Ex Military guys doing civilian jobs now have a question

[KYLightning02]

Ok i am in the reserves now have been for three years and am a sgt. but i just signed a contract active duty for 3 years i was just wanting to know a few things. First off i want to know did your military job help you get a job as a civilian and if so what do you do and how much do you make. I am just asking because after i do my infantry contract i might select a job in the military that will help me get a related job as a civilian and i was wanting a few suggestions, any help would be appreciated.

I already tried the whole college thing for a year and didnt like it and i know there are alot of threads on here about what jobs and how much people make but i just wanted some help THANKS

 

[08snake]

I would say anything technology related, especially IT. With the proper training and experience, you can get a good job without a college degree in this field. Walking on at 60-80K after military experience in IT with a company involved in GOV contracts is somewhat easy........PS: **Get a clearance**

 

[SKEETER_SVT01]

Helped me alittle. Most jobs want degrees only now.

 

[KYLightning02]

I would say anything technology related, especially IT. With the proper training and experience, you can get a good job without a college degree in this field. Walking on at 60-80K after military experience in IT with a company involved in GOV contracts is somewhat easy........PS: **Get a clearance**

that might sound like a good field to get into after i have done my three years and i actually already have a secret security clearance because i was an ammunition specialist in the reserves and it was required and have been working on top secret but havent really gotten to far on that one

 

[Dusten]

Most services have a class you attend that is geared to prep you for getting out. The navy Calls it Transition Assistance and Preperation, or TAP.

 

[KYLightning02]

Most services have a class you attend that is geared to prep you for getting out. The navy Calls it Transition Assistance and Preperation, or TAP.

hmm never heard of that before ill have to look into it thanks for the heads up

 

[svtjunkie]

I had a Secret security clearance when I was in. I was able to be in the nuclear reactor room unsupervised and I didn't even work in there. I have actually had to escort people standing watch on equipment down there cause they didn't have a high enough clearance to be down there alone. I have experience in all of the major engineering systems on Navy ships. I was a machinist mate for 8yrs. I have been out of the Navy going on 5mths now and about 20ish resumes and 10-15 applications later I'm unemployed and am getting unemployment and feel like a pos because of it. I am starting to think that I have wasted the last 8yrs of my life. That is just me tho. I know people that were in less time, gotten out and ended up getting great jobs. I just happen to be one of those people that it didn't work out for so I am thinking about getting an engineering degree and seeing if that will help any.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that everything works out for you.

 

[roushraven]

All of the services have a transition program. Finish your degree and get a job that will give you the need to have a security clearance (Top Secret or higher).

I finished a career in the AF as an Airborne Cryptologic Linguist-Slavic. That experience coupled with my security clearance and experience as a senior level analyst, project manager, trainer, and curriculum developer set me up for my first job after mil-life as a civilian again. I started out as the Director of Recruitment(staffing) for a mid-size defense contractor - base salary $95k plus bonuses. Now a year and half later I am a Business Development Consultant and Deputy Program Manager for a very large defense contractor - base salary $170k plus bonuses.

As someone who reviews resumes for selection and hire, I can tell you for certain that if you want to really be paid your true worth finish your degree, get real demonstrated experience as a manager and secure/maintain a Top Secret or higher security clearance.

 

[svtjunkie]

hmm never heard of that before ill have to look into it thanks for the heads up

Yep. You can take a TAP class which is a week long or you can take a CAROT class which is basically a weeks worth of stuff crammed into one day(minus a few parts) you HAVE to attend one of the two to separate from the military. Well, you do in the Navy anyway.

 

[Chanceman512]

Yeah, I did my 4 years in the USN, and im in my 3rd year of inactive reserves (Home stretch, my fingers are crossed). I was a MM (machinist mate) and worked in the engine room with the steam turbines and boilers. I now have a blue seal license to work in a plant. There is good money in the field but I personally couldnt stand it. I was lucky and landed a good job with Komatsu, but Ill always have that as a fall-back. Oh, and there is always the option of joining the police dept, but who wants to be a pig? Haha!

 

[sonicblu03]

Retired after 20 years of service. Now doing the same job I used to supervise but now I am a civilian. Starting off as a GS7 but the job is cake and I have the potential to move into other sections (Resource Mgt) for higher ratings.

Would also recommend the IT field, will come in handy after you complete your military service. Take as many classes as you can and keep your clearance up to date. Good luck.

 

[Janstang]

Air Traffic Control in the Marines, got out and do it on the civilian side. Pay is wayy better on the civilian side.

 

[Duende]

I got out've the Army as an E-5, Infantry, with the 82nd Airborne.

I bounced around in a few security jobs locally, couldn't get above $11/HR, and finally got a job with the big electric company here in Oregon reading meters. I make almost $20/HR, but it's still a chickenshit job. Pretty much a foot in the door thing.

I LOVED my time in the infantry, I just wish I had looked farther down the road and reclassed to something more beneficial to me later on.

 

[KYLightning02]

I got out've the Army as an E-5, Infantry, with the 82nd Airborne.

I bounced around in a few security jobs locally, couldn't get above $11/HR, and finally got a job with the big electric company here in Oregon reading meters. I make almost $20/HR, but it's still a chickenshit job. Pretty much a foot in the door thing.

I LOVED my time in the infantry, I just wish I had looked farther down the road and reclassed to something more beneficial to me later on.

well right now i will have ammunition as a job i could get as a civilian but dont know how far down the road i am gonna transfer to civilian life yet i just want some ideas on what i should reclass to... I leave out for infantry school April 26th and get put in the 9th week and i too will be heading to the 82nd airborne after i graduate :beer:

 

[Duende]

Have fun in the Airborne! Let us know who you end up with - I was with 3/504 PIR, Blue Devils.

Honestly, what I would have reclassed to is a satellite communications type job. I was wanting to go back in about a year and a half ago and trying to get a waiver for my med. condition and I think the two that kept coming up in my research were 25S and 33W.

But that's just me. Where your interests lie are probably 100% different from mine. If you want to be a cop or some sort've federal LEO, by all means stay on your path and more power to ya. Otherwise, think hard about what the Army can offer you as far as other jobs and how they translate to the civilian world. Shit happens - you could get shot in the leg in 6mos, god forbid, and be back at Fort Livingroom before ya know it.

 

[tyronejenkinsII]

I was an AT in the NAVY and now work for G.E. Aviation. I'm almost finished with my Bachelor's in Computer science. Bottom line, get your degree....if you want to make some real cash

 

[KYLightning02]

All of the services have a transition program. Finish your degree and get a job that will give you the need to have a security clearance (Top Secret or higher).

I finished a career in the AF as an Airborne Cryptologic Linguist-Slavic. That experience coupled with my security clearance and experience as a senior level analyst, project manager, trainer, and curriculum developer set me up for my first job after mil-life as a civilian again. I started out as the Director of Recruitment(staffing) for a mid-size defense contractor - base salary $95k plus bonuses. Now a year and half later I am a Business Development Consultant and Deputy Program Manager for a very large defense contractor - base salary $170k plus bonuses.

As someone who reviews resumes for selection and hire, I can tell you for certain that if you want to really be paid your true worth finish your degree, get real demonstrated experience as a manager and secure/maintain a Top Secret or higher security clearance.

wow man looks like you are doing really good with that career and making a nice salary :beer:

 

[rrpederson]

4yrs active in the marine corps infantry. now im dallas police. it helped only because dallas has a deal where they are dropping the college hour requirement in exchange for an honorable discharge. as for me, i will never voluntarily go back into the military, only because there is a hell of alot more money to be made out here. dallas starts u out at 40k. pm for questions.

 

[Mo Boost]

"...Have fun in the Airborne! Let us know who you end up with - I was with 3/504 PIR, Blue Devils..."

Guess what.
Had you stayed, you'd be in the East Baghdad area near Sadr City.

I graduated 33S in November, 1984. Now work as a defense contractor doing the very thing you wanted to do....
...and stationed now with 2ID's 2BCT which owns the AO next to the 504th.

The only difference is the pay. I still sweat and fill sandbags but get O-7 pay.

 

[Duende]

Wow, small world. I hope they're staying safe over there. And you.

I really, really wish I had re-enlisted into a more technical skill and had the opportunities available to me that some of the other guys do. The infantry background kinda limits me to a few areas I'm not interested in.

Oh well, hindsight and all that. Thanks for posting that... It's really interesting to know where they're at, where I could've been.