Retired from DoD yesterday after 33 yrs and 9 mths. First 8 with the Army last 26 with Air Force. Now maybe I'll have time to hunt, Mt Bike and hike the AT.

Congrats on making it to retirement. It’s a good feeling once you make the adjustment.

Thank you for all your years of service. Hope you get to do all the fun things for a long time.

Way to go, thanks for your service. Sorry to inform you that you will be so busy you won't have any spare time, lol.

WUDSTIX, Congratulations on being able to retire. Also? Many thanks for Your Service. Do hope that You have the financial ducks in a row? GOOD LUCK to YOU SIR and BLESSED BE!

That is awesome, congrats, and thank you for your service.

Thank you and enjoy your retirement. Lance

Congratulations and may you be blessed with many years of pleasure.

If money's tight Mommy will just have to work a few more years. ;-) Between FERS, TSP and Social Security offset we will be fine. Plush to lump sum check for the annual leave I didn't use!!!

Congratulations!

Congrats! Now you will have no time, days are filled with things to do.

Congrats and thanks for your service.

Been retired 7 years now, it's great..

Congrats

Thank you for your service and congrats..... enjoy yourself Sir and God Bless :)

nice hope one day to do that

Congrats on retirement and thanks for your service.

One year ago today I retired. Haven't regretted it a bit.

Congrats! You have earned it. Thank you so much for your service!

Well, may you enjoy it better than I have. Just not what I had hoped.

You THINK you will have more time to do things that you want. HA!...good luck with that!

Been retired 18 years after 33 combined active duty an civil service time. Enjoy it.

Thanks for your service and congrats to you.

Been retired now for little over 8 years and you will have more time than your used to. Getting used to it is an issue for some folks and some folks just don't like it. It's a sudden stop from being required to work to not being required to work. Invest yourself in doing what you like to do and you'll be fined. Hope you have family close by to spend time with as well. Sounds like you have some great plans already. Enjoy and stay well.

Congrats, I retired from Navy in 06 just short of 22 years, working my butt off still since I live in high cost area! Enjoy your time, you earned it!

I retired 4 WEEKS ago after 46 yrs and 7 months of combined military. And civil service. Semper Fi. Mac

Way to go I retired 12 yrs ago and love it good luck and enjoy

Congratulations and thank you very much for your service. God Bless and enjoy you very much earned service.

I retired from theMarine Corps with almost 30 reserves and active duty, then managed airports for 22 years. Odd how others find things for you to do. i teach hunter ed, bowhunter ed, NASP, 4-H archery and volunteer for the department of wildlife on projects. Work in the archery shop for a couple hours a day, too. Too many things to give back to the community-not bored Do not neglect your health, keep a daily routine and eat sensibly and exercise. Seen too many retire and ride the rail to ill health,

Congratulations and thanks for your service.

My salute to you and all the servicemen protecting our freedom . Each and every one of them are very special people.God bless you and enjoy the life you deserve. Thanks

Wudstix I retired ten years ago and I don't know how I had time to work! Congrats and enjoy every minute of your retirement. The pay sux but the hours are great.

Congrats and thank you for your service sir. Hope you enjoy yourself!

enjoy it while you can

I retired with big hopes of some fun -2 months later my wife required emergency surgery and that ended up with 5 follow up surgeries and 6 months in the hospital and

now I'm a full time nurse - If I went back to work full time I couldn't pay the hospital and medical bills in my lifetime

you never know what is just around the corner

Well I am going to give you the bad news! I have been retired for 9 years last month. Two things 1. How the he!! Did I ever find time to work. 2. The years go by extremely fast!

RonL Congrats have fun!

Congrats !

Congrats! Enjoy.....

Thank you for your service and much deserved retirement. Glad to see your handle pop up.

Congratulations !!! Make every day a new adventure. I know I started doing that when I retired !!!Enjoy !!!

Wait until you wonder how did you get the time to do everything that needed doing when you worked. Because now your retired you should have all the time to take care of those things.

Thankyou for your service sir, and congratulations on your retirement!!

Congratulations on retirement.If God continues to bless me(I know he will) I hope to retire August of '21. 3 years USMC and 28 years USPS.

Congrats! I retired in 2003.

Gosh I didn't realize I wouldn't have the time to do anything after I reti.......That's B.S! All I've done for the last 16 years is fish, Shoot 3Ds. and deer hunt!

Congrats. You earned it now enjoy it.

Congratulations, and thank you for your service to our country

Congratulations, and thank you for your service to our country

Start workin' that bucket list now! While you're still young!;^) Wyatt

I never had a real job my whole life,,,, Forest Service, after the military, than a fireman, but found out venting a roof at 2am several stories up, in a cold winter night, was not as good as the cops, drinking coffee, watching the fire,,,,soooooo transferred to the police dept......

Joined the tac squad, since there were more golfers than hunters, and could get all my hunting time off when needed.....

Retired, when I could not get enough time off, when I wanted to go on a special elk hunt,,, just left early.......

I only worked to finance my hunting,,, ha ha..... no regrets, love retirement, and glad I left early, can not put a price on time.........

my tip on living,,,, don't take it seriously, just go hunt

Thank You for your service! Congrats and ENJOY retirement.

Congratulations Sir, you have my respect and thanks for your years of service. Hope you enjoy your retirement for many, many years..............bob

Enjoy sir.

Congratulations, enjoy, and thanks for your service!

Congratulations my friend :)

Don’t advertise that you are retired. Everyone will have stuff for you to do because, after all, you are retired with time on your hands.

Congrats Bro! I Retired last year,(30 years with Fire Dept)...I`m Busy as hell trying to find some time for myself! Like Lawdy said- DON`T ADVERTISE!!!

If you are a Push-Jump-Pull-Kick-or a no Starter kind of Person...You Will get Bored...But...if you are a Self Starter...You Will Never have Enough time to do All the stuff to Do...Thanks for your Service and congrats on your New Found freedom...2yrs Retirednow and Love It...4finger

Congratulations on your retirement thanks for your service.

Congrats on your retirement. I've been slowly cutting back at my job, but I need to speed that process up and just walk out the door !

Never tried the AT but some folks say it is a good way to reset your relationship to reality as an individual after a lifetime of gummint/corp mass employment.

If you hike the Appalachian Trail, let me know when you reach the midway point at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, in Pa. I come buy you that half gallon of ice cream that through hikers are expected to eat. It's only about ten miles from where I grew up. The AT actually goes right past my oldest brother's yard.

ground hunter says "I never had a real job my whole life,,,, Forest Service, after the military, than a fireman,"

Sorry to hear all you fireman don't have a "real" job!

My thirty three plus years was all Civil Service. Did deploy for training execerises in Germany. But as you know there is alot of stuff that goes along with Govrnment employement. Like I told the folks at my retirement lunch, they all had an impact on my carreer, good or otherwise. You just roll it into a ball, smooth it out and go on. Never thought about this day when I started, but it is just another day along the trail. I'll move on from here. Thanks for all your comments they can great. It is definitely alot quicker turn around time now that we're not using dial-up internet. George I will get in touch when I'm on the long trail with my brother. Gotta keep the kid straight he's 52.

Congratulations on your retirement and thanks for your service.

Congrats on your retirement. I will be retiring in 3 weeks after selling my dental practice. I will stay busy I know.

congrates on the retirement,, be sure & try to shoot every day if only one shot.

Thanks for your service. And congratulations on your retirement. If you are anything like some of my friends and me, you will discover a great many things to do and wonder how in blazes you had time to work? I retired in 1999, going on 20 years now. Sure have had fun working on the land & cabin and then being able to hunt whenever I want. I wish you well. Enjoy your hobbies. Don't take it easy, stay active. I saw guys retire, go home, sit in the easy chair with a remote in one hand and a beer in the other. They were gone in six months! Be well.

Enjoy the free time! Well deserved

Thank you for your service to our country! I retired in 2005 from teaching and coaching middle school kids for 35 years. My advice to you is to stay as active as you can and try to do as many new activities as possible. DO NOT sit on your ass with a beer in your hand! Get up and get busy!! Richard

Congratulations! Pulled the pin myself Dec 1st. Love it!

Enjoy your retirement . I’m retired too I think, but can’t do every thing I thought I could , now I’m too well Old, maybe not as bad as some !

congratulations! Hope to join you in retirement soon. LaGriz

Congratulations on your retirement. I retired five years ago at 55 years old with 30 years with the state of Pennsylvania. Plus because I was a state employee and a U.S. Army veteran I got five extra years of my military time added to my state pension. Retirement is great.

Congratulations! I retired from the Air Force in 2014 with 24 years service. Still working for the Federal Government though.......will get to FINALLY retire for good SOME DAY! Thank you for your service. Enjoy this next phase of your life. You earned it!

Well have at least been able to get some Mt Biking in since 1 Feb, knocked out two rides of 27.31 and 34.97, Mommy wants me the do more productive things, but there will be days for that. Preparing for an ACTS retreat my parish asked me to Direct!!!

Congrats, stay active and enjoy.

Congrats...now go buy a new fishing pole; you're gonna need that!

My daughter is 52. ;) I've walked part of the AT but a dang small part. I hiked the Loyalsock Trail in Sullivan County, Pa., but that's about it. Now I've ridden quite a few miles on the bicycle back in the previous century...over 4000 miles in one year. Probably why I'm still alive and active at 73. Enjoy, and if you want to hunt Bedford County let me know.

retired last april 40 years hospital maintenance dept recommend it to everyone, now my lord my church family bows guns hunting fishing not bad life, dr

Congratulations. Enjoy it, you earned it.

South Farm, I currently have 12 rod reel combos; two salt water,three bait case and sthe rest si pinning and a couple Zebo reels. Don't think I'll buy any more.

ONLY 12? Blasphemy!!!

Yeah, but I'm a bowhunter!!!!! ;-)

After I retired, I was so busy, I don't see how I ever had time for a job.

James

After retiring as a power lineman for 34 yrs 5 years ago, I seldom hunt mornings anymore. It's so friggin nice to drop a deuce in a flush toilet I usually lay around drinking coffee watchin Fox and Friends waiting for the urge. Would rather walk down and breed em all!

Retirement present to self, Magellan Origin 12 kayak, started at $599.99 but was on clearance for $299.98. Today started the 50% of clearance at Academy, so $149.99 OTD. Now I have a way to reach those spots along the San Gabriel that take forever to hike to. And maybe catch a few whites on the way back to the hammock, and dinner. One week retired and live is good.

Good for you Mike...enjoy it to the max brother.

I retired on Nov. 18, 2018.

I was looking at some of the archery forums and was thinking, "gee, not much traffic".

Then I realised, its Friday afternoon, many folks are at work.

I guess I am making it into the mind set of retirement ;)

Congratulations on your retirement. My countdown is 22 months and 13 days.

I thought if have time to do whatever I wanted too. Anyway, congrats and salute.

When I was working, I vowed not to be one of these guys when I retired.

I used to head out from the office, for a haircut, in the small town where I worked, at noon.

We were pretty flexible as far as time goes but I did not like to take advantage of that too much.

About 50% of the time, the barber shop would be jammed with retired guys when I got there and I knew that if I waited, I'd be there til at least 1:30 PM, so I'd bail.

I used to think "they had all day to come in, why noon?"

So far, now I am retired, I have avoided noon at the barber's.

I have avoided the barbers period! Hey,it's COLD up here!

I retired last March at 65-1/2. Best job I've ever had :^)

But...this first Wisconsin winter's giving me cabin fever pretty bad! I've got a part time gig driving a couple days a week for our local NAPA store...other than that I'm a stay-at-home beagle puppy caregiver and workin' hard on my bagpipe proficiency.

But the OTHER three seasons...glorious! Lol.

Congrats and enjoy, mate!

Love it Randy Geene. Heck with leaving a warm bed to kill the same deer imma kill at 4 pm

"But...this first Wisconsin winter's giving me cabin fever pretty bad!"

I retired in Nov. 2018, just in time for the start of an Ontario, Canada winter.

Then got a few minor ailments, had more sick days from Nov. to Jan. than I did in a 42 year career ;)

Talk about cabin fever, good thing I had an archery obsession to get me through.

Its all good now though, geared up and went to the club range this morning, think I'll go back this aft. :)

Hike the AT is a dream of mine. Enjoy

Retired in June from military and fed law enforcement. It's a great feeling !!

If it weren't for having kids still in school, I wouldn't know what day of the week it is for the most part.

Congratulations - you earned it...

I tell everyone if I could describe being retired in one statement I'd say "I enjoy everything I do more because now I have more time to do it"....

Andy Man Private Reply Date: 01-Feb-19

"enjoy it while you can I retired with big hopes of some fun -2 months later my wife required emergency surgery and that ended up with 5 follow up surgeries and 6 months in the hospital and

now I'm a full time nurse - If I went back to work full time I couldn't pay the hospital and medical bills in my lifetime

you never know what is just around the corner "

Andy I don't want to bring politics into this fun thread, but I just want to say this- I'm an Australian. If the exact same thing happened to my wife, the cost would be zero. For hospital stays, surgeries, follow up home care. Why you good people are so dead against such a system is totally beyond me. And Wudstix- congratulations and half your luck. I have to finish scratching enough coin together to renovate this old farm house before I can think about retiring. JayInOz

Jay we are against it because to get the best Dr's in our country you have to pay them what they are worth. In our country our sports players make more money than our doctors. You will not get the best pool of doctors by fixing their income.

17 days in and it is good!!!!!!! Got lucky on the PBS auction and landed a Kota longbow, and two books I've wanted for years.

Retired 5 years ago after 33 years and 9 months. Congratulations to you on your bright new future. Stay healthy and active in the things that you enjoy. :)

Congrats and thank you for your service

Babysaph our doctors incomes aren't fixed. Nobody loses with our system and nobody has to panic about the cost of medical treatment. It's 6.30am- I have to get to work. Probably best that I don't have time for typing:) JayInOz

Been retired for a year and going flat out most days. Wish there were more hours some days.

DDave

I always thought I would retire at 55 and had all kind of hobbies and things to do. I retired at 62 now I dont feel like doing anything. Maybe depression has dampened my interests.Anyway I'm happy for all of you who are having a great retirement.Im still looking forward to enjoying mind.BT

BT I've been getting ready for retirement for quite a while- just added a new rifle to the collection and ordered two more custom bows. Got a reliable four wheel drive and all the camping gear to go in it. Lots of spinning and fly fishing gear, several boats including a sweet little thirteen foot double ender that I built myself. Camera gear, every tool I could need for wood working or leather work, a nice little forge with bellows built in 1860. Fancy metal detector 'cause I live in gold country. Lots of gardens and critters to take care of. If I retire and then up and die I'm gonna be soo pizzed off:) JayInOz

Definition of being officially retired:

"When it takes you twice as long to do half as much, THEN you are officially in retirement mode."

Or when you cn't remember what day it is.

Michael, congrats on the retirement. I’m 10 months into to mine after a 42 year career and I’m plenty busy. Sweet Wife plans on working for another couple of years and with three of our fours parents still around and no longer driving they can keep my days pretty busy. I still manage to fit some “fun stuff” into the schedule. On a side note for remembering what day it is, I just call it.........the day after yesterday ;^).

Haven't really got into full retirement mode. Preparing for ACTS retreat end of month. Tiling about half the house, watching them tile actually. Cleaning up stuff. So focused on other things righ now. Looking forward to the daily bow shooting and biking and hiking.

Wow...Congratulations! Don't be surprised if you get real busy.

Some of the best days are just sitting around eating apple pie, and the worst can be seeing doctors and dentists. For me, it's a funny combination of being poorer than ever but unusually happy. I work just enough to get things done, then I let my Maker worry about the rest. That plan has been working pretty good.

Hope your shooting, hunting, fishing, volunteering, and pie eating days will be the best ever. Babbling Bob

Jay. They are fixed.,I only allowed to get so much from the insurance company and the patient. The insurance company's dictate that

I'd have to say that I reckon the best doctors are the ones who care the most about their patients- not the ones who want to make the most money:) You folks should just straight out copy our Australian health system. No point in screwing around with different versions of it until you come up with something that sorta works. We did that- over a lot of years. The bugs are ironed out. Nobody loses. Everybody is covered. Tomorrow I'll tell my boss how many hours I worked for the past week. He'll email me my pay advise- hours worked, gross earned, amount he paid into my superannuation fund, amount of tax I paid and how much I earned after tax. I don't pay a lot of tax because I don't have a huge income. A tiny portion of my weekly tax is for the medicare levy. We all pay it automatically. It isn't a chore and it doesn't hurt. Last year I had hours of surgery for prostate cancer. Doctors visits, tests, scans, surgery- cost me nothing. The year before I managed to shove my thumb into a table saw while cutting planks for the boat I was building. Local hospital, ambulance trip to a major hospital an hour and a half away, two surgeons to repair the damage and a couple of days in hospital- cost to me- zero. We can also choose to join a health fund- there are plenty to pick from. But for working class people like me, we don't have to be in a fund to get the health care we need, whether it's a splinter in a finger or the latest cancer treatment. You fellers seem to have been fed a whole bunch of digested bull feed about socialism and liberals and whatever else. Ourv doctors incomes aren't fixed- but the system means they get paid without us needing to show up with a wad of cash in our hands. Apologies Wudstix. This isn't just thread drift- I forced it off into the bushes:) JayInOz

Interesting read.

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