Separating from the Military

You'll figure out a way to make it work. While I was in college I would work as Paramedic from 1900 Friday to 1900 Sunday every weekend and holiday. Could even get in some studying on weekends, and have M thru F for school. I was always pretty tired on Monday AM but scheduled classes accordingly. Gotta be realistic. Pretty tough not having weekends or holidays off for three years, but I got that degree. By damn. Figured out pretty quick that some chicks really do dig a Paramedic uniform. Say it makes them feel all "warm and safe and all". The "and all" was pretty cool. I wonder if I can still fit into that uniform... Naah!

 

When you get to the school check for a veterans group on campus. You will have a good support group there to laugh and cry with about the dumb masses around you. Someone that knows what you have done and can understand it. I only did a bit over 6 years in the Navy before I moved on. The language thing will be tough, it's second nature to just throw stuff out there. When your with your buddies it's cool and they throw it back because they were in the same boat by choice. Now you will be with folks that will not have that bond. Besides school and job find something you can volunteer to do. Work at a animal shelter or ? You will get a good feel good from that. Your military service is an advantage in your job search, use it as such when you explain how you can benefit your future employer.

 

Since you're a 3531 get your class A license as a backup. You still have to take the tests at the DMV but they waive the driving tests. You don't have to spend the $1,000+ to go to a trucking school. You can get a class A license in a few days depending what tests/endorsements you want/need. There's form on the DMV website you take to your CO to sign and that's pretty much it. Then setup an appt for the written tests.

 

And use all the benefits you earned. Go to school full time and collect your post 9/11, they have scholarships and other veteran benefits. Don't waste them.

 

I thought semper gumby was for dealing with administration

Man God blessed me like crazy with this one. I don't pay tuition, books, fees, or room for my family and I. I just gotta keep the lights on.

I will keep my eye open for one. I noticed vets kinda stick out.

This is true. There's a vfw in town if I remember right as well.

 

It's in my back pocket as we speak. Also since the last 4 years or so I was a glorified clerk/trainer I also did the Microsoft specialist courses. Hopefully that puts me behind a desk if nothing else.

 

I'm hoping if security doesn't pay enough I can drive a local route for bud wiser or coke. Easy money.

 

I do have an active clearence. I was trying to get my transport access for all of the ports and airports. Can't remember exactly what it was called. Dhs runs the program though.

 

Thanks for your service, John.

 

I would just get it since you already have the experience driving and pretty much free.

 

I've had a class a for a few years now man. Already came in handy. I'm a bit rusty on driving a super 10 though. It's been a while.

 

thank you for your service. keep pursuing. I was very blessed to have a job lined up for me right after i got out.

 

Hopefully that will be my story as well. We shall see.

No worries. Besides the shitty parts it was some of the best times of my life.

 

Use your Post 9/11 GI Bill and don't waste it at some garbage school like University of Phoenix. The BAH you receive is just..insane considering you can use it anywhere you want. I got my entire undergraduate degree paid, with BAH every month, and then got my 'real' job, and started getting my Master's as well. The VA was able to foot about a third of that, again including $1500+ a month in BAH, just for going to a seated night course MBA program once a week.

Of course, I am now leaving for OCS on 21OCT, as the civilian career field bored me to bits. Moral of the story - DO NOT piss away your Post 9/11 GI Bill. Money is literally on the ground in front of you.

 

sounds like you take offense to that but UoP is worthless. they collect a lot of GI Bill and TA but they are not accredited in any other University. They dont want you to know that while you're in though.

 

I attended Drury University in Springfield, MO, which is nothing amazing but it is an actual university with accredidation, and people don't laugh when they see it on a resume. UoP is joked about on a national level. I have begun my MBA at Grand Canyon University, which is a private Christian university here in Phoenix that I'm not particularly fond of, but I was more limited by my location and full-time job now than during undergrad.

I'm sorry to blatantly make fun of your school, but you wasted your time and VA benefits there.

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news...-phoenix-illegally-recruited-veterans-7683450

Here's a pretty typical example from ONE week ago.

Yessir. They prey on VA students because it is easy money for them. There are TONS of high quality universities with legitimate accredidation that offer night/online programs for non-traditional students. Anyone who pays UoP was swindled.

 

Oh, and although I'm not really expecting much of a retort to what I just posted, ryanjboutin, - I have not been commissioned yet, so don't worry about the rhetorical sir in your next post.

 

RickerRicker19, how much longer till you get out? Or are you out already?

I just got out of the navy back in March after 14 years in. I was entitled to ISP which didn't come in till 2 months after I was out. It was a pretty fat amount, so I was able to live off of that for a while plus unemployment. Moved out to Vegas from San Diego and got a civilian contractor job. I work with a lot of ex military from all branches, so I don't really have to watch what I say. Some of the old guys here are worse than I am when it comes to cussing and offensive language.
Are you staying out in the 29Palms/Palm Springs area after you get out? Good luck, transitioning back to civilian life.

 

I'm out in december for terminal but not officially "free" till February.

I am attending Hillsdale College. Great little school and I don't pay a thing....not even using the gi bill. I won't touch that till I go to an engineering college.

The college is in Michigan and I probably won't go back to the west coast but I don't k ow that either. A lot can happen in a lifetime. Thanks for the advice fellas.

 

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I bashed the UoP. I did not bash you dude. In no way, shape, or form do I think you're a lesser man for going there. I was simply offering my insight to separation as well, having now done it a little over four years ago and successfully..albeit with plans of re-entry lol. I am exactly like you in the sense that the BAH stipend was make or break for me; I would not have financially survived separation without it seeing as I left to go to college.

I'm sorry that this thread went negative at your expense, in the way you portray it, but at least we have come to agreement with anyone that views it that UoP is not an ideal place to use your VA benefits - that is a score for all of us and anyone new to the thread.

Cheers - we are on the same team, fully agreed.