Posted on May 26, 2016
Has a civilian employer ever offered you less annual or hourly compensation based on your rank in the service??
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In my transitioning out of the Marine Corps, I had an employer offer me a lower annual salary, not due to a lacking skill set, but because I was a Sergeant when I separated. It was interesting to me that some employers would take this approach regardless that there are some junior service members NCOs that hold/held Senior Management billets. Similar experiences out there?
Posted in these groups: 
Transition
GS Civilians
Transition GS Civilians
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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No it was never a factor - my qualifications to the do job was the factor. What makes you believe that your prior military rank was a factor in compensation? What is the particular field you worked in during the service and how does it correspond to your current civilian position - some context would be helpful.
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Sgt Christopher Wenzel
I was a Financial Management Resource Analyst. My responsibilities encompass the execution of government funding and carrying defense contracts from cradle to grave. Its a lot like being an accountant and a contract specialist.
In addition to that, I'm also a Systems Tech for the Marine Corps Accounting program and currently assisting in the transition of the Navy moving over from their old accounting system.
With this said, the only lucrative and meaningful employment I can find is in Defense Contracts or Government Employment. This is probably why I was screened by my rank. It didn't matter that I was once a Lance filling a Gunny's billet and directly influenced in the command achieving multiple Mission Capable ratings on every base inspection, after my predecessor failed. It didn't matter that I was the Accounting Chief of a Component level command responsible for two regiments and their subordinate units. They just saw a Sergeant.
In addition to that, I'm also a Systems Tech for the Marine Corps Accounting program and currently assisting in the transition of the Navy moving over from their old accounting system.
With this said, the only lucrative and meaningful employment I can find is in Defense Contracts or Government Employment. This is probably why I was screened by my rank. It didn't matter that I was once a Lance filling a Gunny's billet and directly influenced in the command achieving multiple Mission Capable ratings on every base inspection, after my predecessor failed. It didn't matter that I was the Accounting Chief of a Component level command responsible for two regiments and their subordinate units. They just saw a Sergeant.
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My rank was not a factor, but my current pay at the time of hiring was. They could only increase my pay by so much when I hired on, and so I was hired at a lower level than the job was for. I held that lower level for a year, and was bumped up to the commiserate level with the applicable pay. As far as rank playing a part, not necessarily, at least as far as I know, but my experience played a huge part.
I have heard of many companies not wanting to hire SNCOs and CPOs for entry level or mid level jobs, due to their management experience and training. Many companies feel a SNCO or CPO is overqualified for mid level or entry level work, and would not be happy there.
I have heard of many companies not wanting to hire SNCOs and CPOs for entry level or mid level jobs, due to their management experience and training. Many companies feel a SNCO or CPO is overqualified for mid level or entry level work, and would not be happy there.
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I took a pay cut when I went into civilian work, but rank had nothing to do with it.
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