Welcome to the Machine

[psluke]

Good Morning,

I'll take a cup of coffee, hot and black please.

[Fender]

Coming right up Pam. How you doing this morning?

[psluke]

I'm tired. This is the second night back in my bed and my back hurts. lol Must have gotten used to the sofa!

Thanks for the coffee I needed it.

[Fender]

I almost went into full panic mode this morning. I got out the calander and did some calculation. I have excatly 42 days until I no longer have to come to work here. 51 days till I no longer will be wearing the uniform of the USAF. After not having to worrying what to wear to work for nearly 26 years that is a scary thought. I was freaking a little till I talked to GF and she calmed me down some.

I am stil trying to get my head around the fact that I will no longer have a job, this job very soon. People I am a little overwhelmed by it all.

[BethM]

I can only imagine buddy.

Do you have to retire?

Do you need to?

Do you want to?

Good questions HS. Yes what's the deal?

[Fender]

In the USAF there is what's called High Year Tenure. Each pay grade has a limit to the number of years that you can serve while at that pay grade. For instance, only E-9's can stay for 30 years, E-8's can stay 28 and E-7's can stay 26.

I have been passed over for promotion several times, no worries so have 97% of the other E-7's in the USAF. Only 3 percent of the enlisted force can serve in the top two pay grades. And since I did not make E-8 and I am coming up on 26 years I have to retire, it's mandatory.

So it doesn't matter if I want to or not, I have to.

[BethM]

So what's the game plan? Any ideas?

[Fender]

That my dear is the scary part. I have an associates degree however that is about like having a HS diploma now days. I am working on a BS but will not be done by the time I stop drawing full pay and start drawing retired pay. I am hopeful that the V.A. will pay for the remainder of my BS however I need a job that will support the kids and I in the meantime, plus one that allows me to work a shift that allows me to go to school at night.

Imagine going in for an interview and saying that you need more money than they are offering, plus could they please let you work a shift that accomodates college attendance?

[BethM]

HS is so right! Maybe you should think about considering a couple of sessions with a life coach before you retire. I know someone who did this and it turned out to be a life changing event.

[Fender]

Yup, a lot of the local industry around here love us ex-military types. For a couple of reasons, we know how to show up on time, every time. Passing a drug test is nothing new to us. We know why there are rules and follow them. We have managed all kinds of resources; people and materials, money, etc...

HS good old Uncle Sam has us attend a great program called TAP, Transition Assistance Program. It is a three day program geared towards helping us find a job.

Mostly I guess it is fear of the unknown. Most, not all, but most of my friends that have retired before me have went on to find good jobs and are quite happy.