Am I Crazy?

Hey Everyone,

First off, Love the Site! Ton's of extremely helpful and constructive information. So, I'm pondering a career switch; I'm retired Military (Air Force, you know the kindler, gentler service...lol) and have been in the Admin career field my entire life (20 w/Military & 12 years since retiring).

I'm tired of the M-F 8-5 gig, etc. I just can't stand working in a cube anymore and want to see more of our great country I served (spent all my time overseas in the Mil so haven't seen much of it)

I've always loved big rigs and the trucking industry and I'm ready to make the leap. However, I will be giving up alot of benefits etc to make the jump. I work at a state university so get very generous vacation time, sick time, and another retirement but you know it just doesn't matter to me much anymore (am I crazy?).

I have a very supportive wife, the kids are grown and the grandkids are getting older also. We've lived apart in the past (did a 3 year long distance thing when I was stationed in England and her being here in Phoenix) we managed just fine (even before facetime etc) and she said she would support me in any decision I make.

Just wondering if anyone had 2nd regrets, things they would do differently etc. I'm ready to learn, have a positive attitude and ready to embrace the suck as they say. I've been looking at Jim Palmer and their military apprenticeship program and it seems like a great program.

thanks and will update if/when I make the jump.

all the best ladies and gents.

v/r

Mitch

"Persevere, Overcome & Adapt"

Congratulations on hooking up with this site. You WILL find all the answers to your questions here. The info here is deep and wide, funny and acerbic. You are not crazy, you will have a blast is my bet. Don't snuff out a dream worrying about a few dollars. (OK, more than a few)

Thank you for your kinder, gentler service, btw. My son just graduated Air Force basic in December and is heading to Lakenheath UK in April. HUA!!!!

First, thanks for your service.

Now, about all those wonderful benefits at the university. I'm guessing health insurance isn't a big deal because of your military retirement, but just how "generous" is that vacation time?

I know you love trucks, but unless you're an owner/operator, you're gonna be driving whatever they give you. Some are very nice, but they're usually nothing like we all drool over. Also, consider that (even though you don't need big bucks) trucking doesn't pay what a lot of people think is reasonable.

Although I spent 12 years in the military (10 Navy), I don't have a military retirement and benefits to fall back on. So I do this to provide for my family. If I had a decent military retirement plus a job that provided 4 weeks or more of vacation or paid time off, ;lus weekends, I'd seriously be looking for a used RV to see the country. Then you can pick and choose where you go and when.

Consider it like this; you were in the Air Force and I'll bet you'd agree there's a big difference in taking a military flight to Europe and taking a commercial airliner.

But if you still wanna drive, go for it! It's a decent living and you're right that you get to see lots of the country.

First, thanks for your service.

Now, about all those wonderful benefits at the university. I'm guessing health insurance isn't a big deal because of your military retirement, but just how "generous" is that vacation time?

Thank you Steve and thank you for your service as well. Ya, the vacation is ridiculous good (176 hours a year, plus you 88 hrs sicktime which you can accumulate as much as you want and sell it back at retirement).

The issue is that I still want to work (I don't want to be put out to pasture just yet) but I'm very very burnt out on being the "Admin Dude" lol... I don't plan on going O/O but just drive for the company. I do need the $$$$ as my Mil retirement isn't what it should be thanks to a former spouse.

Also, this might sound strange but I totally ready for a new challenge/learning opportunity. I actually miss difficult work that I had in the Military, civi life has been a difficult adjustment for me especially in my line of work, even after being retired for 12 yrs

cheers.

v/r

Mitch

Thank you for your kinder, gentler service, btw. My son just graduated Air Force basic in December and is heading to Lakenheath UK in April. HUA!!!!

Thank vendingdude! Your son is going to love Lakenheath! Tell him to get off base as much as possible and soak up the culture!

I definitely don't want to give up on a long time dream; I'll do some more research, life's too short not to at least give it a go.

Thanks for the info everyone!

v/r

Mitch

Mitch, If your Wife is behind your decision, you have a few bucks in the bank, I say Go For It. Go to a Company Sponsored School and give it a year of your life. You'll know by then if you want to pursue it further. Hey.......WHY NOT!!!

Well you already have sitting in a chair down pat... Couldn't resist a "chair force" pun.

Also I'd give it a bit longer than a year. (Sorry Tractor) That first year is more of a weeding out it seems. Get through it and keep your nose clean as they say and it gets easier with time and with that comes more money.

My wife is prior Navy and I sure do miss living on Guam. I even had a chance to stay and work on Anderson AFB. And during the winter it's hard to drive cause my foot is stuck pretty far up my own....

Well you already have sitting in a chair down pat... Couldn't resist a "chair force" pun.

Rotfl....well played!

My wife is prior Navy and I sure do miss living on Guam. I even had a chance to stay and work on Anderson AFB. And during the winter it's hard to drive cause my foot is stuck pretty far up my own....

Ah Guam, been there a fair few times TDY with the snake eaters (spec ops) loved it. You do know what Guam stands for right? Lol..if you do, you'll know what I'm talking about. Thanks for the heads up on giving it a go longer than a year or so.

all the best

v/r

Mitch

Mitch, If your Wife is behind your decision, you have a few bucks in the bank, I say Go For It. Go to a Company Sponsored School and give it a year of your life. You'll know by then if you want to pursue it further. Hey.......WHY NOT!!!

Thanks Tractor! exactly my thinking "sometimes you just have to say WTF"

I love driving truck, unfortunately my wife currently hates it. I spent 17 1/2 yrs in the military. I was put out because I blew my back out. At first I did Barbering. I enjoyed it, but the monotony of it. That and dealing with 1099s. I made great money Barbering, but I love the adventure in trucking. I love the traveling. I love cresting a mountain to see the splendor of the valley below and other mountains in the distance. I fully understand after all the travel and up tempo pace of the military, to grind a 9-5 is like slowly poisoning yourself.

Btw, I was Army Aviation, lol. Gawd, I miss flying.