Military to civilian transition/career advice

[KretZ]

I have recently been given what I choose to look at as a unique opportunity. I am currently active duty Air Force stationed in Germany with 15 years in. Due to budget cuts they are making cuts to our manning. So it looks like I will be leaving the military and returning home a bit earlier than I expected. My current job in the force is good, but its not something I want to pursue in the civilian world. I would like to do something with my hands, something in the building trades. And being that my GI Bill is untouched, I have some money for schooling. I am just looking for some advice, or suggestions on what would be a good field to get into. Any advice is appreciated, I know there is a wealth of knowledge here among the TBN'ers. Thanks in advance
KretZ

 

[forgeblast]

Will you be moving back to OH? If you are look at what the natural gas companies are looking for as far as workers. We recently had a few schools start offering gas/pipeline programs. Cabot has actually given them equipment to use to train on.
Lackawanna College | Lackawanna College | School of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Good luck! and Thank you for serving.

 

[KretZ]

Will you be moving back to OH? If you are look at what the natural gas companies are looking for as far as workers. We recently had a few schools start offering gas/pipeline programs. Cabot has actually given them equipment to use to train on.
Lackawanna College | Lackawanna College | School of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Good luck! and Thank you for serving.

Yes I will be returning to the Ohio Valley area. There is a boom of gas and oil activity going on right now back home. That is something I have been considering as well. Thanks for the link, and for your support!

 

[forgeblast]

I forgot to link Natural gas leasing and production information for landowners is a forum full of very helpful people. It has people who are landowners, and people who work in the industry. I am sure if you have any questions they would be more then glad to help. What I do like about this forum also is that its divided into regions. For very specific info.
Glad to help!

 

[Danny C]

HAve you considered business ownership? If so the International Franchise Association has a program from military veterans called VetFran About VetFran® | VetFran where franchisors give their best deal to veterans. This could be in-house financing, discounts on the Franchise Fees, etc. Worth checking out. You can also use your 401k (if you have one) to finance the franchise. Not sure if you can use your GI Bill allotment. There are lots of trades based franchises available such as HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Landscaping, Moving, Basement Waterproofing, Concrete and more. MEssage me if you would like more info.

 

[nybirdman]

You may want to look in the "UA";United Association of Steamfitters&Plumbers.Nation wide union covering the U.S. and Canada.This is a building trades union.They do have a program for ex-vets.
The apprenticeship is five years at no cost.
I still belong(retired) and a member for 42 years.I worked on everything from schools to nuclear plants.Fair wages with retirement and insurance.Contact the local in your area when you return to the states.

 

[buickanddeere]

What skills and qualifications?

 

[smstonypoint]

Just curious -- are you being offered a severance package?

Steve

 

[Daver1963]

Just curious -- are you being offered a severance package?

Steve

In the last few issues of the Air Force Times I'd noticed stories about 15 year retirements.

Eligible officers, enlisted members offered early retirement > U.S. Air Force > Article Display

To KretZ, Just curious, what is your AFSC?

 

[dodge man]

I am a land surveyor. I've been doing it for 30 years and like it. To make good money you will probably have to get some kind of degree so you can get your license. This requirement varies by state on if you need a degree and if its a 2 year or 4 year degree.

As far as the work goes, I'm in the office quite a bit but also outside a lot too. I'd say its about 50% inside and 50% outside since I've been doing this. The work varies so I'm rarely doing the same thing every day. I've got to do some fun things, help build some bridges, roads, buildings and survey a lot of boundaries.

It would make good use of your GI bill also. One word of warning, you had better like math or at least be good at it.