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<ul class="summary-list"><li>Chris Mott, a veteran, decided to retire at 57 after he became unemployed and couldn't find a job.</li><li>Mott and his wife sold their California home, downsized, and invested in a travel trailer.</li></ul><p>I'm a veteran who has worked for various organizations and government jobs, including, at times, building and running companies. Like most people, I didn't really start <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/planned-retirement-until-discovered-fire-2024-04">thinking about retirement</a> until I was past my mid-40s. My plan was to work until I was 65 or 70, but my wife apparently had a different idea.</p><p>When I became unemployed in 2022, my wife saw this as an opportunity for us to retire and live on the road full time. This had been her dream since we bought a small camping trailer in 2002. We spent many summers and holidays <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-plan-perfect-american-road-trip-across-southwest-region">traveling the Western United States</a> and Canada with our son.</p><p>At 57, I was too young to start <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/what-is-social-security">drawing from Social Security</a> or our retirement accounts, so our finances were at the forefront of my mind, but I decided we could make her dream a reality. Almost a year later, my portfolio has generated almost as much as I made at my last job.</p><p>Here's how I managed my early retirement.</p><h2 id="a9c4091b-1102-4746-b4f1-8c7cb984913a">I didn't realize my life was about to change</h2><p>We <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tarek-el-moussa-says-he-cant-make-money-on-california-starter-homes-2024-2">owned a house in California</a> on a large lot in the Orange County city of Yorba Linda. When my granddaughter was just a year old, my wife went up to Vancouver, Washington, for a visit by herself. A few days into that trip, my daughter-in-law sent me some photos of my wife with the baby, and she was smiling like I'd not seen her smile in a very long time. I knew then that my life was about to change. I just didn't realize how much.</p><div type="image" title="Chris Mott and his wife Kim at Bryce Canyon National Park." height="3060" width="4080" msid="114773505" hostid="261" sizebytes="1113370"></div><p>When she returned from that trip, we started making plans to move. Our house was nice but wasn't quite ready to put on the market. I was still employed at the time. I made arrangements to work remotely for my company, and my wife's sister had agreed to move in with their mother to provide care. After several months of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/should-you-sell-your-house-now-bank-of-america-2024-7">getting the house ready</a> to show, we got the house listed and in escrow within a week. Things were really starting to move fast.</p><p>Somewhere in the middle of all of this, my mother-in-law became gravely ill and passed. Then my employers had buyer's remorse on the remote-work arrangement, and I ended up unemployed.</p><h2 id="8480490b-cd82-4817-8cc9-cc2067e79c2d">We sold our home, and I created a budget for our travels</h2><p>After we settled my mother-in-law's estate with my wife's siblings and closed escrow on our Orange County home, I added those proceeds to our <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/best-ira-accounts">other savings and IRAs</a>. Most of our money is professionally managed, but I have a small amount in a self-directed account plus a savings account.</p><p>We spent $200,000 buying a new 30-foot Grand Design fifth-wheel trailer and a Dodge Ram 2500 truck to tow it. We have downsized from a 2,400-square-foot house on ¾ acres to a 290-square-foot trailer. We are now houseless but not homeless.</p><div type="image" title="A silver Dodge Ram truck parked with a small trailer home attached to it." height="3024" width="4032" msid="114773507" hostid="261" sizebytes="1678006"></div><p>I created a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/road-trip-national-parks-camping-budget-for-a-week-2023-3">budget for our travels</a> using our home accounting software. We have 20 years of camping experience, so I was able to create an all-inclusive budget. Even costs like using a coin laundry every few weeks or paying for a campground shower. We also pay for Starlink internet, so we can always stay connected.</p><p>With no house or vehicle payments, utilities, or property taxes, our investment income exceeds our budgeted monthly living expenses. So we are living off the income, not the principal.</p><h2 id="3c18eb25-9e36-407e-9a0e-de34622aaab6">Paying For Retirement</h2><p>The one thing I didn't want to do in retirement was become a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/best-stock-trading-apps">full time investment broker</a>, so I hired one. The bulk of our investments are professionally managed in various municipal bonds and a mix of moderate-growth equities. My goal for the portfolio was income and asset retention. It costs about $6,000 a year in brokerage fees but is worth not having to personally manage all those transactions.</p><p>Much of the income from this portfolio is non-taxable, which helps our bottom line. Outside of that, we have our IRAs, savings accounts, and a small <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/investment-portfolio">self-directed investment portfolio</a>.</p><p>I communicate regularly with my broker and keep a close watch on everything. I've set up automatic monthly disbursements from the portfolios sufficient to cover our living expenses. I even make a few bucks with my writing. It's not a fortune, but we live comfortably.</p><p>Eventually, we'll have to start thinking about <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/ira-early-withdrawal-without-penalty">taking draws from our IRAs</a> and when to apply for Social Security. But we've got a few years for that.</p><h2 id="33429322-fea5-4e8f-bef5-d911e60c8658">Life Is What You Make It</h2><p>Looking back, I wish I'd started sooner, but I was fortunate. Despite my late start at planning for retirement, I ended up OK.</p><p>Every morning when I wake up, I open the shade next to my bed. Partly to see the morning light and partly to remember where I am. It changes all the time. We <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/van-life-road-trip-convinced-nomadic-lifestyle-is-for-me-2024-3">travel from place to place</a>, one campground to the next. We hike in new places, try local cuisine, and go to museums, exhibits, national monuments, parks, and special events like the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Lake Havasu. We also manage to pick up a gift or book for our granddaughter and mail them to her.</p><div type="image" title="Chris Mott and his wife Kim hiking." height="1592" width="3264" msid="114773508" hostid="261" sizebytes="312364"></div><p>No matter where we are or what we are doing, one thing is the highlight of every week: our weekly video call with our granddaughter. She is always excited to see Gigi and Papa and always has something to show or tell us about something special that happened that week.</p><p>There is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/older-americans-regret-retirement-savings-taking-social-security-early-investments-2024-10">life in retirement</a>, and it's pretty good.</p><p><em>If you have a unique retirement experience and want to share your story, please email Manseen Logan at mlogan@businessinsider.com.</em></p>

I was laid off and forced to retire in my 50s. I wish I'd started planning sooner, but my investment portfolio helped — and life is good.

For a country struggling to fight brutal poverty, internal conflicts, political instability, and bureaucratic inefficiency, the 1990s was a breath of fresh air. The economy was liberalised, the IT industry started booming, a telecom revolution was underway, a successful nuclear test was conducted, and the emergence of strong regional parties gave voice to the politically weak sections. But on May 3, 1999, as Pakistani intrusion was reported at the Kargil borders, India was on the cusp of losing a decade-long progress to an unprovoked war.<br /><br />Over the next three months, the Indian <keyword id="19903970" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="armed-forces" source="keywords">armed forces</keyword> fought with all might not just to defend the borders, but to show to the world that its preference for peace is not a sign of weakness. <keyword id="21429298" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Kargil-Vijay-Diwas" source="keywords">Kargil Vijay Diwas</keyword>, commemorated annually on July 26th, stands as a testament to India's indomitable spirit and the unwavering courage of its armed forces. This day marks the culmination of the <keyword id="20143432" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kargil-War" source="keywords">Kargil War</keyword>, a conflict that tested the nation's mettle and forged a legacy of heroism.<br /><br />Addressing the 25th celebrations of the Kargil War victory, <keyword id="6354814" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="prime-minister-narendra-modi" source="Orion">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword> said that the Kargil War win is neither the victory of any government in power nor of any political group, it is the heritage and the victory of 140 crore people of India.<br /><h2>The genesis</h2>Despite signing the Lahore Declaration in February 1999 for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, a covert infiltration by Pakistani troops into the Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir in May 1999 triggered a crisis. Disguised as militants, they occupied strategic positions along the Line of Control (LoC), aiming to disrupt the Kashmir-Ladakh link. The <keyword id="19908736" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Army" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Army" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Army">Indian Army</keyword>, upon discovering the intrusion from local shepherds, launched Operation Vijay, a counter-offensive to reclaim the occupied heights.<br /><h2>Battling against nature and the enemy</h2>The Kargil War was a gruelling ordeal, fought in the unforgiving Himalayan terrain. Soldiers battled not only the enemy but also the harsh, high-altitude conditions. The covert movement of the Pak army helped them position themselves at strategically advantageous, high-altitude positions. As temperatures plummeted and oxygen levels dwindled, the rugged mountains posed immense logistical challenges to the ground forces. Yet, the Indian Army, driven by patriotism and a relentless determination to protect the nation's sovereignty, pressed on.<br /><h2>Heroes of the Kargil War</h2>The Kargil War produced a pantheon of heroes whose bravery continues to inspire generations. Captain <keyword id="20211435" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vikram-batra" source="keywords">Vikram Batra</keyword>, with his iconic battle cry "Yeh Dil Mange More," led his troops to capture Point 4875, a pivotal victory. Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey, displaying exceptional courage, made the supreme sacrifice while defending his post. These brave soldiers, among many others, epitomized the indomitable spirit of the Indian Army.<br /><br />The Kargil War galvanized the nation. People from all walks of life came together to support the armed forces. The collective outpouring of patriotism and solidarity fueled the soldiers' resolve. Nearly 500 Indian soldiers lost their lives battling the enemy in unforgiving Himalayan terrains. The war also highlighted the sacrifices made by the families of the martyrs, whose courage and resilience were equally inspiring.<br /><h2>A legacy of valour</h2>Kargil <keyword id="21992554" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vijay-diwas" source="keywords">Vijay Diwas</keyword> is more than just a commemoration; it is a reaffirmation of India's commitment to peace and security. The sacrifices made by the brave soldiers who fought in the Kargil War will forever be etched in the nation's memory. Their unwavering courage and determination continue to inspire future generations to serve the country with dedication and honour.<br /><br />As India celebrates the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas today, it is essential to remember the heroes who laid down their lives for the nation. Their supreme sacrifice will never be forgotten by a country on its path to glory on a global stage.<br /><h2>A continued tragedy</h2>The Kargil War left behind a deadly legacy along with long-term trauma among the local residents and the defence personnel who fought valiantly. As per a TOI report, unexploded bombs scattered across the region continue to pose a significant threat to the local population. In 2023 — 24 years after the tragic war — a total of around 336 such unexploded bombs were reportedly neutralised by the Army.<br /><br />Residents live in constant fear of accidental detonations, especially during construction or excavation work. These incidents have resulted in multiple casualties in the past several years, including the tragic death of a young child. Despite the passage of 25 years, the Army remains actively engaged in defusing these dangerous remnants of war. Even this year, as many as 103 such bombs were defused by the Army.<br /><br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112016324" title="Ex-army officer runs 160 km, 40 km per day, to mark Kargil Vijay Diwas anniversary" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"><payload><![CDATA[seealso]]></payload></div><br /><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112031216" title="Families of soldiers pays tribute to soldiers who lost lives in 1999 Kargil War" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"><payload><![CDATA[seealso]]></payload></div><br />

Kargil Vijay Diwas: A tale of valour and sacrifice

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Captain Theresa Claiborne signed up to the Air Force in 1980, and later worked as a captain for United Airlines.</li><li>She was below the height requirement and the first Black woman recruited to the Force. </li></ul><p><em>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Captain Theresa Claiborne, the first Black female pilot in the US Air Force and a captain at United. The following was edited for length and clarity.</em></p><p>I had spent my younger days bouncing all over the world because my father was in the military. But life felt so stationary when we returned to the States.</p><p>During college, I applied to the Reserve Office Training Corps (ROTC) in Berkeley. During the six-week training camp, they took us up on a T-37 [a small training plane made by Cessna].</p><p>Flying a plane is freeing. It's this amazing feeling of control but no control.</p><p>I decided right then: I wanted to be a pilot.</p><h2 id="d6519485-62a2-47d6-bb3a-b0ab980c1a58">The hardest period of my life</h2><p>In 1980, the Air Force only had 10 slots for women per graduating class, and they had already been filled for the year.</p><p>But halfway through my junior year, they came back and said the women seemed to be graduating at the same rate as the men, so the allotment was increased to 30.</p><p>I flew out to Laughlin Air Force base in Texas to start <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-new-air-force-recruits-go-through-in-boot-camp-2021-9">pilot training</a>.</p><div type="image" title="Captain Theresa Claiborne" height="581" width="581" msid="111363776" hostid="261" sizebytes="29586"></div><p>It was daunting in a lot of ways.</p><p>Unlike a lot of people in my class, I didn't have prior flying experience. And when you're in training, flying is a lot like a loop-the-loop on a roller coaster… but I'm not one for roller coasters.</p><p>So I was just trying to get the task done and not be fearful all the time.</p><p>In high school, my teacher said it was fine for me to be bad at Math because I could do English. But in training, everybody knew the instructors' formulas, and I didn't.</p><p>So when my classmates were out having a good time on the weekends, I was back at the dorm studying. It was probably the hardest period of my life that year. I was lonely.</p><p>I almost didn't make it to that point because I was short. You are supposed to be five feet four inches, and I was five feet two inches. For my entire career, I've had to stand on the balls of my feet when I was measured.</p><div type="image" title="Captain Theresa Claiborne" height="1433" width="1440" msid="111363789" hostid="261" sizebytes="68634"></div><p>I only found out I was the first Black woman in the Air Force a couple of weeks before I graduated when a friend from ROTC mentioned it.</p><p>Looking back, that was lucky. I was only 22. It would have been too much pressure for someone my age to carry my gender and race together.</p><h2 id="acd9cc57-d4eb-4b37-8622-968782f3dfcf">Just do the work</h2><p>Being the only person who looked like me created challenges. A lot of it was very subtle. But you could just feel it — people looking at you and thinking, "OK, she's here."</p><div type="image" title="Captain Theresa Claiborne" height="1646" width="1646" msid="111363785" hostid="261" sizebytes="70480"></div><p>Entering active duty in the Air Force, I did feel the pressure.</p><p>If I didn't do well, then when people see another person that looks like me, what will they think?</p><p>My attitude was always to do the work and get an A. Don't allow someone to have a subjective opinion that either puts you there or denies you something.</p><p>But who's to say that through those years, there were people who did not give me a break because of what I looked like?</p><p>There was one evaluation I remember well. It was deemed that I didn't put anti-ice on quickly enough. That's not what I saw. But how do you say that decision was because I'm this or that? You don't know.</p><p>After that, there was only one time I didn't 100% pass the check.</p><h2 id="24111d10-e367-4f65-a929-4ecb1c56fa0a">Commercial pilots are qualified</h2><p>After seven years I left active duty and joined the reserves. In 1990, I started <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airline-pilot-pay-salary-american-delta-united-captain-first-officer-2024-4">working as a commercial pilot</a> for United.</p><p>My routes were on a Boeing 757 out of Newark, mostly heading to Cape Town, Johannesburg, Tel Aviv, and Delhi.</p><div type="image" title="Captain Theresa Claiborne" height="1365" width="2048" msid="111363782" hostid="261" sizebytes="182068"></div><p>In order to be a pilot, you have to be perseverant and a go-getter. You also need a thick skin because, believe it or not, there are still people who believe that we have no business flying airplanes.</p><p>There's a lot of noise out there about <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/right-wing-commentators-baselessly-blame-diversity-for-plane-safety-incidents-2024-1">DEI and pilot qualifications</a>.</p><p>People have said, "If I walk up to an airplane and there's a Black pilot, I will get off the airplane."</p><p>I've been stopped by passengers after I use the restroom and reenter the flight deck. Once, when I asked a passenger to let me by, he looked at me and said, "What for?"</p><p>"Because I'm your pilot," I replied.</p><p>The look on his face was like "No, you're not." It's happened multiple times.</p><p>Sometimes, even the agents working at my own company have automatically tried to put me in the flight attendant jump seat.</p><p>I wish there were magic words to be said, but I think it's almost one pilot at a time, one person at a time. Companies have started <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-focus-equity-in-diversity-efforts-2024-3">enforcing some rules,</a> and HR is stepping in to make the unions handle some of these situations.</p><h2 id="37bab9a3-6a90-424c-bb08-5e946f4d3f7a">Flying internationally is hard on your body</h2><p>Any time you're in the air for 15+ hours, then on the ground for 24 hours, and then back up again for 15 more, it takes a toll on your body. It was time for me to hang it up.</p><p>I flew my last large commercial airplane back from Lisbon this May.</p><p>It was a proud moment. I've flown incident-free and accident-free across all these years, and I have strong shoulders that many, many, many women are standing on.</p><div type="image" title="Captain Theresa Claiborne" height="960" width="944" msid="111363787" hostid="261" sizebytes="33534"></div><p>I'm going to miss walking through the airport in my uniform and being able to hand out wings to little kids. Their eyes just get big.</p><p>It's funny how they know the difference between a pilot and someone else. They don't look through colored glasses. They just see someone in the hat and know that's a pilot.</p><h2 id="326d4c21-b999-462f-8973-f24f41801bd9">Increasing diversity</h2><p id="326d4c21-b999-462f-8973-f24f41801bd9">The reports say that women are about 5% to 6% of the airline pilot population. And the number of Black women is even smaller.</p><p id="326d4c21-b999-462f-8973-f24f41801bd9">Women can be pilots and have a family, the same way the guys do.</p><p id="326d4c21-b999-462f-8973-f24f41801bd9">I've become involved in organizations like Women in Aviation and Sisters of the Skies to ensure more little girls know this is a real career.</p><p id="326d4c21-b999-462f-8973-f24f41801bd9">We introduce young women between the ages of 10 and 18 to aviation and take them up in an airplane flown by a woman who looks like them.</p><div type="image" title="Captain Theresa Claiborne" height="1046" width="1565" msid="111363791" hostid="261" sizebytes="87334"></div><p id="326d4c21-b999-462f-8973-f24f41801bd9">By the time they land, they're smiling wide from ear to ear.</p><p id="326d4c21-b999-462f-8973-f24f41801bd9">Not everybody is meant to be a pilot, but we want them to know that if they assert themselves, they can be whatever they want.</p><p id="326d4c21-b999-462f-8973-f24f41801bd9">I tell the young ladies I mentor the same thing I told myself: be so good that they can't say you're not good.</p><p id="326d4c21-b999-462f-8973-f24f41801bd9">If that's what you really want to do, be the best.</p>

I was the first Black female pilot in the US Air Force, and captained a commercial jet for 30 years. Some people still questioned if I was qualified to fly.

You Searched For "indian air force day wishes" and got 3 results

I was laid off and forced to retire in my 50s. I wish I'd started planning sooner, but my investment portfolio helped — and life is good.

Chris Mott

Kargil Vijay Diwas: A tale of valour and sacrifice

Deekshith Pinto

I was the first Black female pilot in the US Air Force, and captained a commercial jet for 30 years. Some people still questioned if I was qualified to fly.

Polly Thompson

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