Anyone ever feel like their civilian job is meaningless compared to their time in service?

SFC Nikhil Kumra — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 20:40:18 -0400

Response by MSgt Aaron Brite made Jun 25 at 2015 8:43 PM

MSgt Aaron Brite — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 20:43:28 -0400

Yes, I have felt like that particularly immediate after active duty and working as a loan processor in a cubicle. It's part of the transition between environments and realizing you are sort of starting over in the civilian world and it may be a bit before your civilian career obtains meaning .

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jun 25 at 2015 8:46 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 20:46:25 -0400

I held 3 different Jobs after I retired from the Army. Not one of them was as important or as fulfilling as one day I spent in all my different positions in the Military.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 25 at 2015 8:54 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 20:54:17 -0400

None have the same sense of "purpose."

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jun 25 at 2015 8:54 PM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 20:54:18 -0400

Yep. Every day for the last 8,255 days.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jun 25 at 2015 8:55 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 20:55:48 -0400

Absolutely. It's one of the reasons I created RallyPoint... so I can lead an organization that still makes an impact for a community I care deeply about. I realize not everyone has this option with their job, but that's where I've seen others find fulfillment through other outlets.... either organizations that they get involved in and lead, or something else outside of their day job.

I had to accept that when I left active duty, I would never have the same kind of fulfillment as I had leading troops, but that doesn't mean we can't still have a very positive impact on the world.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 9:11 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 21:11:21 -0400

The two things I wanted when I was 5 was be a firefighter and an "Army Man". Now I do both because of the guard. I love both my jobs and I am a firm believer that each of them offer experiences that make me excel at the other.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 9:17 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 21:17:08 -0400

Yup!

Response by MSgt Erik Copp made Jun 25 at 2015 9:23 PM

MSgt Erik Copp — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 21:23:37 -0400

Every day. I work contract work on the same helicopters I flew on but it still seems meaningless. I've been retired for almost 5 years. It's hard to find the higher purpose when you know you will not be called upon anymore. I've gotten much better over the time but sometimes the emptiness is still there.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 26 at 2015 4:13 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 04:13:00 -0400

Even though I still work for the military by working for a defense contractor on a military contract, I feel like I could train a monkey to do my job.

I get around that by staying involved in the veteran community primarily through donating my time and money to organizations like the Patriot Guard Riders and Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2015 5:13 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 05:13:20 -0400

Every day brother

Response by SFC Nikhil Kumra made Jun 26 at 2015 8:16 AM

SFC Nikhil Kumra — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 08:16:29 -0400

Huh, looks like a unanimous YES. That's depressing. Any advice on where to start finding that sense of "purpose"? I'm 35, in 5 years I'll be 40, I make descent money, but can't seem to move upward fast enough - there seem to be a lot more "gatekeepers" in the civilian world creating their "sense of importance" by making what they do seem more important or "intellectually challenging" than it is. I want to work hard, and do well, but wow, this is just a sad state of affairs if this is all there is to the civilian sector...

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 26 at 2015 8:59 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 08:59:43 -0400

I do get a kick out of the Van Heusen / Docker crowd talking about how hard it is in a "dog eat dog world"

Response by SPC Shannon Lovell/Blanchard made Jun 26 at 2015 9:30 AM

SPC Shannon Lovell/Blanchard — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 09:30:56 -0400

As a school counselor, I feel that my civilian career is just as rewarding as my time in service. I am able to still have an impact in the world today, and our future, by making a difference in the lives of my students.

The time that I spent in the Army has enabled me to also point several of my students towards the military as a career choice, when providing career counseling services to them. I am able to answer specific questions, and share personal experiences, regarding military occupations and the opportunities offered by today's military. In this way, I feel that I am still contributing to the military, just in a different capacity.

I am always very proud to share in the successes of my students.

My students that choose military career paths always have an extra special place in my heart.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 26 at 2015 5:59 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 17:59:38 -0400

In the military you can see the change in the course of destiny, as you become part of a greater endeavor.

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made Jun 26 at 2015 8:24 PM

SGT Anthony Rossi — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 20:24:03 -0400

No, as a Pastor of a small church there is nothing more rewarding than being of Gods military family! Helping people, people helping us. Helping people in their suffering and also rejoicing with them in there accomplishments.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. -2 Timothy 2:3

Response by PO2 Brandon Boucher made Jul 31 at 2015 1:12 PM

PO2 Brandon Boucher — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 13:12:08 -0400

I've always looked for other ways to serve. That is why I became a Life Coach and hold meditation classes while working directly with Veterans. I was looking for a way to continue to serve, beyond the typical volunteer work. I'm impacting so many lives now that I am humbled to be in service again and empowering people to take back their life and make it what they want it to be. My time in the service I felt like I was helping rid the world from evil influences, now I'm helping preserve. and raise the quality of ,the Warrior's life.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Aug 28 at 2015 12:19 AM

SGT Michael Glenn — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 00:19:12 -0400

Yes I did/do Nothing has ever replaced the real world missions I participated in or the countries I humped a ruck through, or the family that can only come from serving with and being a family to a finely tuned Fighting Machine...

Response by CDR Michael Goldschmidt made Aug 18 at 2016 1:26 PM

CDR Michael Goldschmidt — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 13:26:26 -0400

Only ALL THE TIME. We had true, if not imperfect teamwork, in the military. Also, I used to think military leadership was bad...BUT...civilian leadership (with exceptions) is an oxymoron.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2016 2:53 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 14:53:00 -0400

As things now stand I will hopefully begin working at the very same place doing the same job I did just prior to my mandatory retirement (20 years 2 months 21 days.. thank you JEE-SUSS!) I will be a contractor not GS. (But if a GS job opens up..) The guys I have always felt sorriest for or saddest for are the S1 shop guys. I have a friend who did 21 yrs HR work and was not able to get any type of job in that field. I think the avg HR dept clerk in most civ organizations gets paid far less than a 20 year E7.