The Black Vault

I am set for retirement on Sept 22. I received my letter of confirmation today. I am a little taken aback even though I had requested it. Making the adjustment to Civie Street after 30 years will be my next challenge.

I guess I'll just have to start spending the kids inheritance.

And the first thing on the agenda will be to finally get my pilots license with tail wheel accreditation.

Enjoy your new life. To the fullest! I don't know if I'll ever be in a position to retire but I do look forward to the day if/when it happens!

Having a Military Pension helps

Congrats Joker, you earned it...


so now what ? you just sit in here , and think of new jokes all day ?


now is when living begins.....So go get it !!!!!





BloodStone...

Thanks Bloodstone I appreciate your comments.

As for sitting around telling jokes all day, no.

It will be a given that I may not be logging every day to post or to read but I can assure I will be around.

At present it is business as usual while preparing for the transition from command. When that is all done I'll hang up the uniform, take a long holiday (most likely a cruise) and just sit back sipping on my J.D and Mint Juleps and watch the world go by for while.

The only orders I want to give for a while will be food and drink orders.

Military retirments in the USA are usually after a minimum 20 years of service and up. Not sure what the pension is after 20, but it increases as you go up in years, and is a percentage of your base pay of rank. Pension starts right away for life, you have lifetime medical, and can use the PX on any base for life. PX's in my day usually had greatly discounted things, I;m not sure what they are like today. You earned it, enjoy it. When I retired 2 years ago, I worryied if I would have enough income. You will be surprized how it will not be an issue. For me, the cost of going to work (gas, lunches, cost of medical working vs retirment medical), plus not having a few taxes taken out anymore, makes a big difference. You are also in a differnet income bracket, so all that makes you take home pay, not as bad as you think. I pictured all kinds of things would have to be given up, and so far it hasn't happened. Good Luck, go fishin, and enjoy everyday.

Congrats Joker.
If you get bored, you can always start up some new venture.
Open a gym or a bar or something like that.
The world is your oyster.

I am sure I will get bored after a while but for now the plan is to do sweet bugger all.

Thank you guys, for all of your kind wishes.

7 days to go and it is hitting me harder than I thought it would as my replacement arrived today for the commencement of the transfer of command.

It truly is the end of an era and a lot of mixed emotions I never thought possible.