In the Army - Trying to Dream

[Tom and Maje]

Originally Posted by drew.ward

HAHA Paris Landing!

I tell you Rog, the biggest problem most vets have had is that for some reason nobody wants to hire you when you leave the military. I know the military and everyone else pushes the idea that the world can't wait to hire vets because of our great military experience but in reality it's the opposite. For many guys the fist 5 years after they ETS is like having a strange stigma on their resumes. I know a lot of guys who have only gotten jobs after deleting their military service from their resumes.

The after seperation job market depends on what you did in the military. Let's see, retired Green Beret MSG (carried a rucksack and shot people)with no college degree, currently a GS-13 with JFCOM. The secret is to make yourself marketable

You need to have your plan and stick to it

Tom

[Tom and Maje]

Originally Posted by drew.ward

HAHA Paris Landing!

I tell you Rog, the biggest problem most vets have had is that for some reason nobody wants to hire you when you leave the military. I know the military and everyone else pushes the idea that the world can't wait to hire vets because of our great military experience but in reality it's the opposite. For many guys the fist 5 years after they ETS is like having a strange stigma on their resumes. I know a lot of guys who have only gotten jobs after deleting their military service from their resumes.

The after separation job market depends on how marketable you are. Let’s see, retired Green Beret MSG (carried a rucksack and shot people), now working as a Intel specialist for JFCOM (GS-13) It just depends on what you want to do and where you want to live.
My dream is to win the lottery, buy the boat and not leave a forwarding address. Till then I will be follow my plan, a house in St. Thomas and the boat.

Tom

[rss1983]

Thank You All for your advice and encouragement!

My hard decision right now(besides limiting my spending and increasing my savings) is to decide to get out of the Army or stick it out and retire... Stick it out and I am done at 40 plus all three of our kids will be over the age of 18. Get out now and figure out something close to the water... The economy has me thinking real hard about just sticking it out.

Any words of wisdom?

[Tom and Maje]

RSS.
How many years in now? If over ten, then hang in and get the retirement. If under ten, are you marketable. The retirement check from the amry is a good thing to have.....
Tom

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Rog,
In my case, staying with the Navy after the first enlistment was the best thing for me to do. Gave me a bit of security and helped with maturity. I worked on my education while I was in using GI Bill in local colleges and universities. I ended up putting in nearly 30 years. Would have stayed longer but they wanted to send me to Washington DC. I didn't want to go there so retired. I didn't have to get another job after that, just built my own things and scrimped and saved. Built a house, a couple boats and am still sailing.
It really depends on you and how the military is treating you and whether or not you are compatable with it. The retirement pay and benfits are very good and it provides you a great deal of freedom at an early age.
Good luck.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[imagine2frolic]

Being that close to retirement I would finish it. All plans start with a dream. The man on the moon is a good example. Sailing has to be a piece of cake compared to that.....BEST WISHES in setting your dream in motion........i2f

[samson]

im a lot late in adding to this. but talking through experience. im not combat vet but family is and im still a military dependant going to college. my uncle retired medicaly and then went and worked for mercs for 3 years pocketing over 250,000$ and got his house and buisness up and running. my mom recently retired and damn that 22K a year retirment is pretty nice shes going to college full time using GI and thats an extra 1900$ a month for living expenses while going to college.

if your over half way might as well finish. and with 20+k a year retirment you can live on that while cruising.

and if you need the cash money now. depending on your job field it can be very lucrative job to go work for mercs for there 3 year contract. 6months of work over 100k.

good luck with waht ever you choose.
John

[brutb]

Rog,

Listen to the retirees, they make a good point if your in over 10 yrs or close. The idea to get up in rank if enlisted or get a commission and get as hi as you can as an officer. A lot better retirement when you do get out. But the main thing is to keep the dream going on no matter what you do. Thanks for serving our country and thanks for joining the forum.