How does transferring military service to a federal civilian job work?

I bought 10 years in CS after being put out due to failure to select twice. The promotion opportunity was 15% the first year for zone (was an engineer in the staff corps for 10 years) and 1% the next for above zone. I had no choice. However, the Navy really wanted this crop for CS jobs and I was picked up for a GS-12 engineer position as I had my registration. Since FERS just started, they calculated I'd pay $10 grand at the time which was 3% of the base I earned on AD. That is now equating to at least $13K/year boost in my CS annuity. No brainer investment if you do a long haul in CS. Even if you don't, you start out with 6 hour a pay period leave accrual due to your time in. When I hit 60, I had a 32 year MIL retirement that equated close to 16 years AD points wise. I had a 42 year CS retirement. Toss in a heavy TSP and I had to quit everything to get a pay raise.

Bottom line, if you are well qualified for a CIV series, it can be a good route to go. The reason so many talk about how tough it is to go CS, the answer typically lies in MIL skills that don't translate well and frankly little skill in writing. That leads to quick failure in the USAJOBS arena. Companies that purport to do resume conversion can help, but are typically not bell ringers. Even with good writing, candidates fail because they simply are not competitive for the series they are applying for. Some of the best success is in seeking positions that are "career ladder" in that we bring you in at a lower level you can qualify for and then continually grow you to the target level. Contracting is one of them. Trades like Seabees do transition well as do medical types, etc. If you have a degree, pedigree, and credentialing that is needed, you can do well too. Since I did my CS time with the Navy and punched out a 15/7 equivalent, I had a lot of experience doing hiring and in unfortunately some cases of firing.

There's a lot of good folk out there whose only experience is not getting a CS job. Good folk that do and also the ones that do a lot of hiring are good ones to poke. I used to hold after office hours for MILs looking to transition. For those who made the good effort, they tended to do well. The relieved for cause Nuke missile sub skipper who wouldn't ditch "CO of ballistic missile sub; able to destroy cities" out of the resume, not so well.

It doesn't mean diddly what any of us thinks. ALL of our situations will differ. You should investigate your options and how those options will affect you, your family and most of all, your paycheck and benefits. No two will be the same for everyone. You and your family are the ones who need to decide. I got out at 8 and did 4 more in the Reserves. I had a good career after the military but hindsight being 20-20, I should have stayed in.

Good luck to you, Captain!

SIR to be honest you have a degree so you have a good chance in getting a fedral job. But the competition is too much. I was a Marine for 8 years make the worst decision in my life getting out, September will be my 10 years mark the Army was there to save me from loosing everything i work hard for. Stay in Sir and start a business.