What to do in the Civilian world?
By Mommamea
@Mommamea (1215)
United States
October 31, 2006 1:24am CST
Husband retired a year ago today after 20 years in the Marine Corps.
4 responses
@vhenwood (1061)
• United States
8 Dec 06
Oh I'm so jealous! My hubby is making the Marine Corps a career and he has 16 years left before he can retire!!! So, in all actuality, it wasn't that long ago when we were civilians . . .just enjoy it! He's collectiong a nice little pension, tell him to go work at thepost office for 10 yrs and then he'll collect another one!! Just enjoy the time you have with him now . . .make up for all that lost time!! He's not going anywhere now!!! Has he grown out a beard since he got out?!?!?!
@Mommamea (1215)
• United States
11 Dec 06
Believe it or not he still carries that pride the Marine Corps taught him. He still has a military cut and his clothes are pressed out daily for work. Nice little pension isn't all that great in this day and age. Making up for lost time isn't the problem when he works two jobs just to help make up the difference of what we had with the military. Great that your husband is making it a career. Those 16 years will go by fast. You are the one I should say to help him enjoy his time in and make it fun. Enjoy the traveling that you will be able to go with and let him enjoy the ones you can't. You will make many friends and memories along the way. It is totally different in the military world than the civilian world. You will in time learn to love it if you don't already. It is one big Family in every since. The civilians seem to care less what goes on in your life just because you are neighbors. Thanks to your husband for the sacrifice he will make to help us live a better life each day. My Prayers are with you both.
@spiritfinger (137)
• United States
1 Dec 06
First of all, thank you to your husband for all that he has done for this country.
Second of all, I feel for you. My husband is a Marine Officer also, we have 11 years until he will retire but I'm scared of the civilian world. I don't like living off base since base is so much safer.
I guess what I would do and will do when I'm in your shoes is just enjoy every second with my wonderful husband.
@Mommamea (1215)
• United States
11 Dec 06
I understand where you are coming from. I do enjoy every second I have with my husband since it seems we only have seconds to spend with each other. He works two jobs just to get us by. I unfortunately have been unable to work the past year I thank God we have insurance still through the military but it is hard in the Civilian world to make ends meet sometimes. I guess you get used to having the security of the job with the military that you don't get in the civilian world. It really causes a lot of stress on my husband. I truly miss the security of the base myself. I thank your husband for the freedom he is helping to provide for my family and friends in this country.
@sbeauty (5865)
• United States
5 Nov 06
Well good for him! I must say he's fortunate, too. He can now draw a good pension for the rest of his life which is something most people don't have that cushion to fall back on. He can certainly take his time and find work in a field he enjoys or one he was trained to do in the service.
My nephew was a career service man, too. He earned his PhD. while in the service, retired at 38, and stepped into a very lucrative job. In his case, career service was a very good choice that led to an even better future. I hope you're finding it to be this same way.
