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.

I had an AA degree when I enlisted in the Marine Corps ('91-'95) and finished my BA in education in '97. Been teaching ever since in both FL and GA, 5th, 6th, and 8th grade, mostly in math.
Job has changed a lot in regard to student and parent responsibilities and accountability. I can't imagine a career for me that didn't offer higher highs while contradicting it with lower lows. Both glorious and awful, so I would definitely sub, volunteer, and talk to teachers you trust. Also, every school system is different as is every campus. Then you have K-12th grade, varying curriculums (kids often want to do certain subjects more than others), SpEd/gifted/on-level, and leadership (principals can change the school's environment more than you might think).
Some settings will fit one person better than another so check into a variety of places. Also, the teacher shortage and lowering numbers of graduates entering the field means you will find work. Question is: why are people not entering/leaving the profession?

While active duty I became a Master Instructor in the USAF after having been selected as a technical training Instructor. Many people had negative things to say about becoming an instructor, but it has served me well throughout my life.
Upon retirement I was immediately hired to teach at an adult vocational education College. Over the following 25 years I taught for three different colleges. It has had its ups and downs, but a very rewarding experience overall.
Additionally, I became a published author in my field many times over. Skills I was taught and were developed while in the AF aided me as a writer.
I hope this is helpful to you. Good luck and God bless you.
Thomas O’Brien MSgt USAF ret. IDMT, AAS, CCT, CRAT, RMA, CCMA, CPT

Good luck in your endeavor, I kept an open mind before teaching anything, most of the subjects I taught were just, my profecting the experence, and able to teach it to others.
No formal educating, but educated in the skill field, an intrest I kept and worked at in years. Not looking to teach, but it just happened and a satisfying experence to teach others a trade skill.
I like it when someone has a direction, and follow through to get what they wanted to accomplish. And, I adore those that had no real direction, and made a career out of something they enjoy, and helping others in their path in life.
What ever the choice, its a stepping stone in your travels, enjoy.

I got an MEd from Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio after my Army 3 years in the Medical Field and was disappointed in the ROI (Return On Investment) because I had to go back into civilian hospitals to make ends meet. Public schools are a bag of worms if your the Bread Winner in the family. The Politics in education are so discouraging.
I then went to National University in San Diego, California and earned an MBA which saved me financially. My salary at the first bank tripled all previous incomes. Remember that the financial industry is NOT a fun place to work because you have to produce profits no matter what the conditions are in the economy. This program was worth it's weight in gold because I also got a Real Estate Brokers license, a Real Estate Appraisers license, a Notary Public license, etc.

Yes, after retiring I went back to get a masters in education so I could teach math in Fairfax County schools. I had taught math for two years in the US Military Academy Prep School while it was at Ft. Belvoir and fell in love with teaching. I lasted for almost ten years teaching 8th graders in a public school until I just could not put up with them any more. I wish I'd gone to a parochial school where discipline matters!

I am retired army major. I also worked in a military facility after retiring. After a few years of that I applied to the public school department of education as a substitute teacher. I have been doing it almost 11 years and I love it. The diversity of age groups, the ability to go to different schools and the freedom to pick and choose the days I want to work are my reasons for staying. I found out early which subjects and some school to avoid. Here in Hawaii we don't need education degree as long as we have a bachelor's degree. I don't need to be proficient in any particular subject because the teacher usually gives detailed lesson plans. I can also, even without a degree get hired as an emergency hire and receive the same pay as licensed teachers.. I choose to stay with subbing because it is less work. Anyway, I love the job and it may be a good way for you to test the waters. DJF

Yes, loved teaching. Semper Fi

Taught Automotive Technology for over 10 years to high school and postseconday students a few years after ETS. Like most others have said, I absolutely loved it. IMHO there is no better way to make a difference in this crazy world we live in!

Yes, I became a teacjer. taught for 32 years, loved it, but enjoy retirement. Semper Fi

I taught undergrad courses for a few years at an un-named "for profit" university using my Master's degree. I stopped teaching there after a student plagiarized an entire paper except for his name. The school's policy was that plagerization would cause expulsition. However, the Dean instructed me to give him a zero and he would have to repeat the class. Now, I made the assumption it was based on money, but the bottom line is that if you have a policy, you abide by the policy. Either way, I decided I didn't need th grief or stress. On the other hand, I've been a government contractor for over 18 years!