Did you have a career before the military? Did it help or hinder your military career?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:40:25 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 10:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:42:26 -0400

Before I became Active Guard, I worked as a Police Officer. The skills I learned were tremendously useful in the Infantry.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 10:45 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:45:04 -0400

I did not sergeant, this is my first ever job. And I plan on making it my only job.

Response by SPC Carl K. made Apr 30 at 2015 10:46 PM

SPC Carl K. — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:46:03 -0400

Before the army, my primary career was as a corrections officer, with the last three years being a drill instructor at a boot camp for first time offenders in the 90s when that was en vogue. Being a drill instructor prepared me for the mind games that the Drill Sergeants would play during basic training. It helped because I knew what to expect when various things would happen within my platoon.

Response by SFC William Farrell made Apr 30 at 2015 10:46 PM

SFC William Farrell — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:46:54 -0400

Was a long time ago, but me and my twin brother quit high school to join the Army. We hardly every attended so joining was a good thing. We were both very immature but grew up quick. The lack of high school certainly affected career choices available to us in the military along with our age. It's amazing what I realized years later that you should have been learned in high school. We have both been successful and both have college degrees and above but I'd never recommend quitting for any reason. When I mentored high school students while teaching, that was the one thing i always stressed with the finish high school. I'd like to think i made a difference with some of them.

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made Apr 30 at 2015 10:47 PM

1SG Cameron M. Wesson — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:47:29 -0400

No career before the Army. Enlisted when I was 17 and retired at 39. I had no preconceived ideas about the Army... Other than it would be an adventure! And it was... Both good and bad... Humorous and terrifying.... But most of all... rewarding!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2015 11:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 23:01:20 -0400

I have been in the national guard my whole career. When I first got in, I had little unimportant jobs. After my first deployment, I knew I had to look for an actual career. I drove commercial trucks for a couple years then finally used the one thing that we all have an advantage in, civil service. Now I have been a civilian employee for the DOD for 7 years. That is the one piece of advise I will give any former soldier, apply for a career in civil service. You will already have a 5 to 10 point advantage over plain civilians.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 30 at 2015 11:20 PM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 23:20:04 -0400

I would not say I had a career, but I had 4 or more jobs, all of which taught me the value of real hard work.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2015 6:39 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 May 2015 06:39:47 -0400

Before I joined the Army, I was a Mortician & I worked part time at Starbucks as an assistant store manager (and like a million jobs before those). The way I think that it has helped my career is that I have a point of comparison. So many Soldiers of many ranks have never worked a day in their lives before they enlist or commission. I have seen a lot of good people get out because they want more freedom of choice. Well, freedom of choice is great, BUT, when it comes to civilian employers, civilian benefits...most jobs and many careers don't compare, not by a long shot. We have it good in the military, and I think being able to see and appreciate that, helps me see past some of the stupid things we do, to consitently visualize the picture at large.

Response by SPC Anne Miller made May 1 at 2015 11:04 AM

SPC Anne Miller — Fri, 01 May 2015 11:04:10 -0400

I was a teacher for a short time before joining the Army. It helped with leadership skills.

Response by TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan made May 1 at 2015 7:19 PM

TSgt AnnaBelle Bryan — Fri, 01 May 2015 19:19:54 -0400

The military was my career and now I get to have a 2d career

Response by SPC Matt Johnson made May 2 at 2015 3:46 AM

SPC Matt Johnson — Sat, 02 May 2015 03:46:29 -0400

I was raised in a family where I was the only male. After graduating high school my family gave me 2 options. Go to school or get a job and pay us rent. Well after 10 years of living under the roof with a bunch of woman that sounded like squawking Macaws. staying there did not appeal to me. I tried applying for jobs in the building trades but had no luck, 2 year wait list. So I took on what ever jobs I could through a temp service. Everything from assembly line to cemetery grounds keeper to custodian. As far as school was, I had no way to finance school. So I choose a 3rd option...the Army. There I thought..."FINALLY! I'm free from all those squawking woman!" I get to Basic Training and who do I get as a DS? I got the meanest most pissed off female DS that looked like a female Hulk. I felt like I was back at home. she asked more like yelled "WHY DON'T I SCARE YOU PRIVATE?! Ever person here is shaking in their boots...but not you. Why is that private?" Me "If you met my family Drill Sergeant you would know it's because you make feel right at home Drill Sergeant!" I was on almost every KP duty they had after that and had the upper body strength of a gorilla and legs hard as a rock by the end of basic.

Response by SPC Matt Johnson made May 2 at 2015 4:06 AM

SPC Matt Johnson — Sat, 02 May 2015 04:06:42 -0400

In the military the skills you need to succeed are intestinal fortitude, determination, willingness, and a never quit never die attitude. Oh and the ability to hold your liqueur and not do something so stupid you get court martialed for it

Response by 2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2015 9:11 PM

2d Lt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 May 2015 21:11:22 -0400

I had a career as a Branch Manager for a local bank. I was even licensed to sell securities. I enlisted in the reserves, having already completed my degree, because I wanted to work with my hands and give back to a community that had given me much. The culture and camaraderie of military life made active duty so appealing I un-palace chased, left the bank and went full time.

I think it taught me a few things:
The grass is not greener on the outside, it is just a different shade of green due to different manure.
Dollar signs aren't everything, culture and friends make a better workplace.
Having a mission, and understanding your part in it, is way better than grinding at a job because you're supposed to or because that is what your degree is in.
Starting over, and at the bottom of the ladder, is humbling.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 3 at 2015 7:52 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 03 May 2015 07:52:02 -0400

I wouldn't say a career. I worked at McDonald's for a short time and also mucked out horse stalls for a few years. Both did teach me the value of hard work and staying busy "even when things were slow" so that I wouldn't get yelled at for slacking off.

The thing that probably helped prepare me the best for a military career though was being a student of the martial arts. A lot of discipline and respect for my fellow students and instructors somewhat helped me get ready for the Navy.