Did any other 51B's find it hard to get work as a civilian carpenter or brick layer?

I deployed with a number of carpentry and masonry specialists, now called a 12W. The majority of them had a lower skill level than I would expect from a day laborer. The most qualified would have had a hard time getting a job above mason tender or carpenters helper. I did not meet a single one I would have hired as a mason or carpenter. I did not go through the school, so I don't know if that is a TRADOC issue or more of a unit issue. (The company had plenty of other problems too.) However, there were a number of basic skills, they simply didn't seem to have been taught. The Army Engineer magazine recently ran an article highlighting the lack of training for 12Ws, so I suspect that that has something to do with the issue.

Carpenters and Masons often have to go where the work is, that is where construction is high and expected to remain so. Survey the country (google) and find where this type work is highly sought after and decide if you can test the waters by heading there.

Same happened to me in 90. It sucked even though my training was civilian instead of AIT.

Was told the same thing also many wouldn't hire me because I'm a woman

I wasn't a specialist I was an e-5 sergeant

I was an Equipment operator on active duty , got out in 1981 and had to take a laborer job at a limestone quarry, I had to prove that I had the skill to be an operator, I ended up the shovel operator loading trucks , also the drill operator, and loading the dynamite. To make a long story short you do have to prove yourself to the civilian world even though you have the training. When I moved back to Oklahoma in 1989 there were no Equipment jobs to be had I once again had to prove myself again as a carpenter/ electrician I had 15 w-2s that year working for a temporary agency before I got on at the Post Office now I'm fixing to retire from there in a few years, I still have the Engineer skills and have used them over the years . Don't limit yourself just to carpentry/ Masonry always seek to improve yourself.

I found it easy to get jobs, entry level to start, then showed my military work level. the pay got better but the work involved travel and was seasonal. I slid over to manufacturing for the off season and when my knees and back did not want to pour more concrete, I stepped out of the game

I live in a rural area with little military presence, by contract the FBI did my background check for my security clearance.
I spent 4 years total on border patrols in the Korean DMZ, 3 years on Czech/German border patrols, plus providing security for nuclear weapons sites.
I was turned down for a security job because I admitted that the FBI had a file on me.
Civilians have little knowledge of the military. Look for a veteran owned company that has knowledge of your background.

I'm always looking to connect with transitioning Seabees, Dirt Boys, A-Gangers, and Machinist Mates, and the men and women who maintain military ships, submarines, aircraft, vehicles and military installations around the globe! I know they can take a patch of dirt and convert it overnight to an operational military outpost. These military veterans are a well-trained, experienced workforce I love to engage them in considering engineering, facilities and maintenance roles at Hilton Worldwide!

I know that a lot of these trade skills are dominated by unions. You could look into joining one of those or try to start something on your own. I have never been told that directly, but I have seen condescension in the eyes of some potential employers. Keep your head up and do not give up!