Military Humor

"Know what controlled rage is, controlled rage is yelling at someone and smashing someone's head against a concrete wall. Uncontrolled rage is when you do all that and then pee on yourself." - GYSGT D. Smith, USMC Ret.

Last 7 Months on Active Duty

The last 7 months of active duty prior to retirement is reserved for setting yourself up for the civilian world. That's when you have to start calling people by their first names and learn to relax more. The military's operations tempo is so extreme, people in it are addicted to drinking coffee and energy drinks to stay awake. Physical and mental disorders are the result in some cases.  Military people are always on the go and try to accomplish everything at one time, usually ahead of schedule.  So to alleviate getting an anxiety attack or something, I  have laid out a calendar that is planned day by day. So here is what I have.  If I am missing anything, let me know in the comments below.

Month 7:

• Keep going to medical to get your stuff documented
• Attend TRS (transition classes, a.k.a. TAPS or TGPS) 
• Attend CalVet class Attend Boots 2 Business by the Small Business Association 
• Start drafting and sculpting your resume
• Make a Linkedin Account and begin to make it look like a resume

Month 6:

• Keep going to medical to get your stuff documented. 
• Go to legal to update your will 
• Begin to throw away everything you don't need on a weekly basis 
• Attend a Business Career Seminar 
• Take some Microsoft Classes 
• Finalize your resumes and make a "master resume"
• Start exploring USAJOBS.com
• Start exploring CalJobs (or whatever state your wanting to stay in)
• Make 2 copies of your medical record and get your AHLTA notes put on disc

Month 5:

• Do your CAPSTONE. 
• Visit the DAV to get your medical record screened 
• After your Medical Record is screened, setup and appointment to submit your VA disability claim 
• Do your VA Disability Claim 
• Begin giving away all manuals and military stuff you no longer need 
• Change your Linkedin Profile to "actively seeking a job"
• Begin your job search and start applying.  
• Begin Interviewing with companies

Month 4: 

• Submit your 30 Days of Notice to Vacate 
• Start closing your cable account 
• Get your check-out sheet and start the process of checking out 
• Turn in your weapons card 
• Turn in your combat gear and gas mask (CIF) 
• Schedule multiple interviews
• Keep job searching and applying.  You're not hired until you sign a contract offer.

Month 3:

• Do your Pack Out and put your stuff in storage. 
• DoD will pay to store your stuff for 365 days. 
• Find Apartment where you want to live. Start moving. 

Month 2:

• Retirement Ceremony 
• Begin your 10 days of job hunting/10 days of house hunting 
• Get your DD214 and make a lot of copies 
• Go to legal to certify true copy all your DD214s 
• Go on vacation or begin working your 2nd career. 

Month 1:

• Terminal Leave 
• Go on vacation or begin working your 2nd career. 
• Last Paychecks 

Month after you get out:

• Sign up for VA 
• Re-enroll in Tricare