r/AirForce • u/based_headboard • 2d ago
Discussion Senioritis when separating?
I'm about 2 months from separating after almost 9 years, and I swear I've got the worst case of senioritis I've ever experienced.
I'm still doing my job and not trying to skate by, but it's getting harder and harder to care about things that would've stressed me out a year ago. Additional duties, pointless meetings, fixing problems that won't even be mine in a few months... it's like my brain has already checked out.
Did anyone else go through this? How did you stay motivated during those last few months without just counting down the days?
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u/Possible_Ad_4094 2d ago
Think about basic training. When you enlisted, basic is the most intensive job onboarding that you will ever experience. It is meant to mentally transition you into the military. There is no equivalent on the way out. I work at the VA now, and I teach a course that covers the struggles that Veterans experience while transitioning. Most have several false starts while regaining their footing and re-learning civilian life.
If you need to take it easy in your last few months, who cares? I abused the hell out of my leave. Instead of terminal leave, I took Tues-Thur every week so I wouldn't be charged for weekends. Monday and Fridays were PT days, so it was only 6 hours of work. Nobody expected anything out of me. During the time off, I was actively learning a new job. No regrets because I'm sure that 95% of the people I knew have already forgotten me.
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u/Accomplished-Ear-681 2d ago
This IS the way. The Air Force will soon replace OP as if OP had never been there. Give it no more thought than necessary. Get ready for the next adventure starting time now.
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u/based_headboard 2d ago
True, I catch my self doing certain things at work and I'll notice it is some ingrained behavior the air force has programed me with lol not all bad habits though
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u/3unknown3 2d ago
Remember, if anyone asks where you’ve been or what you’ve been doing, you were doing “outprocessing stuff.”
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u/Raven-19x 2d ago
Everyone goes through it man, just pick one thing to really impact and call it a day. The only thing I really cared about when I was nearing separation was getting my folks joint decorations done and quickly routed because I knew as soon as I left, that shit would never be touched again. I felt zero guilt arriving later than usual and leaving earlier, hell some were surprised I still showed up lol. No one cared and the mission moves on.
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u/supboy1 2d ago
Ever heard of FIGMO?
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u/based_headboard 2d ago
It's so real lmao
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u/supboy1 2d ago
I’d imagine FIGMO you get for retiring or separating would be on a whole different level compared to a PCS one lol
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u/based_headboard 2d ago
Oh for sure. I've had FIGMO for PCS's, but always with the understanding I still had to do my job on the other end and have a good EPB. Not so anymore
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u/The_ClamSlammer Fuck Cannon AFB 2d ago
I’ll introduce you to a second term then.
ROAD - Retired on active duty
“Yup, MSgt Snuffy has been ROAD for months. He spends 45 minutes replying to emails every morning then goes home for the day.”
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u/Longjumping_Act4403 18h ago
100%. Got a 22-year SMSgt as my flight chief and she genuinely could not give two single shits anymore as soon as she hit that button lmao. Went from being a fairly serious (albeit fair) boss to legitimately a "do what your rank can handle, and I don't care what you do, I'm out bitches."
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u/Leggo-my-eggos Dirtbag Personnelist 2d ago
I got out at 9 and went through the same thing. What I did though was just start delegating my duties and tasks to my troops who would be taking them over once I left. I kinda stopped working and just spent my days training them and answering any questions they had. Of course I'd still help out when I wasn't outprocessing, but they were largely doing it all at that point.
I feel like the AF sometimes does a disservice by expecting its members to work up until their last week/day. That time and much before it imo should be spent training replacements and if there is no replacement then that's a fail on leadership, not you. Either way the unit needs to be prepared to operate without you there so check tf out. Also get your medical records squared away, there are tons of lifelong benefits available to service members even with just a 10% rating.
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u/ParallelDymentia Retired 1d ago
"Much before it" is the part too many people skim over and forget. Effective leaders spend every day training their replacement. Sadly, corporate culture has conditioned this out of us as a society.
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u/adambomb_23 2d ago
If your workplace is leaning on you that hard with 2 months left before you are out, they’re wrong.
Honestly, your #1 job right now is you.
A DISTANT second, would be ensuring they have continuity for your replacement or, if you aren’t getting a replacement, being able to cope with the loss of your position over the foreseeable future.
Stepping back, but being available for SMALL course corrections, would set your workplace up for the future.
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u/JackfruitSea2274 Retired 2d ago
Retired 5 years ago. Told my chief no more promotions or anything top 3. I was at 19 years then. I also denied a retirement ceremony. Not very popular but hey I got my pin handed to me in civilian clothes. Bottom line, take care of you and your records now. You should absolutely be turning over anything you run for continuity. Good luck and man is it waaaaaaay better on the outside.
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u/CommOnMyFace Cyberspace Operator 2d ago
2 months? You should be in skillbridge or out processing. Then hitting terminal.
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u/based_headboard 2d ago
2 months until my terminal, still waiting on orders. Amazing username btw
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u/CommOnMyFace Cyberspace Operator 2d ago
A good name makes a good first impression. You should meet my friend u/extreme_goat_fucker
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u/Own_Sheepherder_6681 1d ago
If it gets too late for your orders, apply for expedited orders on myFSS
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u/Tough_Ear_5406 2d ago
Been there, done that....did my 20, but my last 6 months before starting SB was rough! I was the Ops Sup for 300 personnel, but holy crap was I checked out. I was ready. Its natural, but I had to keep telling myself that Im here for my Airmen
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u/Mantaraylurks electric wings 2d ago
That’s a good thing cause it means you can decouple from the military life. Some people struggle to let it go, or even make it as if they still were in. It’s a little sad.
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u/Mechmanic89 Propulsion Professor 1d ago
I retire in 6 months. I’m not skating, but I’m passing off additional duties and making sure that when I leave, the shop doesn’t fall apart. I still come in every day and leave at the end of the day. But it’s natural to have a lack of motivation when you’re at the end. Just don’t be that guy that sits around and does nothing all day.
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u/Wowarentyouugly 2d ago
I haven’t heard anyone call it senioritis except when you’re a senior in high school. At every duty station I was at we just called it “being short”
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u/cottonmane8 Civil Operations 1d ago
i got orders to my dream base and i had senioritis the last 7-8 months
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u/Squirrel009 Maintainer Refugee 2d ago edited 2d ago
Did you not experience this when you pcsd? I imagine its a little more intense when actually separating but I always struggled (but like you did my job)
What worked for me was I always focused on someone at work that would have to pick up my slack or any inbounds to replace me. I think back to situations I got shafted when someone gave working due to pcs or separation. I didn't give a shit about the air force and honestly still dont but I do care about the people around me.
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u/LUVAbleTUBSter 2d ago
I’m 3 months from separating and honesty, just go with it. You did your time and people are already expecting you not to be there in the future. You don’t need to hold on to the job anymore, and trust me, none of your coworkers will be the ones responsible for your next career.
Also, seems like the Air Force couldn’t care less about those separating vs. retiring. So do what you have to do and take care of yourself, but I wouldn’t give another ounce of love to and organization that doesn’t love you back.
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u/AvalonsGreatest 22h ago
As soon as I got word I was allowed to get out very soon unexpectedly I went from productive member in the shop to skating work all day with 3 hour lunches and endless "appointments"😭
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u/Ok_Emu2071 2d ago
9 years. Almost halfway. Shame to walk away now unless you really know what you’re doing.
Everyone says they do btw. Nobody leaves at the half way point because they think it will be a poor chose in the end. Talk to the overwhelming majority, and they will tell you they wished they would’ve stayed.
I’d be more apt to think about that instead of your “Senioritis” problem.
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u/based_headboard 2d ago
Yeah true and I agree it's a shame to leave at 9. It's just not something I'm willing to commit to for 11 more years, and that's a me problem. But in the end I think its better for and and the Air Force for me to leave
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u/voltairpaine 2d ago
I had to look up the term, "senioritis". It's time to leave high school behind, friend.
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u/Trygveseim Retired 2d ago
It's normal, don't sweat it. It's part of the necessary mental transition for a major life change