Military to civilian transition/career advice

[ovrszd]

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

Is this a choice for you or are you being forced into it??

If it's a choice, read the fine print very closely. If you are losing any benefits that you would normally get at 20 years, do not retire. You've only got 5 more years. I've spent that much time downrange.

If forced, you'll have to decide what you want to do with your life. We can't make that choice for you. Just make sure you use your earned educational benefits and don't leave them on the table along with whatever else you are giving up.

The biggest adjustment is going to be that out here nobody is telling you when you need to get up, go to work, and how long to do it. Self motivation separates those that are successful from those that are not, regardless of occupation.

Good luck to you.

 

[brin]

Home Depot has made a commitment to hire vets....you can work your way up there...and it is construction related...Good Luck

 

[MossRoad]

If you want building trades, I'd consider going to school for facilities management and get a job managing apartment buildings, college dorms, manufacturing facilities, etc... interesting work and it never ends. But as others have mentioned, if you're only 5 years out and are given the chance to stay, stay. That pension will be your best friend as it will be guaranteed income AND you earned it. Thanks for your service! :thumbsup:

 

[gsganzer]

If you want something with a lot of diversity look into instrumentation, controls and automation. There seems to be a lot of good paying jobs and a 2 year technical degree will get you started.

 

[MossRoad]

Home Depot has made a commitment to hire vets....you can work your way up there...and it is construction related...Good Luck

I've heard really good things about Costco, too. Not building related, but a great company to work for as rated by their employees.

 

[Sigarms]

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

Heating and Air Conditioning (residential and or commercial).

No matter where you're at in the world, people need it (pick any state in the US and if you're good, you'll find a decent paying job). Hard to say that about other trade fields.

The technology is always changing, and allthough different geographical areas use different types of equipment, the learning is always non stop. I'm learning a whole new world in Variable Refrigerant Flow systems, even after going on 18 years.

I do some presentations at trade colleges, but half the students are middle aged who just seem to be getting grant money of some sort to learn a new trade and really don't seem to want to be there.

Whatever you choose, I suggest you be enthused about it and WANT to be there.

 

[MossRoad]

Whatever you choose, I suggest you be enthused about it and WANT to be there.

Amen! If you don't like your job, it becomes all the more difficult to deal with, even if the money is good.

 

[brin]

I've heard really good things about Costco, too. Not building related, but a great company to work for as rated by their employees.

He has so many opportunities...doesn't he ? If it were me I would stay in the 5 yrs. as you suggested and take some online courses during that time...some of the courses are free...and I'm sure the Govt. would pay for what wasn't ...he could come out in 5 yrs. with a pension for life and college degree or other credentials....Ahhh, to be young again...LOL

 

[MossRoad]

He has so many opportunities...doesn't he ? If it were me I would stay in the 5 yrs. as you suggested and take some online courses during that time...some of the courses are free...and I'm sure the Govt. would pay for what wasn't ...he could come out in 5 yrs. with a pension for life and college degree or other credentials....Ahhh, to be young again...LOL

Yes, we all know what fun we had when we were young. Makes you do the hind-sight on your own life from time to time. For the most part, I'm happy with my choices. Went to school for TV and radio repair (anyone get a TV or radio repaired lately :laughing and industrial electronics (motors, controllers, power supplies, etc...). That 2nd degree got me my job in electronic maintenance, which morphed into computer maintenance (computers used to be machines with motors, controllers, power supplies, etc...), which morphed into software maintenance (which was still fun), which in the last 2 years has morphed into "we're moving all your systems into the cloud" which means I'll be unemployed in about 2 more years (or less) in my current capacity. Yikes! Anyhow, the previous 25 years were fun and mentally rewarding. The last 2 years are no fun. I'm riding this out as long as it lasts or until my last child gets into college (about 2.5 years), whichever comes first. If things change, I'll stay. If not, I'll look at truck driving or folk lift operator for the last 10 years of my working life, hopefully a local route to be home nightly (which won't pay that much, but I don't need the money, just health insurance). Anyhow, lots of choices even for an old dog, too! :thumbsup: The best quality that you can have in this area is the ability to PASS A DRUG TEST!!! You wouldn't believe how many job openings that never get filled due to no one can pass the drug test! Good grief.

 

[ovrszd]

He has so many opportunities...doesn't he ? If it were me I would stay in the 5 yrs. as you suggested and take some online courses during that time...some of the courses are free...and I'm sure the Govt. would pay for what wasn't ...he could come out in 5 yrs. with a pension for life and college degree or other credentials....Ahhh, to be young again...LOL

The military is very serious about furthered education. I'm sure he's already had the opportunity to knock out a LOT of education hours. Could probably have secured a 4 year degree spread over the past 15 years, with little or no cost. The only thing that would slow that progress is the 10 year War we've been in. But even then, there are many, many military personnel who have spent no time downrange, even in these times. So their educational opportunities have been great. Hopefully he has taken advantage of some of that.