Post-Military Career?

[likeapuma]

I still have 8 months before I get out of the Army, but I really want to go back to school and get a degree in something. I have parts of criminal justice done, but also have 5 years of on the job training thanks to the Army.

Trying to figure out a job that is actually in demand, or that will be shortly, and pays enough to get by. Love the "cop" aspect of police work, but don't look forward to 20 years of crappy mid shift schedules and working every holiday haha.

Just wondering, with all the wisdom on here, if anyone had some good suggestions so I could start looking into colleges in my area. I'm not picky about job requirements..inside/outside..manual labor/paper pusher, it's all good!

Appreciate any ideas!
Puma

 

[GA_boi]

Go to college. Join your local ROTC, get a degree in whatever you want. Then commission. I'm not prior service but at 28 I joined the ROTC a year later lovin it, I'm set to get my butter bar in May. Should find out this week or next what branch I got...

 

[pashnit]

Go to college. I knew a lot of guys getting out the marines that were clueless as to now what. It was starting a whole new life and many where completely unsure how to translate their marine corps experience into a resume. College is like hiding out from society at large but producing long-term results that'll affect you (and your salary) rest of your life.

 

[MC MUSTANG]

Personally I have my sights set on being the Night Salad Guy at Taco Bell; good honest work and I can hook my peeps up with some free Guacamole!

I will say that the new GI Bill is awesome! Don't limit yourself to CJ if you aren't in love with it...

 

[dadofthree]

Personally I have my sights set on being the Night Salad Guy at Taco Bell; good honest work and I can hook my peeps up with some free Guacamole!

I will say that the new GI Bill is awesome! Don't limit yourself to CJ if you aren't in love with it...

Good advise. Taco Bell

 

[likeapuma]

Thanks all. I definitaly do plan to return to school...attended for 2 semesters before I realized I needed a wake up call and joined the Army. The new G.I. bill is awesome...it pays for college and allots money for housing as well.

I do like C.J. but really, would a degree in C.J. help that much in the career field? Business management seems like it'd help get a leadership position but idk.

As for "Green to Gold", I'm all set haha. Not knocking the military at all, but I'm ready to go home as I've been on the opposite side of the world for over 4 years (Korea, Hawaii, Iraq).

Just shopping around for ideas on what might be a good career field after. If not, I think Wendy's is better than Taco Bell. I mean, c'mon...square patties, can't top that! lol

 

[B@DA$$08BUS@]

CJ's careers are next to impossible to get without masters w/social work background. I have cj degree because was interested in probatio/parole work, well I'm still the GM for a Papa John's. Even police officer positions around here are next to zero. I would possibly steer away from CJ if I were to to college all over again.
I am sure different areas have different positions available, but right now with the U.S. in the financial state its in, jobs are gonna be few and far between and only the ones with the higher skills set are gonna be chosen. Good luck with whatever you decide bro.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[busa-josh]

Go to college. Join your local ROTC, get a degree in whatever you want. Then commission. I'm not prior service but at 28 I joined the ROTC a year later lovin it, I'm set to get my butter bar in May. Should find out this week or next what branch I got...

Yah umm... anyone know what "Officers" do in the military for the first few years... I wouldn't go to that for ANYTHING short of $100,000 in unmarked USD and a new identity (just incase i decide to go AWOL).

Best of luck, I hope you know what you are getting in to because no amount of ROTC or Schooling will prepare you for the gayness ahead. I sure hope you are the listening type- otherwise your first few years will be even rougher.

 

[busa-josh]

Thanks all. I definitaly do plan to return to school...attended for 2 semesters before I realized I needed a wake up call and joined the Army. The new G.I. bill is awesome...it pays for college and allots money for housing as well.

I do like C.J. but really, would a degree in C.J. help that much in the career field? Business management seems like it'd help get a leadership position but idk.

As for "Green to Gold", I'm all set haha. Not knocking the military at all, but I'm ready to go home as I've been on the opposite side of the world for over 4 years (Korea, Hawaii, Iraq).

Just shopping around for ideas on what might be a good career field after. If not, I think Wendy's is better than Taco Bell. I mean, c'mon...square patties, can't top that! lol

My wife gotout a few years ago after a couple trips overseas. She landed a job as a manager at a Deli. The hours beat her down pretty good but the money was decent. Then after a bit of time on active duty National Guard she decided to be a cop. She is loving that now and she was never the 'hooah' type.

Get back home and hit some job fairs. A common mistake military folks make is playing up their time in the military as 'job experience'. Be careful with that one... 5 years as an MP won't translate quite the same to a municipal PD most the time. So mention your experience but leave it as only a small part of why a company should hire you.

If you have a security clearance (you SHOULD have a secret right?) you can look at jobs like Border Patrol, homeland security etc.. etc.. Most higher positions will require a degree though. Also goodle 'clearancejobs.com' - I have had a few friends get jobs through there. Working as escorts for gov't trucks moving in the US from facility to facility.. overpaid security guards for secure gov't and private facilities.. etc.. not exactly glamor... but atleast you are stateside.

Also- you know the coast guard is an option.. you'd be pretty much promised to work in the states.. and you could start as an E3 or E4.. possibly higher based on MOS availability.. no deployments

Hope a few of these give you some ideas maybe... might just be things you already know.

 

[valken777]

Use the GI bill asap. Get an engineering degree. Or go to school to be an air traffic controller.
Gulf Vet.

 

[likeapuma]

Again, thanks to all for the continued input...lol @ the officer stuff, they do get dumped on pretty good..by higher ups and junior soldiers alike (though we both know it's not supposed to happen haha)

I do have a security clearance..good for another 6 years I believe and I've heard it costs private companies thousands $$ to get someone cleared..so that's a perk. I know some law enforcement agencies actually accept MP training for whatever reason lol, but not anywhere near me. I'd love a gov't job....but there's really not many in the N.E due to the fact that there's barely any installations minus a few Navy bases in CT (trying to stay close to home)

As for actually finding a police job, I know the larger towns are always hiring, buddy got out and they hired him withing a week haha. But I would want to try to be a Trooper...and they don't hire again until 2012 ??? lol.



Think for now I'll look for school stuff, work on the side as a waiter or something fun...always enjoyed harassing people while they eat haha.

 

[UncleSteve]

Check salaries and benefits thoroughly, especially retirement. Find an agency which pays medical at retirement. You did not say if you were retiring from the military and had the health care issue covered. Medical is a big expense after retirement. You can also stay on with the reserves and pick up medical through them after you retire and the cost is minimal.
I know retirement seems a long way off, make sure you prepare for it now.

Good luck

 

[elTito]

All I can say man is please don't do what I did and get out without any plan, any desire to formulate a plan or any care as to what to do next. Or if you must do this, go to a trade school and at least get yourself a skilled labor job while you pull your head out of your 4th point.

I got out of the Army right before 9/11 and have bounced around here and there like a freaking idiot, pissing away my GI Bill and not accomplishing much of anything special. Fortunately for me I married a woman much smarter than I am who was willing to help me get my life on some sort of track.

Like someone else said, don't expect your military experience to count for much on a resume. Most employers I've found really don't seem to care. What you did in the Army is totally foreign to them and they have absolutely no clue how to translate it your experience into something they can comprehend.

If you are set on being a police officer, your GI Bill will pay you for attending an accredited academy if you want to put yourself through. Same with fire, EMS...basically anything that will lead to some sort of certification, diploma or degree.

 

[busa-josh]

Again, thanks to all for the continued input...lol @ the officer stuff, they do get dumped on pretty good..by higher ups and junior soldiers alike (though we both know it's not supposed to happen haha)

I do have a security clearance..good for another 6 years I believe and I've heard it costs private companies thousands $$ to get someone cleared..so that's a perk. I know some law enforcement agencies actually accept MP training for whatever reason lol, but not anywhere near me. I'd love a gov't job....but there's really not many in the N.E due to the fact that there's barely any installations minus a few Navy bases in CT (trying to stay close to home)

As for actually finding a police job, I know the larger towns are always hiring, buddy got out and they hired him withing a week haha. But I would want to try to be a Trooper...and they don't hire again until 2012 ??? lol.



Think for now I'll look for school stuff, work on the side as a waiter or something fun...always enjoyed harassing people while they eat haha.

one of THOSE waiters eh........

 

[BusaWizard]

Good luck in your decision making. Choose wisely.

 

[nitrousjunkie]

Triple Canopy,Xe Services,NEK,USIS........

 

[GSXRFANN]

How about something in the CIA or FBI? With your background and some education, you should be able to do something like that or even the DEA. The DEA would probably be more fun, but I have no clue as to the money they make.

 

[busa-josh]

How about something in the CIA or FBI? With your background and some education, you should be able to do something like that or even the DEA. The DEA would probably be more fun, but I have no clue as to the money they make.

4 years college needed unless you want to be a janitor

 

[Projekt]

Use your GI Bill and work your way to pharmacology.. You make excellent money and work great hours anywhere in the United States in any city with a pharmacy/walgreens/walmart/safeway etc...

 

[Cookie]

If you want my true well guided opinion,, I would go after one a position that is facing huge attrition - radiology and once through basic levels, pursue more stringent degrees some that you will be that much further in demand. Positions throughout the country, depending on where you are geographically and how large the metropolitan area is are fetching top salaries with huge unheard of sign on bonuses! I say THIS is a field most are not even aware of!