This week I had the distinct honor and privilege of presiding over my Senior Enlisted Leader’s retirement. It was very humbling to have the experience of formally helping a trusted confidant say goodbye to their Air Force career, just as I had done one week prior. I started the drive to base and got a few kilometers down the road only to discover I’d forgotten my uniform top and my hat. Have I know I’ve been stressed with all the things, but have I really stepped so far away?
Many at the ceremony seemed surprised that I would have shown up in uniform at all. Their questions were a stark reminder of the major life change I’m just now really beginning to embark on. With the ceremonies over, commemorating the career’s end, what does life really look like for me in the actual day to day. After three days of leave, not a lot different, but many moments of realization that whatever gets done, or doesn’t get done in life, is now directly on my shoulders because the mission now is less clear, and accountability changed in a major way.
A big difference in the structure of work, isn’t all bad but definitely a change in the operational pattern. I have tried to do things everyday with all the major things I’m working on whether that’s the move, house remodel or building the business. It is a good thing that I like to work on multiple areas throughout a day to stay fresh and interested. Setting priorities, asking lots of questions and not procrastinating decisions is very critical right now.
I know there is still a lot of ambiguity in the question “Who am I now?” The one answer is a retiree with some time on their hands who can change and move their life any direction they choose. That seems pretty good for moment.