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Old 01-25-2020, 06:21 PM   #21
vampress_me
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Mine’s fairly boring compared to everyone else, but I’m happy with it.

Started as a structural engineer in a former life. Absolutely loved my job (how could you not have fun making architect’s impossible building ideas stand up?), but when our son’s doctor appts started to use up all my vacation time and sick leave for every year, decided that wasn’t going to work anymore.

So, became an independent contractor doing drafting and project management for residential construction for a friend (ok, person who became a friend through the work, but a definite friend now). Been doing that for many years now, and I love this job too. The ability to set my own hours/ work from home except when on job sites has been great. Of course, the small downside is I only get paid when I’m working, no paid vacation. But, the benefits have very much outweighed the cost.
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Old 01-25-2020, 08:09 PM   #22
CWtheMan
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I joined the US Navy at age 17 and retired 31 years later. My father was a pilot and my first flights was at age 8 in a biplane. I wanted to become a pilot and fly off Navy carriers. At age 13 I severely damaged my right hand. I could never pass the medical exam because of loss of 40% feeling in that hand. I did the next best thing and became a US Navy Aviation Structural Mechanic. My rating was AMH, short for aviation structural mechanic (hydraulics). If you think being a mechanic was all I did your mistaken. I never did seek promotion into the officer ranks. I was recommended numerous times but without a formal education I felt I was more suited for an enlisted career. My shore duty assignments were always in administrative positions. Four years as a stand-up Navy Instructor. Four years as a manpower analyst for the Atlantic fleet admirals’ staff. All of my sea duty assignments were with jet aircraft operating from attack aircraft carriers. I was an experienced flight deck worker and worked on four different types of aircraft in three different aircraft squadrons and as a flight deck coordinator for carrier air wing eight off the USS Nimitz. At the end of my career I reached my ultimate goal. I was the maintenance chief for VA-46 (A-7E aircraft). The squadron maintenance chief is the senior enlisted maintenance manager for squadron maintenance operations. I ended my career as the maintenance chief for VFA-132 (F/A-18 aircraft) when I retired at NAS Cecil Field, FL in March of 1988.

After Navy retirement I still worked for them for awhile. I took a job in the Naval Aviation Engineering Service and was assigned to a reserve squadron at Atlanta, GA. A week after I got there I put in my resignation papers. No way was I going to commute in that city. My next job was with Eastern Airlines in Jacksonville, FL as their ramp manager. Of course that didn’t last long because they lost everything. I then ran into some serious medical problems and had to resolve by letting go of positions requiring loads of tension. I took a job at Naval Aviation Depot, Jacksonville, FL and for 10 years worked as a journeyman aircraft mechanic in the hydraulic shop testing and repairing fly by wire hydraulic flight control units for the FA-18 Aircraft. Then I got my 40 year+ retirement pin, we sold the house and everything in it and went full time RVing. My wife and I are a rare career military couple. We’ve been married for 61 years.

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Old 01-25-2020, 08:13 PM   #23
Jim2366
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After getting a BS in business and a minor in insurance, I worked for an insurance company for 4 years. After that I started selling insurance and have owned my own agency since 1984 to current. I enjoy working and also like to travel in our RV, fishing and growing vegetables in raised bed gardens here at home. My wife and I were married in 1979 and she is a retired RN in the ER.
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Old 01-25-2020, 08:15 PM   #24
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Quote:
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My wife and I are a rare career military couple. We’ve been married for 61 years.
One of the things that pushed me to NOT have a USCG career was:

"His Kids" - "Her Kids" - "Their Kids" AKA Chief Petty Officers
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Old 01-25-2020, 08:19 PM   #25
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Started career as a Junior Draftsman in the electrical apparatus industry (motor control centers, switchboards and switchgear). Last position was Engineering Manager for the same company, retired in December 2015.

DW was an elementary school teacher.
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Old 01-25-2020, 11:33 PM   #26
socoinc1984
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1972-1975 City of Garden Grove Street Dept.

1975-1984 B&B Concrete Cutting Anaheim,Ca.

1984 to 2018 Started my own demolition company. Son took over 2018. Bought new 5th wheel & truck. Drove around country looking for new place to live. 40,000 miles. Didn’t like So. Cal. Anymore. Moved to Idaho.
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Old 01-26-2020, 03:14 AM   #27
FlyingAroundRV
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Too many career changes to list them all. I'd bore the pants off everyone, so I'll just list the last few since my time in
USAF Avionics nav systems specialist
Then I worked at a NASA deep space satellite tracking station as a computer operator/technician. Tracked Voyager I & II during the Jupiter and Saturn encounters. Also tracked Helios, Pioneer, Viking and did some radio astronomy.
Then, I was a field service "engineer" with Digital Equipment Corp.
After doing a Bachelor degree in computing, I worked for Pr1me computers as a software engineer in the Australian R&D section. When they were bought up and sold off...
I started a new career teaching computers, electronics and programming at a tech college
Then I retired.
Phew! Makes me tired just to list it all.
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Old 01-26-2020, 05:17 AM   #28
77cruiser
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Worked at Boise Cascade I Falls for 25 years as a papermaker on the machine in the video starting at about 5 min. to 7:50. Worked 16 years prior delivering wood like in part of the vid.


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Old 01-26-2020, 05:29 AM   #29
German Shepherd Guy
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Worked my way through university as a Farrier (horse shoer) and then on to Museum work as a Blacksmith. In '75 moved with DW to the Navajo Nation in Kayenta where she taught government and I started a knife making business. Retired from that in '95 and became a Librarian in Telluride Colo, where I retired from that in '2017 and now I work in a Navajo Fine Weaving and art gallery.
So I guess you could say I am a full time failure at retirement.
I breed and show German Shepherds around the country whenever I am able to.
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Old 01-26-2020, 05:42 AM   #30
xrated
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Lots and lots of interesting and diverse jobs/careers listed here. Thank you all for sharing with us and it has been fun reading them.
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Old 01-26-2020, 06:11 AM   #31
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Lots and lots of interesting and diverse jobs/careers listed here. Thank you all for sharing with us and it has been fun reading them.
^^^ What Vernon said
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Old 01-26-2020, 06:26 AM   #32
jbelany
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I have spent the majority of my adult life in public safety. Worked a variety of part-time law enforcement, fire, and EMS jobs until going into the Air Force in my early 20's where I was a K-9 handler, handling explosive detection and patrol K-9's. After getting out I worked in law enforcement for 20ish more years, of which 8 I handled a narcotics/patrol K-9.

In the meantime I got my paramedic certification and degree, then within the same municipality which I worked I left my sergeant position transferred to the fire department where I eventually retired as a lieutenant/paramedic. My decision to go to fire was to gain practical 9-1-1 time as a medic because I wanted to work in flight, and the ground experience is mandatory.

Seven months ago I chased this dream/destination and took a flight medic job for an amazing employer/company. This won't be a forever job, and I will focus on collecting my retirement and doing retired guy things when I decide that I am done. For now I am having the time of my life and will continue to do this until the point when this job no longer challenges me or is no longer fun.

Joe
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Old 01-26-2020, 07:10 AM   #33
Lee
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Morning all,

After High School (1980) and a year or so in collage I joined the Air Force as an Automatic Tracking RADAR technician. After this 4 year hitch, I joined the Alabama Air National Guard and worked the next 10 years full time Civil Service as an Aircraft Control and Early Warning RADAR technician. Then, thanks to Billy (I can't keep my pants up) Clinton, the Unit was deactivated and I joined the Federal Aviation Administration as a RADAR/Automation/Comm Tech in Seattle. That was in 1996 and I have been in the same shop ever since,.... 3 years ago being promoted to Manager.

Became eligible to retire last year but want to continue on till I'm 62 (2024).

Also, stayed in the National Guard. RADAR, Micro-wave Comm, Satellite Comm..... retired in 2011 after 28 years service.
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Old 01-26-2020, 08:52 AM   #34
foldbak
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19 years as a certified heavy duty equipment gas and diesel mechanic.

15 years as a professional studio and live sound engineer

2 years as a parts manager

5 years as a service manager
5 years as a marina developer (BEST JOB EVER)
4 years as a landscape architect
10 years as a sales manager (still working....the money is too good)


The wife is retired though. Good county retirement.
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Old 01-26-2020, 09:10 AM   #35
ctbruce
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I've been a registered pharmacist since 1985. I've held jobs in most sectors of the industry over the years, almost all management positions.

Currently since 2006 I am the assistant director of pharmacy for ambulatory services at The Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City Missouri. This is a top 10 rated children's hospital in the US. I love my job so in a sense I haven't worked a day in 13 plus years.

In 2008 I earned a M. Div. degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and have worked in churches since then. Best part: I got to officiate both my son's and daughter's weddings. Priceless.

My wife is a retired middle school science teacher. I won't retire for about 7 more years. When we do, we own a condo at the Lake of the Ozarks, my happy place.
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Old 01-26-2020, 11:08 AM   #36
RET.LEO
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I spent a little over twenty years driving semi's, operating heavy equipment. At the young age of forty I graduated from the Sheriff's Training Academy. Did it all, worked with DEA, we were contracted to USMS and I would help deliver Fed Inmates to "Con Air". Seventeen years later on the anniversary of my hire for a local Sheriff's Office I had a stroke. Four days later I had two holes in my heart repaired. They then did a total knee replacement, ankle fusion and reconstruction from a previous auto accident. The Sheriff put me out to pasture. I still miss it every day. They then have discovered I have spinal stenosis, scoliosis, two herniated, one ruptured disc probably from my previous years doing hard physical labor.
I now spend most my time watching YouTube of all things RV related, studying different TT's, FW's & Class C's. I am biding my time until my wife finally decides to retire...probably two more years to go. Right now the leader for a new retirement gift to ourselves is a Cougar HT 29BHS, Winnebago Voyager, Jayco Eagle HT or possibly a Jayco Greyhawk Class C. The Cougar 29BHS is really looking good to us.
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Old 01-26-2020, 12:44 PM   #37
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20 Years in the Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician. Retired the 1st time and went to work for DoD contractors then as a DoD employee in program management. I retire again and for the last time in Feb. Start full time in March.
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Old 01-26-2020, 01:03 PM   #38
JGEORGE
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Been selling GM parts for 30yrs, I like it. Mostly small dealerships. Family owned.
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Old 01-26-2020, 01:55 PM   #39
5J's
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I started out at about 9 or 10 as a helper to my dad who owned his own HVAC, electrical, appliance repair company. I did this for several years before he closed up shop. I then went to work at a convince store where I was assistant store manager at 16. I really enjoyed my time with my dad so decided to get back to electricity. I worked for an underground electrical distribution construction company for about a year then moved on to a union commercial electrical shop before heading off to college. I spent two years at a trade school in Waco Tx. before I landed a job with a power generation, transmission company in Austin as a relay and control technician. This June will make 21 years for me and put me 9 years away from retirement. Being I've got three girls at home 12, 9 and 7 I'm not sure I'll retire in 9 but at least I've got something to look towards. DW is a COTA (Certified occupational therapist assistant) for the school district here in La Grange and is debating returning to school to earn her OTR (registered occupational therapist). I constantly tell she just gets paid to play with kids all day. We love the days we get out and enjoy our 5er and used to do it at least monthly but this year out girls decided to get into show animals so our monthly outings went to the way side pretty quick.
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Old 01-26-2020, 02:30 PM   #40
Ken / Claudia
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HS through College worked all type of jobs. At 23 started working at a sheriffs Dept. as a corrections officer and patrol deputy sheriff. At 28 left that for the Oregon State Police until retirement in 2011. There I was in patrol, criminal detective and then spent 6 years in plain clothes and/or under cover assigned to Portland Police.
Lastly I transferred to Fish/Wildlife and spend many days in a patrol boat or in the mountains. I was out of work for nearly a full year and wanted back in. I got a Part Time police job at a city PD. 2 days a week without benefits, but great pay in the traffic division. That job started in 2012 and maybe I will quit this spring at 63.
I took up writing and published my 1st book late 2018, currently nearly finished with #2 and have #3 story line started. Takes me about 1 year from start to publish. I write police fiction stories under my real name. Ken Moore.
I have been thinking of writing a book "How to get out of a traffic ticket" maybe I would make more money than the fictional stories.
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As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
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