Life goes on:

2014-08-20T19:30:50-04:00

With all the cutbacks and downsizing and many current members of our armed forces being "forced out" what are your plans for life after military service? What have you done during your tour of duty that has or could contribute to success in the private sector?

Thanks to all those here for serving. Best wishes after departing the service of our country.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2014 10:08 PM

2014-08-20T22:08:16-04:00

Fortunately nursing is a very good career field in both the military job market. Becoming an advanced practice nurse will further solidify better odds post military. I think education is very helpful, just make sure it will be useful and valued in the civilian job market.

Response by SPC(P) Geoffrey Fansher made Aug 20 at 2014 10:59 PM

2014-08-20T22:59:46-04:00

My advice would be to elevate and look at the bigger picture. Right now your a foot off the ground walking through a cornfield...you can't see a two feet ahead. Gain altitude, look at the situation, and ask yourself what solutions there are to get you to your destination. If you don't change how you think and look at problems (military downsizing, cutbacks, bad economy, what to do, etc) you'll continue to come up with the same thoughts or solutions. Think about this....Football coaches often tell their team to give them 100% for 60 minutes...just 60 minutes, give me all you've got... and they'll succeed. The inherent problem with that is, the other coach is telling his team the same thing. What are you going to do differently to get a different outcome? 85%+ of Americans do the same thing...we see the problem, we state the problem, we don't take action or deal with the problem. It's like driving down the road and coming to a boulder that blocks your path. We see it, we acknowledge it, then we look at it, then we turn around and go home. Figure out how to get past the boulder and move forward instead of backward....separate yourself from the pack.

If nothing changes, nothing changes my friend.

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Aug 21 at 2014 11:21 AM

2014-08-21T11:21:35-04:00

In 1991, after Desert Storm. Draw downs were coming, with the Cold War ending in Europe. Many of us saw the writing on the wall and got it before the downsizing really started.

I worked as a Army Contractor for 9 years after I got out, then 11 years of Electronic's repair till I went on Disability 3 years ago.....

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Aug 21 at 2014 11:23 AM

2014-08-21T11:23:39-04:00

A friend of mine, who is a pilot in the Air Force and currently is a Major. Has been given his walking papers/retirement.

He just passed his FAA test and is planning to get on in the civilian world as a pilot some where! Jason was/is a KC-135 pilot (Flying Gas Station).

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Aug 21 at 2014 3:22 PM

2014-08-21T15:22:10-04:00

I left the Army for the last time in 2002; taking terminal leave was the best thing I felt could help my transition and I was right. I was hired as a logistics team member at Target in Bend Oregon on the day my discharge took effect. I worked there for 2 years while attending college trying to complete a degree in addictions treatment and counseling while receiving disability at 10%. Once I completed my AAS in Addictions treatment and counseling I went to work helping adolescents who were dealing with addictions to many different substances. My disability has been upgraded to 50% and I am no longer employed so I am now doing my best to make ends meet on about half of what I used to make. I have not given up on finding employment but It is difficult finding a job where I don't have to sit or stand for too long at a stretch. Hope springs eternal and I keep plugging away.