Bcmech1 wrote:
Started out as a dumb automotive mechanic. Still doing mechanic work, just on heavy equipment now. Hoping to retire in 4 or 5 years, 62 now.
An auto mechanic would be a highly skilled trade...so I would not under rate yourself! Frankly..."everything" that any of us have done, or are currently doing...represents the application of the unique gifts and talents that we all possess. That goes for both civilian and military vocations in my mind...
I am grateful that everybody did not choose the same trade...otherwise we'd be left pretty short handed when it comes to fulfilling the various needs of a "well oiled" societal mechanism!
In a way...I am saying "thank you" to each and everyone for doing their part in making the USA the greatest Country in the history of mankind!
Pixiedog456005 wrote:
What was your first job after high school & and your last job you had at retirement / or currently still at?
Roughneck in West Texas until entering Air Force in Dec of 1951 and then finished up working time as Quality Assurance Engineer at Texas Instruments. Worked at TI from Apr 1957 until Nov 1990.
fishyaker wrote:
An auto mechanic would be a highly skilled trade...so I would not under rate yourself! Frankly..."everything" that any of us have done, or are currently doing...represents the application of the unique gifts and talents that we all possess. That goes for both civilian and military vocations in my mind...
I am grateful that everybody did not choose the same trade...otherwise we'd be left pretty short handed when it comes to fulfilling the various needs of a "well oiled" societal mechanism!
In a way...I am saying "thank you" to each and everyone for doing their part in making the USA the greatest Country in the history of mankind!
An auto mechanic would be a highly skilled trade..... (
show quote)
Actually I meant when I started as a mechanic I was pretty dumb compared to what I know now. I have been an ASE master mechanic certified for the last 30 years
MoJoe
Loc: Springfield, MO
First job out of school was a bill collector on the Navajo reservation for Avco Finance out of Flagstaff Arizona. Last November I retired as a judge. Lots of stops in between.
Bcmech1 wrote:
Actually I meant when I started as a mechanic I was pretty dumb compared to what I know now. I have been an ASE master mechanic certified for the last 30 years
OK...gotcha! In my world, "auto repair people" rate very highly!!! I used to tinker at it a bit with my own cars and trucks, but most modern vehicular items are way above my knowledge base these days!
I often think of the short story where a specialist gets flown in from abroad to "fix" a highly technical piece of equipment that has gone awry...and after some time reviewing the machinery and issue at hand...reaches in and tweaks a single little adjustment screw. The instrument begins operations once again like a fine Swiss watch. Problem solved! The observer from the Company production floor says "Good grief, that's all it was?! I could have done that myself!" To which the technician replies "Well, I suppose you could have...if you had known exactly what screw needed an adjustment, and by just how much!"
Pixiedog456005 wrote:
What was your first job after high school & and your last job you had at retirement / or currently still at?
Started work building mobile/modular homes at a local plant the day after HS graduation. After 9 months I got on with Crown Zellerbach at our community paper mill. In our community those were career jobs, and many of my friends and classmates have now retired from that industry.
I decided that rotating shift work wasn’t for me so I left that career behind and enrolled at the university. I pushed straight through and finished my Bachelors in Technology Education Degree in three years.
I was in education as a teacher, coach and athletic administrator for 39 years, 36 of those back in my home town at the high school that I attended. In our spare time my wife (who is also a retired educator) and I nurtured our four wonderful children on our small farm where we raised Polled Hereford breeding stock as an additional income source.
We both loved our jobs and always considered what we did as a service to our community. Sadly, things have changed. I don’t recognize our education system, mission or goals any more. It is certainly not what I signed up for and enjoyed for most of my career. I definitely would not make the choice to go into education in today’s climate.
Worked 3 summers as a substitute letter carrier while going to college. Investment banking after retiring from the USAF.
fishyaker wrote:
OK...gotcha! In my world, "auto repair people" rate very highly!!! I used to tinker at it a bit with my own cars and trucks, but most modern vehicular items are way above my knowledge base these days!
I often think of the short story where a specialist gets flown in from abroad to "fix" a highly technical piece of equipment that has gone awry...and after some time reviewing the machinery and issue at hand...reaches in and tweaks a single little adjustment screw. The instrument begins operations once again like a fine Swiss watch. Problem solved! The observer from the Company production floor says "Good grief, that's all it was?! I could have done that myself!" To which the technician replies "Well, I suppose you could have...if you had known exactly what screw needed an adjustment, and by just how much!"
OK...gotcha! In my world, "auto repair people... (
show quote)
Most people don't know that a good mechanic spends more time training per year than any other occupation. Mechanics put in around 80 hours a year, the closest to that is doctors at around 20.
U.S. Navy, 1966-70
Retired as Fire Marshal, USDOI-NPS
I live in south west Ga. I have always worked in farm supply. The last 27 years worked for large peanut company. We bought peanuts from farmers. We stored,shelled and sold to all the biggest companies. I retired 6/30/20. My wife retired 6/30/18. We have really enjoyed playing with grandkids.
Pixiedog456005 wrote:
What was your first job after high school & and your last job you had at retirement / or currently still at?
I started working for my dad in his drugstore at 13. After school and weekends all thru high school and vacation times thru 3 years of college. Got married in 72, worked grocery til 83 then back to run my dad's store til 85. Opened a toy store, lost it, bought a shipping place ran it til ai got sick. Sold the business, remodeled the house, sold it came to Cortez, 20 years managing and maintaining a trailer park. Now I just want to grow a garden and go fishing.
Pixiedog456005 wrote:
What was your first job after high school & and your last job you had at retirement / or currently still at?
Navy and Civilian Mgr for DOD Navy
First real job- Paper mill on the extra board. Then wire drawer at Alcoa aluminum, then cheese maker at DairyGold, then 31 years police officer retired. Funny where life takes you.
Monday
Hvac Tech/ Custom sheet metal fabrication.
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.