first, but once you develop a "new" routine, you will be fine. Having a job interview/offer right away will allow you to develop that new routine if you accept it if offered, as you will be able to make a quicker transition, less to stress over about finances!! Enjoy your retirement from the Army and remember that you will always be SFC Davis, just with an R in parenthesis from now on!!!!
Again congrats brother and thank you for what you have done!!!!

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Oct 31 at 2014 9:15 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 09:15:33 -0400

Thank you for your service and congratualations on reaching THIS finish line....but as in any good book series, you just closed this book. NOW you get to pick up the next one and see what adventures come your way! I am getting close to the window where I get to push the button.... probably on/around 1 March 2015 I will push the button and will hopefully be in your position December 2015. Good luck, God Speed, and remember: it isn't about the destination, it is about the journey.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 11:28 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 11:28:57 -0400

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL Well when you get bored come here and vent. We really do love participation from all members! And thanks for making America a better place and RallyPoint better by your presence.

Response by PFC Zanie Young made Oct 31 at 2014 8:11 PM

PFC Zanie Young — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 20:11:30 -0400

Thank you for your service, SFC Davis. Being with your loved ones should be your first priority. Just getting out of the Army is hard and adjusting is even harder, but don't let that stop you. Old habits really do die hard, but you'll make it! Enjoy your retired status and be proud! You are a hero where it matters and it is something you will never forget.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jan 7 at 2015 12:37 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 00:37:46 -0500

Brother, just think, if the Army ever calls you back, the stuff will have hit the fan again. Enjoy your time as a civilian.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 30 at 2015 9:12 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 21:12:41 -0400

I envy your service and your experience. I was RIF'd after just a few years service and deservedly so. That being said, even after a short term of service (a mere five and a half years) I was lost when I "came home". The world I left no longer existed and the one that I found was totally alien to me. It was totally unsettling. You seem to be far more mature than I was at that time (no, you ARE far more mature) and will be far better equipped to handle it. Embrace it and treat it like any other new assignment. There will be new people, new friends, and new challenges. Always keep in mind that this new world has one significant difference from the one you left when you entered the Army: Careers don't last. Don't expect to stay in one job or with one organization and earn another gold watch. It doesn't work like that any more. Personally, I've had six completely different careers in my life: The one as a bureaucrat before I entered the service, my time in the service, and then careers in sales, advertising and PR, computer technologies, and now writing. I have succeeded because I never lost my love of learning. Always be open to every opportunity to learn a new skill. A degree may help you land a job, but you'll always earn your living with skills.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 31 at 2015 1:48 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 13:48:01 -0400

Congratulations on a long and successful career. You ran a marathon to the finish line, and you served the nation proudly. Write down everything that is wrong with you for the VA examination as it is easy to forget maladies. Do you have an ex wife? Please appraise us of your situations should you need advice as many of us walked the same path as you.