It ended today
- Thread starter "J"
- Start date
badger
*Supporting Member*
It really is something for the family. Often too much credit is given to the one serving when the truth is, it is our loved ones that have it really rough. Brought a tear to my eye reading your OP, I didn't read an others. Congrats to you and your family you guys can actually make plans now! lol
angelzd28
Junior Member
A little late catching up. I'm very happy for you J! We all sincerely appreciate your service to our country. I've had the privilege of meeting a lot of fine people from forums over the last decade and you sir, are one of my favorite people! Enjoy retirement and get that boat upright!!!
Congrats J!!! Thank you for all of your years of service. Enjoy the heck out of retirement. You have more than earned it!!
rgecko23
*Supporting Member*
Thanks for all the well wishes, much appreciated.... As some of you know and Giles mentioned, when we deploy that's the easy part for us, we go and do what we're trained too do..... The families are left behind too trudge along in the daily grind.... We all know how life throws curve balls and you never really can prepare for everything.... Imagine now your gone and now the burden is put solely on the shoulders of your wife.... I've been lucky where I married a strong in the face of adversity wife, but when I walk in the door afterwards I'm the only shoulder she's comfortable crying on.....
Years ago when I started this journey when you deployed you didn't have the communication that we have nowadays and it was a letter or a phone call if there was an emergency. Then phone calls were easier too come across depending on the location and you could talk for a few minutes once a week (if you waited in line long enough) then emails, Skype/facetime is tne common thing now.....
I remember writing letters too family and friends and receiving the response, it was like a kid a xmas lol....
And Jesse, what fun is an up righted boat???? rotflmao :smiley_blackeye: rotflmao
Years ago when I started this journey when you deployed you didn't have the communication that we have nowadays and it was a letter or a phone call if there was an emergency. Then phone calls were easier too come across depending on the location and you could talk for a few minutes once a week (if you waited in line long enough) then emails, Skype/facetime is tne common thing now.....
I remember writing letters too family and friends and receiving the response, it was like a kid a xmas lol....
And Jesse, what fun is an up righted boat???? rotflmao :smiley_blackeye: rotflmao
Buckmaster
Senior Member
Wow, it’s been 6 years since I’ve posted this…. Where has the time gone? 
Its nice too look back on this post and see the emotions I went through. My son and DIL will be up this evening spending the weekend with us. We’ll be on the boat on Norman in the morning. Should be a great weekend….
For anyone out there debating on retiring? Do it and don’t look back. Life’s short, and I’ve never talked too anyone who’d wished they’d worked longer….. But I have talked too a lot who’d wished they’d of done it sooner…..
cheers 
Its nice too look back on this post and see the emotions I went through. My son and DIL will be up this evening spending the weekend with us. We’ll be on the boat on Norman in the morning. Should be a great weekend….
For anyone out there debating on retiring? Do it and don’t look back. Life’s short, and I’ve never talked too anyone who’d wished they’d worked longer….. But I have talked too a lot who’d wished they’d of done it sooner…..
cheers 
Sgt Fury
Sgt. Spellchecker
Congrats again J and thanks for your service. I recently joined the ranks of the retired about a year and a half ago, and I agree 100%...retire as soon as you can. The day you have enough saved to maintain your lifestyle and pay your bills is the day you should retire! Life’s too short to spend it working.
congrats for real, J.
I'm thinking I might hang up my brush at 55 if things go well for the next couple of years. Since I've never had to go to work for somebody else, I'll probably never fully "retire", just do a little paint work when I feel like it for funding hunting affairs, taking care of my long time customers, etc. build a few bows to sell, too. I'd really like to still be able to walk when I quit painting.
I'm thinking I might hang up my brush at 55 if things go well for the next couple of years. Since I've never had to go to work for somebody else, I'll probably never fully "retire", just do a little paint work when I feel like it for funding hunting affairs, taking care of my long time customers, etc. build a few bows to sell, too. I'd really like to still be able to walk when I quit painting.
Buckmaster
Senior Member
I was going the end of June. I just found out they left out some important information and I have another year to go or I lose 30%. No Biggie... sorta like what I do.