How soon after you were discharged did you find employment. Can you tell us why you think you became employed so quickly?

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 22:24:33 -0400

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 20 at 2015 10:31 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 22:31:53 -0400

After I was forced out I was offered a job while I was on a cruise. The Lord gave me peace to go and I had a job offer waiting when I came back with my wife.
I had gone through interviews with Banking VPs and some other white collar companies. I had been recommended by a former OSD SES to a non-profit consulting job. During a lunch following my interviews I discussed politics, religion and other usually non-touchable subjects. God opened that door in 1992 and closed it in 2013.
As I was leaving active duty, I shared my faith in Christ at very high levels. I was the only infantry captain being forced out during the 1992 RIF who didn't take one of the buy-out programs. Many people wanted to know why. God had let me know I should not quit. I had learned to trust His guidance in the years prior and have done my best to follow His guidance and direction since. LTC Stephen C., CH (MAJ) William Beaver, SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4", SGT Robert Hawks, SGT Private RallyPoint Member, SGT Forrest Stewart

Response by SFC John Birks made Aug 20 at 2015 11:11 PM

SFC John Birks — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 23:11:08 -0400

It took me six months and that was after I lowered my standards twice....

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2015 11:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 23:29:22 -0400

Back in my day, the employer had to keep a slot open for you when you got out of the military. I think you had 90 days to contact your employer, or the slot was closed. I reported back to where I worked before I went in the Army. I was employed by General Electric, which was a contractor for NASA. I loved that job, but it closed down in 1968 because the headquarters for NASA was moved to Huntsville, Alabama.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 21 at 2015 8:22 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 08:22:18 -0400

I had an offer lined up before I went on terminal leave. It was mainly a matter of being proactive and looking for employment. I knew where I was going to be. I knew what field I was planning to be in. I had reasonable expectation, and goals and I moved forward.

Now don't get me wrong, found out I hated that job, and moved on to other things, but I had a plan. It's a heck of a lot easier to adjust an existing plan to make one up on the fly.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 21 at 2015 8:30 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 08:30:56 -0400

I was working while I was still on terminal leave. For that particular job I just happened to apply for it as soon as it was opened and my qualifications matched what they were looking for.

Much like Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS, I ended up hating that job and went on to other things, but I had a plan and followed it.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 21 at 2015 8:55 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 08:55:52 -0400

I was a diver and no responsibilities was lucky enough to live in an area where the TN river was close and needed divers for specific jobs.Paid really well for the times(what an average worker was paid in a month i could make in a day or two) and gave me a lot of free time.

Response by SSgt David Swart made Aug 21 at 2015 9:05 AM

SSgt David Swart — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 09:05:33 -0400

When I got discharged in 1975 the Vietnam war had just ended and the country was in a major recession. I was discharged at Malmstrom AFB, Montana and liked it there tried to find a job and stay, there were no jobs to be found. So I was down to my last $250 and decided to head home to California, same story at home no jobs! My best friend that I have known since we were in the first grade helped me get a job where he worked at an almond huller, it paid $4.25 per hour about twice the minimum wage downside it was seasonal work. However it all worked out after taking another job in a sheet metal shop I was able to find a job with the FAA where I made a 32 year career, met my wife and retired 8 years ago. The only way I got hired by the FAA was the Veterans Readjustment Act (VRA). It took 9 months from the time I was discharged till I was hired by the FAA. I still remember the day I was discharged the counseling I got was give us your ID card go out the gate and don't come back!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 9:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 09:29:29 -0400

I haven't even started terminal leave yet and I already have a job which I start three weeks after starting terminal leave.

I got this job by finding jobs that matched the skills I have gained from the Army. I looked through dozens of job postings until I found a few with the skills I could apply and that sounded like I would be a good fit. Applied to two of them and was hired by Ethicon Inc.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Aug 21 at 2015 10:47 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 10:47:00 -0400

I took a side line job I was doing for fun and turned it into a productive job. Motorcycle repair, and custom builds of adventure bikes. Race and adventure bike prep. Recurring service for a small group of folks.
Then added teaching MSF courses to the mix. All of this fell into place before my last day in service Jan 1 2014. So I guess I was "employed" before I retired.
After 28 years of service, culminating as the 1CD G3 SGM, 4 deployments two three different parts of the world... Im busier now than I was most days while serving...lol As my mother used to say, self imposed pain gets no pity... Smart woman she was...

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 11:23 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 11:23:03 -0400

A job to pay the bills took about 6 months.

A job that I like working at and don't want to gouge my eyes with a spoon while driving to took about 2 years.

Lesson to learn if you know where you are retiring to (I did not we waiting till last minute to make final decision) you can not start looking to early....the more connections you have the better of you will be..... I was by myself, no network, no friends, no family......don't get me wrong was doable but man would've been nice to have some help.