tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post6277612561144735615..comments2024-03-18T12:13:51.922-04:00Comments on Big Blueberry Eyes: Military Life and RetirementMichellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02441176684416139172noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-42178899705336030162010-01-31T23:27:59.055-05:002010-01-31T23:27:59.055-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-32051919833656159002010-01-29T16:24:13.500-05:002010-01-29T16:24:13.500-05:00It's hard to change what we know. But then aga...It's hard to change what we know. But then again, why do you have to.Heidihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18422697812333121141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-76868861610238094002010-01-28T15:48:29.231-05:002010-01-28T15:48:29.231-05:00We are at 12 this year, but if Daniel is accepted ...We are at 12 this year, but if Daniel is accepted into the PA program he'll have to sign on for at least 10 years beyond his class graduation date. So, we'd be in at least 24. But, Daniel has always said that he was going to stay in until they kicked him out so I am certain it will be longer! :)<br /><br />Military is a good life... full of sacrifices and plenty of tears but a lot of joy and security too. Not to mention pride!<br /><br />I hope you guys stay in for a good long time! I like rubbing shoulders with you :)<br /><br />-AndreaAndrea@Sgt and Mrs Hubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02226888560872834473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-21511674261426089402010-01-28T12:44:29.931-05:002010-01-28T12:44:29.931-05:00I don't know what we would do either... thankf...I don't know what we would do either... thankfully Frank still has a long, long time!!!Mommy to those Special Kshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07321242319840791482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-81269393707832306962010-01-28T08:09:52.961-05:002010-01-28T08:09:52.961-05:00I know what you mean. I didn't grow up with th...I know what you mean. I didn't grow up with this life, but I still have a hard time thinking about leaving it. We always laugh that we'll be itching to move anyway in a couple years, if we ever were to decide on a retirement location.Joyfulnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16672782460232107126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-68067419029390292242010-01-28T07:49:02.780-05:002010-01-28T07:49:02.780-05:00I too grew up moving and continued the "patte...I too grew up moving and continued the "pattern" until my daughter was born. It took me many years to stop having theat vagabond attitude - missing the excitement of pulling into a new town and kind of starting all over.. but I think I am finally there. Settled, content.<br /><br /> This is an exciting decision/time for you all as a family and I think ( a little selfish) that it will be WONDERFUL to have you right down the road in SC ;)<br /><br />Keeping Joe in my prayers. And yes, Sam DID take the bandage off!Sarihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604795442859757843noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-10240658500426309872010-01-28T04:46:35.067-05:002010-01-28T04:46:35.067-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-20796773673097820752010-01-27T15:12:36.989-05:002010-01-27T15:12:36.989-05:00My Dad got out when we were little so I never expe...My Dad got out when we were little so I never experienced the military life but since I get antsy easy and love to travel and experience new places I think I would of liked it. I love the East coast so I think If I had a choice I would stay out on the East coast.Taushahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13711847444052463207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-460167372048669282010-01-27T12:42:42.079-05:002010-01-27T12:42:42.079-05:00DIL I heard in staff meeting this morning that the...DIL I heard in staff meeting this morning that they have rolled back high year tenure to what it used to be so a MSgt's can only stay for 24 years now.Mom/MILnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-39147468671439149742010-01-27T09:36:06.106-05:002010-01-27T09:36:06.106-05:00I have no idea how I would handle that type of lif...I have no idea how I would handle that type of life. But I grew up in one spot and the idea of NOT having a home town makes me kind of ill inside... The job security right now is a VERRRRRRY valid point.tracey.becker1@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09606831315390042198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-85318839012329547352010-01-27T05:39:46.948-05:002010-01-27T05:39:46.948-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.balujan27http://www.deals365.usnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-44142415425808557312010-01-26T23:33:13.933-05:002010-01-26T23:33:13.933-05:00My hubby retired after 20years in Navy. But our ch...My hubby retired after 20years in Navy. But our children were 15 and 12 at that point. Our last duty station was spain. And they still remember that.<br />We were in Charleston B4 Spain for 5 years. And Chas. is a favorite retirement spot. I think you will love Chareston ! We sure did !!<br />Good luck with the decision !<br /><br />Cyndi J<br />York SCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-82340964274914932612010-01-26T20:55:13.502-05:002010-01-26T20:55:13.502-05:00Curt retires next year, officially BUT, he is stay...Curt retires next year, officially BUT, he is staying in for another 6.<br /><br />We're not ready for the civilian life either, but it's worth it for the "half pay". Others may see it differently but we think it's well worth it.<br /><br />Our plan is to move back to Idaho, and Curt already has a few jobs lined up working on base there :)Sandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00448386993712122412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-18442409679310517582010-01-26T17:27:40.697-05:002010-01-26T17:27:40.697-05:00Oh, and I know we'll still get insurance durin...Oh, and I know we'll still get insurance during the retirement years, but it's different and I really appreciate what we have right now.Crittlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08868628035597050680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-71584650557029315542010-01-26T17:26:42.899-05:002010-01-26T17:26:42.899-05:00I really appreciate Shelley's perspective. I n...I really appreciate Shelley's perspective. I never thought about that "only working for half your pay" thing before. My husband still has 9 years to go before he's eligible for retirement, but I'm already thinking about the same things you are: where is home? what next? i may not love tricare, but what would we do without it?Crittlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08868628035597050680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-57891883820852937192010-01-26T16:08:00.969-05:002010-01-26T16:08:00.969-05:00I am a HUGE military supporter. (I require each of...I am a HUGE military supporter. (I require each of my kids to do a sport or ROTC their freshman year.)<br /><br />I think it's great that you want your kids to see that lifestyle! It's an honorable life to live!Crunchy Green Mom - Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15515417754007594374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-21021437563389795442010-01-26T16:04:23.953-05:002010-01-26T16:04:23.953-05:00Military life is such a different thing that is re...Military life is such a different thing that is really difficult to appreciate or understand unless you've lived it. It brings great oppurtunities and also great challenges. I look forward to continuing to follow your family as you go through this next phase of decision making.Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16158883265713752481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-86610674530120677512010-01-26T15:50:14.189-05:002010-01-26T15:50:14.189-05:00Robert always points out that once you hit the 20 ...Robert always points out that once you hit the 20 year mark, you are working for only half of your pay (because you'll get half if you retire). When you think about it like that, it makes getting out at 20 seem more realistic..lol. That being said, I COMPLETELY understand what you are saying. My advice: have Joe start looking for jobs working as a civilian on a military installation. You get to keep all the perks of the military(including having your kids grow up surrounded by the military) without all the uprooting, deployments and uncertainty that come with active duty. That's what we're doing. The reason? The transitions and moving are hard when you have a kid(s) with special needs that needs specific resources. The older they get, the harder it is to ensure that you'll have the best services when you're moving on the whim of the military. I love the military...LOVE this life with a passion. I wouldn't trade it for the world. But, there are some perks of being in the civilian world...especially for my kids with special needs. So, I struggle with this too. I'll always be an Army wife at heart and I pray that my kids can grow up in a military ccommunity. But, it just might be with their dad working FOR the military on the civilian side of things. I'm slowly learning to be ok with that idea too :)Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05854999345315958520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-50105845354183973882010-01-26T15:46:37.104-05:002010-01-26T15:46:37.104-05:00My husband grew up in a military family and I alwa...My husband grew up in a military family and I always wish I had the experiences he did - they lived in Germany, Greece, England, it was amazing. Good luck with whatever you decide!Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02973779148681777856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-20260288249664195822010-01-26T15:19:12.707-05:002010-01-26T15:19:12.707-05:00We're in almost the exact position right now. ...We're in almost the exact position right now. I think we have 2 and some change left but we're not sure if we're getting out. It all depends on the economy and what the last 2 years are like. I never thought I'd equivocate when the time drew closer but I'm surprised that I'm doing just that.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18229817829124274147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-91620387442802665662010-01-26T14:19:47.827-05:002010-01-26T14:19:47.827-05:00Wow do I understand exactly how you feel!! When D...Wow do I understand exactly how you feel!! When Dennis finally retired after 23 1/2 years I truly thought I was ready, I thought I was done with moving, etc. Well to this day, 6 years later I still miss lots about his being active duty. I have found myself more than once thinking, if only...Mom/MILnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-43252156515033054762010-01-26T13:38:10.198-05:002010-01-26T13:38:10.198-05:00Wow Michelle, good for you! That truly is an amaz...Wow Michelle, good for you! That truly is an amazing commitment! Remember, home is where the heart is!Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02643251885429921088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-6697581129987049512010-01-26T13:01:11.780-05:002010-01-26T13:01:11.780-05:00My cousin is a military mom, and she has moved soo...My cousin is a military mom, and she has moved soo much in the last ten years, I don't know if I could do that. But then again you are set for life, you can retire early, and you are always a military family. I guess there's good and bad in everything!Laceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03321275110857561824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24014954.post-60763767821326158602010-01-26T11:51:25.720-05:002010-01-26T11:51:25.720-05:00wow. Bog change if you do decide to retire from it...wow. Bog change if you do decide to retire from it. I think it is an amazing commitment that your entire family has made.chellehttp://soodz.com/blognoreply@blogger.com