When employors say we hire military they must mean military officers not enlisted. Anyone else have or had trouble finding a good job?

SSG Ryan Reily — Wed, 07 May 2014 08:12:59 -0400

Jobs for college graduates

Response by SSG Ryan Reily made May 9 at 2014 8:05 AM

SSG Ryan Reily — Fri, 09 May 2014 08:05:12 -0400

I was a staff sergeant and I worked with a platoon leader but I am not sure we had the same experience in the military even though I had to do a lot of the work for the new lieutenant.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made May 9 at 2014 9:39 AM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Fri, 09 May 2014 09:39:41 -0400

As an enlisted, even as a Staff NCO, it will be hard to find something in any kind of management position. If you're still willing to get your hands dirty and work, there are always government contractors that are hiring.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2014 9:40 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 May 2014 09:40:39 -0400

Use that GI money and get a college degree. It's nothing to do with officer/enlisted, and everything to do with having a good and useful degree.

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made May 9 at 2014 9:52 AM

MAJ Dallas D. — Fri, 09 May 2014 09:52:09 -0400

I will tell you there is a lot of talk but not a lot of action. After retiring from the Army I founded a Staffing Agency with the mission to help my fellow Veterans get positions in the IT industry. I could give you example after example but bottom line is IMHO a lot of companies want the good pub of saying they are hiring veterans but have no desire to do so.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made May 9 at 2014 10:23 AM

Capt Brandon Charters — Fri, 09 May 2014 10:23:21 -0400

This is a good observation and I know a lot of other veterans are thinking this as well. I definitely do see those companies that only target JMOs and up. I can also tell you there are places like General Electric, Time Warner Cable, Tesoro, Cintas, Sears Holdings, Honeywell, Walmart, Teach for America and other Fortune 500s who 'get it' and are looking to hire a whole fleet of NCO leaders, teachers and technical experts with military backgrounds. Also, a company with great veteran messaging goes a long way in attracting excellent enlisted talent.

I think it really just takes deeper research on our part and it also helps if the companies spell this out in their veteran initiatives. Part of this research can really start here. Look around the platform and start searching company names like "Home Depot" or "Lockheed Martin" and see how many NCOs have found awesome careers in their ranks. I believe we have over 11,000 companies represented by veterans. Hope this helps.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made May 9 at 2014 10:30 AM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Fri, 09 May 2014 10:30:19 -0400

I can tell you that as an educated officer (Master's degree) in the working world I find it difficult to find a job that pays a decent salary or needs something other than an application to aquire. Its all about the skills you have and how you leverage them. I am currently pursuing IT certifications as I have been told by many recruiters that by being a leader (most civilians won't know what details to ask about being an NCO or an Officer), my education, and my time working in the civilian environment that I should be making substantially more than I am currently making.

Using GI funds to pay for some classes to get my basic certifications out of the way and from there I can be self taught. Me personally, I would hire an E-7 or an E-8 with 15+ years of experience over a snotty 2LT any day. Experience and skills matter MUCH more than title in my opinion. If you can lead, get your hands dirty, and help your new and confused boss to look good, then you are already a winner.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2014 5:31 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 May 2014 17:31:16 -0400

I got out of the AD Army in 2000 as a SPC. I worked some odd jobs for about 4 months and then got hired on as a temp working for Qwest (now CenturyLink) Communications. It had everything to do with my skill set and nothing to do with being enlisted. I eventually re-enlisted into the ANG and then ARNG. I took my GI Bill money and Qwest tuition assistance to get a degree in order to qualify for OCS.

Response by SSG Ryan Reily made May 10 at 2014 8:15 AM

SSG Ryan Reily — Sat, 10 May 2014 08:15:05 -0400

Fellow Vetrans of Iraq have told me that after finishing college after ets from enlisted ranks that they had better luck when just not listing their military experience on their resume. On a side note I have a BS in business management and currently working but not in management and have been there for six years now.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 10:09 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 10:09:20 -0400

I don't think they hire as much as they say they do. Maybe hire ones and two every now and then just so they can say they do. I have been turned down several times for jobs. But I also find that the websites that state they will help you do not. For instance I have been trying to get my resume re done with some help to put it civil terms and I receive no response or a page for my billing information so they can take money for a service that even states that it is for free. I think 5 hose who say they are here to help us find jobs are assist in other ways are BS. I don't normally say I have been deployed until after I'm hired. Even tho iam still in the guard.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 10 at 2014 10:38 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Sat, 10 May 2014 10:38:06 -0400

I cannot speak for every company or employer, but my company, TMC Transportation, LOVES hiring veterans; enlisted and officers. In truth, I would rather have an application from an NCO or enlisted soldier than a Commissioned or Warrant Officer. Nothing against the Commissioned or Warrants officers, but soldiers, who have stripes and rockers in their ranks, are not afraid of doing some hard work. A large part of this veteran friendly atmosphere comes from the highest level, but it can also be found at every level of the company here, and I would argue it is a large reason why this company is the best in its field. If you, or anyone else, is interested in becoming a flatbed OTR truck driver; let me know, and we can see if I can help you out.

To the larger question, the main challenge that I think many veterans have is translating their skill set into civilian terms. There was a time in our Country where the majority of the employers had military experience and understood the value of that experience. This is no longer the case and our Nation is weaker for it. Additionally, there are some fields that do lend themselves better to military transition…and sadly for you, the Combat Arms Fields are not in those fields.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 11:33 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 11:33:20 -0400

I have definitely had a hard time finding employment, military or not. Coca Cola hired me and gave me a dollar more in pay because of my military background, but, whenever I had duty, they would mess my pay up. A lot of security jobs hire military but that makes me feel like they think that's all we can do is security.

Response by MSgt Mike Anderson made May 10 at 2014 12:19 PM

MSgt Mike Anderson — Sat, 10 May 2014 12:19:44 -0400

I had no issue getting a job after retirement

Response by SSG Robert Burns made May 10 at 2014 3:50 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Sat, 10 May 2014 15:50:40 -0400

Stop looking for jobs and run for local or state office. Then create jobs.

Response by SPC William Tokarz made May 10 at 2014 5:02 PM

SPC William Tokarz — Sat, 10 May 2014 17:02:17 -0400

I had sever difficulties finding work in the civilian sector. i finally landed a job with the federal government but I had the assistance of the VA.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 10 at 2014 5:57 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 10 May 2014 17:57:41 -0400

Employers like anyone else will play the system. Not Only is it good advertising to say you hire veterans but there are plenty of Government and Military benefits in the way of contracts if you can back up your claim with data, That doesn't say how long they will retain veterans. So that claim doesn't impress me much.

Response by 1SG Frank Rocha made May 10 at 2014 8:22 PM

1SG Frank Rocha — Sat, 10 May 2014 20:22:51 -0400

I've had trouble finding employment in the past but not because I wasn't an officer or due to my education certification level. It really has to do with what each company needs and how you "sell" yourself to that need.

On the other hand if you are a reservist, regardless of officer or enlisted status, some companies can either shy away and look for reasons to hire someone else or the job requires relocation or commuting that is incompatible with your reserve commitment.

I currently work for a contractor for the navy at a base close to my home town doing the job the Army trained me to do. So it has worked out okay for me. The down side is that the military does not always give you the certifications that go along with certain job skills. e.g. A&P license (aviation mechanic), CCNA (computer networking license) etc. If that were to be added to the list of required training than job searching would be lessened considerably.

As for college graduates I know several, my parents included, that graduated from college and ended up in careers unrelated to their college degree. I don't think it has as much to do with the military connection as it has to do with the economy. Good luck with your job search.

Response by SGT Richard Blue made May 11 at 2014 12:19 AM

SGT Richard Blue — Sun, 11 May 2014 00:19:58 -0400

There are quite a bit of employers that seek out and hire military veterans (including enlisted). You can't expect to get a job offer for something that you have little to no experience with. If a veteran is qualified for a civilian position I find that they are given good consideration when applying for jobs.

Response by SPC Brian Foster made May 11 at 2014 12:23 PM

SPC Brian Foster — Sun, 11 May 2014 12:23:46 -0400

I was a specialist in the Army with 12 years of service when I got out. I found a job that paid me more than I made in the Army. I grossed 49000 last year. This year as of may 1st I have grossed 26000. I have no degree or post secondary education. I simply found a job that I was qualified for now I am doing good and my family is enjoying the perks of not living paycheck to paycheck.

Response by 1SG Randall Lates made May 11 at 2014 5:33 PM

1SG Randall Lates — Sun, 11 May 2014 17:33:16 -0400

Ryan, For the most part I have to agree with you. As always officers take care of officers. I do believe that an enlisted candidate (fully qualified) would get past over an officers candidate for a job even if both were fully qualified. Prior enlisted do get hired, but they must possess excellent credentials. The civilian workforce and society has always placed a military officer as a person of superior qualities. Throughout my 22 years I had the privilege of working with some top notch officers. But these officers are top notch and what are they doing now? They are still in the armed forces! Look, its a who you know not what you know world. With the things I have accomplished in the military and civilian workplace, I put myself as an equal with a prior officer, and yet I know deep down, they will get the call before I do. I just have to keep gaining, education and experience.

Response by SFC Marcus Lux made May 11 at 2014 6:00 PM

SFC Marcus Lux — Sun, 11 May 2014 18:00:03 -0400

It took me over a month to find employment after being laid off. Most of the companies that were hiring "Military vets" were looking for either younger military or officers; and not retired Vets like myself over 40. And that is sad, even with 23 years of logistics experience. In the civilian sector, it is all about who you know, and your age, and not what you know.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2014 3:06 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 May 2014 03:06:45 -0400

As a Former NCO and a multiple war veteran I know what the job market is like. Despite having an Associate's, Bachelor's, and a Master's degree... (Soon a PhD)... It is hard to get a great paying job. A lot of private sector businesses look at an application or resume to see if you were an Officer (aka leader) but have no clue what an NCO does... Lead.

So the chances of getting a 'leadership position' (i.e. Manager, CIO, CFO, etc., etc.) are harder to come by.

On the other hand... I know many private sector 'leaders' that are former NCOs based strictly on their education.

So the job market is a 50/50 chance of getting a great position in a company.

Then there is the other side... the government job market. Even harder to get one unless you are related to someone already working there or best buddies of a manager or higher. Sad, but unfortunately true. Despite EOE Laws...the government jobs do what they want...not what the law says they have to do. A lot like our Congress. ;)

I may just die from near starvation and w/o a job...but I will have my education.

In the end...It comes down to self-marketing, confidence, and luck. O vs E... rare but it does happen.

Response by MSgt Gary Sorensen made May 13 at 2014 1:26 AM

MSgt Gary Sorensen — Tue, 13 May 2014 01:26:25 -0400

I have been retired from the Air force for ten years this year and have not missed a paycheck. I have earned "very well" for the last eight years. Employers do want veterans, because they know we show up to work with a set of core values. Employers also need you to bring your leadership and situational experience. But to get through the door you need to make yourself relevant to the position you want to fill. Many times this means education,certifications and the ability to communicate.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 25 at 2014 5:42 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 05:42:50 -0400

Economy sucks brother. I'm losing out on jobs that require a bachelors to people with PhD's. I also have the honor of living in the retirement capital of the nation. Time to relocate asap.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 25 at 2014 6:00 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 06:00:04 -0400

You have an update on your progress SSG Ryan Reily ?

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 25 at 2014 6:32 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 06:32:52 -0400

From my experience SSG Ryan Reily, many companies that advertise hiring veterans are offering entry level positions in limited fields, depending on where you live - nothing O or E skillset specific. This is based on several veteran job fairs I have attended and job searching in general. There are some specific sites for vets seeking employment like hirepurpose.com and those promoted here on RP, but I have yet to find something that I would call the "right" position. In 20+ years, my military merits have gotten me nowhere in the job market. Its hit or miss and right place/right time as some have been successful with their military credentials.

IMHO veteran status is like another affirmative action label, I can't decide if it hurts us more than helps us.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2014 10:17 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 10:17:04 -0400

I think it depends on your specific skill set. I've been in the Navy for a little over six years and I have head hunters (recruiters) sending me E-Mails about how they can start me at 25+ an hour for the first 6 months to base my production and then my salary will change from there. I also think it depends on the amount of effort you put in to finding a job, post military.

Response by SSG John Bacon made Sep 25 at 2014 10:40 AM

SSG John Bacon — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 10:40:59 -0400

You have a point I have seen a lot of listings that require minimum education of a bachelors degree but suggest or prefer a Masters. I am all for education but job experience and skills should outweigh those requirements. I have been trying to get into the civilian sector of Supply and Logistics and that seems to be the wall I keep hitting.

Response by CPO Tim Dickey made Sep 27 at 2014 8:21 PM

CPO Tim Dickey — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 20:21:33 -0400

Relationship, relationship, relationship. You need to know someone in an organization that has similar background and experience before they will consider hiring you. I met a retired MSG that works for Verizon and my boss is prior service as well.

Response by CSM Donald McGlasson made Oct 16 at 2014 5:43 PM

CSM Donald McGlasson — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 17:43:56 -0400

I TOO HAVE FOUND THE SAME ISSUES SINCE MY RETIREMENT. I RETIRED AS A CSM (BRIGBADE LEVEL), WITH A COLLEGE DEGREE. AFTER A YEAR I'M STILL ONLY ABLE TO FIND FACTORY LABOR JOBS. REALLY!!

THEY WILL HIRE YOU FOR $10.00 HR AND TAKE ALL THE CREDIT FOR DOING SO, SO WHAT?

Response by Elizabeth Malkin made Oct 22 at 2014 10:46 AM

Elizabeth Malkin — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 10:46:34 -0400

SSG Ryan Reily RallyPoint is working hard to ensure that we have great civilian employment opportunities for all of our members, enlisted and officers alike. Several of the companies that we work with our focused on hiring enlisted members more so than officers, check out our newest partner, Union Pacific Railroad, they have over 100 great jobs that they are hoping to fill with RP members! https://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/union-pacific-railroad-omaha-ne/overview or connect right with our dedicated RP - Union Pacific partner Ryan Brown.

Union Pacific Railroad | RallyPoint

Union Pacific Railroad

Response by PO2 Donal Lewis made Oct 22 at 2014 2:06 PM

PO2 Donal Lewis — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 14:06:46 -0400

There are jobs out there, the draw back is, just because we served in the military, it does not mean we will get cream of the crop employment. Realistically, when you here "military Preference" it does not mean "Intant Mnagement Position", more often than not, it means you will have an opportunity to get an entry level job over the civilian who applied at the same time you did.

I retired in 2002, I got a job with the employer I am currenly working for. I started at a level in 2002 that payed $16.00 an hour, each year or two, I tried to move up to the next level and did. In ten years I moved up to a level were I was making $25.00 an hour. In 2012 an opportunity opened to allow me to move up again. Today, I am making $35.00 an hour.

Unless you have gotten specific certifications that are comparable to the civilian sector, and unless you have a college degree. Ladies and Gentleman I hate to be the one to burst your fantasy bubble, there are only a very few of us lucky enough to land that position that starts paying us $$$, most of us will find we land the job that allow us to meet our needs in the begining and allow us an opportunity to work our way up.

The one thing I have noticed in the civilian sector is that for the most part, civilians are lazy and do not have the drive or motivation to excel and move up, most are content to stay in the postion they are in, most do not want added responsibility. I worked with several civilians and prior military and those of us who were prior military seemed to be the ones striving to better ourselves and move up in the organization.

Just to reiterate, keep your self grounded, be realistic, a job that pays some $$ is better than no job that pays **. If you have to take an entry level position, take it, ask if there are opportunities for upward movement. You will be surprised at how fast a vet can move up once your foot is in the door.

Federal Employent is not a bad way to go, however, keep in mind military retirees, while you are working, you will get to collect your Military retirement, but when in comes time to retire from the fedgov, you will have to make a choice, do you want your Military retirement, or Federal Civil service retirement you have to choose one, you can't have both, no more double dipping for us younger guys.

State Employment is in my opinion, the best option. You will be able to collect both Military and Civilian retirement. Some states such as mine give credit for military service. and some states offer more than one retirement benefit. In my state I qualify for a personal retirement benefit, a supplemental retirement benefit as well as a deffered benefit. so basically when I decide to retire finally, I will have four sources of retirement benefits coming in.

So, I hope this helps some of you out. Best of luck in your endeavors. And don't fall into the trap of thinking something is beneath you, because it might just be that stepping stone that puts you a lot closer to were you want to be...

Response by SGT Jeremy Seiley made Oct 29 at 2014 10:12 PM

SGT Jeremy Seiley — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 22:12:08 -0400

I see that this question is six months old, but after a solid week at work discussing the lack of leadership that we have, I can't help but think that we need "backbone".

There are plenty of opportunities down south along the gulf coast in the oil companies. You can start out around 70K the first year and 120K by the third. Try looking at the big companies like Exxon, Shell, and Chevron.

Response by Cpl Nelson Cheramie, III made Nov 5 at 2014 9:17 PM

Cpl Nelson Cheramie, III — Wed, 05 Nov 2014 21:17:12 -0500

I have seen job ads that specifically state that the employer is looking for O-2, O-3 and above for technician positions. I have to laugh at those ads because officers have never worked on equipment.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 7 at 2014 3:02 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 07 Nov 2014 15:02:22 -0500

Masters degree and no love here. Every time I hear how great the economy is I want to puke.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2014 12:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 12:41:55 -0500

I needed a part time job during school and applied at a machine shop. I got hired for an entry level "stockboy" position and took over the production manager position 6 months later. I found out later that i was hired because the owners wife thought i was cute and she wanted to keep me around. Not because i was a former senior NCO with a great resume... WTF.