My first inclination is suicide as a cause of death. Some career military retirees can’t adjust to retirement.
That was my first thought too. I retired about the same time the report says he retired and, if I had next to no life after that, even though I've never been a depressive person, I would have got really depressed. Even though I'm fighting cancer, I have a loving family and my Church ministry.
Maybe he ended it all at the place he last felt some sense of self worth. Unless he left a note, we'll probably never know. Thank you for your service, sir, and may you rest in peace.
You are absolutely right. I retired in 2014 as a Commander and I am still adjusting. We get this itch every two years to change things becasue of the cycle we were on in the military. Has affected my mental health to the point I have quit several high paying Corporate jobs becasue I just cannot adjust to that lifestyle. I started out enlisted in 1987 and spent a little over 27 years in the military. I have several O-6 and O-7 retired friends who are really struggling.
All too true. In addition, for a squared away Marine in retirement these days, there is also the existential pain of wondering what their beloved Corps and country are becoming.