Door closes, door opens

[bigliver]

Yesterday I signed an acknowledgement that the Air Force no longer requires my service and that I am being medically separated. After 14 and a half years, my military career is rapidly coming to an end. I have severe knee issues that have plagued me for the better part of six years. The doctors finally caught up with me and the domino effect took over. It's kind of rough realizing you have spent almost all of your adult life serving and end that service with a 10% disability rating, equating to a one-time severance payment and a fast track to civilian life. I'm sad to be leaving. I've been so many places and I've done so much that I know I will miss my time here.

On a brighter note, I'm working to secure a job that will allow me to continue to utilize the skills the Air Force has taught me, remain on Okinawa, and continue to serve in virtually the same capacity I am at present. If all goes through, and it looks very probable that it will, I will continue to work as a civilian contractor with the same unit in which I am presently employed. Door closes...door opens.

My wife and are both very excited and very scared to begin this new journey. I am very thankful to the Air Force for equipping me with the skills that allow me to pursue this new road that has opened up before me. A Marine friend once told me, "Everyone has to put the pack down." It appears as though my time to do just that has come.

[pnoon]

Life is always full of surprises and changes. While this will be a significant change for you, it sounds like it will be for the good.

Thank you for your service and good luck in your future.
:salute:

[jonumberone]

Best wishes Jason!

Thankfully you have the opportunity you described and the ability to stay with your family!!
My brother who just left Oki, has been without his family for eight weeks now and it's killing him.

All the best brother :tu

[elderboy02]

Thank you for your service. Good luck! :tu

[Chingas]

Thanks for your service Brother. They say things happen for a reason, usually for the better. Lets hope THEY are right! Beat of luck to ou and your family adjusting to the changes.

[mosesbotbol]

If you get the contractor job, you'll be stoked! 14 years in AF should give you skills to land a job where ever you may end up.

[CigarNut]

Good luck Jason!

[BlackDog]

It sounds like you've got the right attitude to adapt to a change like this. Wishing you much luck in this new chapter of your life!

[shilala]

God Bless, brother. Thank You for your service. :tu

[RevSmoke]

Thanks for your service.

God's blessings on the venture.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[bobarian]

Good luck Jason! :banger

[Blindjimme]

Thank you for your service. Best of luck to you and the missus on your new future!

[IBQTEE1]

Thank you for your service. Good luck with everything.

[Skywalker]

Good thoughts and best wishes for your future!!!:tu

[bigliver]

Thanks everyone for all the support. I'll know in the next few weeks how things will pan out. Until then, I just have to keep leaning forward.

[icehog3]

Best of luck with the new opportunity, Jason, and thank you for 14 years of service. :salute:

[CasaDooley]

Good Luck Jason!:tu

[bvilchez]

Best of luck to you Jason. I'm trying to work on some orders to Oki myself. Hopefully you'll be around to smoke a few sticks.

[STEVE S]

Thank you for your service.
Best of luck to you and your family.

[hotreds]

Thank-you for your service, and best wishes for your future. May the rest of your life be the best of your life!

[kelmac07]

Best of luck to you Jason...keep that positive attitude brother!! :tu

[Blueface]

Definitely describes life for sure.
When one door closes, another opens.
Good luck to you.
Hope all works out.

[bigliver]

Best of luck to you Jason. I'm trying to work on some orders to Oki myself. Hopefully you'll be around to smoke a few sticks.

Looking forward to it Gunny.

[XTRazzer]

Thanks for your service and welcome back to civilian life.

While I'm not at all sure of your background, if you don't have a Bachelor's degree in some area begin working on it now. A good friend is a retired Navy CPO and even with all his credentials the contracting company wants him to get at least a Bachelor's degree (contractor can charge more for services if he has a degree).

[Don Fernando]

good luck with your new career

[bigliver]

Yesterday, I posted my resume. I got a quick response with a bunch of attachments. Tomorrow, I fill out the job applications. The day after...I'm thinking this will all work out for the best.

[bigdix]

It's all good brother!! Besides, with the pay raise...just think of that big fat Aristocrat humi and all the cigars you can buy to fill it with!! :tu