When you were discharged or left the service, did you go into the workforce or did you go to school first?

2016-01-11T10:05:19-05:00

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 10:06 AM

2016-01-11T10:06:50-05:00

I rode the Harley for 6 months before starting the job I locked in prior to retirement.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 10:07 AM

2016-01-11T10:07:11-05:00

School built a buffer for me to get a lot of other things handled. A degree may not always be necessary but it does help, especially since I have to use my GI Bill within 10 years.

Response by SGT Larry Prentice made Jan 11 at 2016 10:08 AM

2016-01-11T10:08:33-05:00

I was NG so when I retired, I was already working. I didnt go back to school for a few months after I retired.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 10:13 AM

2016-01-11T10:13:40-05:00

When I got out, I had the equivalent of an Associate's in Electrical Engineering. I was hired by Kodak to do Field Engineering. I started taking courses at night, it took me almost 7 years, but I got my Bachelor's in Computer Science.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jan 11 at 2016 10:15 AM

2016-01-11T10:15:29-05:00

I have worked in a civilian job and NG\Reserve for the past thirty years and completed three degrees. I wish I would have taken a break or two. It will be nice just to have one job.

Response by SFC Frank Hartley made Jan 11 at 2016 10:15 AM

2016-01-11T10:15:29-05:00

Went straight to my cabin in TN.

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Jan 11 at 2016 10:17 AM

2016-01-11T10:17:23-05:00

I retired on a Thursday ,got a phone call on Friday. Started my new job on Monday. I would of liked to taken a month off but this was too good of a job offer to turn down. I held it for 5 yrs and made enough money to buy a Snapon tool franchise. I spent 20 years as a Snapon tool dealer and retired last year. It was all good.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jan 11 at 2016 10:17 AM

2016-01-11T10:17:24-05:00

After being involuntarily separated from the active component of the US Army in October 1992, I was employed with one month Bethany Duffy. I already had a BS from USMA and was a trained ORSA with experience by that time. After leaving the military on October 1, 1992 I went on a cruise off Central and South America with my wife. When I got back I had a job offer which I accepted. I also accepted a commission in the USAR and served there until June 1, 2008 including a mobilization from October 2001 until May 2004. My job was waiting for me after I got demobilized.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 11 at 2016 10:30 AM

2016-01-11T10:30:26-05:00

I entered into a job with no relation to my military or prior civilian career or education: Marketing/Advertising/Public Relations. I was fortunate to work with a group of mentors, each of whom provided me with an outstanding education in the various disciplines associated with this new career and I received a VA stipend to supplement my salary under the provisions of On The Job Training (OJT). I hope they still have that program. There's nothing like being educated by those who can do rather than those who can't

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Jan 11 at 2016 10:31 AM

2016-01-11T10:31:15-05:00

I took some time off and spent 6 months going through the process to become a St. Louis County Cop. What fun that was...NOT

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 10:34 AM

2016-01-11T10:34:19-05:00

Got my degree on active duty. My jobs in the Air Force gave me skills to earn a decent living. Got out May 31st. Started work Aug 8th.

Response by PO1 Matthew Murdock made Jan 11 at 2016 11:36 AM

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Got to make that money!!!

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Jan 11 at 2016 11:54 AM

2016-01-11T11:54:01-05:00

Learn first then work... Simple.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 12:06 PM

2016-01-11T12:06:44-05:00

I went into a job directly related to what I did in the military. I have since transitioned, but it is loosely related. I also finished up school while working and as of about a month ago, just finished my Master's without paying a dime for it. Go GI Bill!

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Jan 11 at 2016 12:45 PM

2016-01-11T12:45:34-05:00

I went straight to work for Coca Cola and realized I was working entirely to hard to be a retired Army vet. I then decided to go to school and educate myself for a more relaxed job.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Jan 11 at 2016 1:37 PM

2016-01-11T13:37:37-05:00

I found 7 years of school to be a great buffer in my transition from paramilitary service (LE) into military and back to civilian service where I was able to learn new skill sets either way.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 2:56 PM

2016-01-11T14:56:02-05:00

In spite of what they told me when I was going through TAPS, no one was beating down my door to hire me -just because I was a Navy vet-. I was un/under-employed for over a year after separation. It took me almost another year to get into school following that, but once I got into school, there was no looking back and I ended up with a couple of Associate degrees, a couple of Bachelor degrees, and my Masters. Then I got a job with a university and was helping student-veterans with their benefits (education and otherwise).

There is quite a bit of information that is passed along (or did 14 years ago) that is either wholly or at least partially incorrect when it come to how school and education benefits will work as well as not enough information on how to translate your military specialty to civilian jobs.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 3:15 PM

2016-01-11T15:15:46-05:00

It depends, if you are 20 something and no kids or 40 something and 8 kids.

Response by SPC Candace Leach made Jan 11 at 2016 4:19 PM

2016-01-11T16:19:40-05:00

I ended up doing both work and school to keep myself occupied and need the challenge.

Response by SCPO Willton Silvestre made Jan 12 at 2016 3:44 PM

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Distance Learning!!!

http://www.newson6.com/story/30397727/spartan-college-offering-workforce-transition-class-for-military

Spartan College Offering Workforce Transition Class For Military

Tulsa's Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology is offering a first-of-its kind program for those leaving the military.It's a custom program, approved by the FAA for aviation maintenance.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2016 6:45 PM

2016-01-12T18:45:47-05:00

At some point I finally figured out that if your not moving forward, you are falling behind. Falling behind is bad when you have a family to support.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2016 1:23 AM

2016-01-14T01:23:18-05:00

When I got out, I went to work as an operator at a chemical plant, and started school. Working full time, I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Business and Industrial Management in five and a half years.

Response by Sgt Joey Eisenzimmer made Jan 15 at 2016 9:59 AM

2016-01-15T09:59:58-05:00

EAS late July and was already enrolled in a university to start end of August. I'd highly recommend going to school while working or push through immediately. In about 2.5 years after EAS I'll be graduating in May with my MBA. A thousand doors have opened nearing graduation and earning my project management professional certification. I've also worked on the side for some great companies to earn some extra income.