The Dark Side of Military Retirement

When you finally get that military retirement, there is a sinister danger. You cannot treat everyday like Saturday. You cannot indulge in activities that were once-a-week pleasures. You risk recreation becoming a vice.

#militarytransition #retirementplanning #veteranassistance

Note: The views expressed in this video are the presenter's and do not represent the policy or guidance of the Department of Defense or its subordinate elements.

[wompa]

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.

[paulanthony]

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 😂👍👌

[thevet]

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.

[JosephHenry-le]

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.

[manuelgchapajr]

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

[Bdantioch]

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.... '

[unclejohnbulleit]

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.

[lancatemujhin]

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!!!

[danielmcelroy]

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.

[txdino]

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.

[ronaldziehlke]

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!

[richardross]

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

[wilsonle]

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.

[calr]

In the civilian world you could work at a company for 20 years and get let go with no pension or benefits.

[en.copedawg]

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

[bobanderson]

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.

[rayallaire]

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

[bigsasha]

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

[armymuttA]

Looking forward to retirement in two or three years. I have a job that is also a civilian job, so I just have to figure out what direction I want to go in that field. Half of me says seek the govt job and the other says do the freelancer thing. The latter currently makes more money for less time, but who knows how long that bubble will last. The govt job is 90% permanent but makes about the same as my base pay. I'll be 51-52 when I pop smoke, so I'm only planning to work another 10 years. Would be nice to be able to just take off whenever I want to. Definitely looking forward to not having to ask permission to drive out to see my family on a weekend.

[JerryMoore-yb]

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