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Crossing the finish line... running, walking or crawling... (Reserve Retirement Process)

DangerousDan

I could tell you but I would have to kill you
Most despondent person I ever met was a post squadron SELRES CDR on a one year MOB to DJ, running base ops. That dude looked miserable.

I actually enjoyed the year I spent in Djibouti back in 2014-2015. It was much better than spending another year working 16 hours a day in Iraq like I did back in 2008. My favorite part was the Wardroom with the 2 beers a day.
 

DangerousDan

I could tell you but I would have to kill you
And that's all she wrote. Today is technically my last day as a SELRES, but the RAPIDS labs aren't open on weekends, so I dropped off my CAC at the NOAA office in Seattle, and picked up my retired ID. At this point I have to say I'm just glad to be done. It was a tough choice, because after all the screwiness that was my career, I had somehow stumbled my way back onto the Golden Path. I turned down what would have been a 15-month XO ride which would have been a basically-guaranteed-if-you-don't-screw-up #1 EP, which would have set me up well to buck for command and O-6 if I'd stayed in.

But I looked at the path ahead if I'd wanted to make O-6 and flag, and realized my life wouldn't have been my own, my parents aren't getting any younger, and what would I get at the end by holding down essentially a second full-time job? Statistically probably not stars, and so it was a choice to not kneecap my career in tech for an extra $15K on my pension. There's other places and ways to earn money. So in that case, rip the Band-Aid off and be done, because every hour more I put in is an hour I'm not putting into either caring for myself or becoming a more proficient geek.

Here's to 20+ more years in the tech sector . . .

Congratulations on finishing out your career.
 

Uncle Fester

Robot Pimp
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
I actually enjoyed the year I spent in Djibouti back in 2014-2015. It was much better than spending another year working 16 hours a day in Iraq like I did back in 2008. My favorite part was the Wardroom with the 2 beers a day.
Bleah. I was there in 2007-08 when a lot of folks were still living in tents (CLUville was being built) and half the base worked out of the old adobe Legionnaire huts. Three Tuskers a day wasn't much compensation. The DFAC and the gym were pretty nice, though.
 

subreservist

Well-Known Member
Bumping one of my fav threads, as I'm finally joining the gray area of retiremnt!

I've reached my statutory limit as an O4 and PERS finally got around to sending a letter letting me know my effective date would be July 1, 2024.

I'm SELRES, so I get 2 more months to drill and that's all she wrote!

Wonder if there is anything I should do or sign up to (or sign out of) while I still have an active CAC? I know I'll miss the free TSA precheck for flights!

Gained a lot of insight on the board and this thread and PM folks a few times on their journey - appreciate all the help given over the years!
 

RobLyman

- hawk Pilot
pilot
None
Bumping one of my fav threads, as I'm finally joining the gray area of retiremnt!

I've reached my statutory limit as an O4 and PERS finally got around to sending a letter letting me know my effective date would be July 1, 2024.

I'm SELRES, so I get 2 more months to drill and that's all she wrote!

Wonder if there is anything I should do or sign up to (or sign out of) while I still have an active CAC? I know I'll miss the free TSA precheck for flights!

Gained a lot of insight on the board and this thread and PM folks a few times on their journey - appreciate all the help given over the years!
  • Change over your TSP, VA, DFAS, etc.. to use ID.me or Login.gov.
  • Go see a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to see what is in store for you regarding VA benefits.
  • I joined the VFW a year ago and wasn't happy with the post I affiliated with, so I recently switched to another post. If you want to stay involved via VFW, American Legion, etc..understand that each post can be different. So don't be afraid to "shop around".
 

ChuckMK23

FERS and TSP contributor!
pilot
My impressions - the VFW exists solely to enable low cost, tax-free drinking and gambling. From what I have witnessed, as an organization, it serves no other purpose.
 

ea6bflyr

Working Class Bum
None
Super Moderator
Contributor
My impressions - the VFW exists solely to enable low cost, tax-free drinking and gambling. From what I have witnessed, as an organization, it serves no other purpose.
They must have some organized charity work they accomplish?
 
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