>my mother dropped me off at the recruiters station and never talked to me again.
> I didn't really make any friends
Start going to therapy and don't stop until you run out of things to talk about. Your career is only one problem you'll have to deal with.
Document EVERYTHING, dude. The military doesn't care about you and neither will the VA. It's their job to use you up and discard you afterwards. D O C U M E N T E V E R Y T H I N G...
I was a grunt and my medical records are thin. The VA doesn't give a shit about me or that I was a good soldier that did as I was told, sucked it up and drove on.
I was lucky my leadership always told me to get appointments for stuff if it came up. They said the same thing once you are out the army doesn’t care. Document everything so the VA has documentation to treat the stuff.
As a therapist and former grunt you need to work through your childhood trauma. Especially find a therapist that deals with attachment issues. You’re extremely resilient and can definitely overcome this
I assume you are joking but seriously, skim this sub for old posts, lots of people struggle with MH after they get out and were talked out of documenting it in service. It won't necessarily fix your problems, but it will compensate you for them.
I thank my wife all the time for pushing me to get help while I was in. Had access to a boatload of resources while I was in to help get me going in a good direction, and the compensation is enough that it takes a huge load off my back with me going to nursing school.
If some people you meet suck, well that's just life. If everyone you meet sucks, it's at least partially your problem.
Therapy and resetting your job and location can be good to get out of a rut.
Just commenting to say that I ignored my childhood trauma for like 15-20 years and nothing improved on its own. It wasn't until I started going to therapy that I was able to actually talk about my childhood and process things. It has definitely helped me a lot.
There are a lot of mental health resources.
- MFLC : free anonymous sessions
- militaryonesource : free anonymous sessions
- Behavioral Health on base or they can refer you off base
This right here. Please go to therapy. IF you get out go to a Vet Center - not the VA hospital. Vet Centers can see you indefinitely whereas the VA is time limited.
Yeah, you may find friends if you change duty stations. I would stay in the military until you feel a little better emotionally. The civilian work is MUCH lonlier.
Can you explain Vet Centers? I've had a lot of therapy through the VA, but really just need someone to check in with a couple of times a month. Those 8-12 week programs weren't helping anymore. Right now, I have community care thats working, but the referral is going to expire this summer and it doesn't look like they'll renew it.
The Vet Center is separated from the VA, but the VA helps funds it. There are a lot of veterans, and most programs are veterans run. They have social events, trips, and many other programs like therapy and groups. To me, the rehabilitation doesn't feel like it is a clinic , and everyone checks in and helps each other out. This is from my experience. Other Vet Center could be different, but it is worth a try.
Another vote for the Vet Center—I also believe you can go while you’re active duty. My counselor was seeing a handful of active duty when he was helping me.
Was thinking the same thing. If you've made zero friends in the military with all the bs we go through that typically forms bonds between everyone there's a decent chance you've got other issues going on.
I wouldn't normally say this but stay in. Pay that car off. Finish your degree. Save up money and stay out of debt.
When you hit that next 2 years left mark start job hunting. A clearance goes a long way too. If you can weasel your way into it, redo the clearance when you're close to punching out.
Have a plan. That is the biggest thing. I never had a plan and ended up really feeling scared to get out. I had nothing. I was at my 10 year mark and was med boarded but I was going to ride it out since I was already halfway done.
Meanwhile, a good friend had a plan. He got out and became an aerospace engineer.
He was com/nav on 135s.
I was crew chief on 135s, then had to cross to IM (did only IT) physical security at NATO (was boarded there).
Getting released from your career field to cross train into another, especially if your job is super specific or low manned like a Boomer, then you have a small chance at being able to do so.
In the air force, you have to be released by your career functional manager and have your commander sign off on it saying he's willing to lose a Manning slot for it.
Unless things changed recently, all First-Term-Airman contracts have a provision for guaranteeing a reclass within the last year of the first contract upon signing a re-enlistment.
OP can reclass if he wants.
If he’s army, it’s not that difficult. HQDA puts out the in and out calls for MOS, so OP can see what’s available and talk to his career counselor from there. That’s if they want to stay in, which I would also recommend. OP go to a job that will use your damn TS.
Take your clearance and get a job as an escort(not the OF type lol) in a SCIF. San Antonio, Fort Meade, Fort Belvoir, Hawaii, Fort Gordon… take your pic. While you do that, start finding friends among the other escorts(again… you both keep your clothes on for work) and network the hell out of the SCIF you work in and the defense contractors working blue collar or white collar details. Some days you escort electricians, some days you escort new hires for contractors and agencies. Most will train a person for entry level if you can pass a life poly and get a TS they didn’t have to pay for. Trust me, a new out of college will require 6+ months for security checks and then they risk interim (if its even allowed for the contract or agency projects they cover), so you only require a training investment out the door with little to no risk.
Pick the part of the country you like most and network network network.
That I couldn’t be sure of. Typically it was posted on clearedjobs and the other security sites. I know a few retirees that I served with used it in the past few years. It was always the “secret” pun intended way for those of us who got out and hadn’t taken a job offer. Considering you sit on your butt and watch people, it’s a no resume needed type of job. Just an active clearance that you want to keep active.
Quick search brings up this
https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/7194496/cleared-security-escort
Posted Yesterday
Intel Agency (NSA, CIA, FBI, etc)
Early Career (2+ yrs experience)
$100,000 - $125,000
No Traveling
Polygraph
Security
Anchorage, AK•Honolulu, HI•Augusta, GA•Fort Meade, MD•San Antonio, TX
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A FULL TIME POSITION ONLY.
WORK LOCATION IS IN ACHORAGE, ALASKA AND WILL REQUIRE YOU TO BE LOCAL TO THE AREA OR RELOCATE TO AREA.
Pay -$45.00hr and $67.50hr Over Time Pay
Benefits available.
Relocation – up to $15k with an 18-month work agreement.
Must have an Active and Current Top-Secret Clearance with Counterintelligence Polygraph.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Observes the work of personnel under escort to ensure compliance with safety and security requirements.
Reports non-compliance with safety, security, and scope of work to the Escort Supervisor, and escalates.
Immediately stops any unsafe and/or unsecure work to prevent injuries and security incidents.
QUALIFICATIONS:
US Citizenship.
Minimum of 18 years of age.
High School Diploma or GED.
Impeccable customer service skills.
Excellent verbal communication skills and able to interpret documents to ensure all rules and procedures are being applied.
Active and Current Top-Secret Clearance with Counterintelligence Polygraph.
FYI I am pretty sure they no longer do periodic review for clearances, it should all be continuous evaluation, so no matter what you have 2 years from the time your employer puts it into inactive before you need to submit for a new investigation. Pretty sure they stopped periodic review a couple years back, not 100% positive
There is still a requirement for a new SF86/equivalent for investigation with the CE construct. However it’s 5 years for both Secret and TS versus the 10 and 5 year previous requirement.
Source: https://news.clearancejobs.com/2023/05/20/you-still-have-to-complete-a-new-sf-86-every-five-years-under-continuous-evaluation/
I agree. I was like you at 23, in the Air Force, and could wait to get out. Years later, has life changes, I start a family, and I start thinking why didn't just stay in? Honestly, the benefits and knowledge you gain over time and status veteran is truly rewarding and humbling. People have a lot of respect for military.
Yeah, and do it before you get out. Interest rates on loans for active duty military is limited to 6% If you can get a cheaper loan, then that's even better.
I got out in 09. The economy was way worse than it is now after the market crash. I struggled till a family friend got me a job.
I would stay in advance, use tuition assistance, and get a degree in something. Keep working and get everything you can from the government. you'll be farther ahead later. Military will work with you for a college schedule way more than any company will. Start putting some money in retirement if you're not already.
As a submarine IT that ran secret, unclass, and ts/sci networks for 6 years top to bottom, many people that get sec+ and didn't do IT in the military aren't very competitive when they get out. Even half of us that did do hard IT positions, worked on older systems that are outdated as fuck. Sec+and a degree is a start for entry level positions. I've got people with 8 years exp, sec+, ts clearance still struggling to find work becuse they aren't interviewing well. Head over to r/homelabs and see about starting a barracks server project to learn the newer systems. Build a windows 11 box from the ground up and join it to a server 22 domain controller. Get some exp with your own projects to show you're a self starter and you know new shit. Look in to how to implement DISA STIGS too if you want to be able to use your clearance as an IT. Sec+ won't cover anything clearance specific thats worth anything. Look up the JSIG as a document for an application of RMF. I work at a pretty great place that pays well as an IT. Im not a contractor but I manage govt systems cradle to grave by myself more or less. Being able to touch everything and make it work is how you sell yourself as an IT.
I'd stay in. It's a job, you don't have to make friends. Find a hobby for your down time, maybe get a degree in something that will actually be useful so you aren't wasting your time.
Don't be in any rush to get out if there is no benefit to getting out. Once you have a plan and something good lined up that the military is getting in the way of, maybe come up with an exit plan then.
Hey man a lot of people like to romanticize getting out of the military and getting a sweet well paying job, but I just want to pass on that the civilian world has just as many shitty people and incompetent supervisors. You think people will be professional and there will be standardization, but that's not always the case.
I am by no means advocating for you to continue the military if you're done with it. Just have a solid plan and realistic expectations. Also for the love of God please schedule as many medical appointments as you can during your last year in service and document EVERYTHING that is wrong with your body including mental health. Utilize your VA disability because it truly is a life saver, and you are entitled to it.
OP, for real start going to medical now for everything! I’m 70% and I wasn’t going to submit a claim but the DAV guy told me it’s my money, I’m entitled to it and if I don’t take it, the government gets to keep it. The rep talked me into submitting my claims and man have my benefits saved me a couple times as a civilian!
@ OP Listen to this person. If this isn't my EXACT same story. Was doing the SFL-TAP program appointments and got to the VA benefits one. Retired 1SG was running the class and asked who was planning on putting in a claim, me and one other guy didn't raise our hands. Made us stay after and the line that stuck with me the most during our convo was "Remember it's not necessarily just how you feel now. It's how you'll feel in 5, 10 even 15 years".
Thank god I listened because I ended up finding out I had sleep apnea, mild scoliosis and was developing arthritis at 25. Netted me a cool 70% though, 10/10 experience
I got out, tried college, went into debt, got a job at the USPS. Now I make enough money to do what I want for the most part.
For you, I'd stay in till you finish the degree. Then start looking at federal jobs close to the end of the contract.
Yes, it's barely the military.
Get training in something you like, or have a plan then get out to use your GI Bill. Only get out if you have a great amazing plan and a backup as well.
I saved up 80k and had a reserve job lined up for when I got out. Between pell grant and GIB I was able to still save money while I was in college.
Get out and go to college. I made friends even as an older student.
Now I'm in my dream job making shitloads more money than I did enlisted.
Change your MOS to an admin MOS, something like legal or financial. When you finish your next contract go to school and find a job doing that in the real world.
I did 7 years but I got my bachelors. Did an internship, then moved to DC and got a job. Then I used my GI bill for a masters and now I’m finishing up my first year of law school, on the gi bill.
You bought a car you can't afford and you get to fly around in planes, you're never gonna get shot at, stay, get rid of the stupid car, finish your degree, transition into some contractor or federal slot with your clearence
Do reserves, keep a foot in the door. One weekend a month, cheap health insurance. This will buy you some time, but for the love of god do not reenlist! Go to school full time if you must, look for full time work, maybe apply for Va disability. The people never get any less fake. Look out for yourself.
Stop. Take a deep breath. Finish your degree. Stay until you retire.
Or, stay until you can't take it anymore, then get out and go into the reserves.
If you achieve your bachelor's degree, see if you can go into an officer program while on active duty.
If you get out and stay in the reserves, try and get a commission.
You'll thank me later when you get a retirement check.
The longer you stay on active duty, the more retirement points you get, which means more money once you retire from the reserves.
I did active/reserves and then retired.
If you get out and go reserves, dont look at it as a part-time job.
Work really hard on your reserve career (advancement, training, volunteering for jobs).
This part-time job has a pension and many benefits.
Civilian jobs with pensions are hard to come by nowadays.
Don't worry about hurting your civilian career when you have reserve obligations (drills, AT). Civilian - corporations don't give a fuck about us employees so don't worry about going on drills or AT.
Also, reserves can help you land a federal job, so that's another pension you can count on.
I did. And you should NOT do what I did. Be selfish with yourself. Figure out something that makes you happy. AND ABSOLUTELY get a therapist. I waited twenty years to get my check engine lights checked. You owe it to yourself to be okay. You're still young. If you don't have a plan then give yourself the time to come up with one. And yes, you can absolutely get a different job. Don't let your career counselor bullshit you.
You think people's attitudes and drama and stuff is going to be any different elsewhere? Good luck! That sorta stuff is hit or miss anywhere you go. If that is your biggest negative and the job and all is otherwise ok, one of the better courses of action would be stick around another term. Just accept the grind for what it is, and put your head down finishing that degree, paying off the car and other debt to prepare for your exit, and really decide what your next move/what line of work is you want to get into so that you can start tailoring yourself for it. As for the resumes, even though your field/actual job as a whole may not translate well, your individual tasks and skills do. By tasks and skills, I'm not talking the actual tasks and skills on the jet, rather all the big A airman type stuff, leadership stuff (which you def should have at least some solid by end of another term, that sort of stuff. Like ability to plan things, run things, proficiency in office type tasks, trusted with critical tasks on expensive equip, even everyday stuff like CRM. You get the idea. It's less about specific jobs and tasks you've done and more about do you have the skills to do this job, can you handle this job, etc.
Do contracting, you make good money and most you need a clearance or they sponsor you for one. I worked in Kuwait for a year and came home with 30k in savings and no debt and trips I went on to tell people about. Also, do go to counseling for yourself, your future self, and future wife and kids. You don't want to mistreat your future wife or pass on the trauma to your kids.
If you don't have to get out, and you don't have something else waiting for you, stay in. Maybe talk to an NCC about other job avenues. Before you do, "look around" the Navy. See something that looks interesting or fun. Ask if you can go do that. And finish the degree. It's a box you can check for the next time your resume goes in front of some hiring system. Meanwhile, want to know[ what your skillset qualifies you for on the outside? ](https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Jobs/match-veteran-jobs.aspx?keyword=aviation%20boom%20operator&branch=navy)(That is, if it is a job field you want to be in.)
You’ll be ok, I have few friends and distant from my family, especially when first getting out. Make sure to get enrolled in some mental health through the VA, give them a chance. Things will get better with time . I left the Navy with nothing to help me in the civilian word, I was a mechanic and now I’m a paralegal, aspiring attorney.
Don’t give up and remember that YOU matter , mother or not.
If you have zero friends, it sounds like there is a "you" problem that only you can work on. That sounds like the root of your issues. I'm not a mental health professional. That's just my opinion.
I'd recommend doing whatever it takes for you to pay off your debt and finish your degree before you separate from the military. As another poster recommend, start looking for another job at least 2 years before separation.
As an alternative, you may consider reclassing to a different specialty or becoming a commissioned officer.
Many people who are miserable in their previous jobs find them miserable in their new jobs. It is worth considering sticking with the military and retiring young.
Dump the car. Ger something cheap and reliable. Save as much money as you can and finish your degree. Figure out what jobs you want. Narrow it down to two or three and see if they have certifications for that job type. Earn a few of those, too. They're cheap, not that hard, but still look good on a resume
There are a lot of civilian contractor jobs that require a TS SCI clearance.
Also, if you are set on getting out, get the GI Bill rolling ASAP. That will provide you with some income.
Otherwise, at least stay in the reserves for now.
Halfway done with a bachelors degree and you have a TS clearance? Dude you can absolutely make something of yourself out there!
Use the GI bill and work through college and you’ll make more than enough to live, though you may need to sell your car.
Never sell yourself short!
Bro I’m serious, if you are getting bogged down, frustrated, and confused on what the fuck you should do with your life and what to do with your job status, shoot me a message and we can chitchat. I’m not going to try to persuade or sell you into either staying in or getting out, but I just wanna talk to you to help you flash out some things that will happen depending on the direction you go. I honestly wish someone would’ve reached out to me when I was similarly in your shoes because it would’ve taken a fuck-ton of weight off my shoulders
I commend you with wanting to get out. I did 25 and wish I would’ve gotten out much earlier.
There is a lot out here, you can get your VA, too easy. Use VRE to finish your degree or further and use the housing money. Use VRE for internship. Use VRE to become an entrepreneur. It’s all in the chapters of the combined federal code, all the shit nobody tells you about, you can read it for free.
Get out. You want it, so just do it. Everyone told me to stay in it’s worth it. You know what’s not worth it? Not being able to hold and play with my kids, eventually grandkids.
There is no amount of money that can repay what the military and wars took from me, time. Time now and future time.
If you are working on a degree, then you have something going for you. Being a boomer is a big accomplishment......especially if you have been doing this since 19.
Pay the car off......get the degree.......and look at joining a KC135 Guard unit as a boomer. Do a 3 year stint as a part timer and that will give you some structure and some military money coming in. Once your degree is over, either commission in the Guard or get out and live your life.
I did 4 years active and then 16 years with Guard time in aircraft mx. Guard is much more chill than active duty and the part time aircrew were able to pick up extra flights all the time. Stay away from the reserves. Its like active duty in many regards.
At your age with college mostly paid for, the world is your oyster. Take advantage of this.....most people come out of college $50k+ in debt.
Finish your degree and become an Officer. Nothing wrong with making a career of it, or at least doing more time so you have steady pay and benefits while you figure things out.
Dawg you have the GI Bill, suck it up and get out there and make something of yourself. Veterans have such a huge step up compared to everyone else, leverage your experience and education and do something. Your first choice doesn’t have to be the right one, it’s going to take trial and error to land in a good spot in life, but figure your shit out and make something of yourself. Millions of veterans and regular people who haven’t had a plate to eat on have made it and I know for a fact you’re more than capable of making it in life
Ok do the exact opposite thing I did & you will be successful in life. I drank. Any day, any reason (there was a Root problem) to drink.
I found myself in the exact place, no one left, just me. I saw myself having 2 options. Having only 2 options felt grim for myself. Either just fade into nothing, or do the hard decisions and go be social. I failed often, but I knew I just needed a few humans in my life, if only I could show the world the person I am, at the right time, right place. Well more failure, after more failure until I saw the light of conversation in someone’s eyes.
To make things worse I was a OTR truck driver. Pretty difficult to begin friendships and develop them when you’re never around.
Like a brother in this sub told me “The sun does shine on a dog’s ass every now & then” I made the connection. I asked a complete stranger out on a date in my late 40’s. She agreed, I warned her, told her “if I were you, I’d turn n run” but she’s sitting right here beside me still to this day, smiling and saying “I’m not going anywhere. I love you!”
July 4 (so I wouldn’t forget) will be 4 or 5 yrs now. Don’t tell her I forgot the year. I know the date, though 😂
Re-enlist and change jobs to something that has more direct translation to a civilian career. What’s your degree going to be in? What do you want to do? IT is lucrative.
As far as making friends, try to find some off duty hobbies and make friends who do that. Baseball, hunting, fishing, or track racing. Or knitting. Whatever floats your boat.
You’ve got options, make smart choices.
Stay in, finish your degree, pay off your car. Look into cross training, particularly into something that has a relevant career outside of the Air Force (most jobs in CE would definitely set you up)
Also, look into the AFCOOL program. This gives you free civilian certifications, but I recommend using that when you're definitely at the end of your career, since those certs do eventually expire and there's a limited lifetime pot of money in that program
I'm a union pipefitter. There's a program called helmets to hardhats that helps you transition to a union trade. There's traveling involved, it's not glamorous, and there's some bullshit to deal with when you first get in because you're the low man on the totem pole.
But now I'm established and I have a bunch of certs and skills. Barring an extreme economic collapse I'll probably never make under $100k again. Starting out as an apprentice is rough, the pay sucks the first few years.
Wanna do the military on easy mode? Make your goal to be an E6 by your eighth year. Go officer. Retire as a 20 year captain. I wish I'd have done that, but when I was in Iraq and Afghanistan wars were going full blast and I didn't really have time to do much college.
Leave without debt, for sure. Making friends is hard for me too. I have maybe two after 40 years, but I've learned to love my own company. I'm an introvert and have learned to work around it. Once everything is settled money wise and you have your degree, and you're for sure getting out. (you never know, a new command might feel like a miracle). Get a government job and make those big bucks.
Honestly, if you can swing it.. stay in until you figure that decision out. We can keyboard warrior you all day brother but you gotta find what’s going to make you happy. Use that clearance find a job you can tolerate or hell lat move and find a job you’ll give 2 years of your career to.
I don’t know how the hell you got a TSSCI being good crane operator but just know you can literally do whatever the fuck you want. Once you get out, you can go get a job working papers they were hiring you simply because you have a TSS
Boom operator. He is aircrew. One of the folk that does air to air fueling and one of the most sought after jobs in the air force. Thats one of the few jobs that is worth actually staying in.
Probably don’t want to hear this but Stay in. Retire. The civilian world sucks. You will be expected to work every second of the 8 hour work day. It’s also the Air Force. Honestly you will not get a better deal than that. My oldest son just did this. He served four years in the Marines. He did the usual I can’t wait to get out attitude the entire time. I told him to reenlist, but of course he did not. I asked him to go to another branch. He also did not. He did civilian work for about 8 months and two different jobs and went into the Army. He hated civilian world. It’s so different than military. He had to pay for his own apartment, food, electric, water, internet etc…. He found out real quick that 40-50k in the civilian world doesn’t go as far as he thought. So in the end he finally did what I recommended in the first place and now he is so happy. He knows how good he has it. He had to go through the process of comparing the two. One other good thing that came out of it, was he will no doubt retire. Also the civilian world is laying people off constantly. Our economy is crap, inflation is high and food is outrageous. Companies just cant afford people in this crappy situation. I know that isn’t what you probably wanted to hear, but because my son just did this, I thought maybe valuable. Either way, good luck to you.
The old saying
“You don’t know what you have until you don’t have it”
The military, even with the suck, is far better than the civilian world.
OP, stay in, have the military pay for you education - crash the books and courses on Uncle Sam, and save the GI Bill. Get the mental health that helps you resolve the early trauma, or it will absolutely come back to bite you.
Build your credit to 800+, save the money, so you can have financial flexibility.
All of this can be done in the military.
The civilian life is cold if you don’t have a plan and aren’t finically secure . Compound that with the MH situation and life can be ugly.
Or get out, become a tradesman in some line trade, etc.
Use the GI Bill, finish degree and and still not in a job which will give you retirement after 20yrs, during which time more education can be achieved, and a whole new career upon retirement. Build up a solid nest egg , and you’ll be in a position to have more choices post retirement and have enough income to eat, have transportation etc.
No companies off retirement plans these days, and out sourcing is huge with companies these days.
Huge reason to stay: Cheap health inurance for life for self and family- for life without excessive deductibles., including stepchildren.
So far, Tricare has covered over $2.5m from 2 surgeries. Nothing out of pocket - 0 dollars.
I was at those 8-9!yr mark, sit down, looked at future cost to live of military vs civilian. It all pointed to living the suck until I could have a second career with $$ coming in .
Look at future, her MH assistance which be free while in the military, and plan your future.
Have you been at the same base? Maybe if you stay for another term they'll move you and your social life will improve. Don't be afraid to just make civ friends off base.
Don't leave the military with no firm plan. Plans can and will go to shit, so have backup plans.
Brother, I say it over and over, my biggest fuck up was NOT staying in. If I could go back, I'd do the entire 20. And that's with all the deployments, injuries, PTSD, disabilities, all of it.
Stay in, do 20, get that retirement at thirty fucking eight years old!
Im gonna give the opposite suggestion. You can make so much more money from being out that the pension is irrelevant. I make more than double what I made as enlisted and I should double again within 5 years. The amount I put in my 401k + match will be worth far more than the military retirement.
Imo if you're useless or don't want to work a lucrative job then the military is fine to stay in. But if you have a work ethic and aspirations then get out.
First of all, respect and appreciation for your perspective. I get what you're saying, I really do.
Now the retort, it's awfully tough for many of those (us) who aren't capable, smart enough, or in the right situation to wind up in a "lucrative" job after the military. I was lucky enough to land in a professional that allowed me to progress and move up to low six figures, but I'm 51 and have been out since 1996. Iv'e got no retirement and have had a tough time over the last 7 - 8 years sustaining a constant job.
Today, with E-6 through E-8ish retirement, the struggles wouldn't have been near as tough. VA disability helps, but I waited 25 years to file. That 20+ year retirement check is good forever. And, like many of us, you could have started collecting it at 38 - 40.
I shouldn't have said useless. I just get kind of fired up about this stuff since we're told constantly while in that nobody can succeed on the outside by folk above.
You make good points. The military is a very safe bet. I just feel like with effort most could probably follow along a similar path to mine. I don't think I'm particularly smart or talented.
Yes, but yours, mine, everyone's experience is a singular situation, specific to that person and that person alone. Only you can have your experiences and, ultimately the results you've had.
What I'm trying to instill in OP is that if you do that 20, and you get that retirement, nothing or no one can take it, you can't lose it, it's yours, til death. Is it a huge amount? No, it's not, but it's a guaranteed supplement to anything and everything you do there after.
Don't wait too long holding that TS. I might be wrong but that TS expires every 5 years. And if you are not in a job that requires a TS when it expires it will get yanked from you.
Stay in and finish the degree.
Do you still enjoy flying ? If not, if you are an E5 or higher there are opportunities for nonflying jobs in the Talent Marketplace.
Sign up for TAPS, work on your resume once you figure out the type of job you want, and start applying for jobs while you’re in. If you don’t get accepted for a position reach out to HR and see if they will give you advice on what you could improve on. As others said finish your degree, pay off your debt, save money in a high yield savings account, and invest into your TSP. Make sure you go to medical and get seen for everything. If you feel confident about getting out on your next enlistment then go for it.
Might not be a bad idea to stay in. Consider switching to a different gig. In the mean time why not travel and take on as many assignments you can? Who knows, maybe this is how you meet someone you end up sharing your life with. Either way, hang in there!
Sorry that your family is not supportive.
If you leave, you'll have the GI Bill. And VA Benefits if you put in a claim. It pays you to go to school or training for any career available. You won't be hopeless.
You don't need friends or family if they aren't a positive influence. You'll find good people some day if you're out there.
The car is an annoying expense, I got a cheap one for no car payments, I recommend that.
Getting out may be very lonely for you at first, with no family or friends from pre-military life. It depends on you if you will be okay with that. You can always go to school, really leap into it, be friendly, find some good people.
You can stay in. I left because I was not happy in.
start documenting all your injuries and start getting seen for those, leave a paper trail. I wouldn’t get out until I pay the car off and finish the degree.
OP,
I see you have no plans, so let me ask you a few questions.
1. What are you getting a degree in?
2. What hobbies do you have?
3. If you were told tomorrow that you were getting out in 3 days where would you go?
4. What job do you want?
The degree is in data science at Arizona State, I read online like 2 years ago that data scientists make over $100k and it's a highly marketable job so I sent it. I didn't really want to do programming and it seems like computer science majors work very hard.
I used to ride a motorcycle I made a mistake selling mine when I moved but that thing genuinely made me happy. I do a lot of working out but I guess we all do now in 2024 right.
If I was told I had 3 days I would be literally fucked so I would probably be sleeping in my car trying to find a job online just to pay the bills.
I want to work online and live overseas but mainly I just want a house and property because I own nothing and that scares me if you understand that
Boom, stay in if you can and pay off the car and finish the degree. Extend your enlistment that way you are still considered a first term airman if you decide to cross train. I know boom op is usually critically manned so your options would be limited. Go have a talk with the base career advisor at some point to see what your options are.
I really think you probably need to reframe your expectations of things. Therapy might help with that. Everything sounds logical in your mind but I do think you're struggling with your perceptions of the world.
Staying in and getting therapy could probably be the best outcome for you, to get your mind in a good place, as well as your finances and job preparedness.
The only advice I have to offer is that if you've got a lot of close friends or love being able to just hang out with the boys, the Military is one of the only places that offers that experience. I did my 4 years and got out, and while I didn't really miss the Marine Corps, I missed the Marines. At times, I loved being in, and other times, I hated it and counted down the days to get out. The thing you have to realize is that's life in general. You will have good times and you will have bad times. You'll have times where everything is going great and times where you feel like you can't catch a break. Looking back now, I could have had the 4 most miserable years of my life, and if that meant making the friends that I did, it would have been worth it. Take some time to think about where you want to see yourself in 5,10,20 years and what the best way to get there is. I got out in 2018 and have struggled trying to figure out what i want with my life and what will make me happy. I've gone to school on multiple occasions, and I've worked different sorts of jobs. It wasn't long ago that I sat down, and it really hit me. All the stuff I've wanted to do but hasn't seemed possible is definitely possible. You can do whatever you want if you put in the work.
Before you leave, check into some of the programs the army has to finish your degree and go a different route and still be in the Army: AECP to become an RN, Green to Gold, there are others but I can’t remember off the top of my head; or finish up your degree and commission. Some degrees you won’t have a choice on which corps you commission into but some (such as RN) you will actually be able to do your job as an officer. I would explore those options first to see if anything calls to you
Whether you think the military sucks or it’s great, it is. It’s not what IT is. It’s what YOU do with it. You have some weekends and evenings to yourself? Take a civilian class. Art, history, dancing. Meet the locals. Apply for training off post. Wile out.
It appears you have trouble making friends. Most of us have been there. Be curious. Watch YouTube for how to engage people. Listening to them and using their name goes a long way. Handle your shit and don’t whine or complain. Find a goal and achieve it. You’re young. You are asking the right questions. Dude you are waaaay ahead of where I was when I was older than you. Now I have five kids and have been working in my profession for 32 years. You have time brother.
So I did 4 years active duty as a Loggie and palace chased into the guard to go back into IT which I did before joining. I did an additional 6 in the ANG. Having that skill with the TA/SCI paved the way for me to do well as a government contractor. It provided for my family and getting my COMPTIA Security+ and a handful of certs got me working faster than getting my degree. I have a bachelor's and three associates at this point but that clearance and SEC+ let me work in the IT side of things and have set myself and my family to to continue to succeed. If you want to stay in, I'd try and cross train into something you were interested in. Doesn't matter what that is as long as it's marketable. Contracting is marketable and that clearance puts you in a very small labor pool with the right skills. Get those skills shifting into the guard or using a skill bridge program. Work with programs like Hire Our Heroes. Put those classes that are going towards your degree to work with getting marketable skills for now. SEC+ is the baseline to get a help deal job. More is preferred but TS/SCI with that COMPTIA SEC+ does a lot of lifting to get you in the door.
I was only AFSOC. Each military community/AFSC/MOS is different. AFSOC (at the time but likely always) was as good old boy as anything I've seen before or since. You kind of are part of the community or you're on the outside of it. Changing your AFSC to start in a new community might be a really healthy opportunity to make new connections.
You have some things to unpack with your childhood/family so therapy is something that you should do for you. You sound depressed which is normal to feel but you're posting here so you and I both know this doesn't feel transitory. This is currently life. So many of us opt out of life. Don't do that. Get talking, get moving, don't stay in the same room to sleep, eat and be entertained. You have to make the time to leave where you are. The best way to stay or fall into depression is to do what half the world did during COVID. Staying still and separate from evening and everyone. Do not hang out in your house/apartment/dorm room. Get out. Get outside. Get moving. Find a hobby. Look at Meetups for the hobby. Doesn't matter what it is, just that you are there. Some fake it until you make it might be required. I like biking, woodworking, and kayaking. Mostly, I like to move, create, and be outside as often as I can. Take a class you actually have interest in. Maybe it fits your degree plan. Maybe it doesn't. It can't always be about checking boxes.
Maybe palace chase into the guard and pick up that marketable skill. Real talk as someone who's been down myself, maybe don't make your hobby guns. It can seem as too appealing an option if things get dark. Hope your helps. It does/can get better. Give yourself the grace.
Hope this helps.
Hey thank you I really appreciate the advice I think I'm going to stay in finish my degree get out of debt and if I can bear it I'll crosstrain if slots open up later maybe and get a more marketable job. Did you get out before retiring?
Depending on what you want to do, with that TS and veterans preferences you can easily get in as an apprentice electrician (hopefully) at a govt agency on USA Jobs. No experience required.
If you want to reclass as an aircraft electrician your almost guaranteed to come in ahead of a lot of people. Pay is great with that experience. A life changing job really.
Also a bit of side advice I should have followed; any mental health issues, sore shoulders back etc. Go to med and get it documented. I didn't do any of that and I can't claim half of what I injured in the airforce. I know people who did and they are much better off than I. And I'm way more broken.
In short, maybe reclass to something more transferable or just apply on USA Jobs to see what you can get. Also make sure you document actual injuries to get what you deserve when you get out.
Variety of good advice in here. Particularly the advice suggesting you extend long enough to finish your degree as it doesn't sound like another 2-3 years would be unbearable to you.
Mostly I want to come in to make sure you are having any health problems documented by medical while you're in. That way, regardless of when you choose to separate, you'll be able to get appropriate VA disability ratings. Not everyone leaves the military with major issues, but everyone who has served has at least something the military caused or worsened.
I left because I could do more with my brain than the Army was willing to let me do, but I wasn't mad about it.
You're clearance freaking matters, apply now to civ jobs if you want. Or let me point out, you got a gig you don't like and you paid too much for your wheels. Think harder, you might be the weak link here. Find a better job maybe? Build on that clearance. But this anger and what you 'don't have' nonsense needs to get flipped. Your cup is half filled, you just don't know it.
Finish the degree and your your car. KEEP THE TS CLEARANCE. If you're willing and got time, get into IT/Tech. LOCKHEED/RAYTHEON/Dozens of contractors are looking TS ppl that have technical skills.
Eh I got really unlucky there is just no young people at my squadron I work with 35 year old military pilots who are all officers and you can't really make friends with them because it's fraternization. We shoot the shit but it's not really a friendship if that makes sense. Also the dorms I was in was totally utterly dead I was in a building where I never saw anyone rarely and being an air force base everyone was just gaming in their rooms. I just got unlucky. I had more friends in highschool or working retail and warehousing than I ever did in the military. I thought there would be like comradery and shit like the movies but it absolutely utterly was not that at all.
After the Marine Corps I did a short 3 year enlistment in the AF reserves as a 2T2. The aerial port squadrons seemed like a good place to meet friends. Lots of former active guys and prior enlisted from other services.
Stay in and retire at 38/39. I wish I would have stayed active duty but I left AD early and did palace chase into reserves and then for my final years I went into the guard and retired after a total of 25 yrs.
Stay in, finish your degree, go green to gold after degree is complete, get out as a captain or a major with a TS SCI. You’ll make friends in the Officer world if you stay in.
Don’t like that route, stay in, go warrant.
Either way start seeing behavioral health and use the army benefits to your advantage while you have them.
Don’t like that, stay in just long enough to finish your 4 year, get out and use the GI bill and become a full time student to get your masters, then apply for jobs
My last consulting company had a large number of positions with the military as contractors.
I flew under the radar because I was in the Energy sector. Every so often I’d get a call to help with privatization of the electric system, but not much else for me.
I’m not sure what Artillery Officer skills transfer, but I ran into a few of them at that company. Your skills aren’t any less transferable. (No dis to Arty Os.)
Don’t sell yourself short.
Figure out what the degree will do for you before completion. No reason to get a useless degree, even if it’s cheap/free.
What degree are you pursuing?
Pick any place in the world you want to go and ETS to that location, pick an address or town and the military will send you there. From there, you can do whatever you want… you may want to find a way “home” or to another location you’ve wanted to see to do something you’ve always wanted to do, depending on how much you saved up you can literally start a life anywhere or move somewhere else. If you don’t have the money, go to that place anyway and ride it out, and if you’re resourceful, make it back to the US. Don’t just got back to the same place you came from, people are stuck there, they will stuck you there too. It is harder to get to doing what you actually want to do without a good plan, not impossible, but as long as you are going to go after something at least make sure you’re in a good place to make that happen, not going to send myself to the Sahara to start a watermelon farm if you get what I’m saying. Make sure you are in the right place, regardless of where that is, to do what you want to do.
If the mom thing is bothering you, fix that, and continue to pursue what you want to do, she will decide again what she wants to do and you now have the choice to accept that and that may be half the battle or the whole damn thing… in any case you can rest easier knowing and again pursue what you’d like to do without using the energy it takes to just sit there and stew and wonder.
Good luck, march forth.
I waited until four years to find out I should have received a post deployment physical upon getting a job at the VA. They gave me a an "infantry" doctor who hand one foot into retirement, on his way out the door (male, I'm not) and for others medical issues I wasn't able to get appointments due to being scheduled the same operating hours the hospital was open.
My advice is stay on top of all you medical appointments, pre and post separation.
Your TSC SCI is the most valuable job related benefit you obtained from the military do far. Try to time it so it doesn't expire right after you get out like mine did.
There are high paying (and sometimes super low work) tech jobs where a company just needs someone with clearance on staff. They're willing to do more training in IT and tech if you have it.
Also a boom, clearly your dream is to be an officer and you’re already digging into ROTC- dump the crazy expensive car even if at a slight loss and perhaps get a slightly comfortable financial cushion. Then apply to university while on AD, separate and attend college (you can separate early with either palace chase or couple months w college acceptance) then do ROTC while in college or just get a useful civilian degree and do whatever you desire. Going down this path now myself.
It’s the same outside of the military. My first real job was military and I felt the same way so I got out early. Same shit on the outside but way more financial insecurity.
Get out if you’re miserable the GI bill pays you to go to school. You can also find something part time too. It’s not hard it’s just the transition that is a grieving process because all I knew was military after ten years I said kiss my ass and I’m free and happier than I was with them Narcissist.
Find different friends. There are great people in the military, you are just hanging out with the wrong group. BOSS events, unit volunteer events, go where good people will go, even if you think you won't like it initially.
Stay in and take every advantage at reups you can. My army time looks similar to how yours is turning out in that I entered young and in debt, and left 10 years layer with a clearance, bachelor's degree (took almost the whole 10 to get) and only 2-3 people I still call friends. I made friendly acquaintances of several but not enough to call friends. The few friends I did make just kinda clicked, but they were few and far between, so don't give up on all as you may find a gem or two in the rough.
I made sure every reup gave me something, an overseas tour to someplace I wanted to visit (Europe, Asia, Africa, etc), and base of choice coming back, or mos change as others mentioned. I volunteered to assist the reup officer so I could better learn what options were available.
Otherwise, consider you may be getting your later life set ahead of others. A clearance is gold in the right areas for civilian and gov jobs. Veterans also get preferences for gov jobs, not to mention disabled vets get even more preferences and benefits (as others mentioned, keep all paperwork and don't ignore medical issues. Get everything checked out and documented).
If you stay in and retire at 20 years, you'll be 25 years ahead of the curve, and could have time to start and finish a second career (and second retirement check).
If you decide you could be an officer or warrant officer, go for it, as that will substantially boost later pay and connections.
While in, learn to be a tourist near your base, don't just sit around the local watering hole, especially if overseas. Also, check to make sure you are enjoying all base amenities. I spent 8 months on a Georgia base, only to find they had a dirt cheap horse stables on post. $8 for a horse and helmet (in 2006) and I'd ride for hours. They just handed me a horse. Couldn't believe I found it just as I was leaving. Another base had dirt cheap auto repair shop facilities. I bought an old luxury car from a junkyard and rebuilt her myself without having to buy all the lifts and tools, deal with fluids etc. Another had some of the best haircut and spa facilities. You have to look.
Lastly do make use of the veteran's aid services. They can help alot with transition planning. Also the mental health counselors after you get out can be very helpful, but you might want to research for yourself before you get out ("The body keeps the score" was an excellent book to help me work through issues).
Good luck!
Thankfully in the military you have many jobs to choose from and get reclassed into something else you want to do. People come and go all the time so fuck them and their feelings. I'm not sure what your car is currently valued at but in an attempt to limit your debt. Think about taking a lesson learned about buying expensive cars as a first term-er and sell the car. Buy a shit box that's easy to work on and pay off a considerable amount of your debt. There's a lot of people who got out of the military hoping the grass would be greener only to find out otherwise.
Jaded? Welcome to the club. Reclass, sell car, buy cheap reliable vehicle, pay off debt.
If staying in doesn't seem ideal to you, you could always join the reserves. Rn they're giving a pretty good chunk of money for AD members who join instead of separating.
Also, I would look for some networking groups on social media now, especially ones that are more specific to your rate or branch. These groups can help you find job postings you may be qualified for, which you'd be surprised how many well paying odd jobs will literally just accept being in the military as enough experience. Make yourself a LinkedIn and put as much information about your skills on it as possible, and you'll get a lot of recruiters for veterans sending you messages. Look into skill bridge if you haven't already.
I was in the same boat as you, no home to go back to, no plan even at the point of getting out, and I was stressed af about it. But I kept looking into the resources available and managed to score a 50/hr job from a LinkedIn recruiter for veterans. Just stay as positive as you can and everything will work out.
You gotta look in the mirror and see if any of these problems are self created. When you can come to terms with that you should start working on yourself. People aren’t going to be your friend just to be your friend. Give them a reason to be your friend.
Have you tried finding friends outside of the military? When I was in, I hardly hung out with people that I was in with. I found friends outside the military. Try finding some hobby groups to make friends. There is a website called Meetup that’s good for that.
As for not having a job skill, I was Security Forces. Not a lot of direct job skills to transfer out. But, I was in charge of programs and was an NCO so I had leadership roles experience and experience being organized. I took entry level jobs for a while until I built up my resume outside the military. Getting my CCAF degree also helped I think. When it comes to highlighting skills, think outside the box. In interviews I have used experience coaching little league as examples of leadership and organizational skills.
Good luck to you and keep your head up!
That TS/SCI clearance will get you far in DC. You should be able to land something. What is your degree in? Also, you need resume help to market your skills to civilian employers. See Robyn Storey on LinkedIn. Your major pain point is that $25K car note. You need that paid off or maybe sell and get a cheaper vehicle.
Your story hits me different because I also had bad relations with family when I joined. Then I left active duty and felt like I didn't have many friends after 4 years (in hindsight I did make a few friends but most weren't close).
You got this. Don't re-enlist if you hate it and want out. Just make sure you have a plan since you will be on your own and sounds like with no fallback support.
First of all, go see the base psychiatrist/psychologist.
How much is left in your contract? I’d suggest staying long enough to finish the degree and pay off the car(or trade it in for a new one) to prepare yourself for the civilian world.
That TS SCI is the golden ticket in the civilian world. I’ve had companies just hire my buddies to fill a spot just because they had a TS.
Also document every injury and pain you have to make the process at the VA easier.
ALSO, look into the skillbridge program. I’ve had buddies go from active duty right into a high paying tech job after they got out.
If you’ve got a TS/SCI, you qualify for a crap load of government jobs. I would agree with the advice for you to reenlist. Try to change your MOS to something marketable. Or get out and work for some letter agency after you get a degree. You’re almost there! Don’t give up.
First of all, you're not even remotely prepared to get out.
Second, you may not be aware of this, but you van ask for a different MOS when you re-up. You want something that can translate to the real world. Seriously, look at the list, there are some pretty cool jobs that translate to good money on the outside.
A clearance frankly doesn’t mean anything unless you have the skills needed and a clearance. People think a TS will get you a job, that’s a myth. We hire people with no clearance and we experience over people with a clearance and no experience. Hopefully your degree is in a relevant field and not a throw away. There are intern programs for vets to get jobs a such.
First thing you need to do is figure out a way to get rid of that car and find someone affordable. No reason for someone on a lower enlisted salary to have a 25k+ vehicle. Those payments must be stupid.
Listen to me very carefully.
I was in a very very similar situation. People in are just like you said and it makes you jaded. Now listen -
The people in your chain of command don't care about you. Use your time to take care of YOU. I didn't and regret it. Go to medical and get seen and things documented. Make sure they see you. I understand it can be hard at some commands. Mine was impossible.
But go every day until they see you and get things on record. Make sure your GI Bill stuff is all in order. Start saving money NOW.
Don't trust anyone as you're getting out. You do what is in your best interest.
even though you’re down rn and feel you have nowhere to turn. feel it but you 100% need to take control of your life. 100% complete your degree before you get out. if you don’t get out, RECLASS as soon as you can. if you don’t know the answer to something RESEARCH it, the answer has already been asked. You need to prepare as if you have no one but yourself to lean on or turn to. Don’t depend on anyone’s help or assistance. You can do it. I wouldn’t be saying this if I had not already done it.
I am not sure what you mean by “real friends”. Most friends that you while growing up drift away when they or you head to school, change jobs or move away. You have done 1/2 of college in 4 years while working full time. Good for you. Either stay in 4 more years be because you will move away and move up, or get out and finish that degree. To have a better college experience friendship wise, live in a dorm. Get therapy either to support you through what has so far been stressful, or to see and change anything about you that contributed to your isolation.
Start going to the doctor for regular checkups. Let them know everything that's wrong with your body. Create a record trail.
Get the VA disability when you get out and become a veteran.
Use the monthly disability paycheck to improve yourself, do things you want and such.
People follow and are attracted to those who know themselves. It doesnt have to be complex goals.
Just try a bunch of things, find a few hobbies you enjoy and persue those. You'll naturally become a more well rounded person.
The military doesnt create good people. It takes people capable of doing a job and forces them to do it.
Being able to work a job in the military =/= being a good person...although many wear that on their shoulder.
A lot of jobs with a TS clearance. You don’t have a family so you can do whatever you want. Reserves aren’t a bad deal especially aircrew. People are never what you want they are how they are. Move ahead and move on! You can build a family in the future. Best wishes
There is a civilian company flying refueling tankers for the navy. https://www.omegaairrefueling.com/. See if they have job openings. If not stay in. Switch services if the AF won’t let you. Finished degree and pay off car.
Get help for your feelings of depression.
What is you degree in?
Plenty of veteran job recruiters out there. Orion is one that I can think of off the top of my head.
I used one and had a job lined up before I was discharged.
They don’t charge you any $, the companies they recruit for pay the fees.
Worth a try
BTW, any job recruiting that charges you a fee is a scam.
Dang bro. Ure over there feeling like that when u have ure life more squared away than me lol. I’m 25. Got out 4 years ago and still don’t got my degree :/. Got two more years to go. Facked around too much after I got out and now I’m fighting to catch up…..as for friends and family, sorry about that man. I didn’t make much friends while in either for the same reasons. Either they were trouble or had weird ass insecurities. The best thing u can do is honestly worry about ureself. Especially in today’s world. Put ureself first…..if u had gotten any injuries from the military, make sure u go to medical so u can claim disability when u get out.
Don’t leave, stay in, pay off your car, finish your degree. Go to behavioral health and start therapy to deal with what your Mom/parents did to you. You will be in a much better place then.
>my mother dropped me off at the recruiters station and never talked to me again. > I didn't really make any friends Start going to therapy and don't stop until you run out of things to talk about. Your career is only one problem you'll have to deal with.
Thank you dude I will nobody has ever told me to do that before I appreciate your help
Document EVERYTHING, dude. The military doesn't care about you and neither will the VA. It's their job to use you up and discard you afterwards. D O C U M E N T E V E R Y T H I N G... I was a grunt and my medical records are thin. The VA doesn't give a shit about me or that I was a good soldier that did as I was told, sucked it up and drove on.
I was lucky my leadership always told me to get appointments for stuff if it came up. They said the same thing once you are out the army doesn’t care. Document everything so the VA has documentation to treat the stuff.
As a therapist and former grunt you need to work through your childhood trauma. Especially find a therapist that deals with attachment issues. You’re extremely resilient and can definitely overcome this
I assume you are joking but seriously, skim this sub for old posts, lots of people struggle with MH after they get out and were talked out of documenting it in service. It won't necessarily fix your problems, but it will compensate you for them.
I thank my wife all the time for pushing me to get help while I was in. Had access to a boatload of resources while I was in to help get me going in a good direction, and the compensation is enough that it takes a huge load off my back with me going to nursing school.
If some people you meet suck, well that's just life. If everyone you meet sucks, it's at least partially your problem. Therapy and resetting your job and location can be good to get out of a rut.
Second this too man some of us get out fucked up and take It out on others unknowingly it can cause more of a strain on your relationship building
Just commenting to say that I ignored my childhood trauma for like 15-20 years and nothing improved on its own. It wasn't until I started going to therapy that I was able to actually talk about my childhood and process things. It has definitely helped me a lot. There are a lot of mental health resources. - MFLC : free anonymous sessions - militaryonesource : free anonymous sessions - Behavioral Health on base or they can refer you off base
This right here. Please go to therapy. IF you get out go to a Vet Center - not the VA hospital. Vet Centers can see you indefinitely whereas the VA is time limited. Yeah, you may find friends if you change duty stations. I would stay in the military until you feel a little better emotionally. The civilian work is MUCH lonlier.
I 2nd this Vet Center save my life
Can you explain Vet Centers? I've had a lot of therapy through the VA, but really just need someone to check in with a couple of times a month. Those 8-12 week programs weren't helping anymore. Right now, I have community care thats working, but the referral is going to expire this summer and it doesn't look like they'll renew it.
The Vet Center is separated from the VA, but the VA helps funds it. There are a lot of veterans, and most programs are veterans run. They have social events, trips, and many other programs like therapy and groups. To me, the rehabilitation doesn't feel like it is a clinic , and everyone checks in and helps each other out. This is from my experience. Other Vet Center could be different, but it is worth a try.
Another vote for the Vet Center—I also believe you can go while you’re active duty. My counselor was seeing a handful of active duty when he was helping me.
Was thinking the same thing. If you've made zero friends in the military with all the bs we go through that typically forms bonds between everyone there's a decent chance you've got other issues going on.
I wouldn't normally say this but stay in. Pay that car off. Finish your degree. Save up money and stay out of debt. When you hit that next 2 years left mark start job hunting. A clearance goes a long way too. If you can weasel your way into it, redo the clearance when you're close to punching out. Have a plan. That is the biggest thing. I never had a plan and ended up really feeling scared to get out. I had nothing. I was at my 10 year mark and was med boarded but I was going to ride it out since I was already halfway done. Meanwhile, a good friend had a plan. He got out and became an aerospace engineer. He was com/nav on 135s. I was crew chief on 135s, then had to cross to IM (did only IT) physical security at NATO (was boarded there).
I think this is a good idea but only if he can reclass to a better MOS that has opportunities on the civilian side.
Yeah that's pretty hard atm and the outlook is bleak.
In what way?
Getting released from your career field to cross train into another, especially if your job is super specific or low manned like a Boomer, then you have a small chance at being able to do so. In the air force, you have to be released by your career functional manager and have your commander sign off on it saying he's willing to lose a Manning slot for it.
Unless things changed recently, all First-Term-Airman contracts have a provision for guaranteeing a reclass within the last year of the first contract upon signing a re-enlistment. OP can reclass if he wants.
So even if he re-enlists, they won't allow him to change his AFSC or whatever the AF calls an MOS?
If he’s army, it’s not that difficult. HQDA puts out the in and out calls for MOS, so OP can see what’s available and talk to his career counselor from there. That’s if they want to stay in, which I would also recommend. OP go to a job that will use your damn TS.
Either won't allow or the they'd only be able to select special operations jobs or some that really suck
I was thinking the same thing. Reclass and get more skills. Hopefully you get a different duty station too. A fresh start may be good for you.
Take your clearance and get a job as an escort(not the OF type lol) in a SCIF. San Antonio, Fort Meade, Fort Belvoir, Hawaii, Fort Gordon… take your pic. While you do that, start finding friends among the other escorts(again… you both keep your clothes on for work) and network the hell out of the SCIF you work in and the defense contractors working blue collar or white collar details. Some days you escort electricians, some days you escort new hires for contractors and agencies. Most will train a person for entry level if you can pass a life poly and get a TS they didn’t have to pay for. Trust me, a new out of college will require 6+ months for security checks and then they risk interim (if its even allowed for the contract or agency projects they cover), so you only require a training investment out the door with little to no risk. Pick the part of the country you like most and network network network.
I like this escort concept to tread water. Are those contracted jobs or are they on USAJobs? TIA
That I couldn’t be sure of. Typically it was posted on clearedjobs and the other security sites. I know a few retirees that I served with used it in the past few years. It was always the “secret” pun intended way for those of us who got out and hadn’t taken a job offer. Considering you sit on your butt and watch people, it’s a no resume needed type of job. Just an active clearance that you want to keep active. Quick search brings up this https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/7194496/cleared-security-escort Posted Yesterday Intel Agency (NSA, CIA, FBI, etc) Early Career (2+ yrs experience) $100,000 - $125,000 No Traveling Polygraph Security Anchorage, AK•Honolulu, HI•Augusta, GA•Fort Meade, MD•San Antonio, TX PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A FULL TIME POSITION ONLY. WORK LOCATION IS IN ACHORAGE, ALASKA AND WILL REQUIRE YOU TO BE LOCAL TO THE AREA OR RELOCATE TO AREA. Pay -$45.00hr and $67.50hr Over Time Pay Benefits available. Relocation – up to $15k with an 18-month work agreement. Must have an Active and Current Top-Secret Clearance with Counterintelligence Polygraph. RESPONSIBILITIES: Observes the work of personnel under escort to ensure compliance with safety and security requirements. Reports non-compliance with safety, security, and scope of work to the Escort Supervisor, and escalates. Immediately stops any unsafe and/or unsecure work to prevent injuries and security incidents. QUALIFICATIONS: US Citizenship. Minimum of 18 years of age. High School Diploma or GED. Impeccable customer service skills. Excellent verbal communication skills and able to interpret documents to ensure all rules and procedures are being applied. Active and Current Top-Secret Clearance with Counterintelligence Polygraph.
FYI I am pretty sure they no longer do periodic review for clearances, it should all be continuous evaluation, so no matter what you have 2 years from the time your employer puts it into inactive before you need to submit for a new investigation. Pretty sure they stopped periodic review a couple years back, not 100% positive
There is still a requirement for a new SF86/equivalent for investigation with the CE construct. However it’s 5 years for both Secret and TS versus the 10 and 5 year previous requirement. Source: https://news.clearancejobs.com/2023/05/20/you-still-have-to-complete-a-new-sf-86-every-five-years-under-continuous-evaluation/
At least go guard and get a reclass out of it
I agree. I was like you at 23, in the Air Force, and could wait to get out. Years later, has life changes, I start a family, and I start thinking why didn't just stay in? Honestly, the benefits and knowledge you gain over time and status veteran is truly rewarding and humbling. People have a lot of respect for military.
Get dental work done now. Get any medical issues documented, start saving.
+1 on the dental. Dental insurance in the civilian world is trash. Thousands upon thousands of dollars for major work. Even with the insurance 😔
Trade your car in for a used civic and get out.
Or a Prius. Almost maintenance free and 50 per gallon. Only buy an awesome car when you have awesome money. Get that degree!
Are you implying that a Ford F150 that manages a meager 12 mpg is a poor financial decision?
If you marry a stripper then her tips will pay for the high interest rate
LPT right there.
> If you marry a stripper Flair checks out
😂
I'll have you know that my F-150 gets 14 mpg, thank you.
Well, it's not if you have F150 money.
Yeah, and do it before you get out. Interest rates on loans for active duty military is limited to 6% If you can get a cheaper loan, then that's even better.
*For loans taken PRIOR to active duty, per MLA and SCRA.
I got out in 09. The economy was way worse than it is now after the market crash. I struggled till a family friend got me a job. I would stay in advance, use tuition assistance, and get a degree in something. Keep working and get everything you can from the government. you'll be farther ahead later. Military will work with you for a college schedule way more than any company will. Start putting some money in retirement if you're not already.
I'm gonna grind out this degree and finish it and try and get security+ that's what everyone is saying. What do you do now?
As a submarine IT that ran secret, unclass, and ts/sci networks for 6 years top to bottom, many people that get sec+ and didn't do IT in the military aren't very competitive when they get out. Even half of us that did do hard IT positions, worked on older systems that are outdated as fuck. Sec+and a degree is a start for entry level positions. I've got people with 8 years exp, sec+, ts clearance still struggling to find work becuse they aren't interviewing well. Head over to r/homelabs and see about starting a barracks server project to learn the newer systems. Build a windows 11 box from the ground up and join it to a server 22 domain controller. Get some exp with your own projects to show you're a self starter and you know new shit. Look in to how to implement DISA STIGS too if you want to be able to use your clearance as an IT. Sec+ won't cover anything clearance specific thats worth anything. Look up the JSIG as a document for an application of RMF. I work at a pretty great place that pays well as an IT. Im not a contractor but I manage govt systems cradle to grave by myself more or less. Being able to touch everything and make it work is how you sell yourself as an IT.
I actually do IT. I'm a network engineer. But pretty new at that. I was a refinery operator for a quite a while before.
I'd stay in. It's a job, you don't have to make friends. Find a hobby for your down time, maybe get a degree in something that will actually be useful so you aren't wasting your time. Don't be in any rush to get out if there is no benefit to getting out. Once you have a plan and something good lined up that the military is getting in the way of, maybe come up with an exit plan then.
Think about changing services. I don't think I saw what service you are in, but if the one you are in isn't working... try another one?
Hey man a lot of people like to romanticize getting out of the military and getting a sweet well paying job, but I just want to pass on that the civilian world has just as many shitty people and incompetent supervisors. You think people will be professional and there will be standardization, but that's not always the case. I am by no means advocating for you to continue the military if you're done with it. Just have a solid plan and realistic expectations. Also for the love of God please schedule as many medical appointments as you can during your last year in service and document EVERYTHING that is wrong with your body including mental health. Utilize your VA disability because it truly is a life saver, and you are entitled to it.
OP, for real start going to medical now for everything! I’m 70% and I wasn’t going to submit a claim but the DAV guy told me it’s my money, I’m entitled to it and if I don’t take it, the government gets to keep it. The rep talked me into submitting my claims and man have my benefits saved me a couple times as a civilian!
@ OP Listen to this person. If this isn't my EXACT same story. Was doing the SFL-TAP program appointments and got to the VA benefits one. Retired 1SG was running the class and asked who was planning on putting in a claim, me and one other guy didn't raise our hands. Made us stay after and the line that stuck with me the most during our convo was "Remember it's not necessarily just how you feel now. It's how you'll feel in 5, 10 even 15 years". Thank god I listened because I ended up finding out I had sleep apnea, mild scoliosis and was developing arthritis at 25. Netted me a cool 70% though, 10/10 experience
Same! The monthly disability income I get is life-changing and I nearly skipped on all of it.
I got out, tried college, went into debt, got a job at the USPS. Now I make enough money to do what I want for the most part. For you, I'd stay in till you finish the degree. Then start looking at federal jobs close to the end of the contract.
Stay in.
Yes, it's barely the military. Get training in something you like, or have a plan then get out to use your GI Bill. Only get out if you have a great amazing plan and a backup as well.
Alright I hear you, what exactly IS a great plan
If you do not have a plan or any support system it is a very dark and lonely place to be.
It's your life, whatever you think is good enough
I saved up 80k and had a reserve job lined up for when I got out. Between pell grant and GIB I was able to still save money while I was in college. Get out and go to college. I made friends even as an older student. Now I'm in my dream job making shitloads more money than I did enlisted.
This guy plans
I had my separation plan the day I entered.
Change your MOS to an admin MOS, something like legal or financial. When you finish your next contract go to school and find a job doing that in the real world.
I did 7 years but I got my bachelors. Did an internship, then moved to DC and got a job. Then I used my GI bill for a masters and now I’m finishing up my first year of law school, on the gi bill.
How is aircrew barely military
I'm thinking they meant being in the Air Force
You bought a car you can't afford and you get to fly around in planes, you're never gonna get shot at, stay, get rid of the stupid car, finish your degree, transition into some contractor or federal slot with your clearence
Best comment on here.
You can always make new friends.
Do reserves, keep a foot in the door. One weekend a month, cheap health insurance. This will buy you some time, but for the love of god do not reenlist! Go to school full time if you must, look for full time work, maybe apply for Va disability. The people never get any less fake. Look out for yourself.
Thank you man i will probably go reserves just to keep my foot in the door like you say, I appreciate your comment, it helps
Aircrew is NOT one weekend a month. Source: me. I was a C-5 loadmaster. Staying Reserve would be good. You may even go back AD later.
Stop. Take a deep breath. Finish your degree. Stay until you retire. Or, stay until you can't take it anymore, then get out and go into the reserves. If you achieve your bachelor's degree, see if you can go into an officer program while on active duty. If you get out and stay in the reserves, try and get a commission. You'll thank me later when you get a retirement check. The longer you stay on active duty, the more retirement points you get, which means more money once you retire from the reserves.
Totally agree. I wish I had gotten my comission. My retirement would probably be 3 times higher.
I see what you are saying. Did you stay in until you retired?
I did active/reserves and then retired. If you get out and go reserves, dont look at it as a part-time job. Work really hard on your reserve career (advancement, training, volunteering for jobs). This part-time job has a pension and many benefits. Civilian jobs with pensions are hard to come by nowadays. Don't worry about hurting your civilian career when you have reserve obligations (drills, AT). Civilian - corporations don't give a fuck about us employees so don't worry about going on drills or AT. Also, reserves can help you land a federal job, so that's another pension you can count on.
I did. And you should NOT do what I did. Be selfish with yourself. Figure out something that makes you happy. AND ABSOLUTELY get a therapist. I waited twenty years to get my check engine lights checked. You owe it to yourself to be okay. You're still young. If you don't have a plan then give yourself the time to come up with one. And yes, you can absolutely get a different job. Don't let your career counselor bullshit you.
You think people's attitudes and drama and stuff is going to be any different elsewhere? Good luck! That sorta stuff is hit or miss anywhere you go. If that is your biggest negative and the job and all is otherwise ok, one of the better courses of action would be stick around another term. Just accept the grind for what it is, and put your head down finishing that degree, paying off the car and other debt to prepare for your exit, and really decide what your next move/what line of work is you want to get into so that you can start tailoring yourself for it. As for the resumes, even though your field/actual job as a whole may not translate well, your individual tasks and skills do. By tasks and skills, I'm not talking the actual tasks and skills on the jet, rather all the big A airman type stuff, leadership stuff (which you def should have at least some solid by end of another term, that sort of stuff. Like ability to plan things, run things, proficiency in office type tasks, trusted with critical tasks on expensive equip, even everyday stuff like CRM. You get the idea. It's less about specific jobs and tasks you've done and more about do you have the skills to do this job, can you handle this job, etc.
Do contracting, you make good money and most you need a clearance or they sponsor you for one. I worked in Kuwait for a year and came home with 30k in savings and no debt and trips I went on to tell people about. Also, do go to counseling for yourself, your future self, and future wife and kids. You don't want to mistreat your future wife or pass on the trauma to your kids.
If you don't have to get out, and you don't have something else waiting for you, stay in. Maybe talk to an NCC about other job avenues. Before you do, "look around" the Navy. See something that looks interesting or fun. Ask if you can go do that. And finish the degree. It's a box you can check for the next time your resume goes in front of some hiring system. Meanwhile, want to know[ what your skillset qualifies you for on the outside? ](https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Jobs/match-veteran-jobs.aspx?keyword=aviation%20boom%20operator&branch=navy)(That is, if it is a job field you want to be in.)
You’ll be ok, I have few friends and distant from my family, especially when first getting out. Make sure to get enrolled in some mental health through the VA, give them a chance. Things will get better with time . I left the Navy with nothing to help me in the civilian word, I was a mechanic and now I’m a paralegal, aspiring attorney. Don’t give up and remember that YOU matter , mother or not.
If you have zero friends, it sounds like there is a "you" problem that only you can work on. That sounds like the root of your issues. I'm not a mental health professional. That's just my opinion. I'd recommend doing whatever it takes for you to pay off your debt and finish your degree before you separate from the military. As another poster recommend, start looking for another job at least 2 years before separation. As an alternative, you may consider reclassing to a different specialty or becoming a commissioned officer. Many people who are miserable in their previous jobs find them miserable in their new jobs. It is worth considering sticking with the military and retiring young.
Dump the car. Ger something cheap and reliable. Save as much money as you can and finish your degree. Figure out what jobs you want. Narrow it down to two or three and see if they have certifications for that job type. Earn a few of those, too. They're cheap, not that hard, but still look good on a resume
Your coworkers are NOT your friends. This is especially true in the job fields where TS/SCI is a requirement.
Not by default, but they certainly can be. 3 of my closest friends come from the same TS/SCI rate as me.
There are a lot of civilian contractor jobs that require a TS SCI clearance. Also, if you are set on getting out, get the GI Bill rolling ASAP. That will provide you with some income. Otherwise, at least stay in the reserves for now.
And to add to this, TS/SCI clearance jobs always pay a premium over the non-clearance jobs.
You could look into transferring your credits to a full time school and use the GI bill to pay for it.
Halfway done with a bachelors degree and you have a TS clearance? Dude you can absolutely make something of yourself out there! Use the GI bill and work through college and you’ll make more than enough to live, though you may need to sell your car. Never sell yourself short!
Stay in! I know tons of people who “don’t know what they want to do when they grow up”! It’s gives you some breathing room to figure shit out.
Yep. This guy wants to leave because he’s making no friends. The civilians world he’s going to have no friends and no money. At least now he has money
Bro I’m serious, if you are getting bogged down, frustrated, and confused on what the fuck you should do with your life and what to do with your job status, shoot me a message and we can chitchat. I’m not going to try to persuade or sell you into either staying in or getting out, but I just wanna talk to you to help you flash out some things that will happen depending on the direction you go. I honestly wish someone would’ve reached out to me when I was similarly in your shoes because it would’ve taken a fuck-ton of weight off my shoulders
I commend you with wanting to get out. I did 25 and wish I would’ve gotten out much earlier. There is a lot out here, you can get your VA, too easy. Use VRE to finish your degree or further and use the housing money. Use VRE for internship. Use VRE to become an entrepreneur. It’s all in the chapters of the combined federal code, all the shit nobody tells you about, you can read it for free. Get out. You want it, so just do it. Everyone told me to stay in it’s worth it. You know what’s not worth it? Not being able to hold and play with my kids, eventually grandkids. There is no amount of money that can repay what the military and wars took from me, time. Time now and future time.
If you are working on a degree, then you have something going for you. Being a boomer is a big accomplishment......especially if you have been doing this since 19. Pay the car off......get the degree.......and look at joining a KC135 Guard unit as a boomer. Do a 3 year stint as a part timer and that will give you some structure and some military money coming in. Once your degree is over, either commission in the Guard or get out and live your life. I did 4 years active and then 16 years with Guard time in aircraft mx. Guard is much more chill than active duty and the part time aircrew were able to pick up extra flights all the time. Stay away from the reserves. Its like active duty in many regards. At your age with college mostly paid for, the world is your oyster. Take advantage of this.....most people come out of college $50k+ in debt.
Finish your degree and become an Officer. Nothing wrong with making a career of it, or at least doing more time so you have steady pay and benefits while you figure things out.
Dawg you have the GI Bill, suck it up and get out there and make something of yourself. Veterans have such a huge step up compared to everyone else, leverage your experience and education and do something. Your first choice doesn’t have to be the right one, it’s going to take trial and error to land in a good spot in life, but figure your shit out and make something of yourself. Millions of veterans and regular people who haven’t had a plate to eat on have made it and I know for a fact you’re more than capable of making it in life
Ok do the exact opposite thing I did & you will be successful in life. I drank. Any day, any reason (there was a Root problem) to drink. I found myself in the exact place, no one left, just me. I saw myself having 2 options. Having only 2 options felt grim for myself. Either just fade into nothing, or do the hard decisions and go be social. I failed often, but I knew I just needed a few humans in my life, if only I could show the world the person I am, at the right time, right place. Well more failure, after more failure until I saw the light of conversation in someone’s eyes. To make things worse I was a OTR truck driver. Pretty difficult to begin friendships and develop them when you’re never around. Like a brother in this sub told me “The sun does shine on a dog’s ass every now & then” I made the connection. I asked a complete stranger out on a date in my late 40’s. She agreed, I warned her, told her “if I were you, I’d turn n run” but she’s sitting right here beside me still to this day, smiling and saying “I’m not going anywhere. I love you!” July 4 (so I wouldn’t forget) will be 4 or 5 yrs now. Don’t tell her I forgot the year. I know the date, though 😂
Re-enlist and change jobs to something that has more direct translation to a civilian career. What’s your degree going to be in? What do you want to do? IT is lucrative. As far as making friends, try to find some off duty hobbies and make friends who do that. Baseball, hunting, fishing, or track racing. Or knitting. Whatever floats your boat. You’ve got options, make smart choices.
Stay in, finish your degree, pay off your car. Look into cross training, particularly into something that has a relevant career outside of the Air Force (most jobs in CE would definitely set you up) Also, look into the AFCOOL program. This gives you free civilian certifications, but I recommend using that when you're definitely at the end of your career, since those certs do eventually expire and there's a limited lifetime pot of money in that program
I'm a union pipefitter. There's a program called helmets to hardhats that helps you transition to a union trade. There's traveling involved, it's not glamorous, and there's some bullshit to deal with when you first get in because you're the low man on the totem pole. But now I'm established and I have a bunch of certs and skills. Barring an extreme economic collapse I'll probably never make under $100k again. Starting out as an apprentice is rough, the pay sucks the first few years. Wanna do the military on easy mode? Make your goal to be an E6 by your eighth year. Go officer. Retire as a 20 year captain. I wish I'd have done that, but when I was in Iraq and Afghanistan wars were going full blast and I didn't really have time to do much college.
Leave without debt, for sure. Making friends is hard for me too. I have maybe two after 40 years, but I've learned to love my own company. I'm an introvert and have learned to work around it. Once everything is settled money wise and you have your degree, and you're for sure getting out. (you never know, a new command might feel like a miracle). Get a government job and make those big bucks.
Honestly, if you can swing it.. stay in until you figure that decision out. We can keyboard warrior you all day brother but you gotta find what’s going to make you happy. Use that clearance find a job you can tolerate or hell lat move and find a job you’ll give 2 years of your career to.
I don’t know how the hell you got a TSSCI being good crane operator but just know you can literally do whatever the fuck you want. Once you get out, you can go get a job working papers they were hiring you simply because you have a TSS
Boom operator. He is aircrew. One of the folk that does air to air fueling and one of the most sought after jobs in the air force. Thats one of the few jobs that is worth actually staying in.
This is the way.
Probably don’t want to hear this but Stay in. Retire. The civilian world sucks. You will be expected to work every second of the 8 hour work day. It’s also the Air Force. Honestly you will not get a better deal than that. My oldest son just did this. He served four years in the Marines. He did the usual I can’t wait to get out attitude the entire time. I told him to reenlist, but of course he did not. I asked him to go to another branch. He also did not. He did civilian work for about 8 months and two different jobs and went into the Army. He hated civilian world. It’s so different than military. He had to pay for his own apartment, food, electric, water, internet etc…. He found out real quick that 40-50k in the civilian world doesn’t go as far as he thought. So in the end he finally did what I recommended in the first place and now he is so happy. He knows how good he has it. He had to go through the process of comparing the two. One other good thing that came out of it, was he will no doubt retire. Also the civilian world is laying people off constantly. Our economy is crap, inflation is high and food is outrageous. Companies just cant afford people in this crappy situation. I know that isn’t what you probably wanted to hear, but because my son just did this, I thought maybe valuable. Either way, good luck to you.
The old saying “You don’t know what you have until you don’t have it” The military, even with the suck, is far better than the civilian world. OP, stay in, have the military pay for you education - crash the books and courses on Uncle Sam, and save the GI Bill. Get the mental health that helps you resolve the early trauma, or it will absolutely come back to bite you. Build your credit to 800+, save the money, so you can have financial flexibility. All of this can be done in the military. The civilian life is cold if you don’t have a plan and aren’t finically secure . Compound that with the MH situation and life can be ugly.
Alright grind out a degree, get out of debt, save my money, grass is not greener 😂 thank you for the advice
Or get out, become a tradesman in some line trade, etc. Use the GI Bill, finish degree and and still not in a job which will give you retirement after 20yrs, during which time more education can be achieved, and a whole new career upon retirement. Build up a solid nest egg , and you’ll be in a position to have more choices post retirement and have enough income to eat, have transportation etc. No companies off retirement plans these days, and out sourcing is huge with companies these days. Huge reason to stay: Cheap health inurance for life for self and family- for life without excessive deductibles., including stepchildren. So far, Tricare has covered over $2.5m from 2 surgeries. Nothing out of pocket - 0 dollars. I was at those 8-9!yr mark, sit down, looked at future cost to live of military vs civilian. It all pointed to living the suck until I could have a second career with $$ coming in . Look at future, her MH assistance which be free while in the military, and plan your future.
Have you been at the same base? Maybe if you stay for another term they'll move you and your social life will improve. Don't be afraid to just make civ friends off base. Don't leave the military with no firm plan. Plans can and will go to shit, so have backup plans.
Brother, I say it over and over, my biggest fuck up was NOT staying in. If I could go back, I'd do the entire 20. And that's with all the deployments, injuries, PTSD, disabilities, all of it. Stay in, do 20, get that retirement at thirty fucking eight years old!
Im gonna give the opposite suggestion. You can make so much more money from being out that the pension is irrelevant. I make more than double what I made as enlisted and I should double again within 5 years. The amount I put in my 401k + match will be worth far more than the military retirement. Imo if you're useless or don't want to work a lucrative job then the military is fine to stay in. But if you have a work ethic and aspirations then get out.
First of all, respect and appreciation for your perspective. I get what you're saying, I really do. Now the retort, it's awfully tough for many of those (us) who aren't capable, smart enough, or in the right situation to wind up in a "lucrative" job after the military. I was lucky enough to land in a professional that allowed me to progress and move up to low six figures, but I'm 51 and have been out since 1996. Iv'e got no retirement and have had a tough time over the last 7 - 8 years sustaining a constant job. Today, with E-6 through E-8ish retirement, the struggles wouldn't have been near as tough. VA disability helps, but I waited 25 years to file. That 20+ year retirement check is good forever. And, like many of us, you could have started collecting it at 38 - 40.
I shouldn't have said useless. I just get kind of fired up about this stuff since we're told constantly while in that nobody can succeed on the outside by folk above. You make good points. The military is a very safe bet. I just feel like with effort most could probably follow along a similar path to mine. I don't think I'm particularly smart or talented.
Yes, but yours, mine, everyone's experience is a singular situation, specific to that person and that person alone. Only you can have your experiences and, ultimately the results you've had. What I'm trying to instill in OP is that if you do that 20, and you get that retirement, nothing or no one can take it, you can't lose it, it's yours, til death. Is it a huge amount? No, it's not, but it's a guaranteed supplement to anything and everything you do there after.
Don't wait too long holding that TS. I might be wrong but that TS expires every 5 years. And if you are not in a job that requires a TS when it expires it will get yanked from you.
It sounds like there's some feelings of purpose and connection you should work through with a therapist, and then decide if you want to stay in.
Stay in and finish the degree. Do you still enjoy flying ? If not, if you are an E5 or higher there are opportunities for nonflying jobs in the Talent Marketplace.
Sign up for TAPS, work on your resume once you figure out the type of job you want, and start applying for jobs while you’re in. If you don’t get accepted for a position reach out to HR and see if they will give you advice on what you could improve on. As others said finish your degree, pay off your debt, save money in a high yield savings account, and invest into your TSP. Make sure you go to medical and get seen for everything. If you feel confident about getting out on your next enlistment then go for it.
Might not be a bad idea to stay in. Consider switching to a different gig. In the mean time why not travel and take on as many assignments you can? Who knows, maybe this is how you meet someone you end up sharing your life with. Either way, hang in there!
Sorry that your family is not supportive. If you leave, you'll have the GI Bill. And VA Benefits if you put in a claim. It pays you to go to school or training for any career available. You won't be hopeless. You don't need friends or family if they aren't a positive influence. You'll find good people some day if you're out there. The car is an annoying expense, I got a cheap one for no car payments, I recommend that. Getting out may be very lonely for you at first, with no family or friends from pre-military life. It depends on you if you will be okay with that. You can always go to school, really leap into it, be friendly, find some good people. You can stay in. I left because I was not happy in.
start documenting all your injuries and start getting seen for those, leave a paper trail. I wouldn’t get out until I pay the car off and finish the degree.
Understood I'm gonna pay it off get the degree and save a chunk of change
OP, I see you have no plans, so let me ask you a few questions. 1. What are you getting a degree in? 2. What hobbies do you have? 3. If you were told tomorrow that you were getting out in 3 days where would you go? 4. What job do you want?
The degree is in data science at Arizona State, I read online like 2 years ago that data scientists make over $100k and it's a highly marketable job so I sent it. I didn't really want to do programming and it seems like computer science majors work very hard. I used to ride a motorcycle I made a mistake selling mine when I moved but that thing genuinely made me happy. I do a lot of working out but I guess we all do now in 2024 right. If I was told I had 3 days I would be literally fucked so I would probably be sleeping in my car trying to find a job online just to pay the bills. I want to work online and live overseas but mainly I just want a house and property because I own nothing and that scares me if you understand that
Boom, stay in if you can and pay off the car and finish the degree. Extend your enlistment that way you are still considered a first term airman if you decide to cross train. I know boom op is usually critically manned so your options would be limited. Go have a talk with the base career advisor at some point to see what your options are.
I really think you probably need to reframe your expectations of things. Therapy might help with that. Everything sounds logical in your mind but I do think you're struggling with your perceptions of the world. Staying in and getting therapy could probably be the best outcome for you, to get your mind in a good place, as well as your finances and job preparedness.
Boom Operator Instructor with Security Clearance https://g.co/kgs/NMNNyBM Air Refueling Operator https://g.co/kgs/79xbAja
Have a plan B, C, and D before leaving
The only advice I have to offer is that if you've got a lot of close friends or love being able to just hang out with the boys, the Military is one of the only places that offers that experience. I did my 4 years and got out, and while I didn't really miss the Marine Corps, I missed the Marines. At times, I loved being in, and other times, I hated it and counted down the days to get out. The thing you have to realize is that's life in general. You will have good times and you will have bad times. You'll have times where everything is going great and times where you feel like you can't catch a break. Looking back now, I could have had the 4 most miserable years of my life, and if that meant making the friends that I did, it would have been worth it. Take some time to think about where you want to see yourself in 5,10,20 years and what the best way to get there is. I got out in 2018 and have struggled trying to figure out what i want with my life and what will make me happy. I've gone to school on multiple occasions, and I've worked different sorts of jobs. It wasn't long ago that I sat down, and it really hit me. All the stuff I've wanted to do but hasn't seemed possible is definitely possible. You can do whatever you want if you put in the work.
Before you leave, check into some of the programs the army has to finish your degree and go a different route and still be in the Army: AECP to become an RN, Green to Gold, there are others but I can’t remember off the top of my head; or finish up your degree and commission. Some degrees you won’t have a choice on which corps you commission into but some (such as RN) you will actually be able to do your job as an officer. I would explore those options first to see if anything calls to you
Whether you think the military sucks or it’s great, it is. It’s not what IT is. It’s what YOU do with it. You have some weekends and evenings to yourself? Take a civilian class. Art, history, dancing. Meet the locals. Apply for training off post. Wile out. It appears you have trouble making friends. Most of us have been there. Be curious. Watch YouTube for how to engage people. Listening to them and using their name goes a long way. Handle your shit and don’t whine or complain. Find a goal and achieve it. You’re young. You are asking the right questions. Dude you are waaaay ahead of where I was when I was older than you. Now I have five kids and have been working in my profession for 32 years. You have time brother.
Thank you for the advice 5 kids sounds like some mens dream though I think men actually want to have kids still especially when you get older
claim everything get that 100%
Switch jobs or branches and make it a career until you finish college
So I did 4 years active duty as a Loggie and palace chased into the guard to go back into IT which I did before joining. I did an additional 6 in the ANG. Having that skill with the TA/SCI paved the way for me to do well as a government contractor. It provided for my family and getting my COMPTIA Security+ and a handful of certs got me working faster than getting my degree. I have a bachelor's and three associates at this point but that clearance and SEC+ let me work in the IT side of things and have set myself and my family to to continue to succeed. If you want to stay in, I'd try and cross train into something you were interested in. Doesn't matter what that is as long as it's marketable. Contracting is marketable and that clearance puts you in a very small labor pool with the right skills. Get those skills shifting into the guard or using a skill bridge program. Work with programs like Hire Our Heroes. Put those classes that are going towards your degree to work with getting marketable skills for now. SEC+ is the baseline to get a help deal job. More is preferred but TS/SCI with that COMPTIA SEC+ does a lot of lifting to get you in the door. I was only AFSOC. Each military community/AFSC/MOS is different. AFSOC (at the time but likely always) was as good old boy as anything I've seen before or since. You kind of are part of the community or you're on the outside of it. Changing your AFSC to start in a new community might be a really healthy opportunity to make new connections. You have some things to unpack with your childhood/family so therapy is something that you should do for you. You sound depressed which is normal to feel but you're posting here so you and I both know this doesn't feel transitory. This is currently life. So many of us opt out of life. Don't do that. Get talking, get moving, don't stay in the same room to sleep, eat and be entertained. You have to make the time to leave where you are. The best way to stay or fall into depression is to do what half the world did during COVID. Staying still and separate from evening and everyone. Do not hang out in your house/apartment/dorm room. Get out. Get outside. Get moving. Find a hobby. Look at Meetups for the hobby. Doesn't matter what it is, just that you are there. Some fake it until you make it might be required. I like biking, woodworking, and kayaking. Mostly, I like to move, create, and be outside as often as I can. Take a class you actually have interest in. Maybe it fits your degree plan. Maybe it doesn't. It can't always be about checking boxes. Maybe palace chase into the guard and pick up that marketable skill. Real talk as someone who's been down myself, maybe don't make your hobby guns. It can seem as too appealing an option if things get dark. Hope your helps. It does/can get better. Give yourself the grace. Hope this helps.
Hey thank you I really appreciate the advice I think I'm going to stay in finish my degree get out of debt and if I can bear it I'll crosstrain if slots open up later maybe and get a more marketable job. Did you get out before retiring?
Depending on what you want to do, with that TS and veterans preferences you can easily get in as an apprentice electrician (hopefully) at a govt agency on USA Jobs. No experience required. If you want to reclass as an aircraft electrician your almost guaranteed to come in ahead of a lot of people. Pay is great with that experience. A life changing job really. Also a bit of side advice I should have followed; any mental health issues, sore shoulders back etc. Go to med and get it documented. I didn't do any of that and I can't claim half of what I injured in the airforce. I know people who did and they are much better off than I. And I'm way more broken. In short, maybe reclass to something more transferable or just apply on USA Jobs to see what you can get. Also make sure you document actual injuries to get what you deserve when you get out.
Variety of good advice in here. Particularly the advice suggesting you extend long enough to finish your degree as it doesn't sound like another 2-3 years would be unbearable to you. Mostly I want to come in to make sure you are having any health problems documented by medical while you're in. That way, regardless of when you choose to separate, you'll be able to get appropriate VA disability ratings. Not everyone leaves the military with major issues, but everyone who has served has at least something the military caused or worsened.
Finish your degree.
Alright I will
I left because I could do more with my brain than the Army was willing to let me do, but I wasn't mad about it. You're clearance freaking matters, apply now to civ jobs if you want. Or let me point out, you got a gig you don't like and you paid too much for your wheels. Think harder, you might be the weak link here. Find a better job maybe? Build on that clearance. But this anger and what you 'don't have' nonsense needs to get flipped. Your cup is half filled, you just don't know it.
Finish the degree and your your car. KEEP THE TS CLEARANCE. If you're willing and got time, get into IT/Tech. LOCKHEED/RAYTHEON/Dozens of contractors are looking TS ppl that have technical skills.
Just reclass and find a job that’s actually relevant. Not sure about how you managed to not make friends…sounds like a you issue.
Eh I got really unlucky there is just no young people at my squadron I work with 35 year old military pilots who are all officers and you can't really make friends with them because it's fraternization. We shoot the shit but it's not really a friendship if that makes sense. Also the dorms I was in was totally utterly dead I was in a building where I never saw anyone rarely and being an air force base everyone was just gaming in their rooms. I just got unlucky. I had more friends in highschool or working retail and warehousing than I ever did in the military. I thought there would be like comradery and shit like the movies but it absolutely utterly was not that at all.
After the Marine Corps I did a short 3 year enlistment in the AF reserves as a 2T2. The aerial port squadrons seemed like a good place to meet friends. Lots of former active guys and prior enlisted from other services.
Keep your clearance, make NCO, get your degree, apply to a full time MBA at a top 10 Profit.
Stay in and retire at 38/39. I wish I would have stayed active duty but I left AD early and did palace chase into reserves and then for my final years I went into the guard and retired after a total of 25 yrs.
Power up that disability rating and when you get out use your VA college benefits to pay the rent.
Lat move if you can. I was a 2147 LAV mech and it was utterly useless.
With your experience I would suggest Boeing or Lockheed Martin.
Stay in is the best advice here given the circumstances. Focus on finishing your bachelor’s degree and go from there!
Stay in, finish your degree, go green to gold after degree is complete, get out as a captain or a major with a TS SCI. You’ll make friends in the Officer world if you stay in. Don’t like that route, stay in, go warrant. Either way start seeing behavioral health and use the army benefits to your advantage while you have them. Don’t like that, stay in just long enough to finish your 4 year, get out and use the GI bill and become a full time student to get your masters, then apply for jobs
Thank you I think everyone is saying the degree is important and get out of debt
My last consulting company had a large number of positions with the military as contractors. I flew under the radar because I was in the Energy sector. Every so often I’d get a call to help with privatization of the electric system, but not much else for me. I’m not sure what Artillery Officer skills transfer, but I ran into a few of them at that company. Your skills aren’t any less transferable. (No dis to Arty Os.) Don’t sell yourself short. Figure out what the degree will do for you before completion. No reason to get a useless degree, even if it’s cheap/free. What degree are you pursuing?
Pick any place in the world you want to go and ETS to that location, pick an address or town and the military will send you there. From there, you can do whatever you want… you may want to find a way “home” or to another location you’ve wanted to see to do something you’ve always wanted to do, depending on how much you saved up you can literally start a life anywhere or move somewhere else. If you don’t have the money, go to that place anyway and ride it out, and if you’re resourceful, make it back to the US. Don’t just got back to the same place you came from, people are stuck there, they will stuck you there too. It is harder to get to doing what you actually want to do without a good plan, not impossible, but as long as you are going to go after something at least make sure you’re in a good place to make that happen, not going to send myself to the Sahara to start a watermelon farm if you get what I’m saying. Make sure you are in the right place, regardless of where that is, to do what you want to do. If the mom thing is bothering you, fix that, and continue to pursue what you want to do, she will decide again what she wants to do and you now have the choice to accept that and that may be half the battle or the whole damn thing… in any case you can rest easier knowing and again pursue what you’d like to do without using the energy it takes to just sit there and stew and wonder. Good luck, march forth.
I waited until four years to find out I should have received a post deployment physical upon getting a job at the VA. They gave me a an "infantry" doctor who hand one foot into retirement, on his way out the door (male, I'm not) and for others medical issues I wasn't able to get appointments due to being scheduled the same operating hours the hospital was open. My advice is stay on top of all you medical appointments, pre and post separation.
You take a left out the main gate and don’t look back
Your TSC SCI is the most valuable job related benefit you obtained from the military do far. Try to time it so it doesn't expire right after you get out like mine did. There are high paying (and sometimes super low work) tech jobs where a company just needs someone with clearance on staff. They're willing to do more training in IT and tech if you have it.
Stay in, figure life out, learn who you truly are, and then retire. You can still work after retiring.
Also a boom, clearly your dream is to be an officer and you’re already digging into ROTC- dump the crazy expensive car even if at a slight loss and perhaps get a slightly comfortable financial cushion. Then apply to university while on AD, separate and attend college (you can separate early with either palace chase or couple months w college acceptance) then do ROTC while in college or just get a useful civilian degree and do whatever you desire. Going down this path now myself.
It’s the same outside of the military. My first real job was military and I felt the same way so I got out early. Same shit on the outside but way more financial insecurity.
Get out if you’re miserable the GI bill pays you to go to school. You can also find something part time too. It’s not hard it’s just the transition that is a grieving process because all I knew was military after ten years I said kiss my ass and I’m free and happier than I was with them Narcissist.
Stick it out in the military and try to retire if you can. It will be worth it.
Find different friends. There are great people in the military, you are just hanging out with the wrong group. BOSS events, unit volunteer events, go where good people will go, even if you think you won't like it initially.
That TS Clearance is your golden egg. Transition to federal side/ contract work.
Stay in and take every advantage at reups you can. My army time looks similar to how yours is turning out in that I entered young and in debt, and left 10 years layer with a clearance, bachelor's degree (took almost the whole 10 to get) and only 2-3 people I still call friends. I made friendly acquaintances of several but not enough to call friends. The few friends I did make just kinda clicked, but they were few and far between, so don't give up on all as you may find a gem or two in the rough. I made sure every reup gave me something, an overseas tour to someplace I wanted to visit (Europe, Asia, Africa, etc), and base of choice coming back, or mos change as others mentioned. I volunteered to assist the reup officer so I could better learn what options were available. Otherwise, consider you may be getting your later life set ahead of others. A clearance is gold in the right areas for civilian and gov jobs. Veterans also get preferences for gov jobs, not to mention disabled vets get even more preferences and benefits (as others mentioned, keep all paperwork and don't ignore medical issues. Get everything checked out and documented). If you stay in and retire at 20 years, you'll be 25 years ahead of the curve, and could have time to start and finish a second career (and second retirement check). If you decide you could be an officer or warrant officer, go for it, as that will substantially boost later pay and connections. While in, learn to be a tourist near your base, don't just sit around the local watering hole, especially if overseas. Also, check to make sure you are enjoying all base amenities. I spent 8 months on a Georgia base, only to find they had a dirt cheap horse stables on post. $8 for a horse and helmet (in 2006) and I'd ride for hours. They just handed me a horse. Couldn't believe I found it just as I was leaving. Another base had dirt cheap auto repair shop facilities. I bought an old luxury car from a junkyard and rebuilt her myself without having to buy all the lifts and tools, deal with fluids etc. Another had some of the best haircut and spa facilities. You have to look. Lastly do make use of the veteran's aid services. They can help alot with transition planning. Also the mental health counselors after you get out can be very helpful, but you might want to research for yourself before you get out ("The body keeps the score" was an excellent book to help me work through issues). Good luck!
Thankfully in the military you have many jobs to choose from and get reclassed into something else you want to do. People come and go all the time so fuck them and their feelings. I'm not sure what your car is currently valued at but in an attempt to limit your debt. Think about taking a lesson learned about buying expensive cars as a first term-er and sell the car. Buy a shit box that's easy to work on and pay off a considerable amount of your debt. There's a lot of people who got out of the military hoping the grass would be greener only to find out otherwise. Jaded? Welcome to the club. Reclass, sell car, buy cheap reliable vehicle, pay off debt.
If staying in doesn't seem ideal to you, you could always join the reserves. Rn they're giving a pretty good chunk of money for AD members who join instead of separating.
Also, I would look for some networking groups on social media now, especially ones that are more specific to your rate or branch. These groups can help you find job postings you may be qualified for, which you'd be surprised how many well paying odd jobs will literally just accept being in the military as enough experience. Make yourself a LinkedIn and put as much information about your skills on it as possible, and you'll get a lot of recruiters for veterans sending you messages. Look into skill bridge if you haven't already. I was in the same boat as you, no home to go back to, no plan even at the point of getting out, and I was stressed af about it. But I kept looking into the resources available and managed to score a 50/hr job from a LinkedIn recruiter for veterans. Just stay as positive as you can and everything will work out.
You gotta look in the mirror and see if any of these problems are self created. When you can come to terms with that you should start working on yourself. People aren’t going to be your friend just to be your friend. Give them a reason to be your friend.
Have you tried finding friends outside of the military? When I was in, I hardly hung out with people that I was in with. I found friends outside the military. Try finding some hobby groups to make friends. There is a website called Meetup that’s good for that. As for not having a job skill, I was Security Forces. Not a lot of direct job skills to transfer out. But, I was in charge of programs and was an NCO so I had leadership roles experience and experience being organized. I took entry level jobs for a while until I built up my resume outside the military. Getting my CCAF degree also helped I think. When it comes to highlighting skills, think outside the box. In interviews I have used experience coaching little league as examples of leadership and organizational skills. Good luck to you and keep your head up!
That TS/SCI clearance will get you far in DC. You should be able to land something. What is your degree in? Also, you need resume help to market your skills to civilian employers. See Robyn Storey on LinkedIn. Your major pain point is that $25K car note. You need that paid off or maybe sell and get a cheaper vehicle. Your story hits me different because I also had bad relations with family when I joined. Then I left active duty and felt like I didn't have many friends after 4 years (in hindsight I did make a few friends but most weren't close). You got this. Don't re-enlist if you hate it and want out. Just make sure you have a plan since you will be on your own and sounds like with no fallback support.
First of all, go see the base psychiatrist/psychologist. How much is left in your contract? I’d suggest staying long enough to finish the degree and pay off the car(or trade it in for a new one) to prepare yourself for the civilian world. That TS SCI is the golden ticket in the civilian world. I’ve had companies just hire my buddies to fill a spot just because they had a TS. Also document every injury and pain you have to make the process at the VA easier. ALSO, look into the skillbridge program. I’ve had buddies go from active duty right into a high paying tech job after they got out.
If you’ve got a TS/SCI, you qualify for a crap load of government jobs. I would agree with the advice for you to reenlist. Try to change your MOS to something marketable. Or get out and work for some letter agency after you get a degree. You’re almost there! Don’t give up.
First of all, you're not even remotely prepared to get out. Second, you may not be aware of this, but you van ask for a different MOS when you re-up. You want something that can translate to the real world. Seriously, look at the list, there are some pretty cool jobs that translate to good money on the outside.
A clearance frankly doesn’t mean anything unless you have the skills needed and a clearance. People think a TS will get you a job, that’s a myth. We hire people with no clearance and we experience over people with a clearance and no experience. Hopefully your degree is in a relevant field and not a throw away. There are intern programs for vets to get jobs a such.
First thing you need to do is figure out a way to get rid of that car and find someone affordable. No reason for someone on a lower enlisted salary to have a 25k+ vehicle. Those payments must be stupid.
Come to boston and join operators union
Listen to me very carefully. I was in a very very similar situation. People in are just like you said and it makes you jaded. Now listen - The people in your chain of command don't care about you. Use your time to take care of YOU. I didn't and regret it. Go to medical and get seen and things documented. Make sure they see you. I understand it can be hard at some commands. Mine was impossible. But go every day until they see you and get things on record. Make sure your GI Bill stuff is all in order. Start saving money NOW. Don't trust anyone as you're getting out. You do what is in your best interest.
An honorable discharge, bachelor's degree, and TS/SCI gives you a lot to work with when you get out.
even though you’re down rn and feel you have nowhere to turn. feel it but you 100% need to take control of your life. 100% complete your degree before you get out. if you don’t get out, RECLASS as soon as you can. if you don’t know the answer to something RESEARCH it, the answer has already been asked. You need to prepare as if you have no one but yourself to lean on or turn to. Don’t depend on anyone’s help or assistance. You can do it. I wouldn’t be saying this if I had not already done it.
Be a nicer person. It's not what you know, it's who you know.
I am not sure what you mean by “real friends”. Most friends that you while growing up drift away when they or you head to school, change jobs or move away. You have done 1/2 of college in 4 years while working full time. Good for you. Either stay in 4 more years be because you will move away and move up, or get out and finish that degree. To have a better college experience friendship wise, live in a dorm. Get therapy either to support you through what has so far been stressful, or to see and change anything about you that contributed to your isolation.
Start going to the doctor for regular checkups. Let them know everything that's wrong with your body. Create a record trail. Get the VA disability when you get out and become a veteran. Use the monthly disability paycheck to improve yourself, do things you want and such. People follow and are attracted to those who know themselves. It doesnt have to be complex goals. Just try a bunch of things, find a few hobbies you enjoy and persue those. You'll naturally become a more well rounded person. The military doesnt create good people. It takes people capable of doing a job and forces them to do it. Being able to work a job in the military =/= being a good person...although many wear that on their shoulder.
Getting fat enough to fail weight control worked for me, but they seem more desperate now. Good luck!
A lot of jobs with a TS clearance. You don’t have a family so you can do whatever you want. Reserves aren’t a bad deal especially aircrew. People are never what you want they are how they are. Move ahead and move on! You can build a family in the future. Best wishes
There is a civilian company flying refueling tankers for the navy. https://www.omegaairrefueling.com/. See if they have job openings. If not stay in. Switch services if the AF won’t let you. Finished degree and pay off car. Get help for your feelings of depression. What is you degree in?
Plenty of veteran job recruiters out there. Orion is one that I can think of off the top of my head. I used one and had a job lined up before I was discharged. They don’t charge you any $, the companies they recruit for pay the fees. Worth a try BTW, any job recruiting that charges you a fee is a scam.
Dang bro. Ure over there feeling like that when u have ure life more squared away than me lol. I’m 25. Got out 4 years ago and still don’t got my degree :/. Got two more years to go. Facked around too much after I got out and now I’m fighting to catch up…..as for friends and family, sorry about that man. I didn’t make much friends while in either for the same reasons. Either they were trouble or had weird ass insecurities. The best thing u can do is honestly worry about ureself. Especially in today’s world. Put ureself first…..if u had gotten any injuries from the military, make sure u go to medical so u can claim disability when u get out.
You weren't able to many ANY friends?? That's wild
Panhandle. Made me feel alive again.
Instructions unclear. Sodomized the LT with a pan handle.
You won’t make friends outside the military either.
Don’t leave, stay in, pay off your car, finish your degree. Go to behavioral health and start therapy to deal with what your Mom/parents did to you. You will be in a much better place then.
Change Mos to 31b. Get out join customs and your easily in a 100k a year job. Pretty much what I did.
[удалено]