finally made some decisions...

[MORTARDUDE]

I finally filed a claim for PTSD last week. I don't know why I waited so long. I had my initial interview at the PCT clinic with my wife and it went well. Maybe some of you with more knowledge of the VA can help. My counselor at the Vet center where I have been going for two years didn't push the issue of filing a claim until I went to the PCT clinic. Because of my income level ( according to the "Means testing folks" at the VA hospital ) I should not even have had this appt. Fairly damn confusing..... Anyway, hopefully I will get some kind of word about this before my next PCT appt. on April 30th.

I have also decided to retire as of April 2. For those that didn't know, I work for the IRS. I don't do tax returns ( not even my own ), just computer mainframe work. I am on call 24/7, and it will be nice to find a job I only have to do when I am there...

I just realized I have been getting some kind of government check since Sept. 1968, except for a few months ( AFROTC in college, Army, VA school benefits, and work ). It will also be the first time I have been unemployed since I got out of the Army in May 1971......

I will finally be back in the "real" world and I am sure it will be culture shock of a sort.....

Larry

[Andy]

Great news!!! Filed the claim, that was way over due. As a friend likes to say, you earned it. Illegal immigrants didn't earn anything and they get federal money.

No one should ever work for the government in the same branch for more than 20 years unless they can honestly say "I still love it". There are far too many ways of getting screwed over. Of the guys from my old platoon two are retired police sergeants, one worked for the post office and one worked for the feds on night visions divices. We were all fine for the first 20, maybe 25 years. At that point it got very, very old.

Don't know how they work things down there, up here you show them your CIB and get 30%. To obtain more you have to do the 2 or 6 week in-house program. Good luck my friend and keep us posted. (Don't do the in-house thing in April. We need to sit down and tell lies.)

Stay healthy,
Andy

[1CAVCCO15MED]

That is the way to do it. The best way to get the VA to certify you disabled is for the VA to be treating you for the disability.

[MORTARDUDE]

Andy :

You are correct. I have known some folks here since 1972 when I started, altho most have long since left. I guess after I reached the burnout phase here, I still have to go through a sort of grieving process as well. I have been throwing away all my old stuff at work, sometimes it feels like throwing out part of your life. Weird feeling.
I guess not many people stay with one job over 30+ years any more.

Larry

P.S. : The 6 week in-house treatment here is usually in New Orleans. I wouldn't mind that one bit.

[Andy]

When I retired had 9 full uniforms. Went through my file cabinets and had more than 8 feet of reports, confidential information, whatever. That?s eight feet of legal pads, typewriter or computer paper stacked up. After my final day at work, in ritualistic fashion, I burned the uniform I had worn. When healthy enough to start a fire in the back yard, if it was a bad day, I?d burn another piece of uniform. The files are still starting winter fires in the wood stove. Actually, the last day at work a police baseball cap through the paper shredder. What you are doing is normal, very normal.

After 30+ years there are both good and bad memories. But this is not a dress rehearsal for your life. Too many people aren?t smelling the roses. A job is some means by which you get enough money to enjoy yourself. If someone pays you to do something you like, great. But when the fun drains out of it, bail out! Once heard a guy say, ?Happiness can?t buy you money.? It?s amazing how many people actually live that way. Good luck!

New Orleans, one of my favorite cities but don?t like it in the summer.

Stay healthy,
Andy

[sn-e3]

Larry it's great that you are retiring it takes some getting use too my wife took a little more then 1 1/2 years to finally come to grips with the fact that she no longer has to work or look for a job. Now she is cleaning up 35 years of stored nonsence around the house getting ready to ship shape the house up and sell it and move down to the river. God only knows why people save some things its weird anyway good luck friend and good luck on your claim....chris

[phuloi]

Great news,Larry.If I can be any help to you,please feel free to call on me.

[MORTARDUDE]

I filled six trash cans today at work. As I am one to keep just about everything, that was a very big step for me. It seems like a load has been lifted. I haven't enjoyed my job in a long, long time, maybe 10 years or more...lots of reasons, maybe some I will discuss in a few months. I suppose I am typical of a good percentage of federal government workers in the 48 - 60 age range who are covered by the old Civil Service Retirement System ( CSRS ), which was abolished in 1984, in that it was a great incentive to stay. When most of us have retired, there will be a much greater turnover in the federal work force and lots more contractors, and as I see it, a far less efficient bureacracy, just when we need a better one...just IMHO..

Thanks for all the kind words !

Larry

[BLUEHAWK]

Good news Larry, very good news... thank you for your service to our government's Infernal Revenooer Service for so long... my Lady Carol retired when we moved up here to Michigan, after 35 years at her job... and it has not bothered her one bit... kinda gives a person a whole new outlook on life, real life

I'm guessing (and hoping too) that the new way of life will make a difference in handling the PTSD as well, so warm wishes there too.

[MORTARDUDE]

Blue :

I haven't forgotten your books. I had misplaced one and found it yesterday. Will send these out Monday. Did Lady Carol work for the IRS too ? Take care.

Larry