Did you know what you wanted to do once you got out? Or, did you just say sink or swim? What did you do?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 23:11:48 -0500

Response by MSgt Daniel Attilio made Nov 27 at 2015 11:40 PM

MSgt Daniel Attilio — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 23:40:25 -0500

I had plan in place several years before retirement - attend Spartan and earn my A&P. However wasn't totally prepared for what to do after that. Had GI Bill benefits remaining and opted to pursue Master's degree. One more semester and have amped up my job searching so am prepared when this chapter closes.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2015 11:53 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 23:53:36 -0500

I had a plan in place before I separated. I was going to find a job, and go to school to earn a degree. Once I had my degree, I was going to work on the Space Program. My plan was a good one, because I worked 33 years on the Space Shuttle program. Have a plan before you get out. Know the skills and education needed for your dream job, and then go for it.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 28 at 2015 12:27 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 00:27:43 -0500

SPC Private RallyPoint Member All I wanted was OUT!

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2015 1:22 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 01:22:36 -0500

Sank lower than whale poop!!!

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Nov 28 at 2015 8:52 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 08:52:06 -0500

The job I got out to take evaporated before I got out-processed; then it was sink-or-swim.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Nov 28 at 2015 11:42 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 11:42:32 -0500

I took a position as a "management intern" which turned out to be selling life insurance. You can make a helluva good living selling life insurance IF you can sell life insurance. Most can't. That's when I shipped my car to the West Coast (from Hawaii) and began driving across the country looking for work. No, I didn't have a clear idea of what I was looking for. I got as far as Denver when someone suggested that I visit a small ad agency in Fort Collins that had been looking for someone. That led to one of the most unusual opportunities ever. A group of very talented and experienced marketing/advertising/PR people came together as though just for the explicit purpose of mentoring me. They arranged for me to receive a VA OJT educational stipend to supplement my salary. That launched a ten year career during which I rose to own my own agency in Southern California. Sadly, the combination of a major recession and a partner who embezzled the business brought that to an end and I was off on a new career...

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Nov 28 at 2015 3:36 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 15:36:39 -0500

Did I know what I wanted to do when I got out? No, not knowing what I wanted to do is why I came in and I am no closer to knowing now than when I retired. In truth, I was not looking to retire except it was what I thought was best for the family.
Did I sink or swim? While I guess that is for others to answer, I am still at least treading water, so I have not complete sank...yet.
What did I do? Found a job and when to work. I see lots of jobs for people willing to work.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Nov 28 at 2015 7:30 PM

MAJ Alvin B. — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 19:30:46 -0500

No, not really. I knew I wanted to improve on my military service. However, the primary concern was being able to get a job which would allow me to support my family and pay the bills.
Through a twist of fate I ended up working for 13 'years as a government contractor/consultant in a city and state I had never even considered in my job search.
Now I work for myself,--and am managing to keep my head above water,..

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 28 at 2015 8:14 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 20:14:47 -0500

I float. Floating is better than sinking. Nothing really shines brightly in my horizon now. Unfortunately I have lost passion, but I still feel gratitude for what I have.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 28 at 2015 8:30 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 20:30:17 -0500

I didn't actually decide what I wanted to do until about a year before I got out, and fortunately, with a lot of preparation and networking, everything fell right into place!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2015 9:31 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Nov 2015 21:31:52 -0500

1. Did you know what you wanted to do once you got out? Yes. I wanted to continue doing Intelligence or something similar using my skills I learned in the military.

2. Did you just say sink or swim? Neither sink or swim. However, I ended up on the Titanic. No life boat or a life preserver. I treaded water until I found a small life raft with a small hole that I managed to plug.

3. What did you do? I took the first job I could to generate income. It was a $8 hour job and barely making 20 hours a week. A month later I was picked up by another company with the same salary but with more hours (35 to 40 hours per week). Since I could not generate the income I needed, I was forced into Chapter 13 Bankruptcy after being retired for 6 months. I worked with that company for 3 years, working my way up to a manager making $11.35 an hour. Although I wanted to just throw my hands up, I some how found a way to continue to push myself forward. Then I was hired by the VA as a Textile and Supply Supervisor for the Environmental Management Service (Housekeeping). I have been with the VA for just over a year and a half. Although it is not my dream job, it is a lot better than where I was at. It works for now until something better comes along.

Bottom line: You may not get what you want, but don't give up trying. Always have a plan B.

Response by SFC Mark Trees made Dec 1 at 2015 4:28 AM

SFC Mark Trees — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 04:28:28 -0500

I had a plan "A" to teach middle school science when I separated. While in college, I adopted a plan "B" of maybe teaching, but also looking at other opportunities and so far it has worked out extremely well. Now I am a geologist for an energy company and I get paid to do my hobby. I can always teach later if I want, but I plan on riding this opportunity as long as I can.