This is an interesting thread. I think about the same thing quite a bit lately.

What I am going through, is I spent 20 years in the Navy, another 4.5 in Federal Law Enforcement, and now the museum trade.

The bottom line is, I have had all of the high stress situations, excitement, and decision making involving other people that I want in a lifetime.

When I first left the Navy, I just wanted to go home and work in a gun shop. Fixing Ithaca 37's and Remington 870's the rest of my life would have been fine with me. Of course, raising 4 kids at the time, I had to think of them.

Wife and I have one more high schooler left at home, and I think when he graduates I'm going to punch out from the gov and see what I can do next.

The only concern I have is, do I want to start over at 50? That will be my age when junior graduates.

Then the other part of me gets reminded that I have done pretty well after the Navy and should be thankful for it.

Either way, I'm probably going to retire at 55 and raise bird dogs, and maybe do some consulting work.

Kind regards,