Retirement blues?
I retire tomorrow from the Air National Guard and last night it just hit me. I've been in the same unit since 1990 and although I've been looking forward to this day I'm now starting to get all sentimental. My wife is happy as all get out and just called from work. She asked what I was doing and I started to get choked up telling her I was packing for the last time. I've made a lot of very good friends and have been all over the world doing things that I love to do and tomorrow it will be all over. Serving this great country for the last 20 years has been the best decision (Actually 2nd best after marrying my wife) I've ever made. Time to move on I guess.
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Thank you for your service to our country.
Look, what you're going through is normal. Two years ago, I quit a job with a company that I had been with for 15 years. I hated the job, couldn't wait to get out of there, but darnit, when the last day came, I got all choked up.
It happens. You wouldn't be human if it didn't.0 -
LJ, thank you very much for your dedicated service. I dont know if i can yet understand at my age, the loss you feel. I understand the feelings, but have never felt that way. Become a proffesional fisherman, or find some hobbies that get you excited. Woodworking, painting, wrenching on something. 0 -
Another "thank you for your service." I was never in the military, but i have great respect for those who serve.
As for the retirement aspect, moving on from something you have done for that long is always a challenge. Look at the bright side - you got to make the decision to move on. Many folks don't get that opportunity.
I often think about retirement, and wonder what I will do. I don't know that there's enough "hobbies" to keep me satisfied, so I imagine maybe working part-time in a travelling job. What's next for you?0 -
...You did yourself and your country a great service, stand proud in that.
...Plenty to do once retired, you might be surprised, thank you sir, you did good...[;)]
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Thank you lj. Folks like you is the reason the rest of us can sleep better. 0 -
Congrats! and Thanks.
What you are going through is normal.
Take time and enjoy your family. They made enough sacrifices over the years.
Most of us have fond memories of the people we work with. But you will be shocked at how quickly the job moves on without you. They will find some other hard working grunt to take your place in no time.
Enjoy what you have earned.
And thanks again.0 -
Rightfully, you took pride in your place and job in the USAF. You defined yourself as a ________ (Fill in the job). Now, it is time to gently grow, time to find the "real" self, not as defined by job or rank, not by your accomplishments, but as a person.
Retirement forces this transition on Men - Most Womwn think of themselves as a person first, then as a mom, then as whatever job they hold (if any).
Finding your real self comes late to many (most) men. You will have some adjustment to make, getting along with the wife, family and neighbors. Some marriages fail, many get better, after the Man retires.
Hope the transition goes well for you, and that you find yourself busier, doing things you always wanted to do, after retirement. Time to pay real attention to the wife - she has been looking forward to the Military NOT having any command over your time - now is the first time she can feel that she is first in your time share.
Find something special you can do together, something that you never had time for.
Bless You and your Family for your Service, Thanks from my Family to yours.0 -
As the days go by you will leave the feeling at the door, remembering the good times. I took a Medical retirement after 39 years at the same place (co sold a couple time but nothing changed)I love going out during the week and not fighting everyone on the weekends. You will still have some of your friends but will make new ones what ever you do. Us old farts are all over the place and enjoying life. Congrads to you and your service and enjoy the retirement.[:D][:p][:0][^] 0 -
lj, thanks for all the yrs of service, the future can only hold good things for a man that has given so much, like buying more guns off gb, fishing, spending valuable time with loved ones, voluntering to help people less fortunate than you is very rewarding, or simply taking time for yourself, you have earned it be proud!! best wishes,Loko[;)] 0 -
get out and in 5 years, the people you knew will have moved on and the job you had will be taken by people who think youre an old fart and wont give you the time of day, and consider you just in the way at the PX.
the one thing youre gonna miss the most is your support unit. all your contacts and people you can count on will be gone. instead of a mission to motivate you, its gonna be money and everyone is in the battle for themselves, and will do all they can to take your piece of the pie for themselves.
been there, done that. been out for 11 years. but im BETTER THAN THE MILITARY now. you have to look at it like that or youll feel inferior. youre not. youre MOVING UP. you DID military time, now you do RETIREMENT TIME. its the next rung up. its where all the ACTDU wish they could be.
be tuff. youre about to see what your were willing to die for. youll scratch your head for a few years over it and realize how lucky youve been.
welcome to the new ranks.0 -
You'll always be welcome there, I promise you. 0 -
youll be welcome until they dont know you anymore. i assume youre talking about the old base later on?
as the new generation takes over, the old generation and new generations habits and ideals clash. youll feel outdated soon, then youll realize its best not to look back too often. an occasional visit is nice, but even then, the familiar is replaced with new, technology changes, buildings change, planes change, weapons change and you tend to realize that you WERE what was THEN, not what IS NOW. its hard to explain, but youll see.
best part is looking thru old military books and seeing things that you recognize as .....hey I USE TO DO THAT!
funny, i dont fit in my old uniforms anymore and they are all full of dust in the attic. and the best part is....i dont care![^]0 -
Thank you, my friend.
I know how it feels.
Doug0 -
Thanks for your service!
Its all about Growth! We finish jobs, service hitches and we move on to the next chapter. Life ain't over my friend its only a new exciting beginning of the new chapter. I have always found it to be so!
Its like so friendships, you learn from them, teach them what you know and then move on. Lifes little lessons![:0][:0]0 -
lj,I speek for my entire family when I say we are TRULY greatful for your service to this great country of ours.Its guys like you that make this the best place on the planet.Good luck and have a very happy and peaceful retirement.NOW DROP AND GIVE ME 20!!!![:D] 0 -
Congrats and thanks for your service to our country. 0 -
You've earned the right to stand down.
Enjoy your retirement, and thank you for your service.0
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