Employment after retirement?

2015-05-12T14:19:51-04:00

Hint: You can paste a link to a video or article, or simply add more details to your question.

Invite others to respond by typing @name

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 2:26 PM

2015-05-12T14:26:55-04:00

My question is this:
I hear horror stories of people not finding a job that they like or there is no real structure to their job they get. I am an AGR Soldier who will not retire until Feb of 2022 with 25 YOS, unless promotions happen. I have been going back and forth with what I want to be when I finally grow up and join the civilian world. I am planning on taking time off to be a dad to my baby girl through her last 2 years of high school, (hope I do not kill some dumb boy).
I go back and forth between finding a job to help grow young men/women (teacher or ROTC instructor) or starting my own handy man/construction/contractor business... I want to be able to make a difference and also enjoy my family... They have suffered enough!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2015 2:35 PM

2015-05-12T14:35:56-04:00

The thing about a job is that it is much like life. Nothing is or should be given to you, you must earn it. Whether a job is boring or exciting is as much or more a function of you than the job itself. If you throw your all into it you will be far more satisfied than if you just do the minimal.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 12 at 2015 2:39 PM

2015-05-12T14:39:17-04:00

Probably the best part about the military is that it teaches you that "your job, is not really your job."

What I mean is, even though you are trained for X, doesn't mean that you have to do X.

You're a E7. That's a fully qualified "Manager." Period. You know how to Manage people. It doesn't matter if you are doing it in your field or another field, or wherever. You're 85% of the way there. You're also an NCO, which means you're an Instructor. In theory you can teach people. You've been doing it for a long time, it's just figuring out how to teach them something specific.

All you have to do is figure out what "additional" training you need (or want) to dovetail into something else.

Don't be scared to take chances. I was an Intel Analyst. I ended up a Gun Dealer, then a Dispatcher, and a few other things along the way. Some things were enjoyable. Some things weren't worth the money.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 12 at 2015 3:02 PM

2015-05-12T15:02:47-04:00

I myself found my niche working for a defense contractor. I've floated between a few different companies and positions, but I finally found one that I both enjoy and pays really well.

What helped me was having an existing security clearance and IT certifications (I work in IT obviously).

My first job was as a contractor, but it was with mostly Department of Homeland Security civilians, many of them with no military experience. The rest of my jobs all of my co-workers and customers were veterans or active duty Marines (my 2 previous jobs) or Air National Guardsmen (current job). I found that I'm more comfortable around vets and active duty than I am with "civilians."

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 12 at 2015 11:12 PM

2015-05-12T23:12:42-04:00

What is your question? MSG Private RallyPoint Member?