Which would be a better career and help me out more when I retire or ETS, 15T/U (Blackhawk/Chinook mechanic) or 25B (IT)?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 17:44:32 -0500

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 2 at 2019 6:09 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 18:09:46 -0500

SGM Erik Marquez SSG(P) James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SGT Ben Keen — can any of you gentlemen either chime in with advice or tag others? Thanks!

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jan 2 at 2019 6:16 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 18:16:16 -0500

Honestly, it comes down to where decide to settle. If you decide to go with the 15 series but ETS and move somewhere with no aviation jobs, then finding employment may be rough. The same for IT.

I would aslo tell you to know just bank on the MOS. I've seen Veterans look only at their MOS as the gateway into a civilian job but there is more at play when it comes to that. For example, I work in the IT field and work with a lot of Veterans, I am one of the few that held an MOS that was close to my career. There soft skills that all Veterans have regardless of their MOS that employers are looking. The one big thing you or any other Veteran can do to help with their resume is when writing about your time in the military is to look at your DA638S, counselings, NCOERs/ OERs (if applicable) and pull some bullets out as talking points. Don't write a list of awards you earned, rather write why you got it.

Response by SPC Manuel Ramosmoreno made Jan 2 at 2019 6:57 PM

SPC Manuel Ramosmoreno — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 18:57:29 -0500

It depends what are you better at? In doors out doors?

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 2 at 2019 7:57 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 19:57:05 -0500

SGT Private RallyPoint Member To the best of my knowledge (which is light in this area) neither MOS , following stickily Military training and experience gets you certifications applicable to civilian use.. BUT if you pursue certification you are capable of DUE to your military training and experience either MOS could lead you to after service opportunities.

What I would do is is look forward..... seek out the companies you would want to apply for in 3, 5, 6, 10 years.... find the recruiters and ask .......what certificates, credentials and experience would you look for in a former military person seeking employment?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2019 12:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 00:48:09 -0500

Either one. They're both technical skilled labor jobs. They both require certifications.
Don't pick a job based on what you think you'll do when you get out. I've watched hundreds of people separate and 99% of them don't do the job they did in the Army.
Pick the job you will enjoy doing for the next few years.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2019 5:06 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 05:06:30 -0500

Both careers are good paying jobs you can do whenever you decide to ETS or Retire later down the road. If you don't know, most of these technical jobs like you just mentioned prefer certifications over degrees according to people I know who work in these sectors on the civilian side...... I know a guy right now that has a computer science degree, but no certifications. He still sitting without a job.... Another thing to consider or keep in mind is, in the IT field, you can work with any civilian company to include the federal government anywhere in the world versus blackhawk/chinook mechanic where you are really limited to work either for the federal government or contracting company in certain locations worldwide.......... just have to see which job pays more and have better benefits in the long run........

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jan 3 at 2019 8:58 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 20:58:54 -0500

Both are good -
A friend works for a Company in Saudi and he cleans up as an instructor for aircraft mechanics. He had trouble at first till he hit on the idea of calling them "camels" and Horses". Apparently animal husbandy isn't considered a menial task in the culture and isn't flowned upon.
Another friend make a good living in the UK as an IT guy.