The Road We All Travel

Sooner or later the adventure comes to an end. Then we have memories and a lot of stories to tell. Veterans and first responders experience the same thing. One chapter closes and another opens. Our career of service ends and we begin retirement in some form or fashion. Some of us move to another full time job, some a part time job, some volunteer, some travel, some pursue hobbies and some find themselves quite lost. But no matter what, all travel the retirement road with all its twists, turns and scenic pullouts. If this is something that we all experience then why are so few of us prepared for retirement?

Consider this conversation that I recently had with a first responder days from retirement; Me: “What are you going to do when you retire?” Them: “Sit on the couch.”. In order to prepare for the first part of my journey, I worked, worked in a related field, went to college, interned at a law enforcement agency and spent untold hours gathering information (researching, ride alongs, conversations etc.) that would guide my decisions about what I was going to do and for whom I was going to work. As I approached retirement, I approached it differently. I somehow believed that this new chapter would write itself and that I did not need to plan, prepare and educate myself. While I concede that this retirement chapter does not require the same level of preparation as the previous chapter, it most certainly did require planning and preparation.

What I learned from my journey and those willing to share their journeys with me is that planning for retirement is no different than any plan we conceived of during our careers. There is a famous quote “No plan survives first contact with the enemy” that is attributed to a 19th century Prussian Field Marshall. It seems quite fitting for retirement too. Have a plan going into retirement. It will lead to another plan, and another and, quite possible another. All the while, you will travel this interesting road with many of your friends and coworkers and share new adventures with them. Each plan leads to opportunities, connections and relationships.

I miss policing. I the unprecedented opportunities that it gave me to help those in need, see to the needs of victims, and catch and prepare for prosecution those who had victimized them. I especially miss the tactical team that I was blessed to have been a part of, the Special Investigations Section and all the wonderful, talented people that made it special, and the last Patrol shift I worked with. Some days, I miss them so badly that it’s hard to actually define, but I cannot linger in that last chapter. The pages turn and I have found it best to lean into retirement with effort, vigor and my eyes forward.

All that said, I also love my part time job and the adventures it has taken me on. I have learned so much, met wonderful new people, made new friends, faced new challenges and, no doubt, become a better version of myself. I also pursue my hobbies, friendships, travel and a wide variety of activities that keep me constantly busy. My journey, my retirement road is not unusual. Many friends and acquaintances experience the same thing once they realize they have to get off the couch. After full careers doing what we have done, veterans and first responders have a great deal to offer in the workplace, as volunteers and in the world in general. In return, if you aren’t careful, you’ll find yourself becoming a better version of yourself along the way. Look forward. Never forget where you came from. Never forget those who helped you get there, those who sacrificed all and never forget the incredible previous chapter you’ve had.

But…look forward.