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Thursday, September 1, 2011

OCS

OCS.  Obsessive Compulsive Syndrome?  Nope.  Old Cranky Sucker?  Nope.  Officer Candidate School?  Nope.  How about Old Crummy Shoes?  Nope.

It stands for "Official Civilian Status".  Today, September 1, 2011 is the first day since March 17, 1981 that I have been a civilian.  Yesterday, on a visit (the last one) to the headquarters of the Coast Guard Investigative Service, I picked up my retired badge and credentials, mounted in a frame (now where am I going to be able to hang that in the Journey?) and more importantly, my DD-214 document which releases me from active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard, with an Honorable Discharge (how did that happen?).

So now I can sit back, watch Oprah on TV with my Bon Bons and Diet Coke and enjoy retirement.  If the house would hurry up and sell, we sure don't intend on just sitting around.  As soon as the house sells, Marti's going to join me in retirement and yes, I will share my Bon Bons with her because I know what's good for me!

I've crossed the finish line.  Funny, I joined the Coast Guard for a two year test drive.  Where did the time go?  Who cares?  Let the pension checks begin!  :c)

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19 comments:

  1. Travels with EmmaSeptember 1, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    Congratulations ORG! (Old Retired Guy) :)

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  2. owensontheroadSeptember 1, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    LOB *lucky old b(ahem)*
    Good for you! Soon and soon it will happen!

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  3. Jim and SandieSeptember 1, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Congrats. I got rid of all the wonderful "retirement" stuff from the Feds that I got. As long as they send me my check every month (at times that is in doubt) I don't want anything else from them.

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  4. JBSeptember 1, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Congrats Paul on joining this club. I am sure that, like me, it will take you an hour, hour and a half, to get used to the lifestyle.

    But who's got time for Bon Bons and Diet Coke?? LOL

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  5. Rick and Elaine NBSeptember 1, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    Well congrats to you HRG (happy retired guy) welcome to the club..and here's hoping the house sells really fast for you...!!!!

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  6. Wanderin'September 1, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    Now wait a minute. There is another little perk that you will probably enjoy along with those checks. It's the FamCamps that are available to you. Or, did you forget all about that??

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  7. Chuck and Anneke's RV travelsSeptember 1, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    Congratulations, I hope your period of withdrawal will be short:)

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  8. Nancy and BillSeptember 1, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    You may have crossed one finished line, but you are just about to start having the time of your life!!

    Hope your house sells soon, but if not get off that sofa...forget the Bon Bons, Diet Coke and Oprah and go find the fun in your area:o))

    We want to see and read about all the neat things you find to do. Consider it "Basic Training" for the real travel adventures to come;o))

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  9. Rick and Elaine NBSeptember 1, 2011 at 7:50 PM

    Congrats Paul it will take some time to get familiar with retirement but keep practicing thats what I have been doing since June 10 and I am getting the hang of it pretty good have to be ready for the snowbird migration and want to be in tip top shape for that.

    Rick

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  10. Tumbleweed DeeSeptember 1, 2011 at 8:09 PM

    Ahhh that ORG (old retired guy) feeling will be the ultimate in about 24 hrs.

    Be SURE to get copies and keep that DD214 safe. My mom after many many years needed hers yesterday to get VAsupplement for the assisted care facility. She had it!

    Have fun and ENJOY! I hope you sell the house real soon.

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  11. ErinSeptember 1, 2011 at 8:53 PM

    Congratulations on receiving OCS status ... it must be a nice feeling after some many years of duty ... and perhaps a bit odd ... but the Bon Bons will help with the adjustment ... and I say go for the real thing ... what's this about a DIET Coke anyway! :-))

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  12. SherrySeptember 1, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    Congratulations!! 30 years is a LONG time.

    So now you have time to get that Craigslist house posting done and maybe even get a sandwich board and do some house promotion!! :-)

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  13. Mike and TerriSeptember 1, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    Congratulations! Can't wait until Marti's retired too, and then you'll be an HRC (happily retired couple).

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  14. Sue MaloneSeptember 1, 2011 at 11:17 PM

    Congratulations on your retirement. It is an exciting time and as someone else mentioned, it takes about a minute to get used to it. I was also going to mention the FamCamps. They are a great benefit, and often very very nice.

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  15. Sue and DougSeptember 1, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    Cheers my friend!..and congrats on your official retirement!..now as for Oprah?...well..there is always the soap operas!..young and the restless is my fave!!

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  16. Gin and SylSeptember 2, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    Now that you are officially a civilian again, I'm sure it feels a bit odd. That will only last a couple of days. Thank you for your service and enjoy your freedom.
    Syl

    ps...the plaque will go nicely on the bedroom wall in the Journey. Use velcro-like Command Strips.

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  17. Catherine, Jo Beth and GraceSeptember 2, 2011 at 8:54 PM

    Congratulations, you are going to love it!

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  18. Barbara and RonSeptember 3, 2011 at 7:53 PM

    Congratulations on your official status. Hey! You can stay cheaply at the FamCamps, most importantly in Key West.

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  19. DianaSeptember 7, 2011 at 1:45 AM

    Ditto what my sis said - Congrats, and I sure wish I could stay in Key West for less than $100 per night! I think you should head down there just to get your money's worth.

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