Retired Law Dawgs... What do you do "after the badge"?

[Marshal Tac]

Pards... I am 4 years away from being able to lay my badge down and collect a pension. I have carried a badge and a gun for my entire adult life. I started out, right out of high school as an Army MP and then right into the Police academy. In my career, the only "marketable" skill I have picked up is teaching firearms and working on guns. I am starting to contimplate "life without a badge" and considering what I might do after I pull the plug. I am looking forward to not having a radio to answer, or a vest to have to wear.. But in the same instance, I am sort of worried, as I really know nothing else in life. I am a 3rd generation Law Dawg, but neither my father or my grandfather make it to retirement (Dad medically retired from injuries sustained in a car wreck, and grandpaw was shot in the chest and lived the rest of his life with one lung).

I am seriously considering a degree in gunsmithing and looking for a job that direction after it's all said and done.

Anyone got a story to share or some advise to send my way?

My wife is a nationally board certified teacher, who is working on her PHD and should have it done before I pull the plug. We have both thought seriously about moving the ranch away from the heat and the city, here in metro Phoenix... Haven't gotten much further than that. (No kids to consider, just us).

I am curious about what "other" law dawg have picked up as second careers and how they reacted to retirement.

[Marshal Tac]

Guess there aren't too many retired Law Dawgs out there.......

[Arcey]

Didn’t respond cuz I didn’t think I could help ya.

I wuz drivin’ the wimmen here nutz bein’ home all the time.  Wasn’t going to take a job with any real responsibilty.  Gettin’ called in at all hours, as I did, didn’t appeal to me at all.

Took a job with NAPA deliverin’ parts ‘n loved it for the most part.  But, they’re not used to gettin’ employees with the werk ethic we’ve developed ‘n the more ya did the more they wanted.  Wound up in the same traffic tryin’ ta get home as I did when I was makin’ a lot more as a cop.  When they started interferin’ with my shootin’ schedule I quit.

Stayed unemployed for awhile then I was asked to come back to the police department part time as a background investigator.  Had an office across the hall from the one I had when I retired.  Apart from that, most of the werk I did sittin’ right here.  I checked in ‘n out by voice mail.  Went to the office maybe twice a week. Best job I ever had.  If it’s too good to be true, it is.  They dropped the fundin’ for it after a year.  I got fired.

That was my gig.  I was, 'n am, an investigator first.  I read this dog fightin’ stuff with Michael Vick ‘n I wanna be in it so bad.  Those days are gone.

Shortly thereafter, I messed up my back.  Didn’t shoot for five months.  I couldn’t have werked anything if I’d wanted to.

Applied to be a State Police 911 call taker.  Found out they purge their apps every ninety days.  Ain’t playin’ the game.  Their loss.

One the guys I joined up with has retired ‘n he’s the head gunsmith at the shop I deal with.  Maybe that’s your future.  Another, one of my best friends, is werkin’ at a different shop as a salesman.  They seem to have trouble keepin’ good employees.  I’m thinkin’ ‘bout applyin’ there.  I’m drivin’ the wimmen nutz hangin’ ‘round here again.  Truth be known I’m gettin’ tired of sittin’.

My retirement is good enough I don’t have to work but doin’ nothing gets old.

[Marshal Tac]

Great response Arcey. I appreciate the time you took for you to tell me your story.

I know there are aspects of this job that I will miss, and many others that I won't.  I am actually kind of worried about retirement in one respect (What do I do now?), and in the same moment, counting the days till it's here.

If there are any other stories out there, I'd sure like to hear 'em.

[Arcey]

My pleasure.  Maybe this will help, Tac.

You’re gonna miss some of yer folks.  Others you won't. Yer gonna miss the stuff ya enjoy doin’.

Ya ain’t gonna miss the bull crap one l’il bit.  That’s an unfortunate universal of the profession.   Did it 32 years.

Shot a fist sized hole out a cardboard target backer at the commercial indoor range this mornin' with my Glock 26.  Left it at the range with the rest of the backers.  Autographed it with a Sharpie.  'Sgt. R.C. -------, NPD, retired. 080107'.  Do it most every Wednesday.

You'll really LOVE that part.

[Marshal Tac]

Anyone else out there got a comment/advice?

[El Rinche]

It really depends on you. What kind of shape are you (will you be) in . What do you like? Do you feel like doing anything? A friend of mine became a substitute teacher. I taught some courses for cops at a community college. Another friend reckoned he was young enough and still in good enough shape that he went to work for a "government contractor" in an "exotic" foreign land. He came back in a flag draped box.
 There are plenty of retired guys doing all kinds of security work. Some are doing investigative work. You might find a position as a part-time deputy or dispatcher - I thought about doing the dispatch thing but I'm ashamed to say I still can't type worth a damn and that seems to be a key required skill.

I know guys that started driving over the road - and became owner - operators. It is lucrative but you have to be cut out for it. Many aren't - we've already spent enough time away from our families. I even went to sea for a while - but that is hard work for men half my age - definitely NOT recommended.

You are right to be thinking about it now. As you start to get closer, start to network, ask around, find out who might be needing someone with your skills and background while you still have contacts. Insurance companies hire fraud investigators like for Workers Comp fraud  investigations etc. - as one example.

As I said, you're to think about it now.

Good Luck --- and be carefull out there,

El Rinche
BOLD #867
SASS 76822

[Marshal Tac]

Thanks El Rinche... Appreciate the feed back.

[Cutwires Al]

I've got a little over 5 years till I pull the pin... Provisional plans right now is to GTH out of NJ once im retired..Lookin at Tn, where my pension will go about 5 times as far as it would here..this way i can work, or not work as I want.  I'll probably do something on the side, just to keep busy, maybe tryband hook up with some gunshop down there, or even Yeager's group at Tactical Response.  of course anything can happen between now and then.  My daughter will be around 11, and it'll be tough for her to leave all of her friends behind, but easier than if she was in HS already.

[Marshall Sam Holland]

I had to retire medicically in Dec 2005. I was always worried about after retirement. Well, I haven't missed it ( the job ) and pretty well keep busy. I am still able to do my CAS which keeps me content. Of couse I am not a speedy competitor since I can move too fast now, but I am in it for the spirit of the game, and palying cowboy on weekends.. I had 25 years in and retired from a state agency,,,,,