Received a giant retirement certificate from the Marine Corps this past weekend. The package also contained an official “U.S. Marine Corps – Retired” lapel pin. Turns out this is the same certificate even retiring generals receive. Photos:

Received a certified letter last week from Bethesda. On July 15th, a Marine Corps Colonel and two Navy officers met in Washington, DC and determined that my “disposition be changed from temporary to permanent disability retirement.” I sent in my acceptance yesterday, and sometime in the next 12 weeks I will be permanently retired!

Reported to Bethesda Naval Hospital as ordered for my the temporary disability retired list (TDRL) periodic physical examination (PPE) today. I was told to arrive at 7:15AM. As soon as I got there, I was checked in, and sent to the orthopedic department. After they took my vitals and a few x-rays of my hip, [...]

Received my first orders to appear for the temporary disability retired list (TDRL) periodic physical examination (PPE) this week. I am to report to Bethesda Naval Hospital by the end of June 2010 to “determine any change in the condition for which I was placed on the TDRL.” As you may remember reading, those on [...]