Are there any civilian jobs that I would be more competitive for by being a Field Artillery Officer?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 07:46:59 -0500

This coming May I will be commissioning into the PA National Guard as a Field Artillery Officer. After graduating from University of Pittsburgh I will obviously have to start looking for a civilian job.

My question is, what skills will I acquire from BOLC that I will be able to transfer into my civilan career (aside from the obvious leadership experience). What job opportunities will open up because of my training within the Field Artillery branch.

Thank you for your help and input,

Cadet Zielinski

Education:
Major: Political Science (Focus in International Relations)
Minor: German

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2014 8:13 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 08:13:50 -0500

1LT Private RallyPoint Member, here's a Googled answer to your question:

http://www.ehow.com/list_6851980_civilian-careers-ex_field-artillery-officer.html

Ideally you'll get someone who works or worked in the field to tell you about their experiences translating field artillery training and experience into a civilian job.

The Best Civilian Careers for an Ex-Field Artillery Officer | eHow

Admittedly, the skills of a field artillery officer don't transfer directly to the civilian world. There aren't very many want ads asking for people who can fire a 105mm M119 howitzer. However, military officers of all branches have leadership and organizational skills that make them assets in positions besides those related to combat. Former...

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2014 1:33 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 01:33:54 -0500

I would capitalize on your leadership skils, try not to advertise too heavily about the military, it can have a negative spin on future opportinities....think -- keep it neutral. Have a professional work your resume up several different ways, do not place heavy emphasis on being an officer, even though it is the most repeated position in the job market...not all HR head hunters will agree. Consider a light, medium, and heavy version of your resume. If you are choosing employment with a company that hires heavy prior military, then you might want to consider using your heavy version. Do the research on demographics of employees, if they don't specifically hire veterans, consider using your light version. Best advice I can give. You should get an OER after graduating, there should be some good bullet points in that you can steal from.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2014 1:40 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 01:40:38 -0500

Great post CW5 Private RallyPoint Member I would just add, don't limit yourself to just these fields, instead, look up the job descriptions from these professions and incorporate them into a current working resume.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 26 at 2014 12:15 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 26 Dec 2014 12:15:23 -0500

Before I bore you with one of my stories, let me give you some real advice quickly...

Google "translating military skills to civilian resume" You'll find free and paid services both which will be most helpful.

Now for the boring part...

Once upon a time, long before I retired, I had a client who sold his company to another who lamented after inventorying his new acquisition, that he had many managers but no leaders. "Not one of them had any previous experience as a military officer, commissioned or NCO. Hell, not one of them was ever even a Boy Scout leader." I was quick to point out that I had been both in hopes of retaining the contract.

The truth is that during a working career spanning almost 50 years, I met many mangers, few leaders. Business and government need them just as much as the military (and are just as likely to fail to realize this).

So, yes, your leadership skills are valuable (recognizing, of course, you don't have any yet. No 2LT ever did - they come with experience). However, don't expect anyone to appreciate them. They will serve you well on the job but may not help you in obtaining one.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 10:39 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 10:39:03 -0500

Thank you for all the responses

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2014 10:50 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 10:50:55 -0500

While I have only ever served on Active Duty since my own commissioning, thinking back to what I would have done then had I been on Reserve/Guard status and putting it into today's job/caree market, I would first find something that I would enjoy doing for a while (not necessarily for a career, but also, not a short term job). I would want to get into something that was interesting to me, and that I would enjoy doing, and not just because I got paid for doing so.
I also graduated with a BA in Political Science (focus in IR), but would have not necessarily focused specifically on that degree, rather my skill sets I honed while earning that degree: research, analytical reading/writing, critical/creative thinking, public speaking, debate/rhetoric, etc.
I was offered a job in retail store management (AAFES), but I knew that wasn;t something I was interested in, even if I wasn't going on AD.
Hope this helps, and like I told my friends that were in your shoes while I went through my Armor Officer Basic Course, good luck!

Response by LTC Andrew Loeb made Feb 9 at 2015 11:46 AM

LTC Andrew Loeb — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 11:46:21 -0500

Connor,

Start by making sure you spell "Graduate" correctly in your opening sentence, I take a little offense as your PMS at PITT for that one. Second seek out the Career Services Division at the University of Pittsburgh for career help and avenues. The unit that you are assigned with your Letter of Acceptance could have some networking opportunities. Finally next week there is a session here on campus.
Thursday, February 12 from 4-6 p.m.
Location: The McCarl Center for Nontraditional Student Success
Join the Office of Veterans Services for this spring’s Veterans Networking Event. Many top military-friendly employers will be in attendance, including Enterprise, Google, PLS Logistics Services, PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., and UPMC. Even if you currently are not looking for a job or internship, this event is a great way to begin building your professional network with companies that are dedicated to hiring veterans! Find out what employers are looking for in candidates and why it is never too early to get started planning for your future career. For more information, contact Brianna McMeekin at [login to see] .

See you in class next Monday.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Aug 3 at 2015 7:14 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 19:14:04 -0400

Confidence, Sir, Confidence. Hell I got of Active Duty having been a I was nuclear missile crewman, no one wants a nuclear artillery missile crewman, shy of some shady third world types. But I had confidence, confidence in myself, confidence that if I could make in front of an interviewer I had a better than average chance of making the cut. It didn't always work out that way, but I never looked back! Keep this in the back of you mind, "Redlegs, we got bigger guns and shoot bigger loads! What you got?" If that didn't make you make you want to go pull a lanyard than hell I got nothing for you.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2016 6:56 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 18:56:19 -0500

Surveyors, any type of management positions, personnel. I use to be in Field Artillery and saw the conversion of what I did as an artilleryman to civilian language. I was impressed. Dress your resume and go after whatever YOU want to be. Just being in the Military period carries a lot of weight compared to many and most. Military and a degree! You shouldn't have an issue getting into what your interested in.

Response by CPT Mark Locken made Dec 28 at 2020 11:12 AM

CPT Mark Locken — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 11:12:27 -0500

None. I am a retired active-duty FA officer. I was fortunate to have had an unusual job doing quality assurance (auditing) for TRADOC just prior to retirement. That job helped me secure a position with the VA doing very similar work. Otherwise, I would have been selling used cars or life insurance.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made May 19 at 2022 12:33 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Thu, 19 May 2022 12:33:57 -0400

If you live in a high snow avalanche area, your highway department probably uses 105s howitzers or a 106 RR to blast them.