Your Last Day At Your Unit Before You ETS'd Out

[Platte City Paul]

Mine was anti-climactic. I was medically retired after 27 years and change last November. I was headed to Germany to be an operations officer, but that didn't happen because I was waiting for the results of the medical board. I transitioned the new crew in last May at work, and did what I could to help out between May and the board results showing up in late July.

Once I had the board results, I had a grand total of 90 days to get out, so I started clearing and went on terminal leave (love that phrase and bet it confuses a lot of non-military folks) right away. I'm now back working for the government, but still looking in the "private sector."

I had a small retirement ceremony in October, which was nice. Kept a few things and pitched the rest. I've tossed most of my other memorabilia accumulated over 27 years, except for a few special things. For sure I kept my paratrooper statue I got when I left the 82nd back in the 90s. One does not simply throw away paratrooper statues. Bad, bad karma can result...

I enjoyed most of my career, but I haven't looked in the rear view mirror much since taking the uniform off either.

 

[sonar1]

Flew into Travis AFB March '72 from Vietnam Wednesday night.
Walked out the gate at Treasure Island Navy Base Friday afternoon.
When they tried the pitch for reenlistment I just said, "Save your breath."
I had already extended once for Tech School.

All I wanted was to be a civilian, and beer without all that formaldehyde in it!

 

[Platte City Paul]

PS, this is my friend Jim (on the left) and I at my retirement ceremony. Jim and I have served together three times. The first time was in Iraq in 2003-2004. Not a bad deal when you can have a good friend retire your sorry ass.

Clearly we are both about as unimpressed by the gravity of the situation.