Former military members?

[SkinnyDoc44]

I’m in occupational therapy. It pays the bills and it’s relatively low stress compared to the military, but nothing like what I did (was a machine gunner in the Marine Corps) and I miss that type of work. I also do firearms instruction with a pretty impressive company in the DMV area (Six Eight Training Group) that keeps me involved in the shooting world and I’ve actually become a way better shooter than I was in the military. I did get a BS in environmental science just because so I didn’t have to deal with people shoving it in my face if I didn’t have a bachelors. Fortunately that hasn’t been the case. Still, I’m only 28, and I am not set on a career yet, but in the meantime with little kids and a growing family, I need financial security.

I also live on a farm which keeps me bused than when I lived in the suburbs.

I did my path ass backwards. I completed my bachelors prior to joining. Also environmental biology. I’m currently a corpsman in a Scout Sniper platoon.


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[Dave_S]

Oil and gas. Eerily similar to the military, just get paid better.

 

[timekiller13]

Medic in Army.

Now I’m a registered nurse.

 

[ni7ne]

You should see if your local university has a veteran's lounge or workspace type office if you're considering the GI Bill. Not the administrative office. Talk to some people there.

Also don't be afraid to use mgib if you feel it's beneficial. College freshmen are generally a different flavor of dumb than you're used to, but dumb regardless. Some of the generally dumbest people I've met in my life were grad students. I've seen too many veterans that were wrongly intimidated by the prospect of college.
Army Signal --> MechE failure --> Software engineer

 

[schur7559]

One thing I learned in the military was I wanted a stress free job when I got out, even if the pay wasn’t great. I’d say I achieved that goal by becoming a forester. I look forward to going to “work” everyday.

 

[Vrybusy]

Law enforcement since the day I got out. If you decide to go that route, there's a possibility you could receive "military preference points" in pursuing a LE or other public service profession. Good luck!

 

[Eship]

I did my path ass backwards. I completed my bachelors prior to joining. Also environmental biology. I’m currently a corpsman in a Scout Sniper platoon.


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It seemed like a lot of the corpsman I worked with had prior degrees. It was always helpful having them around because it made them seem like more of an adult. The brand new out of high school corpsman were never as good.

Who with? I was in 2/2 and 1/8 and had a lot of friends in the STA platoons. After I did a little time in the reserves with 2/24.

 

[Eship]

As a green side corpsman alum an infantry unit, you’re ripe for any LEO/EMT/Fire type career, but don’t feel like you have to go that route. You could also get in with your state DNR/fish and game as an officer/game warden.

 

[noKnees]

I was an 11B from 84-89 active and 89-93 in the guard while I was in college. went to grad school and I was in scientific instrument capital equipment sales. Good pay, but the continual stress of making a sales number. Retired in May 2025.

Most of the things I got from the military were basic life skills. ie: work hard=success , no matter how hard something seems its not as hard as what I have already done.

 

[Fullfan]

After my 4 years, I liked the paramilitary organization of the Pa State Police. I applied, tested and was accepted into the academy as a cadet. 25 years later at 49 I retired, with a pension that is more than most make a year. Health benefits for the remainder of my life. It was not a career or a job, it was a life style.

What a ride it was.

 

[Drenalin]

Artillery in the Marines, FDC and survey, then ended up in construction as a project manager on the commercial side.

 

[Weldor]

Was a ASM, out in 80. Retired Aerospace welder.

 

[SkinnyDoc44]

As a green side corpsman alum an infantry unit, you’re ripe for any LEO/EMT/Fire type career, but don’t feel like you have to go that route. You could also get in with your state DNR/fish and game as an officer/game warden.

I’m with 3D LCT (what use to be 3/3 before they were disbanded). The DNR/fish and game route has always been attractive; however, I don’t know how well I would fit in with that crowd. Much like fitting in with the platoon much better than I fit in with the Navy side of the house, if that makes sense? Like I said above, my interests are all over the place: tac medic, search and rescue, guide, bush pilot, the list goes on.


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[SkinnyDoc44]

You should see if your local university has a veteran's lounge or workspace type office if you're considering the GI Bill. Not the administrative office. Talk to some people there.

Also don't be afraid to use mgib if you feel it's beneficial. College freshmen are generally a different flavor of dumb than you're used to, but dumb regardless. Some of the generally dumbest people I've met in my life were grad students. I've seen too many veterans that were wrongly intimidated by the prospect of college.
Army Signal --> MechE failure --> Software engineer

I knocked out my Bachelors prior to joining(no I didn’t go the officer route), but I know exactly what you mean. Considered getting my masters with my GI bill, but may get my paramedic or private pilot license instead.


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[Mojave]

I did 20, and have done another 13 in the civil service. Currently in my 4th agency. 9 job. I was mostly an aircraft mechanic in the Navy. Did a lot of things that were not that, and none my current job has any bearing on what I did in the Navy today.

I am 100% sure, I would rather make less money and be in a location I want to be in than make more money and be someplace I didn't want to be.

The only advice I can give.

Don't trust anyone, build friendships but be weary.

Try to do something you can live with, whatever it is.

A lot of vets struggle, even retirees with big deal jobs.

Whatever you did in the military, and for however long thank you for your service.

 

[Skyjacked97ZJ]

I went from career 11B to finance. Got a bachelors and masters and did some equity and bond trading for awhile, decided I hated a desk job and am now in the automotive industry.

 

[Falconer0311]

Was in the Marine Corps for 5 years. FAST and 0311. Before/throughout my enlistment people kept telling me it was a mistake because those MOS's wouldn't lead me to a career on the outside. After my enlistment, I got a job as range control in Virginia. GS pay, great benefits for my family and I get the extra time to progress my career. Started a business and now getting my bachelors 5 more months. All that being said, there's opportunities wherever you look, and use your MOS as leverage to get the job you want.

 

[KHNC]

I am a partner of an insurance agency in WNC. 33 years now. I also run my skid steer some part time, doing some brush cutting.

 

[2531usmc]

Commo guy in the Marines. Used the GI bill to get a degree in Electronic Engineering.

 

[NealS02]

I was an 11B while enlisted, got out shortly after a deployment to Afghanistan in 2010-11, and used my GI Bill to go to medical school (it didn’t cover a whole bunch though nice to have). I am working as an ED physician now.