We cope, and accept that most men cannot be expected to withstand the burden we willingly carry.
Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.
Posted on 11/07/2010 7:52:26 AM PST by Nachum
I never expected to write this letter, but my Mom e-mailed me to get information about my career for a writeup on Veterans Day, and as this is the first such holiday in 22 years when I will not be on active duty, I felt compelled to let you know why I decided to quit.
Quit is a strong word, I know. Everyone I’ve talked to has repeated that I’ve had a marvelous career and that I’ve retired with honor. Maybe that’s true on paper; I guess that it’s reflected by the record. But that’s not how I feel. I feel like I’ve quit. And because I’m not a quitter, I feel I have to explain why — not that anyone is asking, but because perhaps they don’t know to ask.
Quit is a strong word, I know. Everyone I’ve talked to has repeated that I’ve had a marvelous career and that I’ve retired with honor. Maybe that’s true on paper; I guess that it’s reflected by the record. But that’s not how I feel. I feel like I’ve quit. And because I’m not a quitter, I feel I have to explain why — not that anyone is asking, but because perhaps they don’t know to ask.
Briefly, my career had been a representation of the promise of this country. Starting out on the lowest rung of the rank ladder as an F-4G Wild Weasel crew chief, continuing on F-16s and the F-117A Stealth fighter in Desert Storm, then a small part of Desert Fox as a nuclear Maintenance Officer and finally a pilot that took part in numerous deployments in Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailyinterlake.com ...
If the government continues to pay the pensions, and if they don't kill what medical insurance military retirees are able to buy. There is NO free medical for retirees, despite promises of same. (with the possible exception of disabled vets)
Probably not. Most officers and NCOs don’t go to any public outlets and sites to voice their reasons. That usually happens when a high-ranking general officer publicly has an issue with an administration and goes public as to why. Those are also usually few and far between.
Most military retirees don’t “retire” when they leave the military unless they are general officers and most of them don’t either. At 22 years my retired pay as an O4 was maybe about 1/3 of my total active duty compensation. Since most retirees at that point still have kids at home or in college you just can’t maintain your lifestyle, even with frugality, without obtaining fulltime employment of some kind. Now, with the retirement, there comes some flexibility in being able to take jobs that might pay a bit less than what a civilian with the same experience might get but that flexibility can be a plus in terms of not having to beat yourself silly trying to surpass what you made on active duty. The lifelong medical has been watered down greatly from what was promised when I enlisted in 1969 and what was in place when I was commissioned in 1976 and could decline further. The extra points to get into a government civil service job is chancy in the best of times and it seems that NCOs can usually benefit from that more than officers. Besides, a lot of us tend to try to steer clear of government jobs and government contractor jobs because they are there at the whim of the administration and you can easily find yourself on the streets looking for something else.
I'm aware of that. My youngest was born late August, and I retired 1 November, of ‘97. I next get to retire when they nail the box shut on me. Tricare Prime beats a sharp stick in the eye, but it's certainly not “free” as my recruiter promised me. Despite staying for 24 years, I'd STILL like to meet TSgt. Clifton T. Angel, Jr. in a dark alley somewhere. ;)
I hate to say this, but I see this coming. The recent election notwithstanding, the more our country heads toward left-wing insanity, the greater the demoralization among our armed forces & other traditional pillars (i.e. law enforcement, teachers, etc.). When there is nothing worth defending or nurturing, why bother?
No, you can retire after 20 but, as he said, he could be a Lt Col when he re-upped, and therefore could easily make General by 30. His then retirement would be huge compared to 22 at Major
Pretty much says it all in one tidy, encapsulated package, doesn’t it? This is due to the fact that the Democrat party has been hijacked by the Radical Left, those from the Sixties who cut their hair and put on suits.
They look like who we expect to see at the levers of power, but when they open their mouths, those of us who take the time to listen to them understand exactly who and what they are.
Those who don’t really listen to them, vote for them.
(Thanks for the ping, Veeram...)
Idea for a political cartoon:
The outline of the U.S., guarded at every point by an armed soldier (complete with bayonet) facing outward. Within the border, at the very center*, a single wispy-bearded, bespectacled bohemian, holding an anti-war protest sign and a "Down with the U.S. sign" and wearing an irritating smirk.
(The "center" would work here for graphic reasons, though we know in real life, the geographic center of the U.S. is actually very conservative and very supportive of those who defend the nation.)
If such a cartoon hasn't been penned, it should be.
I just returned ( about 15 minutes ago) from Sedona, Arizona. It is true. Far, far too many of the people visiting that town are complete and utter pagans. I am dismayed and disheartened.
How long with God tolerate this and withhold His wrath?
Our nation is literally in a Cold Civil War. I pray that God will stand by those fighting for our Constitution. By the way, I have noticed that the godless Marxists are not calling us the Constitution Worshipers.
ping
Yes,absolutely , he and Lt. Col West should become fellow members of Congress. Perhaps he will join West’s
Congressional staff.
This is a very good man.
Nations fall because a privileged, cancerous part of their people become unworthy of support or protection and cannot be removed from the society. The degenerates will never risk themselves to defend the nation, and when others will not, conscripted or otherwise, it is over.
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Poland; Soviet Union; German Democratic Republic; Romania . . .
Those who want to write a thank you to our troops or send a care package, please contact me via this troop support thread.
Amen.
Prior to the 2000 election (I think it was that one...) one color was for incumbent on the map and the other was for challenger (I don’t remember which was which right now). After 2000, the news media held the colors static... and I agree with the reasons you suggest.
I know the feeling alright. My youngest was in Jr. High when I retired and they’ve been out of the house for 10 years now but with all of the cuts, potential higher taxes etc permanent retirement will probably come when they plant me. The wife still thinks she will retire at 65 but I have serious doubts about that working out.
“I suffer the same malady.”
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Pure hell, ain’t it?
We cope, and accept that most men cannot be expected to withstand the burden we willingly carry.
Officers don't 'reup' and no one easily makes general.
His sentiments expresses perfectly what many many people are feeling. That this country has lost its way...perhaps my find it but with great difficulty since so much of the
moral righteous principles upon which it is founded has already been swept away from beneath it.
The heathens in control have done a lot of damage already.
He should join the TEA movement and run for office - the higher the better.
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