What are you most looking forward to when you retire or ETS?

TSgt Alex Benningfield — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 00:02:16 -0400

More than growing a beard or growing you hair like Joe dirt, what was that one thing you couldn't wait to do as a civilian. Whether it was/ is something you can't do in the military or you just were not in the right situation to do.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 4 at 2016 12:04 AM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 00:04:04 -0400

Put my hands in my pockets and walk around.

Response by SFC David McMahon made Jul 4 at 2016 12:04 AM

SFC David McMahon — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 00:04:56 -0400

I thought it would be the beard and the hair but it turns out it gets annoying (ha ha).

Honestly...I've sat the whole day and done nothing but played PlayStation...

Another day I spent the entire day at the gym...

And another day I spent working on my car....

And that's nice....really really really nice....

Ha ha ha ha, good luck to you!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2016 12:05 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 00:05:19 -0400

No more PT formations!

Response by MSgt Richard Rountree made Jul 4 at 2016 12:12 AM

MSgt Richard Rountree — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 00:12:48 -0400

I was tired of being in charge and really looked forward to just being one of the guys...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2016 12:25 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 00:25:04 -0400

After my 1st ETS, I was excited to just SPEAK MY MIND.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2016 11:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 11:12:18 -0400

I am about to hit my 14 year mark and am so jealous of all of my fellow senior NCO buddies who are approaching imminent retirement or already in the process. I would take the 15-year 35% option in a heartbeat if it were an actual option a Soldier could choose to take.

I am a fifth generation Soldier dating back to the civil war. My father retired at a Corps-level CSM. I do love the Army as it is all I've ever really known, BUT SO MUCH AS CHANGED SINCE 2001-- and most not for the best. It is just not the same organization I grew up so familiar with. My family tells me the Army is cyclical and there are good years followed by bad years (dead broke and downsizing [hallowing out of the force]), so maybe I was just "spoiled" having joined for and at the beginning of the war.

I am most looking forward to not having to worry about the security of my job in a downsizing Army that forces competition and politics for mandatory promotions that should you not get you'll be forced out early (possibly with no retirement or much of anything) for "stagnation and poor leadership." I did not join to perpetually worry about my job security or play politics for rank.

I wish I would have done so much differently with my Army career in retrospect, but hindsight is always 20/20.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jul 4 at 2016 11:37 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 11:37:48 -0400

As a Reserve Retiree I had to wait until I got 60. But that's ok, it was part of the over all plan. Now I can cut back my work a bit or maybe save up a little more so the wife and I can so a few things. When I get 65 I will be able to get SS (maybe) if it still is solvent. I know what I get isn't what it would be if I'd been Active, but I also know I've had another job all the time, and what I am drawing now (started this year, YEA) isn't bad for a part time job.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2016 7:30 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jul 2016 19:30:02 -0400

Not consistently getting turned down for better jobs.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 5 at 2016 6:25 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 18:25:18 -0400

Too Late, I've been retired about 20 years now but the thing I thought about the least and enjoy the most is my Title of Papa of 5 wonderful Grandchildren.