After seeing several healthy O5s and O6s pass away within a few years of retirement, I realized the importance of starting another career or finding a serious hobby to keep the mind busy.

@tdgdbs1

24 күн бұрын

I'm a retired Army nurse, seems to get much worse within the last 10 years from what I've seen through thousands of medical records I screened; no doubt as the result of op tempo in the last two decades. The enlisted side does not fare any better.

@Donner906

24 күн бұрын

If they pass away that quick, it is probably due to accumulated stress from the military.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

@Donner906...I'll let @tdgdbs1 correct me, but what I'm seeing is that it has something to do with the stages of life. A 30 year old can take a month off drinking and not working out, then hit the gym and be back in shape in no time. But if a 50 year old does the same thing, they seriously hurt themselves when they overdo it at the gym. They get stuck where they go downhill too fast and can't work their way out. They don't make the lifestyle change to "never go too hard, never slack off too long".

That first one applies to any retirement scenario. My Dad spent the first year of his fixing all the little things around the house that had been bugging him for years. Then he was antsy for while until he re-discovered woodworking.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

It does seem to be a process of self-re-discovery.

Both my wife and I are retired from the Army. She served 22 years retired as a E-7, I served 28 years and retired as a E-9. We spend our time together and volunteering at our Church and even volunteered as Teachers in our local school district for 12 years. You have to keep yourself busy plus we are gym rats and love hanging out together as well as enjoying the outdoors and teaching gun safety first time gun owners. Keep up a positive attitude after two combat tours for her and seven for me I am so glad to be serving and living together in peace and serving GOD. CSM Chapa

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

I'm finding that some mix of volunteer work, some exercise, and a bit of skill development is really rewarding.

Retirement for me was like a dog being off a chain after nearly his entire adult life. I kept working, went to college, but went through ALL the things you mentioned too.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

I hope everything ran its course.

Makes me think of the navy seal Chadd Wright, Truck Talk, on his video called: Jocko, Goggins, Luttrell | The Truth About Military Culture and Veterans Attacking Veterans - at the 2min 30 mark that recently said something like: "most of you don't understand... the military knows how to retain you...' 'the military convinces guys that are serving that it's the pinnacle of their lives, it's the Superbowl, it's the best thing you ever will do and ever did in your life.... '

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

Good point. I'd add that the military isn't doing anything sophisticated. They just tap into a strong sense of connection that is formed while people are in their young adulthood.

Going on retired for 6 months now. Financially in a very good place but am now seriously struggling with the ‘now what?’ And ‘What’s the point?’ This is a valid issue. The vacation needs to be over.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

Shoot me a note at chuck.weko@gmail.com...there's always work.

After 23 years in the service, I enjoyed my life even more than ever. No more waking up at 4:30 am doing pt and dealing with difficult people. Just traveling seeing the world. Retired for 10 years 😂👍👌

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

Hmmm...I think the key is not dealing with difficult people. I still wake up god awful early (without an alarm). I enjoy some PT. But what I really like is just being able to say "I'm not dealing with so-and-so." I didn't realize how sick it made me swallowing BS from peers & bosses & subordinates who were just...unnecessary in my life.

@paulanthony6931

23 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat agree with you. 🫡🇺🇸

I've found there's another pitfall, especially for those guys that need a civilian career after their military one is avoiding any responsibility. The concept goes something like this: "I just want to work at home depot and drive a forklift". That sounds great for a few months. But after a few months, at some point the same person realizes that the 20 something community college graduate that doesn't know what bathroom to use or whatever is making bad decisions and telling them what to do and they remember that "I was a (Senior Chief, SFC, Gunny, Major, whatever) and I did 20+ years running blah blah blah..." and that low stress, no responsibility fantasy comes crashing sadly down.

@the_bureaucrat

22 күн бұрын

That is a fascinating insight! I gotta think about this a bit...The logic of "I want a low stress job" leads to a job that puts you working for someone who isn't really a good leader which then creates frustrations. I might have to put out a call to folks to help me understand this one.

Working Defense Contract on a military base is a good start. In my retirement, I work as a mechanic on military vehicles. What I work on is something I'm familiar with, work with people of like mind and experiences, and the work is low stress. The employer is very accommodating when it comes to doctor and VA appointments. In the past I worked in the civilian sector and I can say that I most hated it because I felt very isolated because I could not relate to the people around me. Sometimes the people who can't "adapt to the outside world" might just need a new vocation. Just a thought!

@the_bureaucrat

24 күн бұрын

I think you are spot on. I did something similar. Took a contract job working in a very similar setting on projects that were familiar and surrounded by folks who were basically the same as those I knew when I was in uniform. It wasn't the perfect fit, but it was a great way to start the transition.

I saw a CSM get shot by Fauteville PD while he was on Terminal Leave 🤣🤣🤣

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

I can only imagine what he was saying and doing.

I retired with 29 years, mostly reserves. 9 years later, I retired from a civilian job. After 8 months of living my life at my pace, I woke up one morning NOT IN PAIN! It was the first time since I got hurt on active duty in the 70s. I work at my own pace with plenty of chores: landscaping, gardening, processing firewood and burning it in the winter, repairing my vehicles, and my hobby of repairing antique machines. Find a good hobby, do as much as you can yourself, and enjoy the life that you earned. Good Luck, Rick

@the_bureaucrat

21 күн бұрын

I love this comment..."Imagine...not being in pain..."

The saddest people I have ever seen are Law Enforcement officers who run afoul of their chain of command. They get run out of town just because they annoyed one of the Command Staff's good old boys or a friend of the good old boys, they have no marketable skills, and no self-image other than that of being in Law Enforcement. They are immediately cast adrift with no skills and no self-esteem. It usually does not end well for them.

@Donner906

24 күн бұрын

Amazingly enough I am not shedding tears.

@wilsonle61

24 күн бұрын

@@Donner906 Neither am I, the point was it is never wise to invest your whole self-worth and personal identification in a job.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

That's a curious advantage of the military's incessant PCSing. LEOs are often part of a city so they live and work with the same folks for years. When relationships go bad, they got nothing. At least the military are used to walking into a new job in a new town where they hardly know anyone.

@wilsonle61

23 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat Curious you should mention that. I am in my sixties and have had over a dozen jobs (not including military, reserves, etc). And, being laid off never bothered me. I was always a soldier in my head, so I just put my head down and started looking for the next job. Job changes were never the trauma for me that they seemed to be for my co-workers. And, having started with six years of Active Duty at age 18 may have set me up for success (psychologically) better than any other thing I could have done.

@SpookyEng1

23 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat as a military brat and military retiree I concur wholeheartedly! I feel my ability to adapt to different cultures key to a successful life. I graduated H.S. in a small southern town and was amazed at how insular many people’s lives were.

I went back to Theatre school and now a professional stage actor.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

Wonderful. A secret part of me is envious.

Great information sir

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

Thanks, buddy.

Go to US Jobs and get a government job. You are still young enough to work a second retirement or buy back your time and add your military to your Federal Service. A lot more pay for the same or less work. Covid got a lot of Federal employees to retire instead of getting the jab so the government is really short handed right now. All those IRS agents they just hired? They replaced the 80k that retired, refusing the jab. That is something no one is mentioning in the media right now. I retired, tried out a few different civilian jobs, tried the stay at home, open my own business and all that. I finally was so bored, I joined the VA and now work full time, get paid a LOT of money, have awesome benefits (better then military) and I can still have my hobby/side job to keep me busy at home. And, if an disaster happens somewhere, you can be on a voluntary force that might call you up to deploy and assist there. All the benefits, none of the BS, other then working for the Man, still.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

Great advice!

I went from Army to a DoD contractor for a couple of years based on the advice of a friend. He told me it would make the transition easier before going into the civilian-civilian world. He was spot on. You have to learn to think more corporate, speak differently, etc. The vast majority of the country has had little or no contact with military folks, so there is a chasm there that must be bridged. Oh, and you have to choose what you are wearing today lol. I did screw up a couple of things - I should have taken that terminal leave and gone on vacation versus going straight to the new job. You may never see a month off again! The other thing I should have done was to go directly to a good civilian dentist and have 90% of what the Army did in there redone. May be a bit different now, but I'd advise paying for a full exam prior to retiring and saving some money toward it. I gave that advice to a Navy friend of mine, and he was shocked at what the civilian dentist told him. (this about 10 years ago) Looking at retirement-retirement next Spring. I have about 6 months of doing stuff on the house, but I also have two great hobbies, and will likely work or volunteer part time. Like you point out, you have to have a plan - and it must include more than one or two activities.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

The dentist comment is funny. I had a similar experience where my new civilian dentist was like "Huh...why haven't you done XYZ?" And in half an hour she fixed something that had been bugging me for years. I'm going to jot this one down.

@oldtop4682

23 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat The Army dental guys seemed to do just enough to keep you deployable and nothing more. I had to go to the DENTAC commander to get a permanent filling put in before I retired. They were going to put in a 3rd temp in that tooth. The "permanent" one failed within 3 years anyway lol.

If you don't have a plan for what you're going to do after you retire your chance of long term survival exponentially declines. As a brigade commander I brought my soon to be retired folks in 6-months before their departure date and asked them what their plan was? Some had none, some thought they were so indispensable to the unit that they were going to work balls to the wall up until the last day with no plan, some were actually in pretty good shape; I tried my best to guide them thru their options. When I retired I became a "professional" at the hobby that I'd had (ham radio) since I was a teenager and never looked back now almost 23 years past that last parade.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

I wish more leaders were like you. I've seen more than one boss try to brainwash retiring folks into working to the last second by making them feel indispensable. BTW, I did ham radio in the late 80's...things have changed a lot.

@PapasDino

23 күн бұрын

@@the_bureaucrat It's not your grandfather's ham radio anymore and think you'd be very pleased to return to the fold...been doing it for 54 years and haven't scratched the surface of all the neat things that you can do.

I'll be retired 21 years in November. I had my second career all lined up well before retirement and after a bit of a break went right back to work full time. Now I'm retired from my second career and you're right it can be hard to stay occupied.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

That trick of lining things up BEFORE transition seems to be a clever one.

@SpookyEng1

23 күн бұрын

I am struggling with that now. 26 yrs military and went right to work in civil service after retirement. I’ll be 60 this year and preparing for my final retirement. I love to shoot, ride motorcycles and travel but don’t really have a plan otherwise. I may look at volunteering to help local veterans navigate VA disability and Social Security. I need to do something to give back and continue to contribute.

Makes sense to me! The Finish line of retirement is a mile marker...can't celebrate like it's 1999 every day. I'm jealous of the married folk who have a 'buddy' to tackle the "every day's" and make the Saturday's special again... I make time for exercise...I RUCK every day...EVERY day (5 days a week)...I daydream about doing Nijmegen again someday

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

The married thing is important. I've seen a surprising number of dude implode their marriages just after retirement. Can't tell if it is self-destructive or the demolition for a new and better life.

Us folks that are NAT GUARD, and ie USAR USAFR etc it not bad in civiy street Chuck

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

True.

Thank you so much for what you are doing. We don’t know what we don’t know.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

You are welcome. I'm finding that there are tons of things I just don't know.

Before I retired I had a part time job that let me start working as much as I wanted. This did several things, it kept me busy, made money and made me realize I needed a new career not a job. I try a defense contractor, that sucked. Taught high school for a year, that really sucked. Moved back home did some independent contracting, good experience but I was making money or spending it and it drove the wife bonkers. Then, I did what I said I wouldn’t do when I retired from active duty. I got a job with the govt, apparently my horrible promoting aviation MOS gave me skills that pay well. Now I’m 60 and considering what to do when I leave the employment of the Imperial Federal Government again.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

Ah...another bureaucrat returns to the fold.😊 Yours is a story as old as time. And while so many try to break out...we find that we have a certain set of skills that fit nicely in a certain place. I feel the tug everyday.

I retired from the Army in 2010 and spent a few years getting established in a new career (IT). After that I took two years off fro work and traveled in my RV for a while, and about three years ago I got my current job. It honestly doesn't feel like as long as it has been because I've been pretty busy.

@the_bureaucrat

16 күн бұрын

And judging from your profile picture, there's a guitar involved? That'll make the time go by smoothly.

I make 30 bottles of red wine twice a year with a friend and he artisically (at age 80) paints the bottles. We give away about 70%. I also have other vices but only one perhaps needs to be cut back, but it would sadly impact my social life as a "Social Arbiter." Anyway, kudos for the perpetual Saturday remark. Now every day is a Saturday for me, so it seems. Thank you for your help in past episodes and personal correspondence.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

You got it. I like the comment about wine. I have a little artisan thing I make every winter...never really thought about giving batches away.

I've been retired from the Navy since 2005. There are not enough hours in the day to do all the things I WANT to do. That's the only difference between retirement and active duty.

@the_bureaucrat

16 күн бұрын

I had a buddy who retired about 5 years ahead of me and he once said, "I don't know how I ever had time to work".

When your retire from the military, you are retiring at 50-75% pay (or less). You are not old enough for Social Security, and a deep pay cut is a big problem. Military Retirement is not "retirement" it is a mid-life career change, and you need to be ready for that, even if your civilian career is in the same field as your military one. MSgt, USAF (Ret)

@the_bureaucrat

17 күн бұрын

I agree...using the word "retirement" is doing a disservice to folks. Even if you can fine tune your finances and not have a jobbie-job, you still need something to do with your life.

Most service members don’t realize how much their identity is invested in their career. Or how motivating it is and how empty life is afterwards.

@the_bureaucrat

22 күн бұрын

I think you are right. Especially about the "how much" part. I've seen lots of folks struggle with letting go of "I'm a Major". But what's remarkable is how much of a struggle that can be (esp. for the COLs and SGM).

@EricDaMAJ

22 күн бұрын

​@@the_bureaucrat Hah! I do cling to the "Major" bit but only in professional correspondence and a username I made up when I was too tired to come up with something better. (and BigDickus6969 was taken, sadly) In my über liberal town people don't really care (or even know) what a Major is. I know from when I was Active Duty a retired officer who isn't a general with a million contacts in the Pentagon has as much street cred as Star Wars cosplayer.

Not military or LEO, but I am compelled to point out you guys retire REALLY early. You almost have to have a second career, else you'll die from a sedentary life style.

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

True. I'd say "retire" is a lousy word. We can easily finance a decent lifestyle, but humans are not built for the couch. Certainly not at 47.

I've been active duty Army for 15 years, I'm planning to retire within the next 6-7 years. I have spent my money wisely by investing in rental properties and maxing my 401k contributions for years. I'm currently a Major, but should be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel next year. I am looking forward to retirement as I will never need to work again. Btwn my pension, VA disability, stock retirement portfolio, and rental income, not to mention that I am going to retire in South America, I will be set in terms of money. I plan on spending my days in the gym, dancing, and getting wet (aka drilling for oil) 😂

@the_bureaucrat

3 күн бұрын

Here is a man who plans...

I've been retired 20 years now. I love it. Seems to me if you can't get your act together it is your problem. So stop whining and get another job. You've been blessed with retirement and the fact that you're having problems is just sad.

@the_bureaucrat

15 күн бұрын

True. Once you retire you are on your own...

I had the worst and hardest job in the air force: Finance troop. Nobody works harder or is more dedicated receiving less recognition and lots of shit! So when I retired I drove home and then slept. Like a baby! It was great! I stayed in bed until 430pm and then got up and went on with my life. Been retired 22 years now and it just gets better and better. They will lie to you. Don't let them. Retirement is the greatest part of the military. Heck, I even wrote a song 🎵 TO THE TUNE OF: "PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN" Well I am proud to be retired, Because at least I know I'm free. Proud to burn my uniforms, And once again just be me! Because I'm retahded! Retahded! Retired just today. There ain't no doubt... I'm proud to be... Retahded... but not gay! And I won't forget I'm retired, Because I tried to get fired. But just like any old slave, I was continually brave. But they were not so bold, They told me I had to be sold! Now, I'm retired, Retired. Retired just yesterday. And I won't forget I'm retired, Because I couldn't get fired! Retirement's the only way. To end on the brightest day. My career did not go fast, But now they can kiss my ass! Hickory, dickory, dock The air force can suck my cock!!!

@the_bureaucrat

23 күн бұрын

Finance? Isn't that the job where they only know you exist if something goes wrong?

@lancatemujhin187

23 күн бұрын

Yes. Exactly 💯💯💯

@derek4101

17 күн бұрын

Bravo 👏. Bought tears to my eyes 😂