Retired military....
 

Well, as some of you already know, I've decided to hang up the military after almost 23 years. I spent 7 years active duty, and the rest of the time (after a small break in service) as a full time technician in the GA Air National Guard, 116th Air Control Wing (JSTARS). Technically, I will be retired next Sunday, but got my retirement certificate today. It has been an interesting ride, and I have been fortunate to travel the world. Of all the time I spent anywhere, the island of Crete Greece was by far my favorite, and will always remain a high point of my career/life. The middle east of course is another story, and after 5 deployments there, I'm glad I'll never have to see that part of the world again. I'm fairly certain I left nothing there.:)

That said, since I was a full time technician in the Guard, I was offered a job at the ALC side of Robins AFB, where I've been the whole time anyway. I still get to tinker with military aircraft stuff, but no longer work on the whole aircraft, but break down, and put back together C-17 thrust reverser assemblies. I've been in that job since March, and all my technician (civil service) time carried over, so I really didn't miss a beat.

So, my last .mil days will be as a part timer next weekend. Hard to believe all this time as passed and the end is here. The closest friends I will ever have, have been my military coworkers. Only other .mil types will ever know this kind of brotherhood, and that part I will miss. So...here's to calling it a day.:cert:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j1...psfeisjjc6.jpg

:flag:

I salute you sir, and raise a glass in your honor.

Congratulations. Welcome to the club!

:iagree:

A sincere heartfelt Thank You for your service :USA:

:toast:

Jeff

Thank you for your years of service. Please enjoy your retirement.

A hearty Thank You from this civilian as well.

You earned it James :cert:
Nice part is the opportunities you'll have at your feet from here forward.

One of these days I'll get my ass down there to buy you a proper Sweet Water. :datawiz:
Scott

Congratulations. :cert:

I know you wanted to hang around for this........ain't happenin'.

Congrats, enjoy your retirement, well deserved. :USA:

Well, I will guarantee thrust reversers that work!:seasix:

Well done and a sincere thanks for your service. :cert:

http://wonderopolis.org/wp-content/u...k_52044700.jpg

5 deployments in the sandbox???

Damn.

Attachment 7432

Congrats
Very cool, indeed

Congrats...welcome to the club !!

I hate the desert...

Yeah, I went to camp cupcake in Qatar. BoracayJohnny on the other hand spent plenty of time in Afghanistan and Iraq. Still the middle east though, and it sucked, but at least I wasn't dodging bullets, rockets, mortars, and the like. All of those guys have my admiration.:seasix::yesnod: Yes Johnny, that includes you!:cert:

Welcome to the club Retiree! :seasix: :patriot: Enjoy!

Cut my teeth in RADAR and am now seeing the JSTARS follow-on. Amazing capability that has provided great service to those on the pointy end. Best of Luck!

Thank you Jim, for serving our country so well! :patriot:

Congratulations on your retirement!!:hurray:

Congrats my friend. Good luck on your next journey.