Five Years Removed

Today marks five years since retiring from the military! Five years passed in a flash. So much happened; there was a global pandemic, two different employers, elections, new house, kids in college…the list goes on! I am not sure I’ve ever seen a five-year span so crammed with change. Not exactly what I pictured in my mind when thinking about military retirement!

I suppose I can’t call myself a “recent” retiree anymore. While I’m a Soldier for life, I can feel myself further detached from the profession of arms. Those I mentored while in uniform are senior leaders now or retired themselves! Like all things, the military changed over the years. It’s hard to imagine it’s been over 30 years since I began my military adventure.

I’m not declaring mission complete, but I believe my transition from Soldier back to civilian is pretty much done. I suppose I relate to my civilian world more now than my former life. About this time each year, I’ve shared in blogs reflections about the transition back to the civilian world since retirement. After five years, this will be my last blog on the topic.

So, what did I learn in year five? First and foremost, there is nothing that can compare to serving your country. I am just not convinced for the average joe military retiree there will ever be anything in our lives as rewarding and fulfilling as the profession of arms. I have struggled mightily with this fact over the past five years but have accepted it. It’s time to move on.

Another thing I’ve learned is putting down roots is harder than it looks. Shifting focus from being a good Soldier to things like sending the kids to college, new homes, caring for extended family is pretty challenging. In some regards, it is more difficult than just grinding through day-to-day life in the military. Everything from, “is that the right color of paint for the bedroom,” to “how do we handle caring for our sick relative” has come up over the past five years. Never had these challenges before!

And then the final lesson learned about transitioning from the military- it’s not the only or even the toughest transition we’ll experience. Five years ago, I thought military retirement was the biggest transition I’d face, but now I’m not so sure. There are transitions in just about everything; transitions in family, jobs, kids, you name it. Retiring from the military is just one of many we’ll encounter in our life.

What I do know is trying to make sense of retiring from military service prepared me for the transitions yet to come. Sending the kids to college, changing jobs, retiring for good, caring for aging relatives will inevitably happen, just like our separation from the military. If I’ve learned anything over the past five years it’s that life marches on, you better be ready!  

Transition and change are inevitable. Reflect on it, deal with it and then move on. Transitioning out of the military seems like a big mountain, but it is just one of many we’ll encounter. All a part of our journey here on the third rock!

Looking for a good how-to on wealth building? Check out my book, Millionaire on a Worker’s Budget: Five Financial Truth’s to Build Wealth on sale now at Amazon!

Interested in rental property investing? Look for Collect Rent, Don’t Pay It: A Beginner’s Guide to Rental Property Investing on Amazon to learn how our family turned rental property investing into a successful side hustle!

Look for, Being Frugal, a Truth to Build Wealth, coming to Amazon in early 2025!

Use the links in the about section below to follow on social media or subscribe for emails to receive updates on the latest weekly blog at www.normspivey.com!