How does transferring military service to a federal civilian job work?

2019-04-20T20:15:02-04:00

I have ten (10) years of service in October of this year. Just like anyone else I am weighing my options of staying in or getting out. I know what it looks like if I stay in, but what is the sales pitch for getting out? I am looking for the voice of wisdom and experience.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2019 9:51 PM

2019-04-20T21:51:27-04:00

SIR to be honest you have a degree so you have a good chance in getting a fedral job. But the competition is too much. I was a Marine for 8 years make the worst decision in my life getting out, September will be my 10 years mark the Army was there to save me from loosing everything i work hard for. Stay in Sir and start a business.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 20 at 2019 10:39 PM

2019-04-20T22:39:46-04:00

I bought 10 years in CS after being put out due to failure to select twice. The promotion opportunity was 15% the first year for zone (was an engineer in the staff corps for 10 years) and 1% the next for above zone. I had no choice. However, the Navy really wanted this crop for CS jobs and I was picked up for a GS-12 engineer position as I had my registration. Since FERS just started, they calculated I'd pay $10 grand at the time which was 3% of the base I earned on AD. That is now equating to at least $13K/year boost in my CS annuity. No brainer investment if you do a long haul in CS. Even if you don't, you start out with 6 hour a pay period leave accrual due to your time in. When I hit 60, I had a 32 year MIL retirement that equated close to 16 years AD points wise. I had a 42 year CS retirement. Toss in a heavy TSP and I had to quit everything to get a pay raise.

Bottom line, if you are well qualified for a CIV series, it can be a good route to go. The reason so many talk about how tough it is to go CS, the answer typically lies in MIL skills that don't translate well and frankly little skill in writing. That leads to quick failure in the USAJOBS arena. Companies that purport to do resume conversion can help, but are typically not bell ringers. Even with good writing, candidates fail because they simply are not competitive for the series they are applying for. Some of the best success is in seeking positions that are "career ladder" in that we bring you in at a lower level you can qualify for and then continually grow you to the target level. Contracting is one of them. Trades like Seabees do transition well as do medical types, etc. If you have a degree, pedigree, and credentialing that is needed, you can do well too. Since I did my CS time with the Navy and punched out a 15/7 equivalent, I had a lot of experience doing hiring and in unfortunately some cases of firing.

There's a lot of good folk out there whose only experience is not getting a CS job. Good folk that do and also the ones that do a lot of hiring are good ones to poke. I used to hold after office hours for MILs looking to transition. For those who made the good effort, they tended to do well. The relieved for cause Nuke missile sub skipper who wouldn't ditch "CO of ballistic missile sub; able to destroy cities" out of the resume, not so well.

Response by SGT Charles Bartell made Apr 20 at 2019 10:58 PM

2019-04-20T22:58:35-04:00

Sir with all due resecpt. If you do not have a Ranger tab it make it harder to move up in limted field.
I do not know if you have one or if you are former enlisted.
Or if you have a master's or Phd sorry to say these all play into the promation game.
As well if you are on your 1st or 2nd go for Major.
Having spent seven years in the 10th, The Army should give you points for being there. CHOSEN Sir.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Apr 21 at 2019 12:56 AM

2019-04-21T00:56:52-04:00

It doesn't mean diddly what any of us thinks. ALL of our situations will differ. You should investigate your options and how those options will affect you, your family and most of all, your paycheck and benefits. No two will be the same for everyone. You and your family are the ones who need to decide. I got out at 8 and did 4 more in the Reserves. I had a good career after the military but hindsight being 20-20, I should have stayed in.

Good luck to you, Captain!

Response by SGT Kyle Mullen made Apr 21 at 2019 10:40 PM

2019-04-21T22:40:39-04:00

USAJOBs is your best bet in looking for federal work. I would keep in mind not only what qualifications you have for the job you're looking at, but also clearance. I got out with a secret clearance, but the job I was looking at required a TS clearance. You might be the best qualified person for the job, but if you don't have the proper clearance to transfer then you'll have to go through the BI like everyone else.. If you're looking for a job that requires a TS clearance then it will take a while for the BI, especially with the backlog.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2019 11:53 PM

2019-04-21T23:53:11-04:00

With your Information systems experience, compare Civil Service, which I was in for just over a year to the open job market. Many CS jobs are not very flexible, and so sometimes besides higher initial salary you might have outside CS more flexibility in where you want your career to go and who might most want to employ you. I would have done OK in CS, but I finally after many rewarding experiences became a clinical consultant in patient safety (practically world wide for Medtronic) in computer guided neurosurgery. You can combine all your interests and skills and abilities over time.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2019 2:34 AM

2019-04-22T02:34:58-04:00

Wow. That is quite a lot of feedback. Thank you. I have heard plenty of stories from retirees who say "keep going to retirement". I am very interested in hearing about others who made different choices but succeeded as well.

Response by MSgt Michael Smith made Apr 23 at 2019 1:36 PM

2019-04-23T13:36:14-04:00

If you are looking to get hired in the civil service you will receive a number of veteran's preference points depending on your disability status --anywhere from 5 points to 15 points I think --but contrary to popular belief, those points only get you through the initial stages of the hiring process. Once you make it to the final cut, its all about your resume and how well it fits the KSA's in the job listing --all competitive. If I were you I would not believe anyone who tells you you're a sure thing. It is VERY hard to get hired as a non-compete, as the laws are written to prevent just that from happening. Anyway, once you get hired assuming you do, then as a Federal employee you will have the option to buy back your ten years service in order to apply it to your FERS annuity.