What are some post-service careers that veterans may be specially suited for that they might not realize?

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 16:52:27 -0500

Everyone thinks about middle management and law enforcement, but there are various different jobs that veterans may be specially suited for based ontheir experienced and skills, both hard and soft. For instance, service members who have performed in certain positions may be suited to be teachers because of their experience with training others.

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Feb 26 at 2018 4:56 PM

A1C Ian Williams — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 16:56:27 -0500

SGT Joseph Gunderson I would go the other route. I would encourage more veterans to become self-employed and start their own business.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2018 4:58 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 16:58:13 -0500

I turned to teaching myself. We have maybe five or six veterans who are teachers out of over a hundred on the teacher staff. We need more veterans as teachers in my opinion.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Feb 26 at 2018 5:02 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 17:02:37 -0500

Construction and safety inspection for the combat heavy construction and combat engineer MOS's; also project developers and project managers.
NCOs in those fields with associates and bachelors degrees can also serve as engineer technicians.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2018 5:10 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 17:10:16 -0500

Medics can go to nursing school or EMT school as well. SGT Joseph Gunderson CSM Richard StCyr A1C Ian Williams

Response by SPC Joseph Wojcik made Feb 26 at 2018 6:03 PM

SPC Joseph Wojcik — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 18:03:06 -0500

I met a lot of vets who were pursuing culinary arts when I was the commander of my school's SVA chapter. I've also met vets who wanted to do what they did in the military, but the civilian world doesn't have an exact equivalent of their MOS, or the job requires years of sitting in a classroom for something they learned in 6-12 weeks.

Response by CW3 Jeff Held made Feb 26 at 2018 7:08 PM

CW3 Jeff Held — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 19:08:18 -0500

Great question. I did the corporate gig twice and had enough. I started a company doing general contracting and that led to adding Certified Residential and Commercial Property Inspector, First Aid, CPR/AED Instructor, OSHA Instructor, and taught college at night Part-time. Opportunities are endless!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2018 7:33 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 19:33:15 -0500

As a young JO, I was once overheard stating (over some adult beverages I'm sure), that, "You'll never catch me in sales or wearing a polo shirt!"...Nearly a decade into a sales career, and the owner of a plethora of those dad-bod enhancing shirts later, I've had to eat crow and like it :)

Military people are decisive, independent workers who don't mind calculated risks, and take responsibility as a personal ethos...exactly the qualities that make strong sales persons. Many of my peers are former military, and for SNCOs and officers, it offers one of the fastest ways to bridge the "seniority gap" we all encounter when we leave one world...and enter another.

We're also great "team" builders...in my opinion, one of our greatest strengths is that we can overcome personal difficulties to get people to work together for a common goal.

Response by SSG Alan Pelletier made Feb 26 at 2018 7:53 PM

SSG Alan Pelletier — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 19:53:56 -0500

I found quite a bit of crossover as a Shelter Manager at a homeless shelter. The Vets are ornery but great people.

Response by Cpl Sean Willadsen made Feb 26 at 2018 9:01 PM

Cpl Sean Willadsen — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 21:01:20 -0500

Transition toward what you know. I was a helicopter mechanic, but being an aircraft mechanic in the civilian sector would've meant living close to a major city if I wanted to make any serious money. Not for me; I prefer small and towns. I became a diesel mechanic and now make 6 figures as a garage sub foreman for a major utility company.

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Feb 26 at 2018 11:14 PM

CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 23:14:01 -0500

I wanted to be my own boss but didn't have the money to build my own business. I became a Snap-on TOOL Dealer. I credit my 24 years in the US Navy for giving me the training I needed to be a successful tool dealer. I spent 19 years with Snap-on and owned two franchises.