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hamguy · 03-02-2012, 08:55 AM

Started doing TV repair under a blind man's tutelage for 2-3 years. See - Le Mars Daily Sentinel: Obituaries: Sylvester N. Nemmers (07/18/05)

Then 25+ years as a semiconductor process engineer, product engineer and Quality engineer/manager. Then had a bad dose of mid-life crisis and went to law school. Spent the last ten years as a criminal defense attorney until arthritis took over and I had to retire.

ga traveler · 03-02-2012, 09:00 AM

Started with Delta Air Lines, just after graduation from high school. I worked the hanger, engine shop, and electronic shop. I retired after 32 years. I got bored and decided to return to work. I went to work for a RV dealership for two days a week. Before I knew what was happening I was working full time and was the ser. mgr. I retired again in Feb. 2005. The dealership called in a couple of months and wanted me to come by and help with a problem. The next thing I knew I was working two days a week. I finally retired for real in Jan. 2009

hamguy · 03-02-2012, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pagosajoe

I'm a retired USAF colonel, having spent 26 years on duty that took me to many fascinating places around the globe.

I've had the incredible opportunity to work with some wonderful, dedicated champions of liberty during my career, as well as on many fascinating programs. I served as a missile launch officer on the Minuteman ICBM system at Whiteman AFB, Missouri (now home of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber) and operated the Ballistic Missile Early Warning Station (BMEWS) in Alaska.

I served as a contracting officer and program manager on programs like the Manned Maneuvering Unit worn by astronauts to "fly" around outside the Shuttle, and as the Director of Contracting for the Alaskan Air Command. I was Chairman of the Joint Acquisition Coordinating Board at the US European Command Headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, and served as the Deputy Director for Security Assistance at the US Pacific Command Headquarters in Hawaii.

My last assignment before retiring was as the Commander of the Defense Contract Management Area Operations office in Hartford, Connecticut, where I was responsible for $12 billion in Department of Defense contracts in locations throughout New England.

The last project on which I worked was the F-22 Raptor advanced fighter, where I performed an audit of the program for the Secretary of the Air Force. A fascinating and capable fighter, the Raptor is now on front line duty with the USAF.

I'm also retired from a hospital in Alaska, having served as materiel manager, helping keep patients healthy.

That pretty well covers 30+ years...full time job now is finding places to go in our new Discovery 36J. If I knew how much fun retirement would be, I'd have retired right after I graduated from college.

The SIL of a good friend just retired from the AF (20+ years) at Whiteman. We managed to get on base and toured the place up close and personal. They had a B-2 on display where we could actually get close and see much of the insides and electronics. Even got into a missle silo. Saw a B-2 take off across the grinder and was fascinated by the silence.

My thanks for your service to our nation.

new2RVn · 03-02-2012, 09:07 AM

Journeyman carpenter. Last 30 yrs. building toys for the rich and famous at "The" leading manufactorer of corp jets, Gulfstream Aerospace. DW was a nurse for 30+ yrs. We both retired last year and are totally in love with our new jobs, doing absolutely nothing.

Being retired means you can put off till tomorrow what you could have done today.

HD4Mark · 03-02-2012, 09:09 AM

Telephone man 32 years NY tel then it changed to a few other names until retiring from Verizon at 52. DW 23 years same place, my dad 43, my mom 17, her dad 34. Family thing I guess. We were always treated well but it started getting like every other corporate America company toward the end. Glad we could get out when we did. I do miss the people there though.

Climbed poles for a good deal of that, got a bucket truck, let the company put both of us through college and finished my career working on the companies own computers, phone lines/systems and data.

CWA local 1123

ghoststories · 03-02-2012, 09:17 AM

I worked in a meat packing plant for 14 /12 yrs, then went to work in a automotive supplier plant for 16 yrs. , retired 5 yrs ago. My DH, retired 5 yrs. ago after 30yrs in law enforcement, as a Park Ranger, he now works part time as a Special Deputy for Sheriff's Dept, and as security for local University, and voluteers as a Fireman.

demoon · 03-02-2012, 09:17 AM

Public education as a teacher, Principal and Assistant Superintendent for 23 years and then education supervisor at a living history museum for another 23 years. Retired, happy, but poor.

StStg1 · 03-02-2012, 09:40 AM

Worked in fast food for 5 years, last 2 as manager, Then in laminated plastic manufacturing (Wilson Art)for 15 years last two as shift manager. Then 6 years as Realtor. Then 17.5 years with IRS, last 7 working in the Taxpayer Advocate's office. Retired last 5 years.

scenic route · 03-02-2012, 09:46 AM

Commercial aircraft tech. Now working as a professional SS and small pension recipient.

FINALLY, something I'm really good at!

Bob

SarahW · 03-02-2012, 10:13 AM

Senior Systems Analyst, S&C Consultant for a major oil company for 28 years.

RichR · 03-02-2012, 10:16 AM

37 years software/hardware engineer for mountain bell,us west,AT&T,Lucent and Avaya.Retired

sfrantz · 03-02-2012, 11:02 AM

Nuclear physicist, director of the Reed Research Reactor (see my avatar at left), training engineer, reactor operator, nuclear submarine officer, motel desk clerk.

Currently retired and am a relief pastor and camp ground minister.

Davdeb1 · 03-02-2012, 11:08 AM

Wow, so many of you have had multiple lives and careers, I guess I'll fit right in.

In order, warehouses/forklift op. Self employed odd repairs and aluminum siding. Life insurance sales. Sled employed owned catering truck. Over 20 years auto and financial sales, retired then the last ten years owned coffee house.

RET FF · 03-02-2012, 11:17 AM

30 years fire fighting, 4 years aircraft crash fire fighter and rescue(USS Coral Sea CVA 43), 5 years Dumas, Tx fire department, 21 years Farmington, NM fire department, retired in 1999. Convinced by a retired cop friend to go back to work as security for public library. 12 years later I'm facility maintenance supervisor, security supervisor and custodial crew supervisor (whew!). Enough already!! April 2011 retired AGAIN !! and loving it!