After 22 years in the military, I'm retiring. Ask me anything

[x-g.o.p.er]

Yep, I put in my paperwork yesterday. I was non-vol'd for a 365 to Afghanistan, but since I'm over 20 years, I could refuse the assignment in lieu of retirement, so I did.

Wow, I can't believe it's coming to an end.

WOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ptah]

1. Thank you

:patriot:

welcome home

[x-g.o.p.er]

3. Thanks!

:)

[Redstone]

2. I won't ask, I'll tell: Welcome home.

Redstone

[x-g.o.p.er]

4. Thank you!

:)

[Swede]

5. Good job,sir.

Now to kick back and enjoy the first day of the rest of your life.

[x-g.o.p.er]

7. Thanks!

[NoodleBoy]

6. Who wrote the theme song to Sanford & Son?

I always wondered that.

[x-g.o.p.er]

8. A talented Democrat

:hi:

[Inchworm]

27. As I sing it...

I always end up doing.. hey, hey, hey.. it's faaaaaat Albert :D

:hi:

[Ptah]

9. I forgot to ask you anything.

What skills from your years of service do you think
will stand you in good stead in the coming years?

[x-g.o.p.er]

15. Well,

After these last few years, I've definitely learned to not sweat the small stuff.

[av8rdave]

10. Congrats! And thanks for your service!

[x-g.o.p.er]

16. Thanks!

[JohnnyLib2]

11. Do you have your "short" sticker for your bumper?

Thanks and congratulations!

[x-g.o.p.er]

17. No,

but I do have an Obama one!

[MrScorpio]

12. I retired after 22 years myself

Had not for how The Chimpster fucked up the military, would you have stayed in until HYT?

[x-g.o.p.er]

18. Tough to say...

I honestly don't know.

[petronius]

13. Congratulations!

:toast:

[x-g.o.p.er]

19. Thanks!

Here's right back at ya!

:toast:

[Fenris]

14. Are military HR people forbidden from talking to you about potential employment?

;)

Sure seems like it.

[x-g.o.p.er]

20. No, not that I know of

As a matter of fact, I've been offered a job. I still have to apply and qualify, but it's nice to know I'm wanted.

[Fenris]

35. That is nice to know.

Congrats and good luck in your new position! :toast:

[Inchworm]

21. Coolest station, how long?

Thanks for keeping suckas like me safe.

:yourock:

[x-g.o.p.er]

23. Giebelstadt Germany

1995-1998

[Inchworm]

25. awesome

I'll assume Army at first.. or pick my brain to remember.. or look up.

Hehe, so many years. You are an asset.

:)

[Hangingon]

46. Gieb is a great little village.

Are you aviation?

[x-g.o.p.er]

47. Yep

Helicopter pilot in the army and then Air Force

[Hangingon]

53. My son-in-law was an Army UH-60 pilot in Gieb.

They left sometime in '95. They are in Wiesbaden now.

[x-g.o.p.er]

61. I got there

the tail end of '95. Knew a few 'Hawk guys, but not many.

[MrScorpio]

58. You and I were in Germany at the same time

I was at Spangdahlem AB 1994-1998


It was the best time to be in Europe

[x-g.o.p.er]

62. Yep it was

But unfortunately, I spent over half my tour in the Balkans.

My wife, however, LOVED Germany, ha ha.

[Pierre.Suave]

22. Congrats

you lasted 17 years longer than I did... :P

What did you do and what Branch are/were you in?

[x-g.o.p.er]

24. Thanks for your 5 years!

[Pierre.Suave]

26. I would probably still be there

if I had not wrecked my motorcycle. But instead of a grunt, I would be flying F/A-18Cs for the Marines!

I still cant believe they actually pay people to do that! :P

[devilgrrl]

28. Thank you for your service.

Enjoy your well deserved retirement. :toast:

[x-g.o.p.er]

31. Thanks!

[crim son]

29. Thank you for your service, x-g.o.p.e.r.

What's next on the agenda?

[x-g.o.p.er]

32. Resume polishing and job hunting

in case my grand plan doesn't come to fruition.

Which is, of course, to convince my wife to let me play 36 holes of golf while I prepare to qualify for the senior PGA tour, and she pays the bills.

How do you think that will go when I run it by her? :)

[crim son]

34. It depends on what she does for work.

Ha! And how much she loves and respects you... :hi:

[puerco-bellies]

30. Bravo Zulu

Where will you settle?

[x-g.o.p.er]

33. Greater St Louis area

[UrbScotty]

36. 22 salutes for 22 years!

:patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot::patriot:

[x-g.o.p.er]

38. Thank you, I'm touched.

That was very nice. :hi:

[flvegan]

37. No question, just heartfelt thanks.

My dad did 23 years in the Navy. Me...zero. I'm honestly not "man" enough. Honestly.

Thank you.

[billyoc]

39. Outta sight, top. Do you have a soft landing place?

[underpants]

40. What's yer MOS?

Scout here

[x-g.o.p.er]

51. 154C...Chinook pilot

But was enlisted AF and got an AF commission.

Kind of a screwy career path.

[Fearless]

41. So... Afghanistan... A great war... or the GREATEST war?

(a la Stephen Colbert)

[x-g.o.p.er]

48. Maybe not greatest, but it's in the top 10

[OmahaBlueDog]

42. We appreciate your service!

What's your sense about how your soon-to-be-ex-coworkers feel about the election?

[x-g.o.p.er]

52. Most of them feel

McCain is too old and Obama is too arrogant. There's not a lot of support for either, to be honest.

[whistler162]

43. Congratulations... my brother retired after 20 years

in Jan. of this year.

Remember to thank McCain for the nice G.I. bill he supported according to President Bush.

[YankeyMCC]

44. Congratulations to your promotion to Civilian ;)

But thanks for your 22 years of service and for your moral strength in making this decision now.

I hope you can make a good new life outside the military.

[x-g.o.p.er]

50. Thanks!

[Doug.Goodall]

45. What kind of G.I. Bill do you have?

Are you going to College for a degree in some area of expertise?

[x-g.o.p.er]

49. Already have a Master's

Just finished it this summer.

[Bombero1956]

54. first of all thank you for your service

my cousin retired from the Navy after 21 years with 14 years on a boomer, he's now a civilian contractor for the Navy. I admire the sacrifice you made in your life to protect us and I admire the sacrifice your wife made as well. It can't be fun traveling from post to post never being sure where you're going to be and for how long so I salute her too. From a 30 year career firefighter I lift a cold one in you honor and welcome you home. :toast::toast::toast::toast::toast:

[x-g.o.p.er]

60. Thank you!

And yes, few peoplerealize that the families often make more sacrifices than the military member. She's a great gal; I'm lucky she's stuck with me after all she had to put up with.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

55. Will you get monthly moolah from Uncle Sam?

And if so, what % of your active moolah?

[carlyhippy]

56. Thank you for helping our country, now for the question...

do you recommend the service for young people graduating high school?

[x-g.o.p.er]

59. Something...

I understand that military service isn't for everyone, and that's fine. But I think some sort of national service should be mandatory, be it the Peace Corps, Americorps, the military, whatever.

I think giving back makes life more enriching, and people learn a greater appreciation for what they do have, as opposed to what they don't. But that's just me.

[cabbage08]

57. thanks for your service

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

63. What service?

me retired E8 from USCG 22 there and 4 in the USN before that

[x-g.o.p.er]

64. 10 in the Army, 12 in the USAF