Retirement

As I drove out of the FBI Academy on New Year's Eve, and into the uncharted waters of retirement, I felt a sense of nostalgia and deep satisfaction. A little over 22 years ago, I entered the Academy as a New Agent in awe of an organization with the reputation as the finest law enforcement agency in the world. When I graduated and moved across the country to report to my first assignment in a small city in middle America, I had no idea what the future would hold for me.

My new bride placed her faith in my decision to enter the FBI and dedicated herself to building a family as we navigated many challenging assignments over the years. Through the long absences and ever-present demands of the job, she stood by me bearing the burdens unique to a spouse in public service. No man or woman can successfully navigate a career in public service without the support of loved ones, and my experience was no exception.

I never aspired to rise in the ranks of the organization, as the modest pay increases and titles did not hold much appeal for me. I rather entered management with a sense of reluctance, seeking a peek inside the structure of headquarters while I awaited my turn to gain the seniority needed to return to the area which defined my pre-Bureau experiences. As is so often the case, one's best laid plans for life take unanticipated detours on the road to a destination much different that we had envisioned.

As I settled into my role as a leader, I began to realize the influence I could have on both mission and people. I relished finding efficiencies within a bureaucratic process that frequently focused on securing increased funding to expand a program's productivity as opposed to examining the status quo. Most of all, my deepest sense of accomplishment came from seeing subordinates thrive when the constraints of blind adherence to "best practices" are set aside in an atmosphere of empowerment and innovation. I found it frequently as simple as that - get out of the way and remove the chains that restrain the passion of your most committed team members.

What I will miss about this career is not just the mission, but more the incredible talent and quality of the people that comprise its ranks. This includes all the organizations I had the pleasure of working with during my time in public service. There is a unique characteristic that binds together those who serve for the greater good of society, be it in law enforcement, EMS, fire, medical, the military, or any of the other similar jobs - the willingness to sacrifice to help others.

While there is no denying the feelings of nostalgia are strong as I look back on my 30-year career in law enforcement, I feel incredibly fortunate for the opportunities that came my way and for those special persons in my life who supported me on the journey. I feel a deep sense of satisfaction on how this chapter of my professional life ended. Now its time to take a short break, give back to my family who were there for me, and to begin to write the next chapter. My standard for professional success going forward is simple - it will be focused on those intangibles that matters most in life - a sense of satisfaction in serving a greater good.

As always, please be safe. Train hard and love your brothers and sisters in arms so you may all rejoin your loved ones at the end of your tours of duty.