Posted on Jan 17, 2019
SGT Petroleum Heavy Vehicle Operator
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SGT Combat Engineer
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Edited >1 y ago
Some considerations:
- Consider staying in until you make at least E-6
- Plan on using your GI Bill and do as much coursework while you are still in as you can do and do well.
- Consider National Guard service when you leave - in some states, such as Florida, you could / used-to-could get free tuition and fees at state universities and colleges AND STILL DRAW YOUR ACTIVE GI BILL.
- Network with defense industry firms that create or deliver training (military training - as an employment opportunity for yourself as a trainer or training developer). Do this before you get out.

When I first got out, I went back to school and took a night job in the alarm industry. The alarm industry, by the way, stinks (or did for me). I languished 7 years there. Then I discovered the defense industry.

If you leave the Active, Regular Army as an E-6 or higher, and especially if you have an active clearance, then you can probably find a good job in the defense industry creating or delivering training. Combine such a job with online college education and possibly the National Guard option, and transition should go very well. I got into the defense world as only an E-5, but that took some extra effort. I recommend sticking around for E-6. I also recommend making use of the defense industry as a springboard into your civilian career.

I have ended up, after a long, winding journey, as a software developer - which has nothing to do with 12B whatsoever, but when i got out of the alarm industry, I REALLY needed out of that industry and I was very glad to have found a position at that time in defense.
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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Whatever job you want.

The most valuable skill the Army teaches is leadership. That contains a subset of skills like creative solutions, resource management, grit, and teamwork that will enable you to overcome any challenge afterwards, plus give you a GI Bill and Tuition Assistance to get the job you want, and a VA home loan to buy your first house, and even a VA small business loan if you want to become an entrepreneur. If you're thinking about what entry level technical skill you can leave the Army with, you're thinking too small.
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SGT Combat Engineer
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As a former 12B, I agree. The civilian world will be unlikely to fully understand what you did as a 12B, but the LEADERSHIP and RESPONSIBILITY are going to be your biggest points.
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CPL Mark Andersen
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As a 12B I worked in construction, for a lumberyard, then in a call center. Then I went back to school and got my bachelors in IT, and a Masters in communications.

Today I work full time as an IT OSS analyst For a telecommunications company, and part-time as a writer.

I can tell you this, if you go to school and get trained for telophony, or networking, the company I work for would give you a look for a service Technician role.
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