Author Topic: Retirement Date (Read 2496 times)

Donnie1 · « **on:** July 09, 2008, 08:08:56 AM »

Well it's official, as of 1 Jan, 2009 I will be officially retired from active duty with 22 yrs, 3 months and 8 days. But who's counting right? It feels good to say that but scary as well. That is all I've known for 22 yrs. I do have a job already at Lowes and will be going full time in Oct when I start my terminal leave. But I'm not limiting myself to just that, I will be applying at other places looking for better money. Lowes is a good company to work for just not the greatest in the pay arena. Plus our manager is in it only for his bonus so he doesn't pay his employees worth a darn and treats them like crap. Anyway that's another thread all in it's own.

boilers94 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2008, 08:31:14 AM »

Congrats, Donnie1!!!

tdybr27 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2008, 08:42:35 AM »

Congrats Donnie!

Thanks for your service!

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2008, 11:03:50 AM »

Thanks for the years of your life that you've served us. Hope Gina can handle you being around a little more.

With your CDL you may just about find some more money for the same hours.

Donnie1 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2008, 02:32:12 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on July 09, 2008, 11:03:50 AM

Thanks for the years of your life that you've served us. Hope Gina can handle you being around a little more. With your CDL you may just about find some more money for the same hours.

Thanks all. I'm definitely leaving my options open to any and all ideas. As busy as we are daily, it will be nice to be home more often than now. Here lately I have been putting in nearly 40 hours at Lowes on top of the military.

Fowlhunter · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2008, 02:58:47 PM »

Quote from: tdybr27 on July 09, 2008, 08:42:35 AM

Congrats Donnie!

Thanks for your service!

My thoughts exactly!!

Thanks Donnie and good luck!

MoAv · « **Reply #6 on:** July 09, 2008, 04:07:03 PM »

That's so exciting Donnie!! It must be great to be that close to retirement!! (And scary too like you said). Here's to the next 20+ years being great ones

Flint 4X4 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2008, 08:21:13 PM »

I'm jealous, I enlisted in 1982 and they begged me to stay, offered me a promotion to SGT or OCS !
I could be retired but I have near ten years to go at GM,..

Seriously, congratulations and thank you for serving. Leaving the service after three years was a difficult decision with an open door to promotion. No regrets but I still wonder about the path not taken. Look into the civil service, if you can snag postal delivery for a while it's a good job.

Donnie1 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2008, 10:27:10 PM »

Quote from: Flint 4X4 on July 09, 2008, 08:21:13 PM

I'm jealous, I enlisted in 1982 and they begged me to stay, offered me a promotion to SGT or OCS !
I could be retired but I have near ten years to go at GM,..

Seriously, congratulations and thank you for serving. Leaving the service after three years was a difficult decision with an open door to promotion. No regrets but I still wonder about the path not taken. Look into the civil service, if you can snag postal delivery for a while it's a good job.

i am definitely checking into civil service as well as the post office. The guards at the gate on base are making near $20 an hour just to check id's. I think I can handle that.

tdybr27 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2008, 07:51:30 AM »

Quote from: Flint 4X4 on July 09, 2008, 08:21:13 PM

I'm jealous, I enlisted in 1982 and they begged me to stay, offered me a promotion to SGT or OCS !
I could be retired but I have near ten years to go at GM,..

Seriously, congratulations and thank you for serving. Leaving the service after three years was a difficult decision with an open door to promotion. No regrets but I still wonder about the path not taken. Look into the civil service, if you can snag postal delivery for a while it's a good job.

and MoAv could be your boss!

Donnie1 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 10, 2008, 08:40:50 AM »

Quote from: tdybr27 on July 10, 2008, 07:51:30 AM

and MoAv could be your boss!

That would alright, at least I would get time off for GTG's, unless of course we both wanted to go and somebody had to stay behind and work. Maybe having her as a boss wouldn't be sucha good idea.

MoAv · « **Reply #11 on:** July 10, 2008, 03:13:47 PM »

Quote from: Donnie1 on July 10, 2008, 08:40:50 AM

That would alright, at least I would get time off for GTG's, unless of course we both wanted to go and somebody had to stay behind and work. Maybe having her as a boss wouldn't be sucha good idea.

Hey that would work great! Cuz I'm on the clerk side, and you'd be on the carrier side....we could BOTH go!!! (but I don't want to be boss...just co-worker...

)

Flint 4X4 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 10, 2008, 03:47:50 PM »

Mail carrier would be a decent job, I read electric meters for 5 years and that's far worse as you have to go in backyards. Neither is a good job if you are afraid of dogs, I only got bit a few times and only one dog drew blood. Mutt drew blood twice, once when it bit me on the leg and again on my knuckles when I punched it in the teeth

sorry for threadjack and I wish you the best luck on what ever you choose to do next

Donnie1 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 10, 2008, 09:59:15 PM »

Quote from: Flint 4X4 on July 10, 2008, 03:47:50 PM

Mail carrier would be a decent job, I read electric meters for 5 years and that's far worse as you have to go in backyards. Neither is a good job if you are afraid of dogs, I only got bit a few times and only one dog drew blood. Mutt drew blood twice, once when it bit me on the leg and again on my knuckles when I punched it in the teeth

sorry for threadjack and I wish you the best luck on what ever you choose to do next

Not a problem. I think I'd have to land my size 13 shoe in it's "bleeeep".

Donnie1 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 04, 2008, 06:02:11 PM »

Not that I'm counting or anything but I start terminal leave in about 6 days.

tdybr27 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 04, 2008, 08:34:43 PM »

Quote from: Donnie1 on October 04, 2008, 06:02:11 PM

Not that I'm counting or anything but I start terminal leave in about 6 days.

That sounds so.... so.. so.... permanent!

boilers94 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 05, 2008, 07:44:37 AM »

Congrats again on the upcoming Retirement!!

mEYEscndfvrtluv · « **Reply #17 on:** October 05, 2008, 10:20:04 AM »

Congrats Donnie! Now you'll have more time for Xbox and Rockband!lol

MoAv · « **Reply #18 on:** October 05, 2008, 08:42:54 PM »

What a fantastic milestone Donnie! We'll help you count down

MoAv · « **Reply #19 on:** October 08, 2008, 09:21:14 PM »

How many days left Donnie? Getting excited? Or nervous?

Donnie1 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 09, 2008, 06:37:39 AM »

Quote from: MoAv on October 08, 2008, 09:21:14 PM

How many days left Donnie? Getting excited? Or nervous?

My luncheon is today and my final outprocessing appt is in the mornung. and Yes to both, but you forgot scared.

MoAv · « **Reply #21 on:** October 09, 2008, 02:53:38 PM »

Quote from: Donnie1 on October 09, 2008, 06:37:39 AM

My luncheon is today and my final outprocessing appt is in the mornung. and Yes to both, but you forgot scared.

I know everyone looks forward to retiring, but I got thinking about it and it would be scary - what you've done forever is just gone...But it sounds like you have your time filled up already - and will hopefully have more GTG time

I'll be thinking about you tomorrow A.M....and smiling

Now I know Gina loves her new job, but she's got to make them understand that GTG's are IMPORTANT!!! All work and no play ya know...

Donnie1 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 10, 2008, 08:03:32 AM »

Quote from: MoAv on October 09, 2008, 02:53:38 PM

I know everyone looks forward to retiring, but I got thinking about it and it would be scary - what you've done forever is just gone...But it sounds like you have your time filled up already - and will hopefully have more GTG time I'll be thinking about you tomorrow A.M....and smiling

Now I know Gina loves her new job, but she's got to make them understand that GTG's are IMPORTANT!!! All work and no play ya know...

I've been putting the same uniform, well not exactly the same uniform, that would be nasty after a while, on for 22 yrs now and that will be the hard part once it sets in I think. Now I will have to actually think about what I am going to wear to work.

Flint 4X4 · « **Reply #23 on:** October 11, 2008, 09:34:38 PM »

Terminal Leave, I took a month and had no job prospects but I didn't care. I was 24 single and healthy, had a car that was paid for and over $5000.00 plus eligible to draw unemployment for a while. I'm FREE ! Didn't last long as GM offered me a job thus canceling my unemployment summer vacation. LOL!

Look at it as something new, I'm going to retire as soon as I can and not look back.

Donnie1 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 12, 2008, 09:23:33 AM »

Started mine Sri. It was kinda bittersweet but I think I can overcome that. I took the wife to KC for the night and we just had some ole US time. It was fun. Now I guess back to reality and start full time at Lowe's on Mon.

Flint 4X4 · « **Reply #25 on:** October 12, 2008, 09:58:23 AM »

congrats Donnie, hanging out at Lowes sounds like fun rather than a job, what's your job there ?

boilers94 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 12, 2008, 10:42:57 AM »

Great news, Donnie!! Glad to hear that you and Gina had a chance to spend some time together in KC after making it through your retirment ceremony this past week. Enjoy your retirement and "Thank you" for your years of service protecting our freedoms!!

Donnie1 · « **Reply #27 on:** October 16, 2008, 04:55:09 PM »

Quote from: boilers94 on October 12, 2008, 10:42:57 AM

Great news, Donnie!! Glad to hear that you and Gina had a chance to spend some time together in KC after making it through your retirment ceremony this past week. Enjoy your retirement and "Thank you" for your years of service protecting our freedoms!!

Thanks B94. My ceremony isn't until Nov 7 but my farewell luncheon was last week. I did mine kinda different. Most people have their ceremony and then start their terminal leave but I actually backed my retirement date up from Feb 1 to Jan 1, I just couldn't change the ceremony date because my family had already made travel plans.

Donnie1 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 09, 2008, 09:46:44 PM »

well the ceremony went well until it came time for me to speak. I only made it through a few thank you's and couldn't say anymore. I was ok until Gina came up with her surprise gift. I knew nothing about it until the Commander was sitting beside me on stage and whispered over "Gina has something to say before you." She had gotten a picture of the flag and had all the family members sign the matting and also a statue from Hallmark.

Here are some pics of the gift.

Donnie1 · « **Reply #29 on:** November 09, 2008, 09:51:59 PM »

A few more from the ceremony. These are some gifts from different sections within the squadron.

The first is a plaque that resembles the nose landing gear door. The B-2 only has a Pilot and MIssion Commander so they listed Gina as the Mission Commander, Me as the Pilot and each of the kids as Dedicated Crew Chiefs.

The second is the flag case. It has each of the ranks I have held, The Strategic air Command patch, which transferred to Air Combat Command, also has the awards I have received and the coins are form each of the squadron that I have had the privilege of being assigned to.

The third is the cake that was made for the reception.

Donnie1 · « **Reply #30 on:** November 09, 2008, 09:52:38 PM »

And of course me with my mom and dad.

I'll have a few more from the ceremony later this week. The ones my son took are a little blurry so I'll wait until I get the ones that the base photographer took before I post anymore.

MoAv · « **Reply #31 on:** November 10, 2008, 02:26:33 AM »

How wonderful Donnie - That must have been a really emotional ceremony. The gifts look sooooo special

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #32 on:** November 10, 2008, 05:36:32 AM »

Very nice pix Donnie and thanks again for 22 years of service

Donnie1 · « **Reply #33 on:** November 25, 2008, 07:12:45 PM »

Finally got my pics from the base today so I'll post a few more.

The first is a photo layout that the photo lab does. I think it turned out great.

The 2nd is when I presented flowers to Gina. That is my dad in the row behind with the tissue. I think he cried through the whole thing. My mom is beside him and Gina's mom and dad as well.

The third is a gift one of the sections gave me. It was a Home Depot vest and a job offer they had made up. Pretty funny.

oHIobellboy · « **Reply #34 on:** November 25, 2008, 07:17:29 PM »

Great pix. That layout you got there is pretty nice and something to be very proud of.

Donnie1 · « **Reply #35 on:** November 25, 2008, 07:18:32 PM »

The kids received certificates as well. Gina also received certificates from the wing Comander and the Chaiman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They are done up quite well and professional.

The Honor Guard also did a flag folding ceremony and presentation.

Donnie1 · « **Reply #36 on:** November 25, 2008, 07:21:00 PM »

Quote from: oHIobellboy on November 25, 2008, 07:17:29 PM

Great pix. That layout you got there is pretty nice and something to be very proud of.

Thanks OBB. I wish I could say I made it through the ceremony without breaking down but I would be fibbing. It was very emotional for me. I thought being on terminal leave for almost a month prior to the ceremony would help but it didn't. I couldn't even finish my speech and thank you's.

stephygee · « **Reply #37 on:** December 11, 2008, 03:21:50 AM »

Congrats on your retirement date, Donnie. As a recent retiree myself (1 Oct), all I can say is, it's the best thing since sliced bread

Like yourself, the Air Force was all I knew, having enlisted right out of high school. I had a great time, made great friends, and wouldn't trade my experiences for anything, but you know when it's time to start a new chapter in life. Sure, it was scary at first, but within a week of starting my new job, all I can say is it's great to be a civilian. No more deployments, no more 12-hour shifts, and I'm home when the sun is still up. I'm a contractor for now pulling down $85K (not counting my retirement check) to do the same thing I did in the military (IT networks), but I put in for an IT job at the VA. Vets are in high demand, so look around for contractors in your area. You can also check USAJobs and the VA site often, as there are always job openings. Congratulations again on your retirement, and welcome to the retired ranks

Donnie1 · « **Reply #38 on:** December 11, 2008, 03:36:29 PM »

Quote from: stephygee on December 11, 2008, 03:21:50 AM

Congrats on your retirement date, Donnie. As a recent retiree myself (1 Oct), all I can say is, it's the best thing since sliced bread Like yourself, the Air Force was all I knew, having enlisted right out of high school. I had a great time, made great friends, and wouldn't trade my experiences for anything, but you know when it's time to start a new chapter in life. Sure, it was scary at first, but within a week of starting my new job, all I can say is it's great to be a civilian. No more deployments, no more 12-hour shifts, and I'm home when the sun is still up. I'm a contractor for now pulling down $85K (not counting my retirement check) to do the same thing I did in the military (IT networks), but I put in for an IT job at the VA. Vets are in high demand, so look around for contractors in your area. You can also check USAJobs and the VA site often, as there are always job openings. Congratulations again on your retirement, and welcome to the retired ranks

Thanks stephygee. And congrats to you as well on the retirement and for landing a great job. I'm submitting resumes all over but the right one will come along in time. I've got a job at Lowes for now that pays the bills but I'm always looking for something better.