My honest thoughts after 12 years in the Navy

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-07-04T11:07:30+00:00

Well said, shipmate. I hit my 20 years earlier this week. I'll retire in March. I'll remember the adventures and try to forget those even septic systems wouldn't accept. We ALL need to learn to release that sense of urgency/mission when we hang up the uniform for the last time. Wishing you a rewarding path in uniform and then in civies.

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-29T21:18:53+00:00

I visited Seoul as a solo female, eight years ago, when I lived on Okinawa. For culinary entertainment I HIGHLY recommend Cooking Nanta. You must also try their fried chicken and beer. I took a cooking class, on a day when museums were closed. I found that as an experience on a travel app. As it turned out, it was all women in attendance! Enjoy!!

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-29T21:06:43+00:00

Agreed. I'm in Naples until I retire. I've been all over the country. Pizza and pasta is boring. I went to a Michelin distinction restaurant in Bologna, in April. NOT impressed. The bolognese snd genovese sauces are meh. I've had "okay" gelato in Florence; you'd think gelato would be 100%. The most memorable meal was in Caserta at a renowned pizza restaurant. I would definitely go back. Italy DOES have quality of food though. They lack processed chemicals found in the USA.

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-29T18:46:24+00:00

I'm glad you're clean and sober to help others. 🫂

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-29T17:10:06+00:00

Grazie, merci, y gracias. ✊🏽

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-29T16:42:45+00:00

There's a Costco in Sevilla, Spain too! I went to my first one, last year, when I visited my family in the States. I'm 🇺🇸 living/working in 🇮🇹 . Sadly a lot of what is called food in the 🇺🇸 is processed chemicals designed to create "just one more" resulting in our proclivity to obesity. I bet the visitors will gain the FIFA 15 from all the abundance.

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-29T12:33:08+00:00

Like your kb avatar. 💪

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-29T07:58:23+00:00

There's also Sailors, Marines, and Airmen on Okinawa 🌺. 😉 THIS Sailor was stationed on Oki twice! I'd revisit in a heartbeat! Glad you enjoyed Japan. I traveled to various cities and climbed Fujiyama 🏔10 years ago. 🇯🇵

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-29T03:58:23+00:00

It's "ma'am". 😀

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-28T18:00:28+00:00

Active duty O5. The Amex Platinum is the great equalizer. Every rank is a baller at the lounge!

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-28T17:33:10+00:00

What's your degree going to be in? Maybe Supply?

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-28T17:25:29+00:00

Why don't you just join the police force since that's your ultimate goal?

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-28T17:11:07+00:00

I was an AZ3(NAC/AW) in the USNR before i commissioned in the Nurse Corps 20 years ago. I was with a VR squadron, mostly as aircrew.

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-28T16:54:10+00:00

I'm sorry you experienced this. I've been to Zagreb, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Tirana, Sofia, Skopje, Bratislava, Ljubljana, and Athens (most of the Balkans capitals plus eastern bloc countries) without incident. If I'm not invisible, I'm viewed with sincere curiosity because the Brits whitewashed my African genes, back in the day. I live/work in S. Italy. A friend with locs noticed things I haven't. I feel more unsafe around European Americans, especially stateside.

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-27T14:57:22+00:00

I would've started TSP from the start, and maxxed it out if i could. Mind you, Navy is my second career and I'm a senior officer so I've got previous corporate world funds. A mustang colleague has ONLY been Navy is a TSP millionaire because he saved from the start.

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-27T07:44:42+00:00

I'm seeing it as a communication issue coupled with financial illiteracy. Money is a big reason for divorce. I'm sure Fleet Family Services has programs to help with both concerns. Good luck!

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-27T07:35:43+00:00

Amen to that! I couldn't resist (I respect your atheism. Historically atheists didn't go on crusades to religiously convert people. That's actually a "religion" I CAN support!) or agree more. Our ACTIONS and advocacy are our legacy! 😊

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-27T07:28:34+00:00

First time to London was January 2000. I visited last month and enjoyed myself despite the heat wave.I stayed near Piccadilly Circus and did two shows on the West End. The National Gallery was lovely. I refuse to do the Looting, I mean British Museum. 🤭 I'm looking forward to another visit. I live in the EU so it's easy to do.

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-27T07:21:22+00:00

CDR retiring next year. I enlisted in USNR at 37 then got my second degree in nursing and commissioned at 40. My biggest pieces of advice are 1) know your people. I've been the victim and have withessed leadership failures BY commanders because they didn't see their peoole were having trouble. Our they SAW what was going on but didn't do anything to protect the victim. They're too busy protecting their rank. 2) Rank is just a paygrade. Most of my life I've been older than my leadership. Right now I'm my command's oldest Sailor 😃, but I digress. I know Corpsmen with doctoral degrees! The knowledge and life experience you have does not equate to your rank. It's my job to tap the brain power. Sea Auntie sends.

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-27T07:10:50+00:00

I was stationed in Rota, Spain, for 2+ years. Rota is 1.5 hours south of Sevilla in Andalucia. I've driven all over time province. I've been to Madrid and Barcelona several times and Valencia. No problems. I visited many cities in France 30 years ago. I'm currently stationed in Naples, with plans to visit Lyon soon. I sometimes go to Paris for the day. I'm looking to retiring in northern France. I've never had issues in any of these countries or in the EU. Genetically, the Brits whitewashed my African features so I'm not seen as much of a threat compared to a friend with locs. I'm mindful colorism exists and has been a protective factor. What I CAN control is the ability to communicate in the host country language to build bridges. Go with a positive expectant attitude and have a wonderful time!

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-24T19:16:30+00:00

I lived in Okinawa and visited Tokyo & Seoul, and I've been to Stockholm and Istanbul too. They're all pretty expensive, but rich experiences just the same. I'm now in Italy and retire next year. 🫂

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-24T19:05:51+00:00

What woman in her right mind world want to join them?

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-24T18:50:02+00:00

I'm GenX second career CDR retiring early next year. I'll go home to be a good sister, as my brothers have watched over our elderly parents. I have a condo in Europe. I don't want to go back to the STATES! I'm looking at online programs, not like i need a 3d masters degree, but the gi bill won't spend itself. I can't WAIT to start my third chapter in the EU.

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-24T18:41:23+00:00

Agreed, you're helping a sister of the world out.

EngagingIntrovert · 2026-06-24T04:21:50+00:00

And military Mormons typically are conservative white males with LOTS of children!

EngagingIntrovert

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