Posted on Jan 12, 2021
SPC Combat Engineer
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i get out next year and i like to have a good idea of what i should be doing before i ets. would it be a good idea to rent an apartment or should i just use my VA home loan? what are some good careers for veterans (really don’t want to work at t-mobile like most veterans lmao). please give me advice and tips thank you!
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Responses: 19
SFC Retention Operations Nco
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Before you get out??
Complete your bachelor degree using Army TA.
PCS to at least one location that you'll likely never move to as a civilian, ie Germany, Korea, Hawaii, Honduras, Japan, Egypt.
Take at least a whole year to plan your transition
Pay off ALL debts, bills and loans you may have.
Have an emergency fund set up in the bank and a couple thousand to help pay for your transition to your new home as well.
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SGT Air Defense Radar Repairer
SGT (Join to see)
4 y
I would add get a complete copy of all of your medical records. For some reason medical records get lost quite frequently.
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Cpl Vic Burk
Cpl Vic Burk
4 y
SGT (Join to see) - Yes, they "lost" mine when I went to apply for disability benefits and could never find them. Get the copy before you leave active duty. I never thought about getting a copy or believed I would have any reason to need it. Lesson learned. Learn from my mistake.
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
SFC (Join to see)
4 y
SGT (Join to see) that's actually one of the things you do during the final out clearing process.
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SP5 Peter Keane
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You are not getting a VA home loan without a verifiable steady income source.
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Lt Col Jim Coe
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If you're getting out in a year, you definitely need to start transition planning NOW. Sign up for the transition assistance courses, seminars, etc., now. Start a transition savings account immediately and put money in it each pay check. You'll need several month's living expenses banked to support the transition.

Figure out what you want to do next with your life. Education using the GI Bill is a great way to acquire the knowledge and skills for a valuable trade. As a combat engineer you should have had some training in trades. Pick one you like and are reasonably good at and start looking for a Community College or Trade School that will accept the GI Bill and help you get into an apprenticeship. If you have the urge to attend a 4-year college to get a BS/BA, make sure the curriculum leads to a degree that helps you get a job. STEM degrees are in demand. Stay away from Liberal Arts degrees in things that aren't employable--the market for Gender Studies majors is very small for example.

Don't shy away from entry-level jobs. You're possibly new to the private sector work force. Take that part-time job that will help you survive while you're in school. If possible pick an industry you're interested in working in after you complete your education. "Flipping burgers" can lead to a restaurant management job after your complete your Business or Hospitality Management Degree. Sometimes an entry-level job shows you where you do not want to work. That's also good to know before you pound your head against a wall for 10 years in a job you hate.

Complete your RP profile so we know more about you. We can provide better recommendations with more to go on.
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