Military to civilian transition/career advice

[Dr_Zinj]

Here's some advice from a retired USAF vet.
(1) If your base has it, take the Steven Covey 7 Habits of Successful People's course. I found that to be extremely helpful in defining my life's goals at that point, and what I needed to do to achieve them. The Landmark Forum also might work for you.
(2) Take every transition assistance program offering your base has. How to write resume's. How to dress. Various federal and state agencies for employment assistance. Etc. ad nauseum.
(3) If you're going to use your G.I. Bill, do it long before you reach the 10 year after discharge. Otherwise, Uncle Sam seizes whatever is left. Permanently.
(4) Also if you're going to use your G.I. Bill; file for repayment as soon as you've signed up for a class. Uncle Sam sucks when it comes to paying bills in a timely fashion.
(5) Check with your education office. Find out how close you are to any degrees. If you can, finish one before you exit the service as you can use tuition assistance while on active duty, which stretches how far your pay can go. Germany should have excellent University of Maryland European Division classes and degree programs available on base.
(6) If you know what career field you want to go into before you leave the service, order copies of the tech school apprentice and OJT journeyman level training manuals from the Air Education and Training Command. You may have to pay a small fee for them.
(7) Ditto if you want to learn a foreign language. Get your education office to order the Defense Language Institute training package. (I got the one for French for nothing when I was assigned to Belgium.) Parley vous francais?
(8) You probably already know this; but don't let the packers out of your sight for a second when they come to pack your stuff to send you back to the states. If you need to, get a couple of guys and gals to help watch the packers. Triple check the invoices. And make sure every single box stays with the entire pile. (We had several boxes "disappear" even before they loaded the truck. They went out the door, but never got put in the pile when they invoiced them all. I know, stupid, and preventable.)

 

[sfloggie]

If you desire to stay active consider two options. 1: Transfer to another military service which is common with skills that are needed in both. 2. Active Guard Reserve (AGR). It is a good program

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.

 

[buickanddeere]

I've never consider the HVAC industry a racket. Like any business, if you treat the customer like you expect to be treated, and do good work and stand behind that work, you can make money. God forbid people go into business not to make money. I can also give a long list of guys who complain that they can't make money doing it.

"Racket" around here by definition does not refer only to criminal activity. Also has the meaning of of "lucrative niche market".

 

[Sigarms]

"Racket" around here by definition does not refer only to criminal activity. Also has the meaning of of "lucrative niche market".

Apologies. That said, I do know some criminals in the business who I wouldn't touch with a 10' pole Thing is, sometimes you do get what you pay for per quality, workmanship, and someone to stand behind their work.

Thing about heating and air is that no matter where you go, the "civilized market" needs it.

 

[houstonscott]

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

I would stay at all costs and finish 20 years. HS

 

[downsizingnow48]

OK I've done several major career changes including into and then out of military service (pre retirement). This is a tough situation. We know that the early out is calculated to save the government money, by definition that means it costs you money. So. Speaking from the heart here, I think the first thing is to sit down with as much family as you can and figure out what you really want to do. Stay, or move on. Both equally valid. But the starting point has to be, what do you really want to do. If the answer is stay, I would gather as much information about the force reduction as possible. What are the criteria and where do you fit? If they are looking at trimming 10% per year and you are in the top 30%, by whatever criteria are being used, then you could tough it out. It would be nerve wracking that is true. Understanding the criteria and where you fit in, that is important if you really want to stay. But if you and family are ready for a change, then things are different. You take what the government is offering and move on ready to make the most of whatever comes your way. As others have said, go for the GI Bill and do not leave a dollar on the table. This is a huge benefit and in addition to education and skills, gives you the time to look around and figure things out. That is really important. I wouldn't try to make an initial decision about career trajectory until maybe 6 months back home, after getting out and about and building a network of friends and acquaintances. Having come to a fork in the road, the next several years will be difficult - stressful - no matter what path is chosen. Best of luck.

 

[adventure bob]

Welcome to the retiree crowd. I've been retired for just about 2 years now. Im not sure how the new early out will affect your retirement, but make sure you get all of your mil experience captured and documented on a resume; in English. I was a weapons troop, which quite frankly has a retirement opportunity that involves the phrase "would you like fries with that?" Not sure of your age or family situation but Id highly recommend college in something you'd like to be doing.

 

[HillStreet]

Latest headlines about defense cuts are pointing to pretty large personnel reductions. Never thought it would happen on this scale.

The USA is spending too much borrowed money with less and less to show for it.

 

[westcliffe01]

Just an observation: The German labor dept apparently stated that there are 1.2 million unfilled vacancies in the German labor market. If you have been over there for a while, you might seriously consider looking for work in Germany. It need not be forever, but a job that allowed you to go to a German college (free tuition) while working might be very attractive compared to coming home to spend $60k getting a degree at a liberal university (the quality of education offered in the US is very low compared to western EU where the focus is entirely on skills).

I worked in Germany for 3 years prior to moving to the US so I think it is really an option you should consider.

Air Force stationed in Germany with 15 years in
KretZ