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Sometimes I feel as if the military was not designed for people to succeed. I have been in 10 years, made Staff Sergeant by 23 and have been stagnant the last 4 years because previous commands have not been able to send me to my NCOES but I've been on every wait list. I have a Masters, that I paid for not the Army, but cannot seem to get a 110 on the ASVAB. I feel unappreciated for my hard work.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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A lot of folks will tell you to stay in. You have a Master's degree and a great deal of experience so you can find employment on the outside. If you look for a job as a Federal Civilian, you should have a good chance of landing a Civil Service job. As far as private sector stuff goes, I cannot say as I have never worked there. At the end of the day you need to evaluate what is best for you and your family. There are a lot of opportunities in the civilian world, but it isn't easy. The civilian world is harsh and unforgiving. If you have the drive and the determination you can be quite successful outside of the service.
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SSG (Join to see)
SGT Thomas I am only a Drilling Researvist already in the Civil Service, I am a Staff Administrative Assistant as a MILTECH, but I do know that there are Civil Service jobs that do not require Military participation, I love being in and Love what I am doing. I am just tired of sitting stagnate as a SSG because of things out of my control.
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SGT David T.
SSG (Join to see) - I don't blame you. I was stuck at E-5 for the same reason. I am a GS as well, and I don't have any sort of military obligation. I found it is much easier on the Civil Service side to get promoted because we manage our own careers. I started as a GS-05 and in 4 years I was an 11. I've been sitting as an 11 for 2+ years because I didn't want to PCS again. With any luck, I will get the 12 slot I just made the short list for. The Civil Service was a better fit for me than being in the service, but that is just personal preference.
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I've known a LOT of prior military who 1. Did not have a plan and a job waiting for them by the time of their separation date and 2. Absolutely regretted not getting their 20 years to earn their retirement pay. There's a LOT to be said about getting paid 50%+ of your base salary for the rest of your life. Ultimately, you should do what makes you happy but always know (like another poster said), things are cyclical in the military. I've suffered through some lows in the military and some of the best times I'll never forget (and in the strangest places).
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SSG (Join to see)
Sir, I do have Jobs knocking at my door wanting me to join them professionally. I love the Military and being in it. However I am someone that always strives for the next level and have been stuck at the same level with out being supported to move up due to school quotas, funding, and I just cannot seem to get a GT score the military requires for Officer or Warrant Officer. Its very demeaning when I have an education higher than a lot of people in the Army but am stuck at the same rank for so long.
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Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
Make sure you have something in writing before you commit to such a life changing move. I've known people who thought they had people knocking at their door (hell even I thought I had all this covered as I prepared to retire). What really happens when you call back and say I'm ready for a job is a whole different subject. Who's knocking at your door? Do they have the power to hire you? All I'm saying is be cautious and consider the fact you are giving up half the time you spent towards earning a pension which is hard to match on the outside as you start all over.
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SSG (Join to see)
Sir, Roger, I know a few of the companies knocking on my door have the authorizations to actually hire me, the fact that I love the military and the pension is what has stopped me so far.
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SSG Collins: I have served 32 years in the military and I was enlisted for 22 years, it took me three times to take the ASVAB and score a 110. I went from SSG to WO1 and CW2 to 2LT CC and now at the end of my career, I have three masters and I am working on 42 credits towards my PhD. Keep plowing the ground, keep planting the seeds, and in time you will reach the benefits of your harvest.
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