You finally have that all-important DD-214 in hand. Now what? Time to celebrate, of course! But if you want to stand out from the more than 200,000 service members who exit the military each year, according to DOD data, you might want to give your goodbye transition period some extra thought.
Meet three veterans who did exactly that, choosing to go out in ways that perfectly reflected their unique careers, personalities and journeys.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Zachary Barry
Barry came from a long line of veterans and knew from his first enlistment that he wanted to make the military his career. So when it came time to retire in 2023 after 20 years in the Air Force, he aimed to include people from all stages of his time working in tactical aircraft maintenance.
His wife, Lindsay, suggested that instead of a typical work lunch party with sub sandwiches and bakery items, they should branch out with a food truck. That way, she reasoned, people could order whatever they wanted. Barry loved the idea, settling on hiring a food truck that specialized in gourmet burgers for his retirement party out of Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona.
“I love a good burger and they didn’t disappoint,” he said. “I had ‘The Monty.’ Tons of flavor, crisp lettuce, tomato, crisp pickles and sauce that brings it all together.”
Around 50 people attended, including former and current co-workers. “It was a blast!” Barry said. “There were guys that I hadn’t seen for years, but it felt like we never missed a beat.”
Barry called his food truck party the perfect way to say goodbye to the Air Force.
“Having all these people together, being able to spend time with everyone, having an upbeat atmosphere with stories ― just one after the other,” Barry said, “There are ups and downs through your career, and being able to say goodbye and move onto the next chapter with people that understand what it takes and what you have given up to get to retirement ― the best part was the whole thing!”
Army Capt. LeAnn Volesky
Volesky owned a little Toyota sports car for three decades. When her husband, Gary, delivered the dreaded news that she either needed to sell it or get some major work done, the former missile maintenance officer started dreaming instead. Not too long afterward, a friend picked her up in a MINI Cooper convertible ― and Volesky knew what their future vehicle would be after military retirement.
In 2021, the couple purchased a Chili Red 2021 MINI Cooper JCW (John Cooper Works) convertible for themselves.
“My husband always tells people that he didn’t know I was joining a cult when I bought my MINI,” she said. “I didn’t either!”
They struggled with what to name their new car, with Volesky comparing it to naming a child. “I would say a name and Gary would say, ‘No, that sounds like a porn star,’ or he would mention one and I’d say, ‘No, that sounds like soap opera star.’”
One day, Gary mentioned Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod, a character from the TV show “Highlander.” “I immediately thought of Duncan MacMini of the Clan MacMini, and the name stuck,” she said. Duncan it was ― complete with a license plate of MACM1NI.
Today, Volesky spends her weekends driving around and hanging out with other MINI enthusiasts near her Huntsville, Alabama home. She even attends MINI meetups all around the nation. “There is nothing like driving with a herd of MINIs!” she said. “If you’ve ever watched “The Italian Job,” you would understand. It’s just like that!”
Volesky is loving the retired life, taking every opportunity she can to drive her convertible “topless.”
“The best part of retirement is having the time to drive and see the things I missed during all the hectic Army years,” she said. “I’ve only had Duncan two years, and I just went over 40,000 miles. I love driving across our beautiful country, and I love my drives with my MINI friends!”
Air Force & Army Capt. Cliff Jones
Jones, a chaplain in New Jersey, had a lot of support over his military career. So when it came time for him to leave in 2017, he wanted to do something a little different than the average retirement ceremony and make it about others ― not him.
That list included his wife of 17 years, Wendi. The two had been through a lot together, including infertility, a miscarriage, the adoptions of a son and a daughter and the creation of a nonprofit focused on miscarriage, infertility and adoption.
So at his ceremony, as he was making remarks to the audience of 40, Jones announced, “I had mentioned to some of you that this was going to be a ceremony with a twist. Well, here’s the twist.” He then turned to Wendi and asked if she would like to renew their wedding vows, right then and there.
“She was definitely floored,” Jones said. “I don’t know if she teared up or not, but she was definitely shocked and surprised, and I think she smiled.”
The first chaplain Jones had ever met ― and the inspiration for him signing up for the chaplaincy ― conducted the renewal. The Joneses recited their wedding vows all over again, promising to love each other for better or for worse until death does them part.
“Wendi was with me for the whole journey of the military, and I thought what a fitting time to have vow renewals as we were leaving and starting a new path, wherever it led,” Jones said. “Everyone there was so pleased and joyful.”
Taking time to personalize your military exit celebration, Jones said, is worth the effort.
“It’s good to reflect on the good and not-so-good, to remember and look back with gratitude to God for all the different pieces of your military career,” he said.
