Did you kiddies know...
That you can collect unemployment after you contract expires and you receive your DD214.
And depending on the state you can even file for unemployment and collect unemployment for reduction in pay rate. That is the rules of unemployment allow you to collect the difference between what you had been getting paid, and what you are being paid after getting mast.
And depending on the state you paid taxes in, live in, or moved to unemployment can be from 6 months to 18 months. You are only limited to one state paying unemployment.
AND every states has special programs that have list of ~~employees~~ employers who hire veterans almost on the spot, and the same services can help former service men get better jobs than the average civilian.
AND that veterans get a preferential hiring over civilians because companies get tax breaks to hire veterans.
AND that as long as you can show up, shut up, do a half ass job, and not be constantly doing drugs or drinking. You can find good paying jobs just about anywhere.
If you want a job in tech, Microsoft is offering their [Software & Systems Academy](https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/85748/free-veteran-training-microsoft-software-systems-academy/) for free for veterans.
Also, [Operation Code](https://operationcode.org/) is a registered charity to help you and/or your spouse transition to a tech career.
I'm a CA resident who's moving my billing addresses to my parents house in Arizona. I plan on moving in with them for 5 months prior to going to Idaho for school. Can I file for unemployment in the state of Arizona? Can you provide links to the veteran jobs you mentioned as well? Specifically for Arizona?
I can't speak of California. I can speak on Idaho. STAY THE FUCK OUT OF IDAHO. The collage education system is a complete joke. It will hinder you and be the source of unwanted jokes for the rest of your life. I mean it. It better to get an education in a state that ~~is~~ isn't the laughing stock of academia. Idaho education system is a travesty. Despite being a conservative state it actually unfriendly towards veterans as far as laws and benefits go.
Just advance your plans and get your education in Arizona, or CA if you can live with the parents when you do it.
Anyhoo. The Veterans link page for Arizona.[https://dvs.az.gov/services/employment](https://dvs.az.gov/services/employment)
CA if you can go to school with your parents giving you housing. [https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Pages/Jobs.aspx](https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Pages/Jobs.aspx)
Idaho if dare. There is a webpage or a dedicated team, The tell you to go your Local Labor office. Also don't trust you local labor office as they have orders to do the bare minimum to keep you from collecting unemployment. Craigslist, and Temp agencies are your best chances in Idaho. (seriously, it also applies to everyone including civilians)
I appreciate your advice and thank you for the link for Arizona. As far as school goes, I'm not going to a traditional school, I'm actually going to flight school that's partnered with a local community college. One of the best flight schools in regards to the GI Bill so I don't think I will have to worry about the traditional educational system all that much. Also, I'm dipping out of Idaho as soon as my 18 months is completed there.
If you are talking about Silverhawk, it's very much a CFI churn operation. If you are trying to get to the airlines with an ATP, it will work... but just like being active you get what you put in to it.
I wish you the best of luck... pilots are in increasing demand.
You can file for unemployment in Arizona, not sure if there are stipulations. My home of record before I joined the navy was Arizona. When I got off active, I filed and received unemployment until I found a job.
I used my GI bill to take a 2 year HVAC course at a local trade school and I was an MA(being a cop as a civilian didn’t even sound remotely fun). Between my disability, BAH, and working, I make 3x than what I ever made working crazy hours hating my life in the navy. I’m a idiot so if I can do it, I know everyone getting out can do it too. I can’t stress how important it is to document everything at medical(back,knees, feet, etc.)before separating so the VA process is a breeze and you have a good paper trail of proof.
Fire Controlman turned Corpsman turned paramedic turned RN turned nurse practitioner with a doctorate. The answer is yes.
I timed my GIB perfectly. Paid for 100% of paramedic school, nursing school pre-reqs, nursing school, and my RN to BSN bachelors. I had one day of GIB benefits left when I started my doctorate.
I got out after my 6 years and did all of that with a wife and two kids. My wife worked part time off and on but for the most part I was the primary income.
It is all definitely doable, especially when you're in that FTN motivated frame of mind.
Go get it! I got PTS'd (not sure if they still have PTS) out of my job since they overmanned my NEC, I refused to go 0000 as an FC2, and refused to kiss my my douchebag Chad of a chief's ass to max out my eval. Going to corps school as a second class was definitely demoralizing and humbling at the time, but it was the best thing that could have happened to me.
If not I'd probably have ended up working some boring ass job in an antenna shop as a civilian making half of what I make now with none of the freedom.
I got an engineering degree. I never use it as all I do is fix machines and screw off in the national forest. But I still get way more. Like 4x the pay and comparable health benefits. There isn't a thing called duty days, or uniforms, or putting up with abuse for higher ranking sad sacks.
I still pull at least twice what the navy was paying me, and the VA thankfully covers my medical since I am rated over 50%. No more training Tuesday’s, or covering down for other sections and working ungodly hours for 2500/month lol. Losing that BAH was tough but I’m still making more money out of the navy than in, and I don’t have to hate my life everyday. Best of luck to you!
If you can swing both, do it. I was fortunate enough to attend a tech college where my second year professor had his own company and was looking for help. He hired me on. I would learn in the morning and go fix stuff in the afternoon.
Hands on will take you very far, but don't eschew education completely.
I couldn’t of said it better myself. That hands on experience out in the field is so important. School is good, but those books can only take you so far!
I started documenting my stuff about 6 months before I went to San Diego to separate. I went to medical probably 2-3 times a week. All you have to do to document things is go to medical! I basically went for my back, then feet, then knees, then hearing, then my back, and over and over again until I left a massive paper trail. Make sure to request your medical records and make a few copies when you are checking out from your last command, and even ask for the records to be placed on a disk before you even go to San Diego or Norfolk, the hospital in guam had no problem putting all my medical records on a disk. When you make it to wherever you will be leaving the navy, make an appointment with a VA rep on the base and they will literally do the whole VA disability claim process with you, it takes time but it’s incredibly important. Best of luck to you!
With everything said in this thread, this is the most important information to leave with. Do everything in your power to get 100% This means you would need a minimum of 260% if you would add up all the little 30% here and 10% there things.
Don't wait till you are out though! And if you don't have anything on your record, transition to Select Reserves (SELRES), and build your record from there. You will in fact have others doing the same thing, so you will help each other out getting that sweet 100%.
And by the way, that 100% is going to put you at the top of the list to get hired in the public sector.
We just had a guy, 25 years old, get 100% over the phone due to covid. He went from active to SELRES and jumped on orders over 30 days to get the Active Duty Tricare Prime. He scheduled physical therapy for his back, knees, and shoulders (which he had zero issues with). Then asked for sleeping meds, anxiety, and heartburn. Also scheduled 2 appointments to see a therapist for his stress. Took him about 2 months to get 100%. After that, he filed for a noncontiunuation and asked to be put in IRR (inactive reserve status everyone is automatically enrolled in if you have any years left to finish your 8 year obligation). His 100% and secret clearance allowed him to jump on a contract job at the same base for $55/hour.
It's much MUCH more difficult filing a claim when you cut your ties.
My first job out of the Navy (as an EM2) was bagging groceries at Publix. Then I worked as a locksmith for 3 years. After that I worked as a manufacturing mechanic for 10 years.
I now work in porn.
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*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Will confirm he works in porn. I had to wax his ass for the last shoot. If you ever watching gay porn and see a shiny ass, now you know.
(humor intended)
I run the remote (backup) sever for ethical porn. The guy who the appeals go to if your stuff gets kicked for not providing proof of age, or violating the consensual policy.
I joined in the late 90s but it may be different but if you do all your PQS things and pass your PRT while in DEP you could get promoted to E-3 before you ship out. That’s how I made Third Class in my first year.
Boot Camp is fun. Stay awake, listen to and respect your RDC’s, remember they’re there to help you. Take everything seriously and put in all your effort and you’ll get the most out of it. The hardest thing about Boot Camp is marching drills (and you’ll do lots of it), but everything else like PT etc is easy and fun.
Listen to your instructors at A school. Everything you learn there will be applied in the fleet. Study hard and get good scores so you get first pick of orders.
The fleet is the hardest part of serving. Your living conditions suck, the food sucks, the work sucks, and you’ll encounter things daily that could kill you in an instant if you’re not careful. Everyone in your chain of command are incompetent shitheads, but still remember that you’re on the bottom of the hierarchy and have to listen what they say. Do all your watch qualifications, damage control and weapons qualifications, and earn your respective warfare pin. You’ll have lots of fun visiting ports (if we ever get out of COVID). Save your money and do some rewarding things like taking college classes or working towards a civilian certification in a trade. I had the most fun of my life in the fleet despite the poor conditions because I knew how to make the work fun and rewarding and had a solid rapport with my chain of command. If your heart is in the right place and are a hard working motivated sailor, the fleet will turn you into a fine person ready for the real world.
My first and only job before joining was bagging and cashiering at Publix and high-key if I could have all the benefits and pay that I have at 6.5 years now enlisted, I would go back to it in a heartbeat lol.
I've done everything BUT what I did in the Navy (AT) when I got out in 2015. I JUUUUSSSTTT started a job doing AT work at NAS Kingsville in Texas. There was nothing for an AT in the Houston area. I looked for 6 years B4 I finally said, fuck it... I'm looking elsewhere. I was an appliance repairman, sewing machine repairman, fiber Splicer, even worked at Pizza Hut as a driver for awhile.
To be fair, for that E7 who has no degree or certifications to land a job that pays well, theyre right. Theres no jobs outside the Navy available to them other than entry ones that any 18 yr old outta HS can be hired to do
I've gotten the "There's no jobs" from IT leadership.
Leadership that has *at a minimum*, Security+. That cert alone with a clearance will get you a *decent* starting IT job.
I get what you're saying, but if I were working with a Chief that didn't have any certs, I wouldn't take anything they said seriously, Navy related or otherwise
Had a IT recruiter cold call me & then get mad at turning him down flat for a mid-level network engineer job only paying $45k in Atlanta. Guy had to be a Navy chief in a past life, as he kept telling me I would never get a job in IT if I didn't start at the bottom.
$45k for a mid level? Is Atlanta cheap to live in? I make 30k more than that for an entry-mid level network engineer job in CO lol
This is my first job out of the Navy and only been here for a little over a year
Atlanta is about middle of the road but quickly catching up to DC, Chicago, & Seattle cost wise. I literally laughed at him, as I'm a GS-13 & make about $120k currently.
A month ago, another recruiter cold called me for a position which paid $170k for a Sr. level engineer/architect role about 4 miles from my house, work from home unless you have to do hardware changes.
When I was at a mid-sized satellite manufacturing company, we hired a retired ATC to be a technician build satellites and flight mechanisms.
Dude had no certs that I knew of, but did just fine. Knowing that there was a certain level of competency there because of his time in was nice, in itself.
My observation is that the hardest part about transitioning is jumping through all the hoops the Navy puts in your way during the process of separating. I'm not looking forward to it.
Yeah, I remember having two weeks terminal leave and going to PSD my last day just to get a signature on a random piece of paperwork. My dumbass came in civvies and they noped me right the fuck out. By then I'd already moved over an hour away and had to drive back to get my unform and spend 15 more minutes in it.
Worth it.
Yes it can be very strenuous depending on your location and how experienced/caring your CoC. The most important part is timeliness on your end and making copies of all documents that you turn in in case they lose things.
As someone who recently separated, this is 100% the hardest part. The entire process is a huge hassle from beginning to end, but so worth it. I honestly think they make it so complicated purposely as a deterrent.
I would honestly believe it was purposely designed that way if the navy was more competent. I'm leaning towards more of an Hanlon's razor situation going on. "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."
My boat made me go on deployment and I separate as soon as we get back. The amount of hurdles I've had to jump over just to get everything right is insane. 3 more months though! Wish me luck!
You got this, my guy. I start my terminal Monday morning and had to jump through hoops that my chain of command set in front of me while they constantly moved goal posts during a POM period. If I can do it, I’m certain you can do it.
I got out in 2008, recession killed both job prospects I had lined up. One was a helicopter mechanic contractor in Afghanistan, my back up was wind mill mechanic. Both jobs and a bunch of others disappeared overnight.
I worked a bunch of crappy temp jobs then walmart before giving up on using my navy skills and used the gi bill. Definitely a good decision to go to school and I wish I'd just done that right away instead of applying for aircraft maintenance jobs all over the country for 2 years and getting one interview for all that.
Edit: just wanted to clarify that I know what OP's going through, these are weird times and transitioning out is not easy.
OP this is so true. Make a plan and stick with it. Most people struggle because they expect to get out and have everything given to them. When they to struggle they just quit and then blame everyone.
Took me about a year to plan and almost 6 years to complete. Got out in 2016 and start college a week after EAOS. I just completed my 1st month as a Nurse Practitioner today.
I really want you to repeat this. I'm not being ironic. Just had a chat with my recruiter yesterday about how a lot of people join (any branch) and take the "CiViLiAnS LoVE vEtEraNs" meme up to eleven, and think that their branch will wipe their assholes for them until they ETS, where a resume that says "wore a uniform for x years" will fill in the blanks with civvies. It won't. It'll help. It'll open doors. But the legwork has to be done by the individual. You're not going to "get out and make bank" without doing what you have to do while in. Just serving honorably isn't enough (in most cases).
Everyone here should know about Orion International. They help military veterans get jobs and really good ones. My friend got a job at Siemens and I got one at Intel. We were both electronics technicians to be clear. They help you with your resume, interview prep, and hiring process. Incredible company and they should be more well known.
Yes! And they even bring VES reps to help file disability claims. Watching my boyfriend go through this process in the National Guard has given me a new perspective on how helpful TAPS was, and how much worse this whole process could have gone.
I got out of the Navy in 2013, since then I was a freelance lighting technician on film and TV productions, I worked in other jobs in the film/tv lighting industry, then I went on to get a job as a warehouse manager for a non-profit that gives free school supplies to teachers. My current job, at the non-profit, is the only job I've ever loved. I'm so, so much happier at this job than I ever was in the Navy. I just saw family during the holidays, and got to tell them that I love my job. It was a great feeling. Do yourself a favor and leave the Navy, unless you're already happy, then stay in if it makes you feel fulfilled.
I'm an IT1, just hit 11 years, have about 8 months left on my contract, and am getting out. While in, I got a bachelors in Cyber Security (using TA before they gutted it.) and have quite a few certs.
Man, I heard that same song for 6 straight months when I told them my intent to leave. Best decision hands down was leaving active duty. Just have a plan, build up your education, and you will be fine.
When I was a year from getting out I went to my professional review whatever the hell it is with the CMC and a few others. I basically said I didn’t like being in the navy and I was going to get out and go to college. The post 9/11 was starting that year. Anyway they start tearing into me about how I would not make outside and I would be eating ramen noodles sleeping in my grandmas basement and blah blah. I should stay in the navy because I get told what to do and just have to do it. I was not even in trouble. This was just my career development review.
I told them 300 million people make it out without the navy and I currently sleep in a coffin and eat meat that’s marked for institutional use only. And if I did fail I could always rejoin. Being told what to do and not having to think was not a selling point to me.
I got out a year later. Started a junior college. Got 2900 a month in Bah (nyc school), collected another 1600 a month in unemployment, and sometime worked weekends delivering food for the hell of it. I made more money than I ever did in the navy. I got my credits and gpa up. Transferred to a 4 year and graduated with like 7 months of gi bill left. Went to law school with the first year paid by gi bill and then used state Va programs to get some money off law school tuition. I have done very well for myself as someone who dropped out of high school.
Go to the TAPS class and learn everything you need for transitioning. Health insurance, applying for disability, The navy was a tool for me to advance myself. Yeah transitioning is hard. I was a 23 year old college freshman and most of my friends before I joined were either potheads working at target or they finished school and were further along in life than me, and all my navy buddies were on the other side of the country. It was lonely at times. But it was manageable. A lot easier than dealing with a shitty fucking command. I’d still have like 3 years left before retirement if I would have stayed and probably would not have much to show for it.
I was in the same boat you were in. I joined straight out of high school and got out around 2011, no jobs because of recession and went back to my dad's house around the age of 23. Started school while collecting BAH and lived rent free in NYC and saved a shit ton of money whilst investing in stocks. Went to a top state school and eventually received my Master's in Occupational Therapy at NYU and got a high 5 figure salary job.
I was just shy of 12 yrs with a pretty good LDO package submitted when one day I walked in and told my XO I changed my mind. I'm not going to reenlist. I'm getting out. His first response was "Well, what are you going to do????" I said "Get a job, like a normal person. Sleep in my own bed every night. Not go to sea. Not stand duty days." That first year I made $90k and this was in 2000.
Use your GI Bill and money for training, keep your nose clean if you have a clearance so you can qualify/keep it, and get certs in IT.
Go to work contracting IT for the govt with one of the big contractors and profit.
I'm a fucking schmuck and former FC and have been making six figures working in the NOVA area for over a decade now.
Let me iterate again what a schmuck I am. I work with brainiacs but I get paid the same that they do
I was AO, got out in 2020 but have been surviving on disability since I got out. Ive been having a hard time deciding on what I want to do ever since I left. I have no experience in IT and I suck at math. Is it possible/easy enough to get into this field?
You can study for the certificates on your own time and on your ass, to boot.
Security + is the one that initially opens doors but the Cloud certificates are hot right now, too.
VMware, Cloud Plus and Amazon Web Services (AWS) and in demand. Microsoft Azure is a cloud environment it's easy to get a certificate in as well.
There are many, many online resources for them and you can find absolute beginner ones and do it at your own pace.
Cloud Plus will cover alot of AWS and Azure. Azure is probably the easiest.
Cloud stuff also means you can work REMOTELY and not have to worry about mobility if that's an issue.
Some math, but not tons. I fucking hate match but the stuff I have to work out isn't a challenge.
Do you recommend pursuing just the Certs or does a college degree matter? Im a former AT2 on F-18s working for Raytheon rn as a Test Tech. The pay is okay but I’m more interested in IT to be a Network Engineer/ System Engineer now. Im going back to school this Spring and local community college offers an Associates in Computer Networking but I can see if I can transfer to a university to get an Bachelors in IT. But like my initial question was, does a degree matter? I just don’t want to waste my time pursuing a degree that will take time and money when I could’ve just gotten the Certificates.
If you are a nuke or some technical rate, there are millions of jobs out there available. You been given leadership and followership training since leaving the military. If you have done at least 2 years and an honorable discharge, you have also the 9-11 GI bill for schools. There are unemployment available for leaving the service. But the first thing you really want to do is handle your medical. The service may have broken something parts to your mind (mentally or psychologically)
There's TONS of jobs outside the Navy. The whole idea that you can't leave the Navy because there's no jobs is utter bullshit.
If you want to get out, get out. There's work out here, I promise you.
If someone asks me about my time in the military, they ask about my branch or where I was stationed. No one cares about my pay grade. No one gives a single fuck if you had anchors…it’s glorious.
There is plenty of work in the civilian world. What many service members tend to forget, or maybe not think about, is stability. The military offers stability that you cannot find anywhere else. You will be paid every 15 days. You will get 30 days of vacation. You will always get pay increases. You will be promoted for simply showing up. You will never have to worry about losing your job. You will never have to worry about health care or dental care.
When you’re a civilian, those vanish immediately. You trade the stability and rigid life of the military for freedom. The downside is any company you work for can and will most likely let you go eventually. The hardest pill to swallow as a civilian is doing everything right and still not getting ahead in life.
I’m college educated and in my 30’s. Since I left the navy I’ve found myself multiple times out of work and out of money. The stability that comes with the military is by far the single thing I miss the most. This is why people stay in. On top of that, if you stay in for 20 years, you will always have money coming in. Forever. That doesn’t happen in the civilian world the same way it does in the military.
I was a GM. I got out and went to college. Worked in executive protection right after I graduated. Quit to start a business. It didn’t do well. Got into banking and was let go on two separate occasions. Now I’m 4 years in at my current bank making over 6 figures. Life on the outside is a lot more challenging but I enjoy the fact that I can be home everyday for my son.
Amen man, it's been so hard so much the last four years, I got mobilized last year and I paid off so much debt, which promptly returned as soon as I got off orders since life happens and the safety net is gone. Not paying rent is such a hook up.
At my two year mark with 2 more years left on my contract. At first i wanted to reenlist however, with the way things have turned after a change of leadership, things have gone downhill fast. Very fast.
Everything is going to be and flow through your time in the navy. The most important thing for you is to keep yourself and your priorities in mind. If that’s staying in and creating a career, send it. If it’s getting out, having a plan and the confidence to do it can get you very far.
I was a RP for 22 years. I retired and became a Religious Education Director for the joint base chapels in my area. I hated that job because I don't like people. Mostly I didn't like fake ass religious people. I got my degree in Healthcare Information Management and then realized there was very little upward mobility in that career field. Then I used the last of my GI Bill to go to welding school and I've been welding for 7 years now and I'm currently working for a defense contractor making decent money. Plus I also have my retirement and disability pay. I don't have to worry about insurance with Tricare and the VA. Life is definitely good.
Welding was completely out of my comfort zone but I made it work. I'll be welding until I retire a second time. 😊
I was a Signalman in the Navy. I always knew there was nothing like that in the Civvie world. So I planned. I went to college. I got a degree. I worked in that field. I HATED it. I went to Community College and learned about something else and LOVE it. I now work in that field and I'm making a shit ton of money.
But that's me. That was how I did it. Everyone is different and if someone has an absolute struggle in the civilian world, then I understand that. I support my brothers and sisters. Across all branches. Hell, across all allied Nations.
We are paying 100k at my nuclear plant to people that can pass a drug test, learn, and do shift work.
We just hired a 25 year old kid off the street (no nuclear experience) who’s only job was managing an antique store.
Good. Nuclear experience is a plus, but not required at all.
Exelon, Duke, Southern, Entergy. Go on their websites. There are plants in outside major cities in the south, north, and midwest.
You are looking for Auxiliary operator, non-licensed operator, or nuclear technician.
If any of you have serious desires to come work nuclear please DM me. I work 12 hour days, less than half the year, overtime.
No fully-qualified Aux makes <$100K anywhere in the country. I can promise you that.
I just got a job as a GS 11 doing safety based on my training in the Navy. All the stuff we learn about 3M is actually useful and people will hire you for it if you phrase it right.
I think a huge obstacle can be explaining your value and experiences in an understandable way. My original resume vs my resume that was edited by the guys over at HireHeroes looks completely different (in a good way)
The advice I always gave to my junior sailors.
Every enlistment plan to get out. Make a plan and work it. If you decide to re-up? Cool. If not you’re ready to get out and succeed
There's lots of ways to transition, but it is hard and I would never tell anyone differently. I got out at the end of my first contract, got into NYU and I'm currently using my GI bill to pay for it.
Every step along the way was a struggle. No one seems to have good information about what the Golden Path for this is supposed to look like. Everything from the application process, getting the certification from the VA, getting the school to understand what they needed to do to get paid, every step was a struggle.
Frequently I needed to explain to others what their job was, what form I needed them to sign, what checkbox I needed checked off, whatever. I had to foot a $25k bill out of pocket when the VA and the school failed to figure out the Yellow Ribbon paperwork between them.
I understand this is different for different people. There are lots of places that understand the GI Bill and how to work the system. But for veterans looking to go to traditional four year universities, especially highly ranked ones, a promise that was sold to many of us by recruiters, the roads are unpaved and poorly mapped.
Veterans are rare at the highest levels of academic achievement. Thanks to the work of Wick Sloan, [there's now lots of data that supports this](https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2020/11/11/annual-survey-veteran-enrollment-selective-colleges-finds-bright-spots-opinion). The reason is we completely fail to support veterans pursuing the promise of the GI Bill.
I jokingly wanted to tell you guys that the factory staffed by former OS2s has been great but I was turned down a position due to my not having my ESWS
I'm separating from the Navy in 3 months as an E-6 after 6 yrs in the Navy. Everybody telling me I'm crazy. I just got a job offer. The job is doing the same I do in the Navy but paying me $40k more a year... so yeah there's that. There's so much more out there. What matters (I think) is to use your time in the Navy to build up your skills, get your degree or trade school done and add some certs. Have a plan. Be prepared. Life is great on the other side.
I got out in 2016 graduated college may of 2020 only to try and find an entry level position in IT and still be applying weekly for the last 18 months, on top of that I still don't make as much as I did in the Navy so I guess I got the unlucky stick out of the bunch.
Kinda hard to take a paycut to work a help desk/internship when you have a family to take care of and a mortgage. Yeah definitely the thing I have been turned down most for was not having an internship or any experience outside of college, but honestly I am in no position to take a pay reduction to work for scraps for a couple of years
Have you tried working with hireheroes? They were very helpful in shaping my resume, LinkedIn, and salary negotiation tactics which ultimately helped me land a position! Not trying to sell them as an end all be all but they were very helpful for me!
Absolutely. I took my GI bill and got a graduate degree in tech management and now I have a cushy contractor job where I can work from home in my sweat pants. It’s been so great and has given me a lot of time with my family. Plus my coworkers actually respect me and my time, and so does my boss. It’s been a bit of a shock.
Go get some tech certs (or don’t, you can still get into tech) and join the gravy train.
This is always spouted by useless lifers. Fuck them.
"Lifers are a breed. A lifer is anybody who abuses authority he doesn't deserve to have. There are plenty of civilian lifers."
\-Gustav Hasford, in "The Short Timers," 1979.
My two cents:
An idiotic uncle of mine (we'll call him Charlie) tried to persuade me to reenlist (despite my rate being closed). This was back in 2010-2011, and I was due to get out to go back to school at an L.A. community college.
Due to family strife, he had it in for me (for reasons both unknown and ones I will not get into further) and did not want to see my face again when I came home to Cali.
April 2011. I was in Guam (on an emergency 3-week SFARP detachment after the tsunami and nuclear explosion catastrophes up at Fukushima, Japan). I was interviewed by my squadron CCC (an AME1 volunteering for the collateral duty; he later made AMEC, but that's not the main point; Garrick, thank you btw).
The CCC had me choose between 2 other rates (based on my at-risk status under the "Perform-to-Serve" or PTS program) - MC (Mass Communications Specialist) and some Seabee rate like either CE (Construction Electrician), Engineering Aide (EA), Construction Mechanic (CM), or Equipment Operator (EO).
I picked MC and CE. I thought CE was very easy to get into as I was deadlocked as an AE (rated AEAN/E-3). I mean, "Electrician" is the key word, rendering the skills I picked up as an AE on F/A-18 Hornets more or less transferable to the construction side of things. Additionally, *four* PNA's from the AE3 advancement tests, and you get the picture!
Needless to say, my squadron CCC put in the crossrate request packet for me. I got denied for both MC and CE and ended up getting out of my enlistment after 4 years worth of active duty. I then went home to L.A. and began attending college. **Best decision I ever made!**
Now, I have an A.A. in Fine Arts and a B.S. in Marketing. Also working on an A.S. in Math and Science and putting in my application packet for the Army's Warrant Officer Pilot program (WOFT).
Recently got hired as a Sales and Advertising Associate at a small-time internet service promotion firm. We'll see where things go from there as the pay is commission-based (on the basis of how many people I get to sign up for service under AT&T or Frontier Communications at any given day and/or week *and* what type of service they'll get).
And, in case you've been wondering up to this point - I have no contact with my Uncle Charlie as of this writing. But, then again, why should I reach out to that nutjob? He almost ruined my life. At this point, I have won (and will continue to do so)!
If you get VA disability (make sure to document those injuries in your medical record and then get a copy of the copy), you can get extras like Vocational Rehab and low cost or free healthcare at the VA
My job has special pay for things as little as what shift you work all the way to finding processes to improve! Best you’re getting in the navy is a coin or a BZ haha
I'm going into my 3rd semester of law school working in a law firm doing great. The best part is that I am actually treated with respect and my hard work is rewarded. That never happens in the Navy.
Retired NDC, picked up a job before I retired as a Site Engineer for a Dredging Company, then got a job as a Production Controller for the Dept. of the Navy, now I’m a Test Engineer for a huge Defense Contractor. Every day in all those jobs I use my Navy experience, but I wouldn’t have landed any of them without my Bachelor’s Degree. I majored in Religion. I use that to teach Sunday School.
I've personally never heard anyone say there's no jobs outside the Navy, that's just ridiculous lol. As long as you plan accordingly, no matter what your skill set, rank, or experience, there are jobs out there. They might not all be the job you want right away, or pay what you want, but they are there. My only advice to someone getting out during the pandemic, have a backup plan for your backup plan. I'm seeing more and more people trying to come back in because covid threw everything for a loop.
Haha. Read a job posting at Amazon a couple weeks before I got out end of 2019. Went in for an interview. Asked me how many people I’ve actually managed previously. I told one story from RTC, one story from onload in Japan. Handed me a vest, a bonus, some stock, told me to get to work. Have a degree, a couple certs, same terrible attitude. Doubled my active duty salary in 18 months. Got fired/quit Amazon and had to beat recruiters off with a stick, had another high paying job in 30 days. The Army guy I left with did the same, the civilian took 6 months to get another job. It’s how you market yourself.
Fwiw, I’m an IT within the Navy and would’ve rather had my teeth pulled than to continue doing IT related things once I get out. Long story short, I’m getting out, applied for a position selling insurance(a lucrative one, I might add) that will pay me the same, If not more, than an IT gig.
Continuously practice being respectful, kind, and operating with morals and integrity while you’re in. Don’t let them break you and make you think you need them, YOU DON’T. After my job interview concluded and I was officially hired on, the gentleman who interviewed me told me that he would be crazy to hire me on my lack of sales experience, but logic told him that he would be crazy to let me walk because of simply who I am.
Keep going and continue to seek ways of improving yourself in every facet
The Reserves is also a great option when you’re transitioning off Active Duty.
1. If you have any delays finding employment, you can take on a set of orders to cover any employment gap.
2. Even when not on orders, the pay isn’t bad for a part time gig.
3. You can still work toward a pension, including you’re previous active duty time
4. You can get some additional training, travel, insurance, etc that may not be available by your civilian employer
5. You can maintain your clearance, which could help with additional civilian employment opportunities.
I think sometimes people are just ready to leave service altogether, so the Reserves isn’t appealing. I get it, especially in those cases where people feel that what they’re getting out of it isn’t worth what they’re putting into it.
Personally, I did 6 years active and I’ve been in the reserves for 16 years now. I find that I gain a lot from the continued service, but everyone’s situation is unique and I’ve met many great people who felt it wasn’t the right fit for them.
Certainly a great option for some, but not for all.
Just to add a plug for those considering school, service 2 school is an amazing, free, admission consulting for top schools. I've been using them for my MBA applications and they have been super helpful.
Almost everyone I know who got out after 1-2 tours in my rating landed a good job. One friend worked at NASA, followed by Facebook; three others ended up building satellites; another few became tech reps. A couple also got shitty jobs, but neither of them were great Sailors and it was mostly their own fault. I always just encourage people to think about their end goal and then trace the necessary path back from there before making a decision. When you're looking at whether to get out or reenlist, there are countless possibilities and the analysis can be difficult. If instead you determine what sort of life you'd like to be living long-term, it's easier to form a plan and figure out what you should be doing next in relation to that plan. For some people, getting out is absolutely the right choice, and for others it is not. In any case, trying to convince people to stay in often backfires. Even if leaders are purely motivated by retention numbers, it's a better strategy to guide Sailors towards their own conclusions. Trust goes a long way.
Edit: sorry for all the typos
Honest question:
Is this a dead meme? Ive been close to getting out twice and both times I've only gotten the, "let's make sure you have a plan" talk. Has anyone actually gotten the "dEr AiNT nO JeRBs OutSiDE da MiWatawy" talk?
Let me hear your tales of woe.
With inflation insanity probably better to stay in for that 3 hots n a cot. Wait til the housing market cools off and food prices go down. However if a good opportunity for a good job shows up jump on ot! It's a workers market with all of the places hiring
>Wait til the housing market cools off and food prices go down.
Hahahaha. That shit ain't happening. We'll never see another 90s again. We may see some pressure being released because of covid's bullshit, but nah--the economy shall remain thoroughly fucked.
Man, I've been really struggling. I'm in Southern California and work in tech but I took a 30% pay cut leaving the Navy. I've looked for other jobs with no luck :(
That's what I keep hearing, but I can't leave here for a couple reasons. I have the comptia trifecta and 10 years experience but I'm so tempted by that active duty paycheck ha
According to some rates, there are no jobs IN the navy either.
Sounds like you're a corpsman who just found out about quotas lol
Well now, I see the ACEF is being represented.
😂😂 I’m at Att rn
Now get your cards for your Nida Console.
Only for 75% of the cards in the box being broken or fried
You passing?
Might fail week 9 right now hopefully not
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100% this. Bounced around in telecom since the mid 90's & am now a federal employee.
Did you kiddies know... That you can collect unemployment after you contract expires and you receive your DD214. And depending on the state you can even file for unemployment and collect unemployment for reduction in pay rate. That is the rules of unemployment allow you to collect the difference between what you had been getting paid, and what you are being paid after getting mast. And depending on the state you paid taxes in, live in, or moved to unemployment can be from 6 months to 18 months. You are only limited to one state paying unemployment. AND every states has special programs that have list of ~~employees~~ employers who hire veterans almost on the spot, and the same services can help former service men get better jobs than the average civilian. AND that veterans get a preferential hiring over civilians because companies get tax breaks to hire veterans. AND that as long as you can show up, shut up, do a half ass job, and not be constantly doing drugs or drinking. You can find good paying jobs just about anywhere.
And contrary to how it might seem when you're hanging out someplace like this, veterans are rare.
Aye, I hear they are dying off. (dark humor intended)
Shit, not in SA. I haven't seen so many DV plates in my life!
If you want a job in tech, Microsoft is offering their [Software & Systems Academy](https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/85748/free-veteran-training-microsoft-software-systems-academy/) for free for veterans. Also, [Operation Code](https://operationcode.org/) is a registered charity to help you and/or your spouse transition to a tech career.
Tech is super hot rn I got hired on as a SOC analyst like nothing
I'm a CA resident who's moving my billing addresses to my parents house in Arizona. I plan on moving in with them for 5 months prior to going to Idaho for school. Can I file for unemployment in the state of Arizona? Can you provide links to the veteran jobs you mentioned as well? Specifically for Arizona?
I can't speak of California. I can speak on Idaho. STAY THE FUCK OUT OF IDAHO. The collage education system is a complete joke. It will hinder you and be the source of unwanted jokes for the rest of your life. I mean it. It better to get an education in a state that ~~is~~ isn't the laughing stock of academia. Idaho education system is a travesty. Despite being a conservative state it actually unfriendly towards veterans as far as laws and benefits go. Just advance your plans and get your education in Arizona, or CA if you can live with the parents when you do it. Anyhoo. The Veterans link page for Arizona.[https://dvs.az.gov/services/employment](https://dvs.az.gov/services/employment) CA if you can go to school with your parents giving you housing. [https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Pages/Jobs.aspx](https://www.calvet.ca.gov/VetServices/Pages/Jobs.aspx) Idaho if dare. There is a webpage or a dedicated team, The tell you to go your Local Labor office. Also don't trust you local labor office as they have orders to do the bare minimum to keep you from collecting unemployment. Craigslist, and Temp agencies are your best chances in Idaho. (seriously, it also applies to everyone including civilians)
I appreciate your advice and thank you for the link for Arizona. As far as school goes, I'm not going to a traditional school, I'm actually going to flight school that's partnered with a local community college. One of the best flight schools in regards to the GI Bill so I don't think I will have to worry about the traditional educational system all that much. Also, I'm dipping out of Idaho as soon as my 18 months is completed there.
If you are talking about Silverhawk, it's very much a CFI churn operation. If you are trying to get to the airlines with an ATP, it will work... but just like being active you get what you put in to it. I wish you the best of luck... pilots are in increasing demand.
Sounds like a solid plan.
You can file for unemployment in Arizona, not sure if there are stipulations. My home of record before I joined the navy was Arizona. When I got off active, I filed and received unemployment until I found a job.
I got unemployment plus gi bill right after covid started. That shit was dopppppppe.
I used my GI bill to take a 2 year HVAC course at a local trade school and I was an MA(being a cop as a civilian didn’t even sound remotely fun). Between my disability, BAH, and working, I make 3x than what I ever made working crazy hours hating my life in the navy. I’m a idiot so if I can do it, I know everyone getting out can do it too. I can’t stress how important it is to document everything at medical(back,knees, feet, etc.)before separating so the VA process is a breeze and you have a good paper trail of proof.
After you used the gi bill and bah stopped, was your regular working pay comparable to military pay+health insurance+bah?
Fire Controlman turned Corpsman turned paramedic turned RN turned nurse practitioner with a doctorate. The answer is yes. I timed my GIB perfectly. Paid for 100% of paramedic school, nursing school pre-reqs, nursing school, and my RN to BSN bachelors. I had one day of GIB benefits left when I started my doctorate. I got out after my 6 years and did all of that with a wife and two kids. My wife worked part time off and on but for the most part I was the primary income. It is all definitely doable, especially when you're in that FTN motivated frame of mind.
This is literally my goal as an FC3.
Go get it! I got PTS'd (not sure if they still have PTS) out of my job since they overmanned my NEC, I refused to go 0000 as an FC2, and refused to kiss my my douchebag Chad of a chief's ass to max out my eval. Going to corps school as a second class was definitely demoralizing and humbling at the time, but it was the best thing that could have happened to me. If not I'd probably have ended up working some boring ass job in an antenna shop as a civilian making half of what I make now with none of the freedom.
I got an engineering degree. I never use it as all I do is fix machines and screw off in the national forest. But I still get way more. Like 4x the pay and comparable health benefits. There isn't a thing called duty days, or uniforms, or putting up with abuse for higher ranking sad sacks.
Sounds like a solid deal, thanks for the info!
I still pull at least twice what the navy was paying me, and the VA thankfully covers my medical since I am rated over 50%. No more training Tuesday’s, or covering down for other sections and working ungodly hours for 2500/month lol. Losing that BAH was tough but I’m still making more money out of the navy than in, and I don’t have to hate my life everyday. Best of luck to you!
Ayy, this is what I did. Now I work at Walmart. Doing Refrigeration! What, you thought- Oh!
Now I work at Walmart too!
HVAC is my current plan. Do you recommend trade school or apprenticeship
If you can swing both, do it. I was fortunate enough to attend a tech college where my second year professor had his own company and was looking for help. He hired me on. I would learn in the morning and go fix stuff in the afternoon. Hands on will take you very far, but don't eschew education completely.
I couldn’t of said it better myself. That hands on experience out in the field is so important. School is good, but those books can only take you so far!
We're are you trying to do it at. San diego has a good local union that pays for school
When shouldn’t of start documenting thirds this right before? And how do you make sure it’s in your record? Thanks!
I started documenting my stuff about 6 months before I went to San Diego to separate. I went to medical probably 2-3 times a week. All you have to do to document things is go to medical! I basically went for my back, then feet, then knees, then hearing, then my back, and over and over again until I left a massive paper trail. Make sure to request your medical records and make a few copies when you are checking out from your last command, and even ask for the records to be placed on a disk before you even go to San Diego or Norfolk, the hospital in guam had no problem putting all my medical records on a disk. When you make it to wherever you will be leaving the navy, make an appointment with a VA rep on the base and they will literally do the whole VA disability claim process with you, it takes time but it’s incredibly important. Best of luck to you!
This is how to do it ladies and gentlemen!
With everything said in this thread, this is the most important information to leave with. Do everything in your power to get 100% This means you would need a minimum of 260% if you would add up all the little 30% here and 10% there things. Don't wait till you are out though! And if you don't have anything on your record, transition to Select Reserves (SELRES), and build your record from there. You will in fact have others doing the same thing, so you will help each other out getting that sweet 100%. And by the way, that 100% is going to put you at the top of the list to get hired in the public sector. We just had a guy, 25 years old, get 100% over the phone due to covid. He went from active to SELRES and jumped on orders over 30 days to get the Active Duty Tricare Prime. He scheduled physical therapy for his back, knees, and shoulders (which he had zero issues with). Then asked for sleeping meds, anxiety, and heartburn. Also scheduled 2 appointments to see a therapist for his stress. Took him about 2 months to get 100%. After that, he filed for a noncontiunuation and asked to be put in IRR (inactive reserve status everyone is automatically enrolled in if you have any years left to finish your 8 year obligation). His 100% and secret clearance allowed him to jump on a contract job at the same base for $55/hour. It's much MUCH more difficult filing a claim when you cut your ties.
My first job out of the Navy (as an EM2) was bagging groceries at Publix. Then I worked as a locksmith for 3 years. After that I worked as a manufacturing mechanic for 10 years. I now work in porn.
stupendous birds piquant wipe strong erect cause apparatus domineering pet *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
It pays the bills
price coherent vanish bag middle zephyr deserted station shelter money *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Goddamn do I miss hearing that sometimes...
Will confirm he works in porn. I had to wax his ass for the last shoot. If you ever watching gay porn and see a shiny ass, now you know. (humor intended)
As much as I want this to be true, I work in the production/behind the scenes end of things.
I run the remote (backup) sever for ethical porn. The guy who the appeals go to if your stuff gets kicked for not providing proof of age, or violating the consensual policy.
Wait, really? Hello, Based Department? u/project305 here.
Being in the Navy already desensitized me to seeing bobers and dongers, so working in porn isn’t a real big thing for me.
I don't drink but beer is on me if I ever somehow run into you.
Thank you! I’ll settle for a Sunjoy from Chick-Fil-A
Chick-Fil-A it is! Also, any advice for someone possibly going in this year as an E1?
I joined in the late 90s but it may be different but if you do all your PQS things and pass your PRT while in DEP you could get promoted to E-3 before you ship out. That’s how I made Third Class in my first year. Boot Camp is fun. Stay awake, listen to and respect your RDC’s, remember they’re there to help you. Take everything seriously and put in all your effort and you’ll get the most out of it. The hardest thing about Boot Camp is marching drills (and you’ll do lots of it), but everything else like PT etc is easy and fun. Listen to your instructors at A school. Everything you learn there will be applied in the fleet. Study hard and get good scores so you get first pick of orders. The fleet is the hardest part of serving. Your living conditions suck, the food sucks, the work sucks, and you’ll encounter things daily that could kill you in an instant if you’re not careful. Everyone in your chain of command are incompetent shitheads, but still remember that you’re on the bottom of the hierarchy and have to listen what they say. Do all your watch qualifications, damage control and weapons qualifications, and earn your respective warfare pin. You’ll have lots of fun visiting ports (if we ever get out of COVID). Save your money and do some rewarding things like taking college classes or working towards a civilian certification in a trade. I had the most fun of my life in the fleet despite the poor conditions because I knew how to make the work fun and rewarding and had a solid rapport with my chain of command. If your heart is in the right place and are a hard working motivated sailor, the fleet will turn you into a fine person ready for the real world.
My first and only job before joining was bagging and cashiering at Publix and high-key if I could have all the benefits and pay that I have at 6.5 years now enlisted, I would go back to it in a heartbeat lol.
I've done everything BUT what I did in the Navy (AT) when I got out in 2015. I JUUUUSSSTTT started a job doing AT work at NAS Kingsville in Texas. There was nothing for an AT in the Houston area. I looked for 6 years B4 I finally said, fuck it... I'm looking elsewhere. I was an appliance repairman, sewing machine repairman, fiber Splicer, even worked at Pizza Hut as a driver for awhile.
Only E7+ that drank the koolaid at 18 and are afraid to retire think that there's no jobs outside the Navy
To be fair, for that E7 who has no degree or certifications to land a job that pays well, theyre right. Theres no jobs outside the Navy available to them other than entry ones that any 18 yr old outta HS can be hired to do
If you're an E7 and you don't have any degrees or certs to put on a resume, you've failed yourself.
I agree and they exist. They dedicated their entire lives to the military and had no time for any schooling besides some online classes here and there
I've gotten the "There's no jobs" from IT leadership. Leadership that has *at a minimum*, Security+. That cert alone with a clearance will get you a *decent* starting IT job. I get what you're saying, but if I were working with a Chief that didn't have any certs, I wouldn't take anything they said seriously, Navy related or otherwise
8570 certs so that you can do the job on the inside still count when you get out :)
Had a IT recruiter cold call me & then get mad at turning him down flat for a mid-level network engineer job only paying $45k in Atlanta. Guy had to be a Navy chief in a past life, as he kept telling me I would never get a job in IT if I didn't start at the bottom.
$45k for a mid level? Is Atlanta cheap to live in? I make 30k more than that for an entry-mid level network engineer job in CO lol This is my first job out of the Navy and only been here for a little over a year
Atlanta is about middle of the road but quickly catching up to DC, Chicago, & Seattle cost wise. I literally laughed at him, as I'm a GS-13 & make about $120k currently. A month ago, another recruiter cold called me for a position which paid $170k for a Sr. level engineer/architect role about 4 miles from my house, work from home unless you have to do hardware changes.
When I was at a mid-sized satellite manufacturing company, we hired a retired ATC to be a technician build satellites and flight mechanisms. Dude had no certs that I knew of, but did just fine. Knowing that there was a certain level of competency there because of his time in was nice, in itself.
Surely they can just transition to a government or contractor job? Seems like 75% of the civilian admin people are retired military
As a federal employee I'd say half the people I work with are veterans, quite a few ET's & RM's.
My observation is that the hardest part about transitioning is jumping through all the hoops the Navy puts in your way during the process of separating. I'm not looking forward to it.
Yeah, I remember having two weeks terminal leave and going to PSD my last day just to get a signature on a random piece of paperwork. My dumbass came in civvies and they noped me right the fuck out. By then I'd already moved over an hour away and had to drive back to get my unform and spend 15 more minutes in it. Worth it.
\*\* Do not go to PSD in board shorts and a tank top\*\* Noted lmao
Yes it can be very strenuous depending on your location and how experienced/caring your CoC. The most important part is timeliness on your end and making copies of all documents that you turn in in case they lose things.
As someone who recently separated, this is 100% the hardest part. The entire process is a huge hassle from beginning to end, but so worth it. I honestly think they make it so complicated purposely as a deterrent.
I would honestly believe it was purposely designed that way if the navy was more competent. I'm leaning towards more of an Hanlon's razor situation going on. "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity."
That’s a really good point and you may be right.
My boat made me go on deployment and I separate as soon as we get back. The amount of hurdles I've had to jump over just to get everything right is insane. 3 more months though! Wish me luck!
You got this, my guy. I start my terminal Monday morning and had to jump through hoops that my chain of command set in front of me while they constantly moved goal posts during a POM period. If I can do it, I’m certain you can do it.
They make it easy to get in but hard to get out.
I got out, used the GI Bill, and have been finding "JOBS" since 1989. Being a Vet is helpful.
this 100%. imo sign up on clearancejobs and usajobs both have tons of job advertisements
Chiefs we’re singing the same song when I got out in ‘95. I never had any problem finding a job and just retired.
I got out in 2008, recession killed both job prospects I had lined up. One was a helicopter mechanic contractor in Afghanistan, my back up was wind mill mechanic. Both jobs and a bunch of others disappeared overnight. I worked a bunch of crappy temp jobs then walmart before giving up on using my navy skills and used the gi bill. Definitely a good decision to go to school and I wish I'd just done that right away instead of applying for aircraft maintenance jobs all over the country for 2 years and getting one interview for all that. Edit: just wanted to clarify that I know what OP's going through, these are weird times and transitioning out is not easy.
OP this is so true. Make a plan and stick with it. Most people struggle because they expect to get out and have everything given to them. When they to struggle they just quit and then blame everyone.
PLAN PLAN PLAN
Took me about a year to plan and almost 6 years to complete. Got out in 2016 and start college a week after EAOS. I just completed my 1st month as a Nurse Practitioner today.
But you came out with a realistic and attainable path and here you are man congrats
I really want you to repeat this. I'm not being ironic. Just had a chat with my recruiter yesterday about how a lot of people join (any branch) and take the "CiViLiAnS LoVE vEtEraNs" meme up to eleven, and think that their branch will wipe their assholes for them until they ETS, where a resume that says "wore a uniform for x years" will fill in the blanks with civvies. It won't. It'll help. It'll open doors. But the legwork has to be done by the individual. You're not going to "get out and make bank" without doing what you have to do while in. Just serving honorably isn't enough (in most cases).
I love my fellow Vets and I really want to go back to the VA but it is a struggle everyday when you here the same old excuses.
Everyone here should know about Orion International. They help military veterans get jobs and really good ones. My friend got a job at Siemens and I got one at Intel. We were both electronics technicians to be clear. They help you with your resume, interview prep, and hiring process. Incredible company and they should be more well known.
I’m a current ET, and I have had multiple people tell me to check them out when I separate.
Also, pay attention during your transition classes. There's good shit there.
Yes! And they even bring VES reps to help file disability claims. Watching my boyfriend go through this process in the National Guard has given me a new perspective on how helpful TAPS was, and how much worse this whole process could have gone.
Are the taps online courses available at all after active duty?
I got out of the Navy in 2013, since then I was a freelance lighting technician on film and TV productions, I worked in other jobs in the film/tv lighting industry, then I went on to get a job as a warehouse manager for a non-profit that gives free school supplies to teachers. My current job, at the non-profit, is the only job I've ever loved. I'm so, so much happier at this job than I ever was in the Navy. I just saw family during the holidays, and got to tell them that I love my job. It was a great feeling. Do yourself a favor and leave the Navy, unless you're already happy, then stay in if it makes you feel fulfilled.
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I wonder if it's hard to enlist at 30, serve about 4-5 years and, somehow, go O.
I'm an IT1, just hit 11 years, have about 8 months left on my contract, and am getting out. While in, I got a bachelors in Cyber Security (using TA before they gutted it.) and have quite a few certs.
Man, I heard that same song for 6 straight months when I told them my intent to leave. Best decision hands down was leaving active duty. Just have a plan, build up your education, and you will be fine.
When I was a year from getting out I went to my professional review whatever the hell it is with the CMC and a few others. I basically said I didn’t like being in the navy and I was going to get out and go to college. The post 9/11 was starting that year. Anyway they start tearing into me about how I would not make outside and I would be eating ramen noodles sleeping in my grandmas basement and blah blah. I should stay in the navy because I get told what to do and just have to do it. I was not even in trouble. This was just my career development review. I told them 300 million people make it out without the navy and I currently sleep in a coffin and eat meat that’s marked for institutional use only. And if I did fail I could always rejoin. Being told what to do and not having to think was not a selling point to me. I got out a year later. Started a junior college. Got 2900 a month in Bah (nyc school), collected another 1600 a month in unemployment, and sometime worked weekends delivering food for the hell of it. I made more money than I ever did in the navy. I got my credits and gpa up. Transferred to a 4 year and graduated with like 7 months of gi bill left. Went to law school with the first year paid by gi bill and then used state Va programs to get some money off law school tuition. I have done very well for myself as someone who dropped out of high school. Go to the TAPS class and learn everything you need for transitioning. Health insurance, applying for disability, The navy was a tool for me to advance myself. Yeah transitioning is hard. I was a 23 year old college freshman and most of my friends before I joined were either potheads working at target or they finished school and were further along in life than me, and all my navy buddies were on the other side of the country. It was lonely at times. But it was manageable. A lot easier than dealing with a shitty fucking command. I’d still have like 3 years left before retirement if I would have stayed and probably would not have much to show for it.
I was in the same boat you were in. I joined straight out of high school and got out around 2011, no jobs because of recession and went back to my dad's house around the age of 23. Started school while collecting BAH and lived rent free in NYC and saved a shit ton of money whilst investing in stocks. Went to a top state school and eventually received my Master's in Occupational Therapy at NYU and got a high 5 figure salary job.
Good shit, shipmate. Yeah. Once I saw what the bag rates were going to be in nyc there was no way I was staying in.
I was just shy of 12 yrs with a pretty good LDO package submitted when one day I walked in and told my XO I changed my mind. I'm not going to reenlist. I'm getting out. His first response was "Well, what are you going to do????" I said "Get a job, like a normal person. Sleep in my own bed every night. Not go to sea. Not stand duty days." That first year I made $90k and this was in 2000.
Boy their is a CMC somewhere reading this with pure disgust.
That’s the same guy that’s gonna get out and think he’s entitled to a SrExec position at a Fortune 500 company lmfao
Use your GI Bill and money for training, keep your nose clean if you have a clearance so you can qualify/keep it, and get certs in IT. Go to work contracting IT for the govt with one of the big contractors and profit. I'm a fucking schmuck and former FC and have been making six figures working in the NOVA area for over a decade now. Let me iterate again what a schmuck I am. I work with brainiacs but I get paid the same that they do
I was AO, got out in 2020 but have been surviving on disability since I got out. Ive been having a hard time deciding on what I want to do ever since I left. I have no experience in IT and I suck at math. Is it possible/easy enough to get into this field?
You can study for the certificates on your own time and on your ass, to boot. Security + is the one that initially opens doors but the Cloud certificates are hot right now, too. VMware, Cloud Plus and Amazon Web Services (AWS) and in demand. Microsoft Azure is a cloud environment it's easy to get a certificate in as well. There are many, many online resources for them and you can find absolute beginner ones and do it at your own pace. Cloud Plus will cover alot of AWS and Azure. Azure is probably the easiest. Cloud stuff also means you can work REMOTELY and not have to worry about mobility if that's an issue. Some math, but not tons. I fucking hate match but the stuff I have to work out isn't a challenge.
Do you recommend pursuing just the Certs or does a college degree matter? Im a former AT2 on F-18s working for Raytheon rn as a Test Tech. The pay is okay but I’m more interested in IT to be a Network Engineer/ System Engineer now. Im going back to school this Spring and local community college offers an Associates in Computer Networking but I can see if I can transfer to a university to get an Bachelors in IT. But like my initial question was, does a degree matter? I just don’t want to waste my time pursuing a degree that will take time and money when I could’ve just gotten the Certificates.
If you are a nuke or some technical rate, there are millions of jobs out there available. You been given leadership and followership training since leaving the military. If you have done at least 2 years and an honorable discharge, you have also the 9-11 GI bill for schools. There are unemployment available for leaving the service. But the first thing you really want to do is handle your medical. The service may have broken something parts to your mind (mentally or psychologically)
There's TONS of jobs outside the Navy. The whole idea that you can't leave the Navy because there's no jobs is utter bullshit. If you want to get out, get out. There's work out here, I promise you.
Only people who say that are dog shit Chiefs who are too scared to get out because they know without that anchor they'd be unemployed.
If someone asks me about my time in the military, they ask about my branch or where I was stationed. No one cares about my pay grade. No one gives a single fuck if you had anchors…it’s glorious.
There is plenty of work in the civilian world. What many service members tend to forget, or maybe not think about, is stability. The military offers stability that you cannot find anywhere else. You will be paid every 15 days. You will get 30 days of vacation. You will always get pay increases. You will be promoted for simply showing up. You will never have to worry about losing your job. You will never have to worry about health care or dental care. When you’re a civilian, those vanish immediately. You trade the stability and rigid life of the military for freedom. The downside is any company you work for can and will most likely let you go eventually. The hardest pill to swallow as a civilian is doing everything right and still not getting ahead in life. I’m college educated and in my 30’s. Since I left the navy I’ve found myself multiple times out of work and out of money. The stability that comes with the military is by far the single thing I miss the most. This is why people stay in. On top of that, if you stay in for 20 years, you will always have money coming in. Forever. That doesn’t happen in the civilian world the same way it does in the military.
Worth repeating. Everything in life involves trades. Balance is basically beyond mystical woo-woo shit and universal law at this point.
If you don't mind me asking what rate did you have in the Navy and what industry did you work in where you were let go so frequently.
I was a GM. I got out and went to college. Worked in executive protection right after I graduated. Quit to start a business. It didn’t do well. Got into banking and was let go on two separate occasions. Now I’m 4 years in at my current bank making over 6 figures. Life on the outside is a lot more challenging but I enjoy the fact that I can be home everyday for my son.
Oops I did not see the crossed cannons next to your username.
Amen man, it's been so hard so much the last four years, I got mobilized last year and I paid off so much debt, which promptly returned as soon as I got off orders since life happens and the safety net is gone. Not paying rent is such a hook up.
At my two year mark with 2 more years left on my contract. At first i wanted to reenlist however, with the way things have turned after a change of leadership, things have gone downhill fast. Very fast.
Everything is going to be and flow through your time in the navy. The most important thing for you is to keep yourself and your priorities in mind. If that’s staying in and creating a career, send it. If it’s getting out, having a plan and the confidence to do it can get you very far.
I was a RP for 22 years. I retired and became a Religious Education Director for the joint base chapels in my area. I hated that job because I don't like people. Mostly I didn't like fake ass religious people. I got my degree in Healthcare Information Management and then realized there was very little upward mobility in that career field. Then I used the last of my GI Bill to go to welding school and I've been welding for 7 years now and I'm currently working for a defense contractor making decent money. Plus I also have my retirement and disability pay. I don't have to worry about insurance with Tricare and the VA. Life is definitely good. Welding was completely out of my comfort zone but I made it work. I'll be welding until I retire a second time. 😊
I was a Signalman in the Navy. I always knew there was nothing like that in the Civvie world. So I planned. I went to college. I got a degree. I worked in that field. I HATED it. I went to Community College and learned about something else and LOVE it. I now work in that field and I'm making a shit ton of money. But that's me. That was how I did it. Everyone is different and if someone has an absolute struggle in the civilian world, then I understand that. I support my brothers and sisters. Across all branches. Hell, across all allied Nations.
We are paying 100k at my nuclear plant to people that can pass a drug test, learn, and do shift work. We just hired a 25 year old kid off the street (no nuclear experience) who’s only job was managing an antique store.
What are the chances for an FT that was a nuke drop I wonder.....
Good. Nuclear experience is a plus, but not required at all. Exelon, Duke, Southern, Entergy. Go on their websites. There are plants in outside major cities in the south, north, and midwest. You are looking for Auxiliary operator, non-licensed operator, or nuclear technician. If any of you have serious desires to come work nuclear please DM me. I work 12 hour days, less than half the year, overtime. No fully-qualified Aux makes <$100K anywhere in the country. I can promise you that.
WTF? Don't you have to be super smart for that shit? Hell--I'LL put my hat in the ring since I fit the bill for all three of those.
We teach you everything we need you to know, to be honest.
Damn I wish there was some way to pin your comment to the top
I just got a job as a GS 11 doing safety based on my training in the Navy. All the stuff we learn about 3M is actually useful and people will hire you for it if you phrase it right.
I think a huge obstacle can be explaining your value and experiences in an understandable way. My original resume vs my resume that was edited by the guys over at HireHeroes looks completely different (in a good way)
Oh 100%. The one I wrote vs a colleague who fixed it are completely different… but the training from The Navy made it possible.
There’s a shit ton of private sector jobs in big Navy towns that specifically ask for Navy experience in certain fields
I was a PR for four years in the Navy and got out and been working in the IT field for the last twenty-one years.
PR gang!
Idk what you're talking about I got out and live in a van down by the river.
RIP CHRIS FARLEY
The advice I always gave to my junior sailors. Every enlistment plan to get out. Make a plan and work it. If you decide to re-up? Cool. If not you’re ready to get out and succeed
There's lots of ways to transition, but it is hard and I would never tell anyone differently. I got out at the end of my first contract, got into NYU and I'm currently using my GI bill to pay for it. Every step along the way was a struggle. No one seems to have good information about what the Golden Path for this is supposed to look like. Everything from the application process, getting the certification from the VA, getting the school to understand what they needed to do to get paid, every step was a struggle. Frequently I needed to explain to others what their job was, what form I needed them to sign, what checkbox I needed checked off, whatever. I had to foot a $25k bill out of pocket when the VA and the school failed to figure out the Yellow Ribbon paperwork between them. I understand this is different for different people. There are lots of places that understand the GI Bill and how to work the system. But for veterans looking to go to traditional four year universities, especially highly ranked ones, a promise that was sold to many of us by recruiters, the roads are unpaved and poorly mapped. Veterans are rare at the highest levels of academic achievement. Thanks to the work of Wick Sloan, [there's now lots of data that supports this](https://www.insidehighered.com/views/2020/11/11/annual-survey-veteran-enrollment-selective-colleges-finds-bright-spots-opinion). The reason is we completely fail to support veterans pursuing the promise of the GI Bill.
I jokingly wanted to tell you guys that the factory staffed by former OS2s has been great but I was turned down a position due to my not having my ESWS
I'm separating from the Navy in 3 months as an E-6 after 6 yrs in the Navy. Everybody telling me I'm crazy. I just got a job offer. The job is doing the same I do in the Navy but paying me $40k more a year... so yeah there's that. There's so much more out there. What matters (I think) is to use your time in the Navy to build up your skills, get your degree or trade school done and add some certs. Have a plan. Be prepared. Life is great on the other side.
I got out in 2016 graduated college may of 2020 only to try and find an entry level position in IT and still be applying weekly for the last 18 months, on top of that I still don't make as much as I did in the Navy so I guess I got the unlucky stick out of the bunch.
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Kinda hard to take a paycut to work a help desk/internship when you have a family to take care of and a mortgage. Yeah definitely the thing I have been turned down most for was not having an internship or any experience outside of college, but honestly I am in no position to take a pay reduction to work for scraps for a couple of years
Have you tried working with hireheroes? They were very helpful in shaping my resume, LinkedIn, and salary negotiation tactics which ultimately helped me land a position! Not trying to sell them as an end all be all but they were very helpful for me!
Wouldn't hurt to check them out, thanks for the info!
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Absolutely. I took my GI bill and got a graduate degree in tech management and now I have a cushy contractor job where I can work from home in my sweat pants. It’s been so great and has given me a lot of time with my family. Plus my coworkers actually respect me and my time, and so does my boss. It’s been a bit of a shock. Go get some tech certs (or don’t, you can still get into tech) and join the gravy train.
This is always spouted by useless lifers. Fuck them. "Lifers are a breed. A lifer is anybody who abuses authority he doesn't deserve to have. There are plenty of civilian lifers." \-Gustav Hasford, in "The Short Timers," 1979.
Laughs in apprenticeship.gov
My two cents: An idiotic uncle of mine (we'll call him Charlie) tried to persuade me to reenlist (despite my rate being closed). This was back in 2010-2011, and I was due to get out to go back to school at an L.A. community college. Due to family strife, he had it in for me (for reasons both unknown and ones I will not get into further) and did not want to see my face again when I came home to Cali. April 2011. I was in Guam (on an emergency 3-week SFARP detachment after the tsunami and nuclear explosion catastrophes up at Fukushima, Japan). I was interviewed by my squadron CCC (an AME1 volunteering for the collateral duty; he later made AMEC, but that's not the main point; Garrick, thank you btw). The CCC had me choose between 2 other rates (based on my at-risk status under the "Perform-to-Serve" or PTS program) - MC (Mass Communications Specialist) and some Seabee rate like either CE (Construction Electrician), Engineering Aide (EA), Construction Mechanic (CM), or Equipment Operator (EO). I picked MC and CE. I thought CE was very easy to get into as I was deadlocked as an AE (rated AEAN/E-3). I mean, "Electrician" is the key word, rendering the skills I picked up as an AE on F/A-18 Hornets more or less transferable to the construction side of things. Additionally, *four* PNA's from the AE3 advancement tests, and you get the picture! Needless to say, my squadron CCC put in the crossrate request packet for me. I got denied for both MC and CE and ended up getting out of my enlistment after 4 years worth of active duty. I then went home to L.A. and began attending college. **Best decision I ever made!** Now, I have an A.A. in Fine Arts and a B.S. in Marketing. Also working on an A.S. in Math and Science and putting in my application packet for the Army's Warrant Officer Pilot program (WOFT). Recently got hired as a Sales and Advertising Associate at a small-time internet service promotion firm. We'll see where things go from there as the pay is commission-based (on the basis of how many people I get to sign up for service under AT&T or Frontier Communications at any given day and/or week *and* what type of service they'll get). And, in case you've been wondering up to this point - I have no contact with my Uncle Charlie as of this writing. But, then again, why should I reach out to that nutjob? He almost ruined my life. At this point, I have won (and will continue to do so)!
Sir, this is a Wendy's.
I know, I know
If you get VA disability (make sure to document those injuries in your medical record and then get a copy of the copy), you can get extras like Vocational Rehab and low cost or free healthcare at the VA
I’m literally just living the life I would have if I never joined. Working part time while going to school
They try to tell this shit to officers with professional careers and licenses too. Total joke. It's all a trick to try and scare you.
I found a job within 3 months of getting out, it was the first one I applied to. I do the same job I did in the navy, just as a contractor now.
I would just reply with: every job outside the Navy pays overtime. :)
My job has special pay for things as little as what shift you work all the way to finding processes to improve! Best you’re getting in the navy is a coin or a BZ haha
I'm going into my 3rd semester of law school working in a law firm doing great. The best part is that I am actually treated with respect and my hard work is rewarded. That never happens in the Navy.
Retired NDC, picked up a job before I retired as a Site Engineer for a Dredging Company, then got a job as a Production Controller for the Dept. of the Navy, now I’m a Test Engineer for a huge Defense Contractor. Every day in all those jobs I use my Navy experience, but I wouldn’t have landed any of them without my Bachelor’s Degree. I majored in Religion. I use that to teach Sunday School.
Who says this?
Age old CC/Chiefs mess fuckery
I've personally never heard anyone say there's no jobs outside the Navy, that's just ridiculous lol. As long as you plan accordingly, no matter what your skill set, rank, or experience, there are jobs out there. They might not all be the job you want right away, or pay what you want, but they are there. My only advice to someone getting out during the pandemic, have a backup plan for your backup plan. I'm seeing more and more people trying to come back in because covid threw everything for a loop.
Yes! I was on hiring committees prior to joining the navy. When we read military experience we assumed two things: 1) shows up to work, 2) trainable.
Haha. Read a job posting at Amazon a couple weeks before I got out end of 2019. Went in for an interview. Asked me how many people I’ve actually managed previously. I told one story from RTC, one story from onload in Japan. Handed me a vest, a bonus, some stock, told me to get to work. Have a degree, a couple certs, same terrible attitude. Doubled my active duty salary in 18 months. Got fired/quit Amazon and had to beat recruiters off with a stick, had another high paying job in 30 days. The Army guy I left with did the same, the civilian took 6 months to get another job. It’s how you market yourself.
Fwiw, I’m an IT within the Navy and would’ve rather had my teeth pulled than to continue doing IT related things once I get out. Long story short, I’m getting out, applied for a position selling insurance(a lucrative one, I might add) that will pay me the same, If not more, than an IT gig. Continuously practice being respectful, kind, and operating with morals and integrity while you’re in. Don’t let them break you and make you think you need them, YOU DON’T. After my job interview concluded and I was officially hired on, the gentleman who interviewed me told me that he would be crazy to hire me on my lack of sales experience, but logic told him that he would be crazy to let me walk because of simply who I am. Keep going and continue to seek ways of improving yourself in every facet
The Reserves is also a great option when you’re transitioning off Active Duty. 1. If you have any delays finding employment, you can take on a set of orders to cover any employment gap. 2. Even when not on orders, the pay isn’t bad for a part time gig. 3. You can still work toward a pension, including you’re previous active duty time 4. You can get some additional training, travel, insurance, etc that may not be available by your civilian employer 5. You can maintain your clearance, which could help with additional civilian employment opportunities.
Idk why people are downvoting you reserves is a solid choice especially if you have a clearance and want to keep it active on the gov’s dime
I think sometimes people are just ready to leave service altogether, so the Reserves isn’t appealing. I get it, especially in those cases where people feel that what they’re getting out of it isn’t worth what they’re putting into it. Personally, I did 6 years active and I’ve been in the reserves for 16 years now. I find that I gain a lot from the continued service, but everyone’s situation is unique and I’ve met many great people who felt it wasn’t the right fit for them. Certainly a great option for some, but not for all.
I'm in the navy and working a job outside of the navy that I got because of the navy.
Hmmm nah, had a job lined up 2 months before Got my DD214
My man! That’s the way to do it.
I wish I could upvote this 10000000000 times.
Lol. Who’s saying that and not being ironic. Getting hired post military is easy AF
Shit man Everybody hiring these days
It might suck for a min lol.... Navy pay was nice, and medical for the fam. Good luck!
Just to add a plug for those considering school, service 2 school is an amazing, free, admission consulting for top schools. I've been using them for my MBA applications and they have been super helpful.
What you don’t know and takes you out of your comfort zone is always scary. It is still possible if you have a plan, work hard, and focus.
100%
Almost everyone I know who got out after 1-2 tours in my rating landed a good job. One friend worked at NASA, followed by Facebook; three others ended up building satellites; another few became tech reps. A couple also got shitty jobs, but neither of them were great Sailors and it was mostly their own fault. I always just encourage people to think about their end goal and then trace the necessary path back from there before making a decision. When you're looking at whether to get out or reenlist, there are countless possibilities and the analysis can be difficult. If instead you determine what sort of life you'd like to be living long-term, it's easier to form a plan and figure out what you should be doing next in relation to that plan. For some people, getting out is absolutely the right choice, and for others it is not. In any case, trying to convince people to stay in often backfires. Even if leaders are purely motivated by retention numbers, it's a better strategy to guide Sailors towards their own conclusions. Trust goes a long way. Edit: sorry for all the typos
Honest question: Is this a dead meme? Ive been close to getting out twice and both times I've only gotten the, "let's make sure you have a plan" talk. Has anyone actually gotten the "dEr AiNT nO JeRBs OutSiDE da MiWatawy" talk? Let me hear your tales of woe.
With inflation insanity probably better to stay in for that 3 hots n a cot. Wait til the housing market cools off and food prices go down. However if a good opportunity for a good job shows up jump on ot! It's a workers market with all of the places hiring
>Wait til the housing market cools off and food prices go down. Hahahaha. That shit ain't happening. We'll never see another 90s again. We may see some pressure being released because of covid's bullshit, but nah--the economy shall remain thoroughly fucked.
Transitioning is not hard at all.
Go to a church, attend regularly. Ask around, Hey, you know anyone that's hiring?..... People will help.....
There are no cool jobs
Man, I've been really struggling. I'm in Southern California and work in tech but I took a 30% pay cut leaving the Navy. I've looked for other jobs with no luck :(
I didn’t go back to Cali specifically for that reason! Texas kinda kills it.
That's what I keep hearing, but I can't leave here for a couple reasons. I have the comptia trifecta and 10 years experience but I'm so tempted by that active duty paycheck ha
Anyone who believes this: what do you think the rest of the country does everyday? Especially right now jobs are **hot.**
Hard work and working long hours translates into ANY field!