REFRAD

[tangerine-jack]

Release From Active Duty

 

Yes, as some of you may have suspected by this time I am home and safe.  The Army decided to grant my retirement based on family hardship (which I can't go into detail here but Capt Bob knows about it) which is almost unheard of during a deployment. 

 

I must say that retirement has been the most disappointing part of my career.  No good byes, no out processing, no handshake and a "thank you for your service".  None of that, just a ride home and orders to wait 10 days for more orders.  My retirement orders came by mail. 

 

I am glad to be home and with the family.  At least I have that.  The Dixie D RR is a mess, I'll get her cleaned up and refreshed, post some photos when I get a chance.  Now's the time for some upgrades me thinks.....

[vsmith]

Welcome home, Jack!

We are all proud and gratefull for your service to this nation.

Now its time to take some time to get yourself back into civilian mode.

Then start enjoying your free time by keeping yourself busy with projects, it might take a little time to get used to enjoying your free time, I figure about a week.

Later Vic

 

[Anonymous]

  T. J.

Welcome home , and thank you for your service to are country.   I hope to  hear from you.

     Ben

[Rene Schweitzer]

Welcome home! Thanks for your service to this country, and we sure are glad you're home safely.

[GearDrivenSteam]

All I can do is echo past posts and say welcome home and thanks for serving. Glad you are safe.

[Anonymous]

Glade your back Brother, anything to help drop me a email.

Wm Pugh

[ttrigg]

TJ, glad you are back safe and sound.  As far as the act of retiring being a downer, I know very well.  My retirement back in 89 was quite a let down.  Got off the airplane from REFORGER, turned in my rifle, picked up my clearance papers, and hit the road a week later.  A word of warning to you and your wife.  about 63% of Military retirees get divorced within 3 years, ~70% get remarried (to the same spouse) within 5 years after going through the culture shock of adjusting to civilian life.  Adjusting to the new life style is hard.

[sfcgadget]

  Welcome back and thank for your service. Take some time to get back in touch with non-military life. You have undoubtably changed some and so have family. Now the most important thing in your life is them and friends. I retired in late 2006 after 34 years in the National Guard, of which, 24 years were AGR (active duty). The times you were not able to spend with your loved ones, due to service, are gone but don't let any more slip away. Enjoy, there is life after the military. Thanks from a fellow Vet.

[pimanjc]

 Thank you for your service to the Country.  May your transition back to civilian be smooth.

My retirement from the service was also very unceremonious.  HOWEVER,  The real joy of retirement is the steady income and MEDICAL BENEFITS the rest of my life.

JimC.

[hoofe116]

Like all the rest, I want to thank you for your service to the flag.

My son-in-law was discharged after coming home from Iraq last year. He's not settling in well; saw some ruff stuff. Be cool, stay calm and smile a lot: you made it!

Les W.

[Rastun]

TJ,

Welcome home brother and thank you for all your sacrifices and service.

Jack

[tangerine-jack]

Thanks one and all. 

Tom- I understand only I didn't get any paperwork nor have I cleared supply, PAC or security.  God only knows where my stuff is, floating around Burundi is my guess.  I have lots of issues to resolve after the fact, and I am up against the red tape machine.  Sooner or later it'll all work out but for now it's like getting pecked to death by a duck.

Ratsun- Patriot rider eh?  I always knew you were a man of fine taste and exquisite breeding. 

Hoofe116- I'll keep your son in law in my prayers.  I've seen some things also, but each of us deals with it in our own way.  He'll do fine, just let him work it out himself.

The oddest thing so far is that everyone is nice to me now.  Nobody is yelling or uptight.  I also can't figure out what to wear in the mornings.  No more MRE holiday meals, no more mandatory fun days, no more 9 hour training meetings with HQ.  Gee, life is good!

 

[Rex in Pinetop]

The most important document you need is your DD214.  Without it you're dead in the water.

Rex (LTC USA Ret)

[MTCarpenter]

As many have already said TJ, thank you for your service to this country and it's good to have you home safe and sound.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

TJ, You guys holler on your next trip north, love to see ya if we're around!

[Camaro1967]

TJ, welcome home and thanks for your service. I echo Capt Bob's invitation.  I don't live very far from him, and would love to have you visit here too.

Paul aka Camaro1967 

[SandyR]

Welcome home, TJ!!! Enjoy your family and your railroad!

SandyR

[grandpopswalt]

TJ,

Welcome back! As the old song goes " it's good to have you back where you belong" (Louis Armstrong, I think). I'll add my "thanks for your service and sacrifice" to all the others. 

Looks like retirement from the military is something like leaving a civilian organization (after 32 years), good luck and remember to drop in when you can't stay too long.

With your education and experience you'll be on top again in no time at all.

Keep us posted on your progress as you get back to work on the railway.

Good luck,

Walt 

 

[kimbrit]

Nice one Jack. You're back where you belong. Enjoy!!

Kim

[Rastun]

What can I say TJ?

Someone needs to make sure our heros are treated with the up most respect and honor.

Jack

[powlee]

 

   TJ

I am late as usual. Good news that you are home. You have a long period of readjustment ahead of you but having met you, we know you can cope. Keep in touch.

Ian & Frances

[Great Western]

Welocome home,

     It is great to be with family and friends.  I have to say having left two services (1 military and the other cilvilian) I found it was not the job bit the camraderie that I missed most of all.

     Anyway enjoy your family and your railroading.

[Tom The Brat]

Thank you.

[tangerine-jack]

Thanks for the kind words everybody.  It is an adjustment to be sure.  I can't just go down to the mess sergeant and get something to eat; I have to pay for it now!  I guess it will be a while before I shake off the sounds and smells of the military- veterans will know what I'm speaking of.  There is something magic in the smell of diesel fuel, canvas, CARC paint and cordite that you can't put into words, but stays in your memory.  I think I will miss the thump of the artillery more than anything else.

Good new is that I have an interview with Norfolk Southern in two weeks for an operations manager position.  From what I hear it is very similar to the military only you get to fire people.  How nice would that be!

Walt: Louis Armstrong sang that phrase in the title song in Hello Dolly, but the music was written by Jerry Herman.

Jack:  Let's both keep our friend Fred Phelps happy with the symphonic cacophony of Vance and Hines.  I'll play lead with my Triumph Dunstalls.  That should keep that bass turd busy for a while.

Ian:  good to hear from you.  I lost your number when I lost my mobile.  PM me any time and I'll give you my new number.

Alan:  Yes, it was, is, and always will be about the people I've served with.  No matter how rotten the conditions we were in, or how great, it was the people that made it a good or bad experience.  I hope I can stay in touch with at least some of them from time to time.

Everybody else, YOUR WELCOME.  Feel free to PM me anytime you are in the VA Beach or South East Virginia area.

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Welcome to the ranks of the retarded (or was that retired???)!  Now you get more time to play with your trains!   Ha ha, as if anybody with young kids around gets to do anything but be the taxi driver!