Retirement letter is in. Everything says wait till 30, but it's akin to a 20 hour drive, that last hour is the bitch.

October 2012

Good luck Scott,thank you for your service.

seeing some real lucky kids in the future.

Good for you, best to get out as early as one can afford to.
Nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I had kept working"

Best to you in your retirement Scott! I'm sure you'll make it so(grin)

Scott;
All the best to you in your retirement.

If you ever hit the road with all that time on your hands and get up this way, the meal is on me.

Dwayne

Congratulations on your retirement. Thank you for your service.

Congrats, Scott! I'm jealous! I hit my 20-year mark last month and am eligible to go, but plan on doing at least another 10-years and will re-evaluate things then. I like my job and if the next 10 go by anywhere near as fast as the fist 20, I'll be there in no time.

Congrats buddy!

but who is going to keep the pirates away now!?

Congratulations Scott!!!

And THANKS...

Hope you have a healthy and happy retirement.

Old bastid.

Enjoy it, you have earned it buddy. Find you something to do that u love so you don't get bored. You're still mighty young.

A whole new life awaits, with money in your pocket to boot.

That's hard to beat.

JM

Congrats Scott, thanks for you service, all you need now is to become a consultant and get paid what your really worth.

Congrats SH

Good on you!

Yes, thank you for serving. Hope this year ahead is a great one, and each year after better. Make it fun.

Good on you. I'm 2 years behind you and that will put me at 27.

Expat

30 years old, or 30 years service

You're retarded now!

Having a drink in your honor..

Enjoy your retirement and a big thank you for your service!

Congrats to ya Scott

Hell yeah, while you're young enough to enjoy it

Thanks!
g

Nice work and enjoy life.

Congratulations! Now life begins!
Prepare to be busier than you've ever been in your life.

Thank you for your service, sir.

Ed

Many thanks for all of the time and effort that you have put into serving your country and those of us that call this part of the planet home! Hope your retirement is everything you dreamed of.

Congratulations to you and your lady, and I wish nothing but the best of everything to both of you.

Mud

You gonna wander the earth like Kane in Kung Fu?

Well played. Good for you!

Nice! You earned it.

Congrats. Enjoy that which you've earned. I like the area you're in.

Be careful to those that opened the door, I'll have nothing but time.

To those that said thanks, nothing to say thanks for, though I appreciate it. It was a job, a job I enjoyed and an obligation I was happy to fulfill. So many before me that were far better and gave so much more.

Congrats, I envy the hell out of your situation.

Given any thought to what you'd like to do? That is the biggest blessing of not having to worry over how you'll pay the bills.

As of now the plan is strictly retirement. Thought I might do a part-time gig at Lowes for 2 years to get employee discounts for the [bleep] I'd like to do around the house.

Don't worry though, I fully intend on [bleep] up on the job, so as I don't get promoted. Paint on aisle 3 when I know full well it's on aisle 7.

I've no doubt I could run the store in 2 years but responsibility is overrated.

lol, good answer.

Go buy a nice used mill and lathe.

Got a couple actions I could send your way.

Be on the lookout for Steelhead rifle re-barreling in a few years. I'll have a range in my yard for test firing and will of course specialize in Ackley Improved.

Sounds like a fair good way to retire.

That would be good and would keep you out of mischief.

I think you are making the right decision. Wishing tou the best in your retirement.

I wish you the best.

I also expect dead speedgoat pics in the near future.

You know Scott, I don't know if it's the right decision, but it's a decision. What I do know is I don't have a career anymore when I HAVE to retire in 2 years, so it's time to get the afterlife moving.

Already have one I'm gonna send ya' when you hang out your shingle.

Congrats on the retirement!

Yep. I understand the urge. Sometimes it means you just get the urge to make a change and it turns out it is the right thing to do.

I think of life as one adventure after another. Sounds like your next adventure is just around the corner.

Looking at what Scott has done after retiring, it sets my mind into planning mode. I've got a good, not afraid of work, hippie gf that would be in heaven on a farm like that...as I would be.

Dude,

what about Adak? You missed your chance last time!

Sycamore

Ronnie Barrett started his business from his house. I could show you places that he had housed the business over the years, to where he is now.

NFL

No F'ing lime...

Liar. You will work harder than the guy next to you earning twice as much.

BMT

Thanks for your Service! My GF was 20 and out, and now hitting the books to go back and work for the VA. Not sure of the difference between 20 and 30, but she has been treated well at 20.

Again, Thank You.

schitt I can't get him out here...I tried tho

Be careful what you 'wish' for , I'll have NO work obligations to maintain.

I question a man that don't like chasin' speedgoats!!

Neat critters, good meat; the "McSwirley" of NA game animals.....(grins)

I just tuned in and didn't read the whole thread....


Has anyone told him he sucked yet??

Congrats Scott, lookin' forward to the retirement party threads!

That came up today, I said give me a kick in the ass and tell me good luck. When it's time, it's time.

Though you said it wasn't needed, thank you anyway for your service. Good to hear you enjoyed the job so much, so many aren't that fortunate. Now enjoy that time you've earned!!

That's great news Scott. I just came from my Sgt.'s retirement party. Of all the coppers I've worked with, he has had the most influence on my career (for the better). Good bosses are like hen's teeth.

Scott,

1. Thank you for your service to this great nation.
2. God bless you in your retirement; I wish you absolute happiness and satisfaction.
3. Please consider yourself invited for shooting and dinner anytime you pass through my neighborhood.

Take Care!

Good for you. A million shooting, hunting, fishing related things to do. Far as Lowe's I'd guess more like two weeks and feel pretty sure you'll not [bleep]. Don't think it's in your genes.

If your serious about the rebarreling gig, holler when you decide to do one or five. I've got a Husqvarna SR that needs a 6.5x55 barrel screwed on. No Ackley's unless it's a .223AI or .280AI.

Congrats, I still have a ways to go.

BTW you suck...

CONGRATULATIONS!

Glad to hear of it.

Blessings to you in this new stage of life.

MARK

Retirement,done right, is the A.I. version of having a real good job.

Enjoy it!

Not bad but NFL="not for long" or "not freakin' likely." Both apply, your choice.

Scott,

First of all, my friend, thank you for your service. Absolutely, every American is in your debt!

Also, I believe you'll never regret your retirememt. It's a wonderful time and for many of us it is the most productive part of our lifetimes.

I retired at 49 years of age and have never, ever had a second thought about that decision.

CONGRATULATIONS ... Karen and I wish you the very, very best that your new life has to offer.

Blessings,

Steve

That would be spot on..

Congratulations! It's not so much what you gave but what you offered to give. You wrote a blank check. Thank you for that.

I just poured three fingers of Jameson in your honor.

Semper Paratus! Bear

The best of luck to you my friend. May you have many happy days ahead.

Good for you Steelie, now you can go shoot some more deer with your colored rifles and ugly azz shirts.

good on ya lad

well done


now you can take that retirement money and develop weapons systems that are undetectable and troll the coast of Somalia, just think of it, every day OPEN SEASON!

some how whatever you do, I think you'll figure out a way to make certain that life don't suck. (grin)

Congratulations.

I just turned 60 and just received my first retirement check. For what I was spending on gas, my lunch, and a six pack a couple of days a week I came out about $300 less a month. My boat,jeep,truck,travel trailer,plotmaster, and my wife's car are all paid for. I figure I would be working for about $55-$60 a week.
My health is not as good as I would like for it to be but I am working on that. I've been working since I was 12 years old in the hayfield and I worked two jobs to get myself through college. I coached for 15 years, was an administrator for 6 years and taught for 35. I have not done anything for the past month except piddle w/my guns, plant my food plot, and dream. I didn't want to quit just yet and thought about going to 40years but I wanted to be able to enjoy a little of the simple life before I die.I am making a bucket list but even if I don't get to do any of them it will be fun just to dream.
So far after two months were doing fine and even have a little left over. We're not going to be able to go to the south of France every year but we do things as a couple to keep us close.
powdr

Scott,

Our Nation will be poorer without your service, but you have long ago earned your right to choose how and when you retire.

From us at the Campfire, you will remain a National asset.

And you have the respect and admiration of a grateful Nation.

Steve

Good luck with the new life Scott!

Congrats! I hope your next 30 years are filled with great times, great friends and a special woman!

Good for you man! Nobody to make happy but yourself, if you want to go a little early why the hell not. Thank you for serving, and do hope you get into some gunsmithing!

Maybe a stay-at-home Mom?

Good for you Scott.

Thank you for serving so long. I see many good hunts in your future.

Scott,

Come November 2012 you're welcome to hunt some deer in my camp - IN or KY take your pick...

Marty

Thank you for your Service,Sir. Keep your Rod tip up and your Powder dry. If your ever on the Middle Texas Coast, maybe we can catch a Redfish or Shoot a Hog.

Prayers sent!!!

And blow me. I've still got 20 more to go.


Clyde

I would buy a Book on the World according to Steelhead,topics like AI's,Fast small Calibers,Fowl Weather gear,Photography,Savage 99's,ect.

Scott
Congratulations! That is a big milestone. Thank you for serving, and making those sacrafices. Enjoy your retirement and any endeavours there after.

I sincerely hope you make it to Arizona sometime. The beer is on me.

Congrats and thank you very much for your service!

If you're ever around Michigan I'd be happy to buy you a meal and chat as well...

Didn't read through em all, but yes, thanks for your service definitely and enjoy this as much as you can. Its a new leaf in life!

LOL! Nice addition to my original post--how could I have forgotten the free legal advice?! But yes, that offer is made as well--but you'll need to live in Washington for it to be any good.

I felt the same way when I retired back in '99, but thanks anyway Scott. If you ever decide to come back to Alaska and make into south central, the drinks are on me. Just give me a fair warning so I can warn the wife and neighbors.

Young, healthy, and soon to be retired. Sounds perfect. Congratulations.

Congrats!

Blow me...

Come kill something here when you have the time.



Travis

Party!! I think another Texas shindig is called for. Pat can host

When and where?

Congrats Scott!

Congratulations! I'm jealous!

Congratulations, Scott.....enjoy it. Time is one thing they're not making any more of.

Congratulations and enjoy.

Congrats and holler if you get around E Texas.

Congrats! My official retirement date is 1 May 2012 (26 years USAF). I'll have to get a real job, though, got 3 little kids that'll need more than my retirement check can cover.

Wow, Scott! Congrats!

Congrats. We have a mutual acquaintance that is following suit.

Looks like my hunting calendar will be full for awhile. Thank you everyone.

I do think hunting shindig is in order.

If I do everything right my last day of work will be June 30th, assuming the retirement request is approved, but I can't think of a reason why it wouldn't be.

Congratulations, thank you, have fun!

Best to ya, and thanks for your service! Looking forward to more great photos...

All kidding aside, I believe Steelhead is one that most anybody would enjoy sharing a campfire with.
I gather though that SH does not miss Alaska enough to move up there.

After 18 years of retirement I long ago lost any desire to go back to full time work.

Jim

Well, ya gotta invite to hunt northern MN if/when you want.

Maybe better, maybe not. Who's to say? The fact is, you gave of yourself, and it's appreciated. Enjoy retirement. (If you get up to PA. again, let me know. I'll have a cold one ready.)

Congrats Steelhead. If you ever get to Wis., let me know and we can have a cold one.

I did it on my time schedule and it worked out to 29 1/2. The best part of working after your career is that you go to work and do one job, maybe two, and we were used to wearing 5 or 6 hats on any given day. You're gonna like "retirement". It's not the same CG we joined anyway....but all the old timers said that FWIW, I would have stayed past 30 if allowed. I loved it.

This calls for a bottle of scotch...LOL

That would keep me working for a few more years...