I was carpooling into work a couple of weeks ago with my son who had just graduated from AMT "A" school. As we approached the bases front gate, I happened to look over at him and saw him sitting there with his 3rd class collar devices. I thought to myself, it's his Coast Guard now, and typed up my retirement memo up later that day!
Along the same line, when one of my old shipmates daughter reported aboard as a PO3, same thing, it was getting on time to leave. Other consideration were involved, but that "new" watch played a part.
Mastersmate, Thanks, I believe I will. When I came home that night and let the wife know, she about jumped for joy! I've thought about this for a few years now, and the time never seemed quite right, but it does now! The other part of the equation, he married a YN3, so technically I am leaving behind two replacements!
When a guy that I was stationed with when I was a SN and he was a LTJG (or as I preferred, "Ensign Senior Grade") gets his star the same time as me, him as RALH and me as SCPO.
I didn't feel old when a SCPO I was stationed with as PO1 retired - but I felt old when his son retired.
It was time to retire when Norm Saunders didn't make Commandant and Bill Fels didn't make Rear Admiral.
