Veterans?

[cassbongard]

How many Vets do we have out here amongst the forums? How many of those have transitioned out of the military and into the civilian world here recently. If you don't mind me asking what do you believed helped you the most to have a successful transition? I will be separating from the service at the end of July/ Early August and have begun my job search already. I am honestly trying to figure out what part of the civilian sector is going to be where I fit in.

 

[Twinshooter]

When I got out some and I mean some years ago, I enrolled into College on Uncle Sam's dime, I don't regret it at all.
If school isn't in your future, try the FFA, they are hiring Air Traffic controlers.
I had a family to support so I went to College and worked at night, it was tough, but worth it.
Thanks for your Service and good luck.

 

[44fanatic]

Whats your MOS and what are you qualified to do. For government positions they are now recognizing training in certain MOS's has having a certification in the specialty...IE certain commo MOS's as having certain computer certs, aviation mechanics as having certification in what they did. It sounds funny when you have a Soldier who went through 6mo-12mo of training, then worked 3-6 years doing that yet companies dont recognize what they have done with out a certification.

When I retired, my MOS (intel) was not marketable in the area and I didnt want to head to the east coast. Worked with the Sheriff's dept for a short while until a family issue came up and then I went back to school. I now have an associates degree in computer networking thanks to the 9/11 GI bill and have just started a job in Nashville. If you know computers, networking, or sys admin, Nashville has a growing field.

 

[Redfred16]

Retired 19D- Cav Scout and it was not marketable at all, not a huge calling to jump out of a aircraft dressed like a bush and hide for 5 or 6 days. Except maybe for "security" work and the wife wanted no part of that.

About the only way it helped is people knew I was a mission first kind of person, with integrity and discipline.

 

[pass-thru]

Any employer with a military background, and some without, will look favorably upon an honorable discharge, even if you don't have a specific MOS. Figure out what you want to do, and the best path to getting to that goal. Through whatever resources available, network and your military background may open doors. Don't just follow the path of least resistance, set your goals and go after them.

 

[DirtyBear0311]

I got out a couple years ago and went right into a 4 year school. I would really advise dong that just because no one else will have that opportunity to have free school and have books and housing paid for. If you dont want to do a 4 year then you could go to tech school and learn a trade for free. Either way, with school being free, it wouldnt be wise to pass up on it. You will look back later in life and really regret it. I would pick somewhere close to home but not right at the doorstep. That way you're close to family but still have some independence and old friends. I will say this; keep up with your military friends. I dont know what all you did or where all you went but either way, there is no one like your buddies that you suffered with. Good luck.

 

[dcsoldier44]

I got out a little over a year ago. It took me about a year to find a good steady job that had nothing to do with my MOS. Post your resume on monsterjobs.com, careerbuilder.com and like someone else said before ENROLL IN SCHOOL. That BAH kept me and my family afloat till something came along. If you need anything shoot me a PM on here. Ill help if I can. Keep your head up. You may get more no's from employers than yes's dont let it get you down.

 

[eweisner]

Redfred - Recon! Great to know there's another trooper among us. OSUT on Knox and the to Carson from '90 to '93. Attached to 1/12 Infantry.

Civilian life is different. Do college for sure. Find some vet friends who you can't talk to.

Welcome home.

 

[goose17]

I got out of the Army in 2008. Couldn't find a place to live and jobs were sure hard to come by. I used my 9/11 GI Bill to put myself through the police academy and have not looked back since. Granted I knew I wanted to be a police officer .I'm still using my GI-Bill getting my degree.The biggest shock for me was the lack of discipline and motivation that civilians had compared to what I had been trained to in the Army.Also try to find a job that already has vets working at it or are veteran friendly.Good Luck!

 

[44fanatic]

That BAH kept me and my family afloat till something came along.

I'll second that.

 

[KPH]

You just do it the change has been done many times. It may be a big deal now but I bet 10 yrs from now it won't be.

 

[muzzy76]

got out as a CPT (92Z) in 2003. I fortunately qualified for the GI Bill and got my Masters with it. I found a part time job (telemarketing) while i got my degree. The part time job paid my tuition and books (a check written to me). At the same time I was a GA at the University I was attending(which also paid my tuition automatically in addition to a monthly stipend). The GI Bill paid my rent payment plus. If you are able/want to go back to school, its all about getting as many entities to pay for it (at the same time) as possible.

I subsequently went into city government and have really enjoyed it.

 

[brmaster]

Personally, I would listen to these guys, everyone of them have the experience you are about to go through, myself, I havent been in the military, but I do respect and honor each and everyone of them that have. My brother retired from airforce after 27 years, he now delivers mail, my dad was in the navy, he became a police officer in Memphis for over 20 year, my daughter is in the navy serving on the Ronald Regan, opportunity is there, research, find where the benifits are and how to get them.

 

[ferg]

How many Vets do we have out here amongst the forums? How many of those have transitioned out of the military and into the civilian world here recently. If you don't mind me asking what do you believed helped you the most to have a successful transition? I will be separating from the service at the end of July/ Early August and have begun my job search already. I am honestly trying to figure out what part of the civilian sector is going to be where I fit in.

I transitioned in '74 - but I believe the basic skill set is the same, do NOT list a bunch of military jargon on your resume' - Civilians don't understand it to start with and it just muddies up the water -

Translate your MOS skills to civilian counter parts - stress strong management skills and team building (leadership etc)

Don't toss out things like 'in charge of 4.8 billion in equipment etc' - make it easier to swallow - managed large budget for purchasing and inventory control etc -

Tossing out large numbers and military jargon make some folks just go well, if he is used to managing 4.8 billion dollars, he'll not work our here with out stinking .5m dollar budget etc -

The key is to make your job history 'fit' into a civi's line of thinking....

If you're retiring, do NOT say so, only mention that you're honorably separating from the military - your retirement package is your business and no one else's .... some will offer you lower pay because 'you don't need' more pay because you have that bennie already - so leave it out -

ferg....

 

[cassbongard]

44fanatic- I'll be getting out as a 68W medic. About the only jobs I am interested in but honestly starting to sway away from with anything that being a medic would possibly help me would be Law Enforcement or Firefighter. Being Medics we have our EMT already.

The biggest thing I see people mentioning is the schooling, I have def. debated the school thing but honestly have no clue as to what I would want to go to school for. The only thing I could think of would become a mechanical engineer and design Bows for an archery company but that would be one heck of a hail mary because that would be the only thing in that line of work that would interest me.

I am still weighing heavily upon becoming a police officer and firefighter. The one thing being a medic has brought to my attention is that I like being there for people in their time of need. I like to be the person there when "**** hits the fan". It def. brings a sense of accomplishment.