Life After The Military????

Airforce1

Airforce1

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So this one goes out to all my military folks.. I've been pondering about getting out of the military next summer. My question(like many others im sure) Is there life outside the military??? What I mean is what are some of your guy's stories after leaving the military? I have been in for 8 years now and loved every minute of it up until this year.. I have grown tired/ fed up with allot of the bs that goes on.. If any of you guys/ gals have some success/ horror stories feel free to chime in.. Is there any military friendly jobs out there?????
 
I can't answer your question as I have no military background, but just wanted to say THANK YOU for your service...
 
hey man, I served 5 years in the AF working on the flight line. I am now employed at Koch working in their R&D department. there are plenty of places that ARE military friendly which is a good thing.

the most important question here is what kind of education do you have? it will be hard finding a GOOD job that pays as well as the military without college IMO.
 
I understand the feeling.

I did 12 years on active duty, and I'm now going on my sixth year in the reserves. Since I still have one foot in the civilian world and another in the military world, I see both at the same time.

When I first left active duty, it was a huge relief. I was able to spend a lot more time with my family, my civilian job was a lot less stressful, and I truly enjoyed fading into the civilian community and the normal life.

As time as gone on, I find myself really missing being full time military. When I am on Drill Weekends or on military orders, I find myself much more satisfied with what I'm doing. The work is far more rewarding. I was mobilized to Afghanistan for one year not long ago and since I've come back, that feeling is even stronger. In my reserve life I get to do some truly amazing things, see stuff even cooler, and work with some very sharp people. I truly miss my military time, and would go back to active duty in a heart beat if given the chance.

My only concern would be how competitive I'd be in my military career if I went back full time active duty. I've done well and been successful, but many of the youngn's I've met lately are brilliant and make me feel like a knuckle dragger.
 
The reserves are sounding great right about now..
 
i did 4 years in the Marine Corps, and there are plenty of military friendly companies. i have been employed with the same company for 12 yrs since i got out.
 
Send me a pm if you would like to talk about this by phone. My background: retired from Air Force active duty and retired from Air Force Civilian employment. What you call BS today, we called "Mickey Mouse" during my years. I retired at the former Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, now Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. During my civilian career, Carswell converted from active duty to reserve, so I know both sides very well. My career field was what is known today as Financial Services. I am an officer, retired grade of Capt, and retired civilian grade of GS-12. As you consider your options, keep in mind there is a lot of BS in the civilian world too. Desertnate makes some very good points relating to his decision to leave active duty. His comment about active duty vs reserves are similar to what I observed when Carswell changed from active duty to reserve. My observations were that former active duty who joined the reserves were less satisfied. refreshauto also offers good information, and so does JHL88. Bottom line is this is your decision, and also your spouse, if you are married.
 
I did one term in AF working on F-16s and yes sir there is plenty outside the military. My ex-wife is an E-7 in the Airforce and has her Masters Degree in something but she is scared to get out. I think as with anything, the longer you stay in an occupation the harder it is to get out cause of the comfort you feel knowing what to expect. Yes sir, there is a life away from the military that many make work for them..... if they can do it, you can do it better.
 
Dude, after the air force, there are a ton of employers out there looking for YOU! Don't fret on it. Life is all about transitioning to the next step. Life after serving, just another page man. Take some time, relax, and find what's right for yourself.


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jsgntulok- I apreciate your words. The BS im talking about is when I joined the AF, it was fun, I enjoyed coming to work day in and day out. It seems this year has been bad to alot of folks in AF due to the downsizing. Allot of folks are getting the boot, alot of good people. It took me this long to finally figure out that we're all just a number for the AF. Im ready for a change.
 
I myself am not facing getting booted but I just bothers me to see what is currently going on. The military is broke and its not looking good for these next couple years. So I'm looking out now and getting out while i can. I am a fuels troop (POL) and have minor accounting experience, dispatch experience, and minor fuel systems maint. experience and have an associates in logistics/ business mgt.
 
Airforce1 said:
The reserves are sounding great right about now..
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I retired from the AirForce Reserves as an ART 911Th AW. The reserves do alot more now, deployments and such. Its not the one weekend a month and 15 days a year.

It did give me a nice pension with some benefits. Now I just lurk here on AG :)

Good luck on your choice.

Ken
 
I always get amused when the military gets brought up. Mainly because I wasn't accepted, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army
 
I respect and appreciate everything that you all have done for this country. Hearing that good peoples heads are rolling due to budget cuts causes alarm. If I was putting my life on the line on a daily basis and this was happening I would come up with an exit plan too
 
OP, you are not alone. I have over 10 in now and have really thought about getting out with everything going on in the military. I feel the exact same way as you.
 
5 years in the marines and the few employers I've had since I've gotten out love to hire vets. In fact most of my bosses are vets as well so it's easy.
 
Airforce1 said:
I myself am not facing getting booted but I just bothers me to see what is currently going on. The military is broke and its not looking good for these next couple years. So I'm looking out now and getting out while i can. I am a fuels troop (POL) and have minor accounting experience, dispatch experience, and minor fuel systems maint. experience and have an associates in logistics/ business mgt.
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The sad part is, this isn't the first time the AF has gone down this road. I didn't leave the active duty because I wanted to...I was RIF'd. Back in 2008 they swung the axe and wiped out a significant portion of my year group in my career field. Why they thought it was a good idea to wipe out all of their combat experienced communications/cyber leadership is still beyond me.

Fortunately, the timing was about perfect for me. I was able to get a good job before my terminal leave ran out and I only had a two-day gap in employment.
 
Making the decision to ETS was a harder choice than joining the Army. “What am I going to do now?” was the biggest question I had. As stated in previous posts on this thread, there are many military friendly companies. Don’t be afraid to do something that you didn’t think you would be good at. The training that you have had over the past 8 years is second to none. Employers will see that you are adaptable and hard working. Take advantage of the resume writing, interview, and job searching classes they provide. If you have leadership that are able to write memorandums of service on your behalf, that will help as well. When you get to where ever you make your home, reach out to the local veterans groups if you need help acclimating to civilian life. No one understands the feeling better than those who have been there.
 
Bates Detailing said:
I did one term in AF working on F-16s and yes sir there is plenty outside the military. My ex-wife is an E-7 in the Airforce and has her Masters Degree in something but she is scared to get out. I think as with anything, the longer you stay in an occupation the harder it is to get out cause of the comfort you feel knowing what to expect. Yes sir, there is a life away from the military that many make work for them..... if they can do it, you can do it better.
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Nice to see another member in Aviation. I work on 64 Echos (Apaches). I know theres employers looking out for me, hell I have a few potential offers with LM. I plan to stay and retire. Money isnt an issue, I dont get paid a whole lot but I get free housing, health, quality of life and I get to wear the uniform of the best military in the world. To some, thats more important.

Hooah!!!!!
 
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