Outdoor recreation director retires Published Oct. 28, 2008 By Earlene Smith 81st Force Support Squadron KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. -- John Rettig, 81st Force Support Squadron Services, marks the end of more than 35 years of federal service Monday. Mr. Rettig began his career in 1972 as a lifeguard at the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport. He progressed to the aquatic director, athletic director and finally recreation director. In 1982 he accepted the position of leisure services director at Whiting Field, Fla. where he was responsible for all leisure time activities. He wanted to return to Mississippi, so in 1983 he went to work for the U.S. Postal Service in Gulfport. In May 1986, Mr. Rettig was hired as the marina manager at Keesler, a position that later evolved into the outdoor recreation director with additional responsibilities. At Keesler, he's supervised the aquatic program, marina, the charter boat program, the family campground, marina park, equipment issue and rental, the recreational vehicle storage compound with more than 300 sites, the outdoor adventure program, the paintball and disk golf courses and many special events. Mr. Rettig plans to spend his retirement pursuing several personal goals. "I'm going to spend more time with my four grandchildren and work to support their education," he said. "I'm going to build a new house, play some tennis, fish and hunt. I also want to build a candle factory in Mississippi."