I almost retired overseas from the military but then changed my mind

My promotion ceremony to Navy Commander September 2021.

I decided this last month to continue serving in the Navy and keep going after 27 years of service. Ultimately, among other reasons, there was still some room left for me to make an impact on the teams I serve on, so it was right for me to carry on.

While everyone has their considerations for such a decision, I found these top three questions helpful as I made my life-altering choice. They may help you as well. 

What do you want to do with your time? 

Understanding how I feel invigorated sustains me when I have those tough days at work. That’s why despite the numerous restrictions on being a military storyteller, it’s still what I enjoy doing. Writing and telling stories I do for the love of the craft, I took that as a sign I could be happy continuing. Are you presently in a career that allows you to do the same?

Are you ready to invest the time in preparing to transition? 

You can find people who talk about military transition right on LinkedIn. Alfredo 🤘 Torres, Olivia Nunn, Michael Quinn, Bruce Thompson, MBA, are four notable examples of those giving back on this platform. There are many, many more. These leaders do this work from a place of passion for helping those transition just a little easier than they had it. Check out their postings for their transition tips. 

You may also want to attend the military’s transition assistance weeklong course, which you can do as long as you consider retiring in two years. Start building a spreadsheet with what you intend to claim for disability compensation if you file. Make sure to have documentation of every visit for care uploaded to your medical record. Several conditions are now documented in my record thanks to the UK National Health System I use while serving overseas. It turns out I was hurting myself by not getting care for deployable conditions, several of them regarding mental health. Please do not be me. Get the care you need. And you might want to stay on the Tricare system to get a documented diagnosis from a specialist (this is key, not just from a GP) and have a treatment plan BEFORE you transition. 

Can you sustain yourself (and your family) by transitioning, and if so, how long? 

This question weighed heavily on my heart because we can afford to live off my pension as a Navy commander with one stay-at-home spouse and one dog, no debt, and sizable savings. I could retire, volunteer for causes I’m passionate about, and spend more time traveling. However, I have a short-term rental that’s just beginning to turn a profit, and intend to buy another. This option secures long-term financial stability. 

Are you in the right location to transition? 

It’s essential to figure out where you want to live. Do you need to be closer to aging parents? Do you want to live in the best state to take advantage of veteran and tax benefits? We currently live overseas without permanent location, so we wanted a stateside residence before leaving. This enables us to travel throughout the United States after our time in the UK. You might want the military to situate you in your desired permanent destination before retiring so you have a few years to settle in. 

Are there any questions and/or factors that helped you make this choice? Feel free to let me know in the comments. 

Ultimately our time on this earth is so precious and so valuable. Use it wisely to find your peace and happiness, surrounded by good people, doing something that brings joy to yourself and others. 

By doing so, you are leaving behind a lasting and positive legacy. 

I wish you all the best with your decision.