Retirement Speeches

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

If you or someone you know is about to retire and you would like to share your retirement speech with the rest of us, post it here. I've found that those speeches tend to be somewhat illuminating and often thought-provoking. Maybe this thread could be your last post as an active duty Chief.

Also, if you have a copy of a past speech that was especially good, post that as well.

[SKCM Linda Reid]

Boy, I seem to be going to a lot of retirements these days and seldom do I hear a thought-provoking speech! Makes me wonder what I will say when it's my time.

[BMCS Shawn Vredenburg]

Remember the Captain who retired about 10 years ago down in Mobile (probably have the location wrong). He publicly blasted the Coast Guard for it's affirmative action policies! Can't remember his name or exactly when/where he retired, but I remember the speech. If I remember right, he used to post occasionally at Fred's old "soapbox."

[PACS Steve Carleton]

If my memory serves me, and it has failed on occassion, it was the D8 Chief of Staff who made this speech at his retirement.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Although a little controversy can be a good thing, I'd really like to see some inspirational speeches. Doesn't anyone know some soon-to-be retirees?

[DCC Mitchell Penneau]

I have my retirement date set for mid spring 2005. I plan no speech, no inspection what I am going to do is on my very last day bringing in several subway 6 footers some soda and chips. I will then invite the crew to have lunch with me. No dressing up for inspection, no flowery speeches just a relaxed gathering with friends as well as ship mates for normal talk. Once that is finished I will gather up anything that I may have forgotten or over looked and be on my way, with my memories of good times and bad as well and memories of good people that I have served with and looked up to.

To me this is the very best way to go, no hassles of inspection no long winded speeches and so on, just a lunch with the people I serve with and have tried to helped.

Mitch

[ETCS David Kroll]

Hello Mitch,
I think your looking at it the wrong way. Try looking at it from a leadership view. :rolleyes: Retirement is something every coastie strives for. And watching someone just have a lunch isn't an impressive end to a great career. If you go through the whole ceremony, the crew will see and hear what your accomplishments were and how much you learned, gained, and enjoyed your service. It also gives the command a formal way to recognize these things for all to see. I see it as a sort of retension tool. Here is someone that had a very successful career and is moving into the civilian life, a success story of sorts. :D Something to offset all the relief for causes' that they are seeing. I don't think you should look at it from a standpoint of it being just another pain in the butt inspection and we have to do this, I think it is a chance to show others that a career in the CG isn't such a bad thing.

Dave

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

Shawn, the speech you are referering to was Capt. Prokopt(sp). It was held at the waterfront in New Orleans. With regards to that speech, it was my undertanding that due to the content the Comdt at the time wanted a copy of the speech before it was given to the member. If anybody ever had this Capt hold an inspection at their unit, it was something most of us will never forget.
Mitch, I agree with ETCS Kroll. Although I understand your point. Remember, the retirement ceremony is your day. It also gives you a chance to publicly thank all your family and friends that stood by you during your career.

[DCC Mitchell Penneau]

Dave: I really don’t think I am looking at things the wrong way. Most people look at standing inspections as a pain, as I do. It is the end to my career and it is my choice on what I am going to do. Having it in a formal setting is not what I want. I feel that it is a waist of time for all, the crew, the command as well as myself. I would rather be in an informal setting where everyone is there and relaxed. :D

My bio in the service is known and I share my knowledge and experience with all. What I accomplished is not for the benefit of all; it was for me and the Country, the Coast Guard and the Command I was at, at the time. I am proud of what I have done and who I am. The way I act shows that, and people know just by talking to me, they know where I stand and how I feel about a subject. So the retirement is for me. I have felt this out and I find that more people like my idea then the idea of a long drawn out things. :D

How much I enjoyed the service: Now this is real funny. I have heard this in almost every retirement speech I have heard, but the fact remains that 90% of it was not fun or enjoyable at all. Most of it was (at least in my career) spent away from home and family, spent at sea, during the holidays, anniversaries, birthdays and many others such occasions. While there were definitely good and fun times most of it was not, mid watches half way through a 12-week patrol, getting extended because of some type of AIMO situation. Standing 1 in 4 duty while in port, working for people that knew much les then you, or that had no experience, but because they were a higher rank you had to listen. Working for arrogant Chiefs and officers that if you put all their knowledge together they could not fill a thimble. Out of my almost 25 years in the service I have more the 17 years of sea time, between the Navy and Coast Guard, I do not believe that it was fun or enjoyable, it was work that needed to be done, and done correctly. It was more then a job to me, I am now and will remain dedicated to the Command and Coast Guard well past the day I leave her, but don’t try to say it was fun. Because it for the most part was not. :mad:

I have many great memories and have met a lot of good people and I will always keep that with me. These are the thing I will think about and remember not a ceremony, not inspections or speeches. It is the people (both good and bad), the Commands (both good and bad), and the things I have done to make things better or enable my unit to complete it’s mission at the time that I will not forget. :cool:

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

It's a shame you feel that way, Mitch. If my career had ever begun to feel like the one you described, I would have packed my bags at the first opportunity.

It's probably best that you don't give a speech at retirement.

[ETCS David Kroll]

Mitch,
This is what I'm talking about. The way your going about this is just going to show the junior members that hey, there goes a CPO that had a crappy career and regrets it. At least thats what some may think. They will be there, for the free food. But why not tell the crew that ya I had some bad times, hard times, but it was worth it and I'm glad I did it? It's almost like your trying to get the last word in by just sliding out the back door. Its my day and this is what I want, period.
I agree inspections aren't much fun, but it's not an inspection, its you going to each person and saying thanks and good luck.
I guess I'm preeching to the choir here and your mind is made up.

How about anyone else? Can and Should we use our retirement ceremonies as a retension tool? Or should we just do an informal lunch an call it good?

[BMCM Deane Smith]

I don't know about anyone else, but I love sitting through retirement ceremonies. I like hearing what has happened throughout a career and it gives me a greater committment to the CG.

I guess what I'm trying to say is...Have a retirement ceremony. It's as much for your crew as it is for you and your family. You can tailor it to meet your personal preferences (i.e. no inspection of the troops).

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

I think that you owe it to the service to show others what they can achieve if they are willing to make the CG a career as opposed to a job. Mitch, I feel for you. If I had sent 90% of the past twenty three years enjoying 10% of the time I would have gotten out and made those Subway sandwiches for you. I don't know of many jobs or careers that allow you to spend all of your time and hoildays with friends and family and still offers the pay and benifits of the CG. Service life is not for everybody, but please don't make your speech, non-rates hear it enough from each other, they don't need to hear from CPOs.

[DCC Mitchell Penneau]

You’re all reading this the wrong way. Nowhere did I say that I had a crappy career and regret it, and to read that into it is wrong minded. I am proud of my career and what I have done. I have learned a lot and been to many places. But the point is that it was not all fun or very enjoyable.

No one can say that being away from home and family is enjoyable, I did what I did for my family, the Coast Guard and the Country, because I feel that as a citizen the country does not owe me anything, but I owe the Country something, and that is why I stayed in for so long. I like what I do and my work, but think about it, there is no way it was fun or enjoyable.

So before I get mad about all your responses and insinuations that I am some how disgruntled I will stop posting. I resent you insinuations and believe you need to learn how to RESPECT the opinions of others before calling them down. Why would it be best if I did not make a speech??? Do you really believe that I would trash the Coast Guard?? If that is what you believe then you have a lot to learn, about me and leadership and the Coast Guard. I do not air my opinions to the troops, but in a speech I would make I would mention all the long days away from home underway, I would mention the fact that I was at sea when my youngest daughter was born. Do I regret not being there, yes? Would I change it if I could? Yes. But there was a need for me to be someplace else, and I DID my duty. Facts are facts; life in the service is one of sacrifice, not of enjoyment or fun most of the time it is as stated before long days hard work with to much time away from family and friends. Would I change a thing about my career? No not a thing. The fact remains the Coast Guard made me the man I am today, it shaped me so that I can meet any challenge and beat it. The coast Guard has pained to educate me and helped me obtain three degrees, two bachelors and one masters. All these things would be included in any speech I would give, and to say it is best not to give a speech, really get’s my blood boiling. Look at what I have been trying to say. Read it again and maybe you will better understand what I am trying to say.


I love the Coast Guard and it has been good to my family and me. But the fact remains I do stand on ceremony never have or will. It is better for me in my opinion to have a relaxed easy going get together to celebrate my parting. The crew is what matters most at times like this, and for the crew the less hassle and disruption is more memorable be, much better than standing at attention listening to speeches.

Enough said about this. I respect the opinions of anyone that wants to have a ceremony and make a speech, it is there right, it is there retirement, and it is there day, just as what I AM going to do is my right. Disagree if you wish, but at least make the attempt to respect my decision.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

I totally respect your decision. Its your's to make. And I've re-read your post and stand by my decision that you probably shouldn't make the speech that you didn't want to make in the first place. You ..may... want to go back and re-read what you wrote in your third paragragh of the second post. It still seems a little disgruntled to me. You even put a face at the end of it that looks nothing like the other three in the post. It doesn't look happy.

"but the fact remains that 90% of it was not fun or enjoyable at all."

This was the opinion that you aired to the troops in this, a public forum, for all to see. You wrote about working for arrogant, incompentent leaders, or was I reading into that? You mentioned little or nothing of the positive aspects of the CG that are in your last post. Your second post was defending why you wouldn't make a speech and the third post explains why you should make one if you really wanted to. Maybe I'm reading into that also?
You're right, I don't know you. I was posting to respond to the thread as a whole. I based my post partially in response to David's question of using the speech as a retention tool. I base MY OPINIONS and MY posts on the information that I have at hand. Based on the things that you have written I agree with YOUR decision not to make a speech at YOUR retirement. Perhaps I'm one of those

"people that knew much les then you, or that had no experience, but because they were a higher rank you had to listen. "

or one of those

"arrogant Chiefs and officers that if you put all their knowledge together they could not fill a thimble."

That's also YOUR decision to make. That's MY opinion, take it or leave.

[ETCS David Kroll]

Hello Mitch,
I also did as you suggested and re-read your posts and you do sound like a very disgruntled Chief. Maybe you didn't mean to sound that way but you did. And if 4 or 5 people see it that way, chances are that is how you came across.

All, am I wrong in thinking that retirement ceremonies are a great retension tool? As has been said, it is our day, should we bask in the sun and enjoy the fruits of our labor? Or should we say goodbye to our closest co-workers and slide out the door?

Dave

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

David, standing by my post. It's our last official act. One last chance to help sway minds and honor the service that we have given so much for. An opportunity to public acknowledge the sacrifices made by our loved ones while we were away doing the things that we loved to do. One last chance to secure the future leaders of the service. One last chance to tell those still serving, Thank You, thanks for the memories, and carry on.

[ETCS David Kroll]

Hi Stu,
I concur completely. I know some people are against public speaking and such, but they can still do something formally to have their career displayed.
My plans are to have a nice formal ceremony and then probably have a casual reception at the house or a local restaurant for all those that want the free food!

Dave

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

As our latest guest essayist wrote, "What is your legacy?"

The retirement speech is your last chance to sum up your career, thank some people and challenge others. It is a way to inspire, warn, conjole, and reprimand anyone and everyone that you deem worthy. And, its a way to remember.

The ceremony will provide an opportunity for you and your family to be formally recognized for all those years of service. And, it allows your superiors, peers, and subordinates to get one last look at the legend (at least in my case).

And, the party! My goodness, the party! I plan to have a band, ice sculptures, sky-writing, fireworks, and more food and booze than a wedding reception!

If you don't feel that kind of enthusiasm for your career, then you've wasted 20+ years of your life. You should have exited after your first tour. There are civilian jobs that are a lot less demanding. But for me, the demanding, was what made it good.

[YNC PATRICK B. DENNY]

I've read many of the comments about retirement speeches. I myself plan on doing one, but mine will be simple. I plan to encourage our Junior Petty Officers to stay strong, and not be the "Weak Link". I agree that our Junior Petty Officers do need the encouragement of the Chief's Mess, not just when you retire, but at all times.....at least all the Chiefs I've served with did that, and I try my best to keep that tradition going. At the same time, I don't have any ill feelings toward anyone who does not want to give a speech, or have a ceremony at all. I figure it's a matter of personal preference. My retirement ceremony is going to be a bit different. I plan on having mine start at the crack of dawn, before the sun rises. Then I'll give my speech, (No more than 15-20 minutes), after that, grant liberty and party the rest of the day away. I pray that I will be around the same types of crews as I always have been blessed with (Believe it or not, including the Officers) that stick together no matter how tough things got. That means their Sailors, and I feel you don't have much to tell a Sailor about hard times. If I'm reading DCC Penneau right, I don't feel he's being anti Coast Guard, or that he had a "Crappy" career, maybe he just dosen't like bringing attention to himself (I know I don't). I will have to endure that for whomever I serve with at my final unit, because I think it'll be my last chance to teach. DCC Penneau, I can only ask you to re-consider. Your crew will appreciate it.

[DCC Mitchell Penneau]

The decision I have made stands. I did not make my personal decision lightly, I have thought about it for sometime. I am going to have a very informally things and that is it. As for the notion of the crew will appreciate it. I have asked around and to a person they would much rather have an informal setting then a formal things and all. I also like things as informal as possible, for many things, well there is a time and place for formality, change of commands, commissioning and decommission of ships and the like and some things have to be formal, but not this.

[SKCM Linda Reid]

Because ceremonies here at HQ are held indoors, they adopt a certain level of informality. Usually the drill is ... the office chief says some nice stuff about the person's career, an award is given, maybe some other gifts, presentation of the letter from the Prez, presentation of the retirement certificate, speech by the retiree, cake and finger sandwiches. Usually the speech is a chance to say thanks to a lot of people. Sometimes you'll get somebody with some really funny sea stories, but that's rare.

I love watching Captains cry!

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

When I worked at d9, I got to watch a full Commander go into full-blown rant mode over his ex-wife getting half of his retirement...

But the finger sandwiches were good!! :D

[BMCM Bill Sheretz]

One of the best retirements I ever attended was that of a friend of mine, a QMCS who retired as Command Senior Chief of a Group. The invitations specified SDB for official party, hawaiian shirts and shorts for guests. The first half was very traditional, in fact every thing was normal, until the QMCS stood up for his speech.

He began his speech by listing many of the memorable moments he had enjoyed during his Coast Guard career. Then, he began to list the things that he wouldn't miss (reveille, the bosn's pipe, etc). After each item he listed, he would remove an article of his uniform....not like a strip tease, but to reveal gradually that he had a hawaiian shirt and shorts on under his SDB's. It was done tastefully and in good humor, and very vividly signified the transition he was making. When he was piped ahore, it was a sight to see.....

[OSC Chip Hoynes]

The QMCS transition/field stripping rocks. I got a signed letter, and I think I'm gonna do that! (plus, I'm the last BQMITCG...).

[LT Arthur Nelson (MKC) (Ret)]

Chip,
I must admit. To me, I cannot fully understand what you wrote. The BQMITCG I finally de-coded, but what is ment with "field stripping rocks"?

[BMC Ralph Williams]

LT,
I think what he was trying to say was the transition form SDB's to shirt and shorts was GREAT!!

[ETC Pat Kaschube]

Either that or Chip just likes to see men in uniform strip. Must be a Sector thing.

[OSC Chip Hoynes]

Pat, that was very bratty. Where you at now?

[ETC Pat Kaschube]

ESD AC. I went through CCTI with Jimmy last year.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I didn't want to be accused of not practicing what I preach. I've attached both my change-of-command speech and my retirement speech (given both in the same evening).

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Great speeches Dennis. Thanks for sharing........... just so you know, I'll be stealing parts of both in a couple of years.

[BMC John Phillips III]

I second that Dennis, I can call you that now right? Great speeches, truly!

I have a little more time that Master Chief Slesh, so I might just steal some from his, thus keeping a tradition alive.

Thanks for sharing and for your service and good luck in the real world!

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Stu and JP3 as long as you properly attribute what you stole to Dennis, the plagarism police won't have to take you in.

Plagarism has been the downfall of many a College Student and even journalist -- If I'm at either of your retirements, I'll be listening very carefully

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

Spoken like a true PA. ;)

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Steve, I've lived my life by the motto that "Creativity is wonderful, but Plagarism is faster."

And I don't think that JP3 will be retirement eligible until 2024.

[BMCS Burt Ford]

I guess steve does not know that proper plagarism is an EPME for all BMs.

[BMC John Phillips III]

PACS, I will be watching the audience for you!

BMCM, I don't plan on doing 30 but thanks for signing me up. I "can" retire in Feb 2014.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

JP3,

I'll be the one with the dictionary, thesaurus and Bartlett's Book of Quotations scanning furiously to ensure accuracy!

Damn -- this board needs a Sepll Checker

[SKCM Linda Reid]

Trying to keep mine short and not succeeding. Need to thank my husband profusely (partly for recruiting me in the first place!) ... and I want to express what a great honor it has been to serve.

This thing has turned into a monster. No fewer than 6 people/groups want to present something. People are coming from Florida, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia Beach ... plus my sister from Oregon. I think I will be nervous the day of.

Only bad thing ... neither of my kids will be there since they are both attending school in Europe this summer.

[YNCM Doug Squires (Ret)]

I departed Active duty in April of 2003. Here are my retirement remarks.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

nice speech.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

We've not got a retirement speech in awhile. Nobody wants to share anymore?

[PAC Jamie Devitt-Chacon ret]

Ok, PA's love to share, so let me try to figure out how to post my retirement remarks. I pretty much said this verbatim, but I did have a surprise guest, so I ad-libbed a little to thank her for coming.

Use at will.

PAC Jamie Devitt-Chacon

[PAC Jamie Devitt-Chacon ret]

Wow. Your silence is overwhelming. :rolleyes:

[MSTCS Dave McClintock]

Hello Chiefs!

As I enjoy my last month of terminal leave(but I started working at the local VA two weeks ago so vacation is over!), I finally got some time away from finishing the retirement house and thought I would share my retirement speech since someone asked. Read alot of GREAT ones when thinging about mine. Not the traditional speech with things about my CG friends/mentors and career. Mine and my wifes family made the 11 hour drive to be there and I felt it was more for them and my boys. Gave the boys shadow boxes which had hat pins of every sports team they had been on since they had been born. $200 worth of pins! Anyway, not probably not much of a retirement speech, but enjoy.

[YNCM Doug Squires (Ret)]

Welcome to the Retiree Ranks there SENIOR CHIEF!

[CWO Charlie Rice (BMC)]

Well, I finally pulled the plug on May 30th. Didn't want to transfer, and found that I really like the area. It was a sad day, but it was also the beginning of a new life and new adventure. I'm going to miss the crew most of all, but it was the right time.

I think the biggest thing to hit me was that this was the first time I wasn't the one moving, and that over the next three years, everyone I knew, worked with, laughed with, and played softball with will be leaving and I will still be here. It's a strange feeling to know it's not you that eventually leaves, it's everyone else.

Attached is my speech. Kept it short and sweet since lunch was being set up and I wanted everyone to get to eating the great BBQ that was catered. The pictures show the beginning and the end, and of course, the goal of the career, the certificate. :cool:

[YNCM Doug Squires (Ret)]

Nice - very Nice! Congratulations Bosn - and welcome to the "button club".

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Congratulations, Charlie. Nice speech.
What are you planning to do, now?

[AMTCM John Long]

Nice departing speech Charlie. Congrats on making it!!

John

[CWO Charlie Rice (BMC)]

Thanks all. And to think I only choked up for a minute :D

Dennis, I actually finished my first week of work. I took a week off to do some work around the house, and then started a job with a local company. So far, so good!:)

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Charlie,
Congratulations on your retirement... You will find the retired life is wonderful... Enjoy it!

Say "hi" to Dani for me....

Wray... :cool:

[CWO Charlie Rice (BMC)]

Wray,
It seems strange to hear of all the flooding going on in Iowa and Missouri, and seeing the river gauges go past flood stages and not be placed on DART standby. First thing I thought when I saw those readings was "uh oh...boats are going to be deployed..." and I realized that I'm not going to be part of it. My team has duty this weekend and here I sit home, with weekends off! :D It's going to take some getting used to, but hey...I'm willing! :p

Dani says Hi and hopes that things are going well with you. Saw the pic of the family and ya'll look great!

Talk at ya later.

Charlie.