Are there any veterans that joined Americorps Vista, USAID, Peace Corps organizations? Foreign Service Officer jobs?

SSG Mike Angelo — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 13:33:29 -0400

After retiring in 1996, I had some personal challenges to go back to school and get my degree(s), because I knew from my family and friends that its the "haves versus the have nots" when it comes to upper management levels, and senior executive service job markets. Big bucks in job positioning. <div><br></div><div><div>My motivation for joining this type of service, VISTA was for education; 5.6k scholarship, which after 1 year of service I can use toward my doctorate studies. Secondly, to get outside the house and to physically help others. </div><div><br></div><div>Retired Military and Sill Serving America... </div></div>

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Apr 20 at 2014 1:37 PM

SSG Mike Angelo — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 13:37:26 -0400

Due to the dynamics of change in planning, operations and executions, the veteran stands out in the application process, duty assignments, tenure, and job positioning in upper level management and increase responsibilities.   

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2014 2:02 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 14:02:05 -0400

I cannot speak about VISTA because I never looked in to it, or the Peace Corps because I am ineligible for service (Military Intelligence activities), but I attempted to work for USAID and was struck by the intense prejudice I encountered as a veteran.  <div><br></div><div>Before I joined the military, I worked with USAID as a contractor in Bosnia for four years.  I ran a $10M contract.  Prior to that, I had 15 years of work in higher ed.  But my military experience seemed to completely overshadow that, and the word I was getting is that I would not be a good "fit."  I will concede that it is possible that the remarks I heard are not USAID policy, but they came from fairly high level individuals, so really what's the difference?  </div><div><br></div><div>They have a bunch of slick aids claiming they have a "commitment to hiring veterans," but I have seen no evidence of that (and they are not the only organization making this seemingly unsubstantiated claim).  Their Vets Helping Vets contact person never returned emails or phone calls and basic research turned up that the individual did not work for USAID (don't know if he ever did, but didn't when I looked).  <div><br></div><div>Like most other government agencies, USAID turned out to be a dead end.</div></div>

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2020 2:55 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 02:55:09 -0400

Hell yeah, great to hear!! (I may be late)
I was Americorps for a year before joining the Navy. I plan on going back too lol.
There is no beating the amount of help you provide by serving on the TRUE frontlines of our country... not afghan, china, or poland lol
Americorps teaches citizens how to budget, come up with idea when there is not infrastructure. As a veteran, you are the best for the job, you've led men/women, balanced a budget, worked in a diverse culture. You're ready for Americorps. Dont let the pay discourage you either, I had 9500/year, and that included rent in Seattle lol. VERY humbling compared to even the military.

Again thank you for your service. So many of our vets think that carrying a m4 around their shoulder a few years is service enough to their country.