How many stuck it out till retirement?

[golddigger14s]

21 years in the Army. Retired May 2011, the work force isn't as kind as it use to be. In the old days you walk into a business, say you are retired military, they shake your hand, and say when can you start. Now a days everybody says go to our website, and apply there. Then you don't hear squat. Even getting a GS position that you are fully qualified for doesn't help. The computers reviewing your resume are worthless.

 

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[BDinutah]

I did 12 years USMC, 13 years US Army. I loved being in Marine Recon, but when I returned from Vietnam my comptroller stuck me on recruiting duty...for 7 years. I volunteered for an unaccompanied tour to get out of it, my wife was not pleased. After I returned I was supposed to have my choice of duty station...and they stuck me on recruiting duty again! As soon as my enlistment was up, I joined the Army, at the same E-7 rank, got into SF and life was great again. After 25 years I got out & and nobody would hire me...started my own business, 10 years, then went to college & got my degree, and this "crazed snake eater" became an elementary school teacher for 10 years and loved every minute of it!

 

[birdman]

I did 12 years USMC, 13 years US Army. I loved being in Marine Recon, but when I returned from Vietnam my comptroller stuck me on recruiting duty...for 7 years. I volunteered for an unaccompanied tour to get out of it, my wife was not pleased. After I returned I was supposed to have my choice of duty station...and they stuck me on recruiting duty again! As soon as my enlistment was up, I joined the Army, at the same E-7 rank, got into SF and life was great again. After 25 years I got out & and nobody would hire me...started my own business, 10 years, then went to college & got my degree, and this "crazed snake eater" became an elementary school teacher for 10 years and loved every minute of it!

Now that is good stuff. I just signed up for collage myself. Not sure what I want to do yet life is good.

 

[BDinutah]

Now that is good stuff. I just signed up for collage myself. Not sure what I want to do yet life is good.

Birdman, it's never too late to start college, I completed my BS in 3 years at age 50, you need a college degree now days to live, take advantage of the GI bill. Teaching school will never get you monetarily rich, but I wanted to give back to society for all the blessings & protection our Creator had given me & my family during my service to my country. Good luck in your next career & HAPPY HUNTING!

 

[Loco-Digger]

I retired from the Army with 22 qualifying years back in 2004 after returning from Operation Enduring Freedom.

 

[Arizona Bob]

I have found that most jobs are either government (city/county/state/federal) or "other" (local/private/family owned, etc). Your military service will help you compete for a government job. It does not necessarily translate well for the "other" jobs. If you get enough college degrees, you will compete in the "professional" realm. If you are good at trade/skills/etc, you will be competitive in the "other" realm. My advice to young kids joining the military: get job training that you can immediately use on the civilian market!

 

[ks coyote]

USAF Retired. 1972-1994.

 

[ibjeepn]

I retired 8.5 yrs ago. 21 years in the USAR Engineers. The same unit. Miss it and my friends. My stepsons. 1 medically retired Army,his wife has 19 yrs USAF,another son has 13 yrs army so far. And another with 18 yrs USAF reserves as well as his girlfriend. Hooah ! Thank you all retired or not.

 

[Ambush]

Thank you for your service Birdman and CONGRATS
I only did 4 yrs USMC. 1965-1969..

 

[reloader83]

I served 21 & 1/2 and retired after Yugoslavia action. (1978-1999) Good to have served my country and in the USAF! Enjoyed and miss working jets.

 

[Oddjob]

18 Years Army and was retired due to medical reasons. Had one too many bad days and they said my body was done, even after I appealed it. Got 90% from the Army and a combined service connected rating from the VA of 100%.

But I showed them, my fight was not over, far from over, I landed a spot with Interpol and still get to play, just on a Team much smaller. But I love it.

 

[btripp6]

23 years, 3 months, and 3 days.

 

[golddigger14s]

21 years 1990-2011 E-7/SFC US ARMY Air Defense.

 

[BARKER]

Hi; Thanks for your Service. I did 23 years Coast Guard Special Ops. Loved it. Broke my back and neck in an accident. Had to leave. I miss it. May God Bless Us All & Ours. PEACE:RONB

 

[Dirt1955]

20 years, 6 months USAF. 1974-1994. Middle East during Cold War vs Soviets. "Hire a veteran". I do every chance I can.

 

[Gravitytester]

26 years Army EOD, now work for local utility company as a Electric Engineer. 4 more years and I will be done with this job too, they give me partial credit for military time. Don't plan on having another job after that. A lot of traveling both here and abroad in my future.

 

[bc5391]

God Bless all of you. 3 years is all I could take 1972 - 1975

 

[fish1on]

Me 8 years active duty USAF and now civil service doing the same job going on 17 years
Wife 22 years active duty USAF, retired and swore to never work for the Government again.

 

[kbmarcus]

I stuck it out for 30 years and 6 months and retired in November 2016. Never thought I'd make it past PFC frankly.

 

[Oddjob]

I stuck it out for 30 years and 6 months and retired in November 2016. Never thought I'd make it past PFC frankly.

Heard that, I never thought I would make it past Private, ended with WO2, had it my way I would still be in. Crap pay but way too much fun.