I am trying to branch SC, QM, OD, and EN in that order. I am GAARNG. Which one has more opportunities in the civilian world?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 05:54:23 -0500

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Feb 21 at 2021 8:09 AM

LTC Eugene Chu — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 08:09:40 -0500

It depends on what you want for civilian career. SC is good for IT. EN can help for engineering. Some civilian jobs are branch immaterial or care more about college major

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 21 at 2021 8:35 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 08:35:57 -0500

Most military training does not translate to the civilian world, with some exceptions like medical. I would instead look at what you are interested in doing in the Guard AND then look at the availability of officers positions in that job. As an example, the is usually a single Signal officer in every Battalion. OTOH, a typical Engineer or Infantry Battalion will have 30+ slots for Company grade officers, which means you can promote.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 21 at 2021 10:39 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 10:39:31 -0500

If you are in the guard, all of them are about equal. Go with where your interest lies and you think you will most likely succeed long term. Do not make short term decisions on a branch.
- will you have a degree in engineering from an ABET program? If so recommend vigorously to study for and take the Fundementals of Engineering (FE) exam so you can eventually sit for the Professional Engineer PE license exam. This is not a path you can simply wake up one day and say, hell, I want my PE and fix it in a couple weeks. This is 4-8 years depending on state requirements and your resume. If you branch Engineer there may be AD opportunities down the road, especially if you are on the way to or have earned your PE. Your BOLC and Advanced Course may count for additional training/education. There may also be AGR opportunities.
- any Sustainment branch QM, TC, OD, and MSC have the most direct transfer. Which one matters most at the onset as you are basic branches until you serve in Command of an FSC or attend the CCC for Logistics. If you are a degreed engineer and OD or QM there is a potential to start documenting experience for the Industrial Engineer PE, but you'll not really get design experience, which is what the PE board for your state will want, but document the General field experience using the NCeES forms and your state forms. Keep contacts with raters /senior Raters. If not an engineer, then your training and experience will apply to a supply chain and logistics career.
- SC you potentially could be earning different industry certifications, but you will have to but in your own time to get them, study for the tests etc. I can't articulate fully here, but the industry for you is all based on your reputation and 3rd party certifications.

Any Army Officer should be able to talk about increased responsibilities, leading people, managing property with high dollar value, problem solving, etc. example. I was sent to get an MBA in 2004. I was a senior Captain and just left my second command. My class mates were a 50/50 split between those working in a field and those who were just students in pass through jobs. I had to give a presentation on Leadership transitions and I iused Company change of command as an example as I'd done two by that point. I polled my audience before I started. How many had been in charge of or managed people at the following levels. I'll show the numbers of respondents:
- 100+ people = 0
- 30+ people =0
- 10+ people =0
-3-5 people=1
- themselves and three feet around themselves =29
They were amazed that I led organizations that varied from 30-300 people over my career to that point. They always seemed more surprised by the variety of Staff jobs I'd had, which I always loooked at as a tax for the next KD position.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 21 at 2021 11:04 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 11:04:58 -0500

Not much in your profile to help us provide a good answer. I worked 16 yrs in private sector after 22 in the AF. I recommend Quartermaster or Signal. Quartermaster jobs may translate to civilian supply chain management jobs. Signal jobs often have common knowledge and skill sets with civilian communication and IT jobs. If your degree fits into one of these two groups it’s a plus.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2021 11:23 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 11:23:26 -0500

Signal if you want to go into IT
Quartermaster if you want to go into supply chain logistics. Your CIV job experience will be more important than what codes are on your ORB though.