Lower Expectations the Answer?

I retired as an Air Force cook 10 years ago. I attended two TAP sessions and quite frankly neither one met my needs to join the "real world." 

I swore I would be happy just digging ditches and painting lines on the road. My wish came true. 

For the last 10 years I have been working at my city's water plant. The pay, then and the pay now, isn't so great but I made a lot of friends. I have four children and we are happy with the simple life. Sounds crazy but lowering your expectations and not letting money drive you is the way to go.

(Submitted by Rich J)

Comments

[Charles Trudell]

Rich:

You are right. We should always
keep our expectations optimistic
and realistic at the same time.
I am a veteran of the Army and
Air Force Reserve and have learned
the above lesson in many wonder-
ful and progressive ways.

Have a good day and progressive
week ahead.

[Honie]

I agree with lowering your expectations because people in the civilian sector often do not understand or don't appreciate all the effort and hard work that goes into military careers. If you lower your expectations you're not giving up or giving in, you're allowing yourself to not get hurt. So when something more comes, its a plus! Hooah! Take care and God speed.

[James Brown]

BULL CRAP !!! Lowering your expectations is a defeatist attitude!!! If you lower your expectations, you are lowering your standards!!! The Corps obviously teaches a different mind set!!! Set your goals high, but have milestones (stepping stones) to reach that ultimate goal!!! Sorry, I don't buy the "lowering your expectations" crap!!! If you do that, you also lower your family's values and what you as a provider should be able to do for them!!!

If you are happy, then that's on you...Hope you are able to provide for your family properly...Remember, you are the one who brought them into this world...Teach them to have higher expectations!!!

James Brown
USMC E-9, Retired

[Vern P.]

For James,

James,
Take it easy....it'll be alright, the war's over and our side won.

If Rich is happy and content with his decision, so be it. I was "balls to the walls" for almost 21 years so I've earned my time to kick back a little and enjoy the life I've earned.

[Cpl Marcos Garcia-Lopez]

OoRah SgtMaj Brown! The Corps definitely instills the principles of never lowering expectations and keeping them high. Since returning from Iraq and completing my contract I've had huge sense of pride and faith that I will accomplish BIG things. That's because I've learned to value my self-worth thanks in large part to The Corps. To my brothers and sisters-in-arms I say to always believe in yourself and particulary to Rich J-"AIM HIGH!"
-Cpl Garcia-Lopez, over and out-OoRah!

[John]

For everyone above, I'm more with James on this, I agree that lowering your expectations is wrong, but if you listen to what he says it doesn't mean that you can't start out lower than what you are worth.

Sure, anyone with +20 has served their time and deserves a break,take it, but don't deprive yourself of your potential just because the first thing you get isn't what you are worth.

And James, it isn't the Army attitude, maybe Air Force though! don't let a few speak for the many. (Fun fact: Airmen and Marine use the exact same letters, just turned around)

John
USA, E-7, Retired

[Alex]

It is totally understandable to have that type of attitude in this economy. But like SgtMaj/MasterGunz said, you are setting yourself up for failure if you come out with that attitude. There is no reason you cannot find a fullfilling well paid job in the civilian sector and enjoying your retirement. I work for the railroad now, and the work isn't half as hard as my time in the corps building ordnance 24/7 out in iraq.

to John, first I ever heard the Airmen/Marine thing, thats cute! Marines and Airmen are about as opposite as you can get! I aint ragging on the Airforce, just saying its "different" than the corps.
Semper Fi

Sgt Applegate (former)
9 years USMC
droppin warheads on foreheads!
IYAOYAS

[C Josey]

James you made a good point when you said, "Set your goals high, but have milestones (stepping stones) to reach that ultimate goal". That's good, but don't put the man down if they are content. What is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul (happiness)? Don't be so hard on people.

[OS1(SW/AW) Anthony Barnes]

Personally, I had to lower my expectations for my initial entry into the civilian world. Why? Because the reality is that people out here don't really care what you have done in the military. Unless you are able to directly transition your skills into a civilian career, you have to re-invent yourself. All sailors/marines/soldiers/airmen have a ton of "soft-skills" to make them successful however, until you acquire a skill of value to a civilian company, they mostly cannot be showcased. After doing some soul-searching and some educating, just like in the military, once you learn how to work the system and position yourself for success, you can achieve anything with determination. I think Rich J just realized he had his own personal priorities askew and he realigned them accordingly. No knock on him at all.

[D. Puckhaber, HM1 retired]

Rich, I'm glad that you're happy. It takes a lot to be happy these days. You did not lower your standards. Too many people aren't realistic. Raise your family with kindness, and teach them morals. Two main things this country is lacking.