How many Veterans have taken positions since leaving military that left them underemployed?

SGT Jamell Culbreath — Wed, 13 May 2015 12:22:08 -0400

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 12:38 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 12:38:20 -0400

I have taken several. 3rd tier management in retail (after promotion from sales). My current position is considered underemployment as it only required H.S. education & I have my Masters. I was a civilian police officer for 5 years (long, personal story as to why I left).

Response by CSM David Heidke made May 13 at 2015 1:05 PM

CSM David Heidke — Wed, 13 May 2015 13:05:37 -0400

I wrote a command post article a while back about what Veterans face in the workforce simply for being in the military. My career has had significant setbacks, and I think since my mobilizations for the war effort I've been underemployed.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 13 at 2015 1:54 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Wed, 13 May 2015 13:54:05 -0400

There right now!! Unfortunately, and this also crosses over into your other discussion, there are no set career paths in a lot of companies. In the military its pretty straight forward, you start out as a PVT or 2LT and follow the path. The higher you want to go the harder you work and you get there. In the civilian world from my experiences you get duped over, have to change companies for that next higher position, keep getting set back in benefits and PTO when you join new companies. It's a struggle.

Response by LTC Gavin Heater made May 13 at 2015 3:39 PM

LTC Gavin Heater — Wed, 13 May 2015 15:39:05 -0400

Few private sector positions take full advantage of the leadership traits and special qualifications service members posses. Some are better than others. Supervisory and managerial jobs trend better than others, but not entirely. I know many E8s, E9s, O5s and O6s who were responsible for hundreds and thousands of Service Members, and large budgets, who now direct small teams and smaller budgets. A few transitioned to like positions, but mostly after a lot of job hopping.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made May 13 at 2015 5:41 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Wed, 13 May 2015 17:41:39 -0400

I am grateful for my current position, but I do feel it is a case of under-employment. I am looking for chances to advance.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 9:15 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 21:15:36 -0400

I started from the bottom because I knew I was not staying down there. i had the right bosses, and the right people who too noticed and I climbed the GS scale. Now where i want to be when i retire but i will get there.