The end of an era, and a painful start to a new life !!!

[Lurker]

We’ll all, it finally happened. My retirement ceremony from the AF was on the 10th. It’s the unofficial end of a 21 year military carrier. My official last day will be Sept 1st, but I have a ton of leave to burn sooooooo . Now I have down time and time to look for a new job and time to get my feet under me back here in Oklahoma and get everything set up.

Unfortunately, nothing after the ceremony has been easy. Everything from getting moved back to OK (a over loaded trailer lead to 2 day of travel in an overheating truck with 2 dogs), to getting the temporary house set up (a 30+ year old trailer house with leaking sinks, sagging floors, and a dirty AC and more things to be named that I will need to fix) to finding a job has been painful (25 resumes with only 1 interview and a “we’ll let you know one way or another before July) ! The bright spots have been m little girls playing with granny every day, and the trip to the Illinois River for a family reunion and good Oklahoma smoked brisket, hours of playing in the river and giving the girls and all the cousins 100 water balloons and the chaos that followed.

I guess that sounds like I’m only focused on the negative, so here is the good side. No more deployments, long hours, training events etc etc etc. Plus my girls have already seen the sunset over the lake, watched the deer come out and play in the yard, watched the lightning bugs swarm the trees, and hunt worms for their (upcoming) first fishing trip.

Now I just need to find time to start gaming again! Then all will be well (well find said job and then get started on my dream house too)

[Omote]

It's time to enjoy life. Look for the positive, and more positive will come to you. You've earned it.

~O

[TheMetal1]

Congratulations and thank you so much for your 2+ decades of service. Blessings to you and your family!

[Relaxo]

The Metal couldn't have said it better.

All the best! Enjoy the time wiht your family!

[tylermo]

Thanks for your service. Good luck!

[Joe]

Congrats and thanks!

[cuchulainkevin]

Thank you so much for your service. It's a tough economy, but keep plugging at it.

Enjoy the face time with the family.

[gideon_thorne]

Now I just need to find time to start gaming again! Then all will be well (well find said job and then get started on my dream house too)

Welp, depending on where your at, I can most likely point you in the right direction for where the gamers are? I know a fair few C&C players in both the OKC/Stillwater area and the Tulsa/BA area.

[CKDad]

Congrats on the retirement, and making it out in one piece!

[Aladar]

Lurker,

Congratulations and welcome to the ranks of the military retirees. Thanks for serving our nation.

Where did you move back to in OK? I have a new job out at Fort Sill and will be moving back there in mid August.

[Lurker]

All, thanks for the congrats and (A humble and awe shucks kind of) your welcome for all the "thanks for service".

Aldar, unfortunately I'm on the complete opposite side of Ok from Ft Sill so no easy link up.

GT. Let me get my feet under me & I'd love to link up with a group. I'm on the east side of Lake Hudson, so Tulsa/BA would be OK, closer to Claremore etc would be better but beggars can't be choosers. By the way sorry I missed you at the Muskogee Renfair (I assume you were there) I was in the area then but I had 2 sick girls so no joy on going.

[gideon_thorne]

All, thanks for the congrats and (A humble and awe shucks kind of) your welcome for all the "thanks for service".

Aldar, unfortunately I'm on the complete opposite side of Ok from Ft Sill so no easy link up.

GT. Let me get my feet under me & I'd love to link up with a group. I'm on the east side of Lake Hudson, so Tulsa/BA would be OK, closer to Claremore etc would be better but beggars can't be choosers. By the way sorry I missed you at the Muskogee Renfair (I assume you were there) I was in the area then but I had 2 sick girls so no joy on going.

I was there. Its an easy set up for me since I live about 7 miles from the place.

There are a couple stores I can think of off the top of my head that host games and or have C&C players. Top Deck Games is one and Wizards Asylum is the other.

[Tadhg]

Congrats Lurker!

Many thanks for your service!

Good luck and enjoy your new life!!

[slimykuotoan]

My games are always open man.

[LordSeurek]

Ahhh Les. Congrats on the retirement. I often wonder if our nations ever do anything for vets who dedicate their lives in serving ones nation in terms of making it easier to find employment after their service is done....

Anywho, from one country to another, thanks!

Ditto slimy, our games are always open to you!

L.S.

[Lurker]

Slimy/LS

Thanks for the invite. If I can ever get the girls asleep before 2230 Tulsa time I'll have to jump in. Believe me I need the sanity check of a good game!

Now, on a more painful note, every time I've applied for a teacher's position I've been turned down. It's getting to the point that it is starting to wear on me ... You can only hear "your resume is great, your test scores are some of the best, you interview amazingly well, but you just aren't experienced enough for us" so many times before it starts to get to you... That being said, LS, for your wondering if we do anything for vets, I'm starting to lean toward the not enough side of the fence.

Oh well, at least I'm home, not facing down a next deployment, the girls are having all the Granny time they want, and I get to set out with them at breakfast and watch them watch the humming birds.

[Lord Dynel]

Sounds like you're having an awesome time with your family. That's awesome! Thank you for your years of service to our country. Now get out there and start enjoying your new life!

And don't worry about the gaming...it'll come.

[TheMetal1]

You probably have done this already, but figured I'd ask anyway - have you looked at the Troops to Teachers program?

Here is the link: http://www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_Web/ ... /index.asp

[Lurker]

Metal

RGR on using Troops to Teachers. It's been a big help getting certified etc. However, the "job placement assistance" has been less helpful. Also, the financial assistance it offers hinges on you finding a job so it's a catch 22.

That sounds more harsh than it is, if you (or anyone) is military and interested in teaching I highly recommend linking up with the TTT rep at your base. However, don't look for the job search part of the process to be easy.

Now on a slightly brighter note, I did get a call today about being a "long term substitute teacher" in one of the local high school special needs class. They don't know how long they will need me, but it will be a paycheck (though only substitute pay) and it will get me the much needed official classroom time. Plus I may be able to get the VA to pay for more school, so I might be able to get a free Master's degree. I'd love to have a good job, but a free Master degree isn't something to sneeze at!

LD
That is too true on "enjoying your life". It's great watching the little ones laugh at the humming birds, chasing grasshoppers, and enjoying lots of Granny time.