What to do after the military

Test for firefighter jobs. Lots of big cities hire with no experience at all and the military background will give you preference points in many cases. It's still really competitive though. I'm sure there may be a job out there somewhere that I might like better, but I can't think of any off the top of my head.

 

I did 3 years. I debated staying in but was afraid I would end up afraid to get out and forced to stay.

I am SO glad I got out. I went to college and still pursuing a degree. I have a rather special set up where I acutally get paid more to goto college than I got paid on active duty state side (fucked up, I know).

Anyways, I am finishing up my degree but jobs are out there. I have friends here that go to WyoTech on the GI bill. They graduate with jobs lined up. I get hired on military preference quite a bit.

Getting a job after college might be difficult for me because of the job field I am in but the military background really helps out.

 

you could always cross-train too.

I did 6 turning wrenches on engines and while I liked the work, I didn't like working for(instead of with) my peers so I cross-trained for 4, and about to sign up for 6 more.

Have a new skillset in metal fabrication(Aircraft Metals Technology); welding, machining, heat treating and much happier.

I still see the same people at work, but everyone is nice(er) to me(us) because we're the ones they call when stuff breaks and "save the day" for the aeroplane thingies.

It's also a very transferable skill to the civilian world, could work almost anywhere.

one last bit, when I went through tech school for it, 40% of my class was other cross-trainees, and almost 30-50% of every other class was too. Its one of the smallest career fields but we do have a lot of interesting work.

I got my BS in Aeronautics a few years back as well, and while I didn't need it for my job now, it helps me out very often and gives me leverage to challenge "sketchy" repairs.

 

I'm not in the military but my husband is! I'm just a dumb girl (but I'm cute )

I started at a Community College and I didn't need entrance exams like SAT/ACTs. In many states, once you get your AA degree, your general requirements transfer to your state University and you still don't need entrance exams. I had to pay for my own school and Community College was a much cheaper way to get my general requirement courses completed. I then got my degree from a school I would never been able to score high enough on the SATs to get in

 

Did 23 years during Vietnam and Desert Storm. Retired. Took my GI bill finished my degree and went to work for the VA. Will qualify for second retirement in 10 more years.

 

I am also retired (22+ years), Desert Storm though all the Iraqi/Enduring Freedom GWOT stuff, and working for the VA. I can't say enough good things about the VA, and am pissed that a few bad SESs and GS-15s in medical centers have painted the rest of the VA as shiftless and lazy...but this isn't the time to get on that soap box.

What helped me land my dream job was:
a) TAP (Transition Assistance Program) classes
b) getting my BS degree
c) willing to relocate to where the jobs are
d) knowing what I wanted to do and where my strengths were
e) willing to leave a job I wasn't suited for (but thought I was)

I took my first TAP over two years before retirement, and it was the best motivator. I also took full advantage of being a full-time GI Bill student (the rent money helped) to get a management degree to supplement my technical one. I also got technical certifications while in that have helped me immensely.

Depending on what state you're planning on ending up in, check in with their employment resources office. In Texas they call it the Texas Workforce Commission, but the goal is the same - find people jobs. They also have resources for veterans, and sponsor veteran-preference job fairs. City, state, and federal government also give veterans preference in hiring (USAJOBs for federal jobs).

It doesn't hurt to drop your resume off with business recruiting services. They know what they're looking for, know other places that are hiring, and often share leads with each other. That was how I got into the VA - first as a contractor. When an FTE (full-time employee) position opened, I was most qualified for it because I not only had my military experience but I was intimately familiar with the VA position as well. I crushed the interview. What I like most about the VA is the "we - not me" attitude. The place is like 80% veterans (where I'm at, anyway, medical centers are different) and everyone works like we did in the service. It reminds me a lot of being on active duty without PT or deployments. Win-win; no one shoots at me and I don't have to run a mile and a half if I don't need to.

Good luck, and you can reach out in a PM if you wish. Just because I don't wear MSgt stripes anymore doesn't mean I stopped being a SNCO.

 

I did 4 years out at Schofield, then ETSd and joined the Guard. I had my GI Bill and in my state the Guard pays tuition fees. That paid for gas, beer, and rent. Now the Post 9/11 GI Bill is even better than the one I used, so I can only imagine how good you can live while being a student.

Of course the economy tanked and I lost my civilian job in '08 (I had left the Guard after 6 years in '07), so now I'm here sucking sand in the Middle East. I joined back up ('09) and got into the AGR force, so I'm chasing my 20 active before I try the civilian side again.

Colleges don't care about your mediocre high school transcript, they love you because you'll be a non-traditional student who can pay tuition up front. Trust me, I had garbage grades and the university did not care at all. Get your degree and network within the industry you're aiming for. You'll stand out as a disciplined potential employee, educated, and reliable.

 

I did ten years in a technical MOS and was at that make or break point in my career. I had buddies retiring and the money just isn't enough to actually "retire" on unless you want to live in a single wide in the swamp. I got out on a Friday and started my new job on Monday. No fear man, if you want out and are motivated you will find work. Initially, I got a job as a contractor on post. It was an easy transition, and I still worked with joe's I knew. It gave me time to search for a real job (and actually pays more than the military). I scanned usajobs daily for positions I was interested in. I spent my free time tailoring resumes for positions I liked, and after about 8 months of that, I got a phone call. It's not a fast process getting in on the civvy side of the house, but you get to keep TSP, you can buy back your .mil time toward GS retirement, decent healthcare, leave, etc. Basically you are still on Unlce Sugars tit, but without the bullshit. My civilian job with the weather service actually sent me to tech school with active duty chair force dudes to learn how to work on the weather radar. (ps, they are just like the ones we use to track aircraft in the military) Long story short, if you want a job you can get one tomorrow if you do your part. No risk, no reward.

 

FWIW, post retirement plan is PhD and stay at home dad.

 

maybe in 2 more years you'll be more mature,yeah, it may seem like the military is completely backwards to you,maybe you've had some bad experiences,the civilian workforce is no different,if you spend the remainder of your enlistment hating what you're doing..it's gonna be a loooong 2 years..it's pointless to buck authority and tradition,total waste of time...you'll always be subjected to rules regulations and codes of personal appearance,embrace the time you have left,do your best and drop the crappy attitude...this was the same advice I got mid way thru my enlistment...saved my ass,could have not ended well had I decided not to heed the warning.

 

Never been active duty, but I hire a lot of vets (mostly retired NCOs). I'd recommend you stay in (doubly if your wife's active duty too).

Moving every few years is hard on a civilian career, unless you can get a government civilian job, and get priority for any on-base jobs.

More importantly, get a BS degree in engineering or a technical two year degree (HVAC, Pipe Fitter, Sheet Metal, etc).

WRT doing what you like: some people are able to combine what they do well, what they like and what someone will pay them for. I suggest focusing on good at and will pay you for. You'll be able to work that into something you like. But even if not, they will be paying you well.

Finally, let me know if you'd like resume or college application help.

 

Definitely start talking to the AFRC/Education Office. You can enroll in their courses whether or not you plan on getting out this year, 20 years or whenever. Check USA Jobs as well, if you are looking for federal jobs.
Best of luck dude.

 

Get your degree.

So, I didn't read through the entirety of 2 pages, a couple posts in it seemed to be repeating info from most people. But here's the nitty gritty from my personal experience, Get your degree, or have alot of experience in a field. Work experience. Shit that is on paper. People can say all they want about hiring vets and this and that, but I spent 3 years applying for jobs I either had no experience in or wanted to be in that field, and failed. As soon as i started applying for jobs that my Military experience applied to, I was put at the head of the hiring process and had a shoe-in. Because I'm good at what I do, even though I don't love it 24/7. That's the key to life, find something You're good at, make people pay you for those skills. You can do what you love doing in your free time and wipe your tears from doing what you hate with the hundred dollar bills you make.

I never got my Degree while I was in and kick myself for wasting a valuable resource. I was young, it was party time, school is lame, I'll never need a dgree, I'm a lifer. 8 years and I got the shaft. Shit happens. Most places I applied to wanted blah blah years of experience and/or degree in the field.

Look into jobs that you have experience in and will make you money.