Posted on Jan 19, 2015
Coming back to service after being a teacher? Or something else?
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First Post:
I spent 4 years in the USMC, Mortars. Did well, Honorable Discharge, combat deployment. Immediately following I attended college, became a Special Education teacher. 5 years have gone by. I'm having serious 2nd thoughts. There have been no pay raises, no opportunities for advancement, and I'm surrounded by people who are fine doing the SAME thing for their 20 years teaching. Same worksheets, same tests, copy paste, copy paste. I can't see myself doing this for another 15 years. It's a system that accepts / promotes mediocrity. I refuse to continue to be a part of it. I've attempted USAJOBS but to no avail.
I'm looking at the Active Guard Reserve, as a full time career (and lifestyle) switch. I'd really appreciate any and all feedback from those who got out, did the Civ. Div., and decided the military was again calling.
Or, hell, who's got a better idea?
I spent 4 years in the USMC, Mortars. Did well, Honorable Discharge, combat deployment. Immediately following I attended college, became a Special Education teacher. 5 years have gone by. I'm having serious 2nd thoughts. There have been no pay raises, no opportunities for advancement, and I'm surrounded by people who are fine doing the SAME thing for their 20 years teaching. Same worksheets, same tests, copy paste, copy paste. I can't see myself doing this for another 15 years. It's a system that accepts / promotes mediocrity. I refuse to continue to be a part of it. I've attempted USAJOBS but to no avail.
I'm looking at the Active Guard Reserve, as a full time career (and lifestyle) switch. I'd really appreciate any and all feedback from those who got out, did the Civ. Div., and decided the military was again calling.
Or, hell, who's got a better idea?
Prior Service
Civilian
AGR
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 6
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SGT Wells, If you are interested in an AGR job, there a few things you should probably do.
1. You'll need to decide between Air Guard or Army Guard.
2. Research units and figure out where you want to serve.
3. Contact the unit's recruiter and have a chat about their unit's missions and what AFSC/MOS availabilities they have.
4. Once you've chosen a unit you would be interested in joining, take a look at their full-time manning page. Almost every unit in the country has an HRO page online that lists full-time openings.
5. Make an educated decision as to what career field you would like to pursue. Some career fields offer more full-time opportunities. If you have your Bachelor's, there may be an opportunity for a commission. However, full-time positions as an officer are harder to come by.
6. Once you've done all of that, you'll more than likely need to join a unit as a Drill Status Guardsman (DSG). Units very rarely hire an individual into an AGR/Technician position that isn't already serving as a DSG. The only exceptions that I've seen to this are individuals that are coming from AD or civilians that hold a very specific skill set. For example, some full time Civil Engineering folks are required to have a degree in architecture. There aren't a lot of architects floating around in the Guard, so a unit may have to hire an individual that isn't currently serving as a DSG.
I'm a full timer in the Air Guard, so I've gone through the process. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I've run the gauntlet on this thing as both enlisted and commissioned. Good luck and Go Guard!
1. You'll need to decide between Air Guard or Army Guard.
2. Research units and figure out where you want to serve.
3. Contact the unit's recruiter and have a chat about their unit's missions and what AFSC/MOS availabilities they have.
4. Once you've chosen a unit you would be interested in joining, take a look at their full-time manning page. Almost every unit in the country has an HRO page online that lists full-time openings.
5. Make an educated decision as to what career field you would like to pursue. Some career fields offer more full-time opportunities. If you have your Bachelor's, there may be an opportunity for a commission. However, full-time positions as an officer are harder to come by.
6. Once you've done all of that, you'll more than likely need to join a unit as a Drill Status Guardsman (DSG). Units very rarely hire an individual into an AGR/Technician position that isn't already serving as a DSG. The only exceptions that I've seen to this are individuals that are coming from AD or civilians that hold a very specific skill set. For example, some full time Civil Engineering folks are required to have a degree in architecture. There aren't a lot of architects floating around in the Guard, so a unit may have to hire an individual that isn't currently serving as a DSG.
I'm a full timer in the Air Guard, so I've gone through the process. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I've run the gauntlet on this thing as both enlisted and commissioned. Good luck and Go Guard!
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LTC (Join to see)
Sgt Branden W. - Also look into going back to a recruiter in all the branches that you would consider and see if you can re-enlist on active duty. Also look at enlisting for OCS.. If you cant go active or AGR, sign up to be a part-time reservist or Guard member while continuing your civilian job. That would make life more fun. You'll still have the pride and camaraderie of belonging and get additional benefits including a second drill and later retirement income. I am a retired teacher and a retired California National Guard member. I know teaching is a burnout job; I've been there. If you stay in the field consider an different school, a different teaching area, or getting an admin or counseling credential . Just some ideas.
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I spent 10 years out of the service and returned. It's been a tremendous opportunity that I recommend to anyone seeking to return. They gave me the full 8 years even though I was active for 4.
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If you have a problem doing similar tasks for a long time, then you should probably avoid the Active Guard Reserve (AGR). Because promotions are in-state and you basically have to wait for somebody to retire out of the AGR before positions shuffle, people can spend a VERY long time in the same AGR position. AGR is great for people who like stability and to get very comfortable in the same job -- which sounds like it's exactly not what you want. It's not to say everybody in AGR is that way, but those that are not that way tend to get frustrated with its limitations.
There are obviously many other types of positions which you can consider. Have you considered entrepreneurship? I can only speak to that because that is the route I pursued. For example, you could try to start a business which fills a gap in the education space that you recognized through your work experience, or you can start your own franchise. The latter is appealing for a lot of veterans because the blueprints are right there for you... all you really need to do is execute. Plus, the harder you work, the more value you build. I'm not trying to sell you on it, but just throwing some ideas out. Elizabeth Malkin can speak with you further about this if it's of interest.
There are obviously many other types of positions which you can consider. Have you considered entrepreneurship? I can only speak to that because that is the route I pursued. For example, you could try to start a business which fills a gap in the education space that you recognized through your work experience, or you can start your own franchise. The latter is appealing for a lot of veterans because the blueprints are right there for you... all you really need to do is execute. Plus, the harder you work, the more value you build. I'm not trying to sell you on it, but just throwing some ideas out. Elizabeth Malkin can speak with you further about this if it's of interest.
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Sgt Branden W.
Thank You both. Elizabeth Malkin the entrepreneurship, while tempting doesn't scream stability to me. I'v got a very young family, the mortgage, the whole 9 yards. I need something predictable / stable. I almost feel selfish even thinking of giving up the teaching profession.
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LTC Yinon Weiss
Sgt Branden W. - It seems like you are being pulled in two directions then... stability, versus desire for a more dynamic career. Perhaps working at a large defense company would be a middle of the road option for you?
You should still stay open minded to franchising as well...I'm not an expert in it, but from my understanding, it is fairly low risk given the corporate support you receive and the fact that the business model is worked out for you. It is definitely more risky (and a lot more work) than the traditional corporate path though. At the same time, it can be more rewarding.
You should still stay open minded to franchising as well...I'm not an expert in it, but from my understanding, it is fairly low risk given the corporate support you receive and the fact that the business model is worked out for you. It is definitely more risky (and a lot more work) than the traditional corporate path though. At the same time, it can be more rewarding.
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Elizabeth Malkin
Sgt Branden W., you are right to be weighing the risks and to be thinking of your family. LTC Yinon Weiss's suggestion of a larger defence company is a good way for you to get a little bit more into the thick of things whilst maintaining a strong paycheck and benefits package. Another option would be to look at corporations that have really strong veteran hiring cultures which may help to engage you through their veteran community. Joseph Wong works for Time Warner Cable and they have a very strong veteran hiring initiative. So too do Sears Holdings (contact MAJ George Hamilton, Union Pacific (contact Ryan Brown and CR England (contact CSM Michael Lynch. If you have a moment try searching some different industry preference selections into our Career Corner (https://www.rallypoint.com/careers/civilian) it could be a good way to see what companies have a veteran hiring focus and if they have roles that sound interesting to you.
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Sgt Branden W.
Thank you Elizabeth Malkin I had no idea RP had grown to such reaches.
I've ignored this resource for far too long it seems.
I've ignored this resource for far too long it seems.
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