Did anyone go into teaching when they retired/separated from the military? What was your experience like?

I did the contractor thing after retiring from the Navy back in ‘95. After 9/11, I entered Old Dominion University Military Transition Program which led to a Masters in Education, which I used my GI Bill for my classes. Something I did, which recommend is try substitute teaching. I did this to make sure I wanted to teach. I figured if I could survive substitute teaching, I could handle my own classroom and it gave me an idea of with which age group I might enjoy working. I got a provisional license, Which in Virginia allows you to teach before you complete your licensure. I spent 7 years teaching Middle School Social Studies, relocated to another school district and got a position teaching elementary school for the next 13 years. I retired after 20 years of teaching in 2022. I don’t regret a moment of it.

I started while in high school. I taught first year Electronics since I was already working in that field after school and on Saturdays. I was 100% disabled before I retired.

Yes, I went to the Wenatchee Valley College and got 4 degrees and then moved back to Kansas where I taught for 7 years in the Junction City School district as a substitute teacher, accumulating over 4 full years of teaching. Kindergarten through 12th grade. Math, history, English and Science.

Greatest (and easiest) and most rewarding job I ever had. Did 17 years of AFJROTC after retiring from the military and loved it! Would highly recommend to those who have patience, are humble, and want to make a positive impact in the future of our world!

Left the service after Nam and went back to school. Had a 40 year career with NOAA.
Have PHD in Meteorology and starting teaching at a local university in 2008.
I love it. Did it for 6 years. Had a great time. Would do it again, but the university doesn't want 80 year old teachers teaching 20 year old kids.

When I got out, I went to a community college, then UC Irvine for my BA/BS, then UC Berkeley for my PhD in Psychology. My first positions were teaching at universities and medical schools in Israel. I really loved that because almost every student had already done their mandatory time on active duty. They were very bright, older and more mature students than in the US.
When I returned to the US at began teaching back at Berkeley, I found it a bit disappointing. Many students lacked enthusiasm. Berkeley focused more on research than teaching quality courses. I felt I came back only to realize that at UC Berkeley- the Emperor had no Clothes.

Unmotivated students and uninspiring fellow professors. I moved on to focus on research and community service positions elsewhere.

After retiring from the Army, I taught JROTC at the high school I graduated from in 1974 and yes I was a member of the JROTC program. I taught for 12 years before I had to take a medical retirement because I had cancer. I love teaching the kids about life experiences and the military. Most of them were very receptive to the program but others were there for an easy credit. As Cpl Vic Burke said, Teaching is not for everyone, and try out substituting for a while to see if if is your cup of tea. By the way, I also got involved with the court juvenile justice system and went on to get my Bachelor's Degree in Sociology/Criminal Justice.

I did a different type of teaching. For several years, I was a museum volunteer teacher in a one room log cabin school. I took the kids back to 1840 when we were a territory and not a state. I always knew what schools and towns they came from and halfway through, I would turn the tables on them and ask them questions about the towns that they came from. It was fun and I could judge the reaction by watching their teachers' faces. My goal was to have them continue the discussion when they returned to their own classrooms.

You might want to start as a substitute teacher at all levels to see if that is something you really want to do.

I started college in September 1966, to become a surveyor but the atmosphere towards Vietnam Vets was more than I could take and quit after the first semester. Went to work at the local Army Depot for three years using the skills I learned from the Navy electronics. A teaching position became available at the newly opened Vocational School for an Electronics Instructor. Started there in 1970 and retired in 2003 got bored and went back to the same school as a substitute until 2020. Navy training and the GI Bill helped me get and keep the job.