One signature away from transitioning from US Army Active duty to civilian life.... Post your fav co

2ltdjorn

Well met with my Company Commander for my final signature. A fellow who is unable to separate personal from professional life. He initially refused to shake my hand, and did so reluctantly after I insisted.... He remained seated the whole time, and never made eye contact. After 4 years as a medical officer in the us army, with overseas deployment to Afghanistan is it crazy I am a little irritated? During my deployment my wife, also active duty army, was pregnant and delivered while I was overseas. My first born had trouble at birth requiring ICU care for 9 days. My Co commander told me he would send me home if and only If he died. So a year later.... My wife and I turned down over $200,000 in bonuses to remain on active duty. So as of last week my wife is now a civilian, and I am 1 signature away from joining her. I am awaiting on 2 applications for graduate school, and tomorrow I have my first job interview! Wish me luck.

In my 4 years I have cared for quadruple amputees, privates, 4 star generals, senators, and vice presidents. I don't expect a lot... But one should always stand when shaking hands, and always look another in the eyes!


Please post your fav coin if you agree!

lkeigwin

I'll bet you have a very successful civilian life. And thank you for your service! (I agree about the stand-and-eye thing.)
Lance.

OldEastside

I have a lot of favorite coins but more importantley

THANK YOU

Steve

MilkmanDan

Indeed, thank you for your service.

Here's a coin from my locale, the SF Bay Area was historically very military oriented, defensively. Times have changed.

Justacommeman

Thank you Daniel!

MJ

FullStepJeffs

You know when it's time to go... I don't regret the decision to retire at all. No more stress. More power to ya!

Steve

My favorite coin:

MsMorrisine

when two people with strong feelings but differing opinions meet.....





as the coin turns...

LochNESS

Thank you for your service, and the personal sacrifices you made. It's a shame there are some people who will never understand or appreciate those sacrifices (it sounds like your Co commander was such a person? ironic?). If I could make one wish for you, it would be that those types of people wake up and recognize all that you gave to defend our country.

I can only think of two coins to post. The first represents some of my own service, though not nearly as important as yours, when I volunteered to assist athletes of the 1996 Paralympics. My father was handicapped so it was close to my heart:



The second is relevant for obvious reasons:

MICHAELDIXON

He initially refused to shake my hand, and did so reluctantly after I insisted.... He remained seated the whole time, and never made eye contact.

Your 4 years must have been spent in medical units. My 20 years was spent mostly as an enlisted Combat Engineer and I can tell you I have seen many officers act that way. The ones who did were usually the ones who graduated from THE military academy and thought they were privileged. Don't take it personal, it is the culture of the "Fraternity." Since retiring, I have ran into some of the biggest dirtbags I knew as officers. Most have been humbled, as they are no better than anybody else in the civilian world. I was told once whenever I had a family crisis: "If the Army would have wanted you to have a family, they would have issued you one." Regardless of how the Army has changed to be more family oriented, it will always be Mission First.

Best of luck and remember: The Civilian world IS all it is cracked up to be!

OPA

Having spend my tour of duty in the mid 60's, 11th Armored Cav. Regiment, I appreciate your service and good luck in your next career.

DorkGirl

Thank you for your service.

1tommy

Thanks for your service and welcome back to civilian life. Did my time from 75 to 77 and glad to have served. Having to use there medical services now reminds me of my time In. Hurry up and Wait....But trust me I truly appreciate the benefits they supply to the Veterans, and you and the wife will have that too. Enjoy

crypto79

<< <i> Regardless of how the Army has changed to be more family oriented, it will always be Mission First.

Best of luck and remember: The Civilian world IS all it is cracked up to be! >>



This is a brilliant perspective from Dixon. I did 8years mostly in special operations after going through the Q course for SF. I refused to reup after multiple combat tours and with multiple more in the pipeline staring down at the team. I was called everything in the book but at the end of the day you have to do what is best for you because it is really just background noise from people you will never see again either way.

There will come a time as a civilian that you regret getting out and times where you will thank your lucky stars, stay the course and treat everything like you're still in and you will be fine. Congrats

BillJones

I want to thank you for your service to our country. I could never have done what you have done because I'm too much of a "loose cannon." You have served us for four years, and your wife has given us her all as well. Thank you, and congratulations on your years of service.

It's a shame that your Company Commander is acting the way that he does, but sometimes you run into a "true believer" who puts his opinions and interests ahead of everything else. He seems to have forgotten that maintaining the morale of his unit is also one of his most important responsibilities. Those guys are in the civilian world too. I once knew a big boss who worked for the company 24/7/365. When he was on vacation he was calling in every day with work questions, and he expected everyone under him to do the same, even when they were on vacation. You guy is extreme, especially when it comes to family matters and the birth of your child. You should not feel guilty. His attitude is his problem, not yours.

As for me favorite coin, here are three.

This 1805 dime really kindled my interest in early U.S. coins. It has been one of my favorites since I bought it back in the 1970s.



This 1792 half disme was probably made from silver supplied by George Washington. It also has a strong claim as the first U.S. coin.



And this 1795 half eagle, the first U.S. gold coin.

TRADECOIN

Thank you for your Service . Welcome home .

lordmarcovan

Though not necessarily favorites, and all part of my bygone 2007-08 Roman Imperial collection, I think these four are appropriate, as you will see. The Romans were not shy about glorifying their military. Why should they have been? It made them the mightiest empire known to civilization up to that point.

(There are also some ancients with a caduceus on them, and deities befitting a medical theme, but I don't have any offhand).

Here we go. Four late Roman bronzes with a military theme.


#1- Maximian, 286–305 AD, CONCORDIA MILITVM - "unity of the army (-ies)". That's Victory between the two soldiers.





#2- Delmatius (aka "Dalmatius") Caesar, 335-337 AD, GLORIA EXERCITVS ("glory of the army").





#3- Constantine II, 337–340 AD, GLORIA EXERCITVS .





#4- Constans, 337–350 AD, GLORIA EXERCITVS.




Actually, that Constantine II was a bit of a lesser favorite in my old collection, right behind an even nicer Licinius with desert patina. I love desert patina- it really makes the design features on a coin "pop"! Plus these pieces like the Constantine II above not only had sweet patina but sharp details, too, and they were cheap! Only about 20 bucks a pop! I'd buy 'em like that all day long, until I ran outta money. Nowadays you can expect to pay a little more for nice pieces like that on dealer websites, but if you cherrypick carefully enough, they can still be found for a song.

I salute you, sir, and thank you for your service. Stare into the monitor real closely and I'll look you in the eye as I digitally shake your hand.

renomedphys

Here's a Civil War DCAM:

Swampboy

Thank you for your service...for your family's sacrifice.

Re: the hand shake thing.

I raised three daughters and always refrained from commenting or criticising the men they brought around.( a great policy I can now recommend)
Only once did a daughter ask my opinion aobut a beau she was serious about and I had to reply that I had a funny feeling about a man (20) who wouldn't look me in the eye while shaking my hand.
She moved on and i'll never know if my comment had anything to do with that.

Fooey on your commander 2ltdjorn .

Common as Smiths in the phone but my favorite coin.

lcoopie

He is and will always be beneath you.

see below.

silverpop

thanks for your service

coinlieutenant

I've been on active duty for 14.5 years (18.5 if you count the time I did at Annapolis). The Navy has been an up and down adventure with lots of good things along the way. However, I can say without any doubt that if I had to do it over again, I should have left after my five year commitment was complete.

You have most probably made a good decision. I say that because I think either decision will be a good one. Good people find away to make the best of what roads they travel.

I have lots of favorites coin wise. This one is a simple well travelled little piece of gold that is unique in the amount of wear it has. Hard to find indian gold in F/VF.

Fair winds and following seas
John Marburger
Lieutenant Commander, USN

Catbert

This token is not THE favorite, but one of my favorites in my collection. It commemorates Admiral Jervis and his men's accomplishments during a famous naval battle between England and Spain. You can read more about the history behind this piece in a write up I did here.

Thank you for your service to our country.

Darn - can't get my photo to post. Have to go here to see it:

Conder Token

coinsarefun

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I think its time for Liberty to set you free.......fly with the wind at your back