By Hope Rampy, Maj. Gen., (Ret.) US Army     October 2026

For the past 30 years the jobs were assigned, the uniform picked out, schools were required, and a shared mission was only accomplished with a team. Upon retirement, you take off your boots, and it is just you. Yes, hopefully you have family and friends, but only you can take that next step. And there is hope in that. If you are just thinking about retirement or it is still some years out, the one thing that has helped me is knowing I gave my best to every job and have no regrets, making it easier to look forward.

Joining the military was not my original plan. It started with a walk into the ROTC department at Cameron University having transferred from the University of Oklahoma with the realization that if I wanted a college degree, I needed a more affordable option. I told the major I heard ROTC offered scholarships and I wanted one.

After commissioning, I was asked at the basic course what my plan was for service. I confidently stated I was doing four years of active duty and then was going to law school. What changed that plan? I fell in love with the profession of arms, most importantly the people. I enjoyed the challenge of different jobs, leading, building teams, succeeding, and even struggling through some tough days and deployments.

Throughout my career I made other people and organizations a priority. What changes in retirement is that it is not about others — it is now all about you. For some this can be hard, if the Army defines you. The Army is what I did, not who I am. My challenge now is to answer three questions: who am I, what am I, why am I? You must be able to tell your story without the boots. 

Like the stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, retirement is a process. And a process that is more mental than physical. You must get your mind right to reach acceptance. Give yourself the time and grace to get to this final stage. Even though I reached acceptance well before my last day on the job, it is still emotional. It is the closing of a significant chapter in your life and accepting the fear or angst of what lies ahead. While I accepted the new reality of retirement, I am still evolving every day. Specifically on the value of time, learning, and connections (TLC).

I was surprised by the white space and being okay with doing nothing. I am taking time to read and learn new things. The most surprising is the number of people that are willing to connect, advise, and offer their time. It has taken time to get used to that. Say yes to every call and every offer for help. We did not do it alone in the military and you do not have to go it alone in retirement.

Time

When it comes to time, have a plan. I knew I wanted to do some important things like sleep more, read more, spend time with my family, and improve my pickleball game! Those real and seemingly silly things will keep you grounded. You must have something to look forward to, or the time may be defeating to some. Put them on a calendar.

Learn

The transition is more mental than physical. Take opportunities to learn through reading, signing up for webinars (there are so many free things out there!), get an executive coach, and challenge your mind. We are so good at 'doing' in the Army and are uncomfortable with 'being' and feeling the emotions. Learn about you and find something that stretches your mind. Schedule learning opportunities.

Connect

One of the most powerful things for transitioning service members is the power of connections. If you have a good friend network, keep it up in retirement. Reach out to people you know, reach out to people they know. Most opportunities will come through these connections. If you have not been good at this, start to do it now, and be authentic and disciplined about reaching out and staying connected.

What went well in transition and where can you spend your time wisely before retirement.

Take the Transition Assistance courses. It can feel like a firehose but take notes and go back to the items that matter most when you have a clearer head. Take care of your medical requirements; everyone is busy, but you can make time for what is important. Use the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claim that allows active-duty service members to file for VA disability compensation between 180 and 90 days before they separate or retire.

Where you will go and what you will do are hard decisions. You do not have to buy that forever home right away. Find a place to rent or put your stuff in storage if you need the time to figure it out. If you need a job right away, decide where that will be first. Odds are you will change jobs a couple of times or the portfolio of jobs you take will adjust over time. You and your family will have to decide what is most important — location or job. Have a resume ready and be willing to refine it for the job you are applying for, if needed.

Those transition notes will come in handy in the last 30 days of transition leave. Complete any security requirements, make an ID card appointment, choose your dental and vision insurance, so it is effective the day you retire. Your life insurance is good for 120 days post-retirement, so research your options and have a scheduled date for when you will sign up for new life insurance. Decide on what type of medical coverage would be best for you and your family’s situation and be prepared to make the call once you have the retiree ID card.

Most importantly, remember that you own your transition. The Army spoon feeds us — where to go, what to do, and what to wear. You own your next chapter, and no one is going to tell you exactly what to do. Be ready to act! This means complete everything that you can prior to starting leave, medical being number one. Have a list of actions that you want to do on leave and must do by your retirement date — and hopefully you incorporate some TLC.

I do not know what tomorrow brings, but I do have hope in the endless possibilities. I am a Soldier for Life, which to me means I remain a part of the Army family, have served my country, and always have Army resources to assist me.