Losing my job

I have served in the Air Force and Air National Guard for more than 32 years. I just found out this week that, because of my diabetes, I am being forced to retire.

So now a new chapter... Right now I'm scared to death because I don't have a clue what I am going to do. I will hopefully have about four months to figure this out. I need to take a serious "the glass is half full" approach.

So what am I going to do? Find another government job? Go back to school? I'm 51 and maybe it is too late for me to start over.

Should I pursue my dream? I have been thinking for many years about becoming a brewer. Should I for once in my life try to do the one thing I want to do? Is it even possible? Do I need to go to school?

What should I do?

My thought would be a government job due to the retirement and tenure roles over. Other option, depending on your MOS, would be find a good civil job and depending on pay and benefits go there....

Brewer... go for it! But perhaps instead of brewing put money in with others and open a microbrewery in an area that does not have it. Then you have the benefit of being a part of a brewery; but also have the ability to bring money in from other sources (food, drinks, and such).

Good luck man! Keep that blood sugar correct and watch out! My grandfather died of diabetes and my father was recently diagnosed with it too. So stay healthy and get some running in Chairforce (In the Army so gotta poke a jab).

I'm scheduled to retire from my Gov'ment job at the end of Feb. Should put me a bit closer to 37 years service.

They're sending me to Korea for 2 weeks in Jan to conduct training so I'll probably hang araound to the end of March just to make sure all the paperwork is done properly.

I don't have any advice for you, Rich, but want you to know you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

wow... thats intense. ive only been in the "legal" workforce for 7 years.. a drop in the bucket compared to 30+. how do you do it? being at the same job for so long. i can't imagine anything i would do that long. i always have to change it up or i get bored. my record thus far is 2.5 years at one employer.

can you live on your military pension?

seriously, if you can make ends meet on that, i'd say feck it and relax for a year or so.

Dalarast said:

Good luck man! Keep that blood sugar correct and watch out! My grandfather died of diabetes and my father was recently diagnosed with it too. So stay healthy and get some running in Chairforce (In the Army so gotta poke a jab).

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I am watching out. My ex doesn't even try to control hers and I'm watching her slowly lose her eyesight. Too many bad things happen if you let it go. Hey! You be careful too! If it is in the family then you have a very good chance of getting it. The best way to avoid it is to keep your weight down and exercise regularly.

mordantly said:

wow... thats intense. Ive only been in the "legal" workforce for 7 years.. a drop in the bucket compared to 30+. how do you do it? being at the same job for so long. i can't imagine anything i would do that long. i always have to change it up or i get bored. my record thus far is 2.5 years at one employer.

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I grew up in a different culture. My dad worked at Gates Rubber Company making radiator hoses for more than 30 years. That is how I thought it was done. I don't think many people stay in one job for long these days. I don't think either way is right or wrong. Maybe the new culture is better. Biggest issue I have right now is that I hate change. Folks are telling me I should embrace what has happened. I'm working toward that but I am not there yet.

uglygoat said:

can you live on your military pension?
seriously, if you can make ends meet on that, I'd say feck it and relax for a year or so.

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I will actually start to collect a civil service pension (if I don't find another federal job). It won't even be close to enough to make ends meet. I would like to relax but realistically I know that it is just better for me to do something no matter what.

Dalarast said:

So stay healthy and get some running in Chairforce (In the Army so gotta poke a jab).

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I have nothing but admiration for everyone in the service. Especially the Army and Marine corps. You guys have the tough job. When I was in Iraq we were behind the "fence". When a rocket attack came in we went into the bunkers. The Army went out to try and find the people who did it.
I'll happily take some ribbing from you!

Go back to school, maybe try something that you have always wanted to pursue but never did, you will probably enjoy it. My dad is in a technical school right now and once he got over the fears of going back after so long, he is really enjoying it. Once he is done, he will have more opportunities... He was one of the many victims of the auto industry, so a little bit different than your situation.

RichBrewer said:

I will actually start to collect a civil service pension (if I don't find another federal job). It won't even be close to enough to make ends meet. I would like to relax but realistically I know that it is just better for me to do something no matter what.

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Damned tough break. You might find these sites useful:

http://www.usajobs.gov/homeland.asp

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CO-Portal/CXP/1165693060229

http://www.usajobs.gov/

At least it's a start. I like the back to school and the partners in brewing ideas too, maybe combine the two & go back to school for a degree in brewing. Good luck to you! Regards, GF.

What you have four months to do is figure out how long you can live without working. If that's a couple years, start checking out schools or local breweries. I can tell you that unless you are in good physical condition, being a small brewer will be difficult. Now, if you get a few courses on brewing under your belt, you can talk to the larger places.

I retired five years ago. My income dropped by a factor of 10 and then two years ago went negative with the stock market. Part of my planning was being debt-free and owning my house outright. Since I was in IT, there really isn't any chance I can get back into it. I doubt if there is a single company in Oregon that could use someone with my skills, not that anyone is hiring. It's amazing how many "important" things can be dropped out of the budget, if you really need to.

Become a brewer, but use someone elses money. There is no reason that you can't become relatively successful within ten years starting now. And fullfilling a dream is always a good way to go. It will be hard and you might fail, but you won't be using your money so all is well.

If you can't live off your pension somewhat, then you might not want to become a brewer and fight the uphill battle for ten years. Good luck and tough decision.

Dunno Rich, but good luck with whatever course of action you take.

Rich,

There are several Jobs out there for you, I have a great fear of catching the "diabetes"
I have a long family history of it, I know that you have to look carefully at the jobs many of them are dual status (like mine)


You are a strong person. After the past few years, you should be able to take this in stride.

I do wish you the best luck. and start beating down the door of the retirement office, In the army we have the ACAP program.

I think this is for you
http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/

mordantly said:

wow... thats intense. ive only been in the "legal" workforce for 7 years.. a drop in the bucket compared to 30+. how do you do it? being at the same job for so long. i can't imagine anything i would do that long. i always have to change it up or i get bored. my record thus far is 2.5 years at one employer.

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Oh, I hear you on the boredom...I've actually had a number of jobs during my Government career.

7 years Army (4 years in Germany), 5 years as a Small Arms repairer/Inspector, 7 years as an Integrated Logistics Support Manager (after an Internship), 2 years as a maintenance tech on artillery and mine dispensing equipment, 8 years as a Weapons LAR (deployed to Kosovo twice, planned deployment to Iraq before moving back Stateside from Germany, but that didn't happen), and now coming up on 6 years as an Equipment Specialist for the M109A6 Paladin, but these jobs were always with Uncle.

I had other jobs before and after joining the Army. One of my best was delivering Western Union telegrams (on a 10-speed) in Atlantic City, NJ for a couple of years as a teenager.

I hope all turns out well.
I'm sure it will.

I know this is very scary for you and things are not the way you planned. I'll buy you a virtual beer, and your "imaginary friends" are here for you if you need us.

I know that advice to "look on the brightside" sucks, so I won't say that. It's ok to vent, be angry, stomp your feet, whatever you need to do.

Just let me know if I can do anything to help (besides offer you a nice summer vacation place for a week or two- that offer always stands). I'll keep you in my thoughts, Rich.

Thank you everyone for the nice thoughts and suggestions!

I know that somehow everything will work out and I will be better for this change in my life.

Stay tuned for updates as I progress forward.