Should I stay in the Army or go civilian as a 25B?

Civilian sector wants degrees, the feds are a lot looser and more willing to accept experience in lieu of degrees or even certs (depending on which branch ).

<--Former 25B current CO and alternate computer services specialist for the DoJ.

I looked you up on GAL, sending you an email. Hopefully I will be able to answer a great majority of your questions and concerns. You seem to be exactly where I was 5 years ago.

If you want to do help desk, or build/repair computers for a computer store, then what you have is fine.

With the drawdown from deployments, contractors are flooding the market, with 4-year degrees and years of experience at much higher levels. If you want in that group, you need to get your degree and a higher level cert, like CASSP, CCNA, CEH, or something else in demand.

Well from my experience I am glad I got out. I was a 25B for 6 years as well. I think with getting out as any MOS is having a good resume and interviewing skills as well as have multiple plans for when things go wrong. I had a job already before I got out, but it took them a while to get my SCI updated for some reason. So I was without a job for a couple months. I had saved up and still had my terminal leave pay as well. I also kept looking for jobs while I was waiting for that to come back just in case it didnt come back by the time my last plan was used. It also depends on where you want to live. For me I moved to where the jobs are. I did alot of research before I chose where I wanted to live and between crime, housing cost, job market, and schools for me Colorado Springs and Denver Colorado was the best. But that doesn't mean it will work for everyone. I have had a couple different positions since being here but I got here starting out making around 50K a year, and I have moved up to making in the 70k a year range. I do agree with some poeple that you should try to specialize in something. Servers and systems administrator work is better paying and there is plenty of it (here in colorado springs) IA(Cyber) is a very well paying job too and they are in need of people. If you ever want to ask me questions fill free to message me or even email me. I have helped many people get out and be successful. Its all about your plans, your resume and if you are really ready to make that jump. People might say that the job market is bad but that really depends on where you go because it different from state to state and city to city. I worked with many people on my resume and interviewing skills before I got out which helped me a lot. So again if you would like to message me feel free.

SGT Laura Delgadillo Hows that decision coming? How close are you to decision time? Hope you got a lot of good suggestions from RP..

You're good. Depending on what state you go to the jobs can be plentiful or scarce. Im in California and you would have no problem snagging a good position with great starting pay. Just make sure your resume is squared. In the IT field the certs are a real big deal. A degree while good isnt as required if you have job experience. Active certs are everything

You have got some great advice so far from SGT (Join to see) and 1SG Terry Gibbens and many others. My two cents is look before you leap. I would recommend clearance jobs.com. If you have an active clearance you are more marketable for government or government contractors...but if you go away from the mothership, this may not mean as much. Look hard at where you would go to ensure those jobs are in demand and you have access to education, support networks, and VA benefits (as they apply to you). Check out the VA benefits for vocational training to gain more certifications. Degrees are like an entrance requirement, but certs seem to be the discriminator as I trawl clearance jobs.com, state job postings, and usajobs. Colorado Springs has a bunch of IT type jobs in public and private sectors, as an example.

I retired as the Information Chief as a 25B50. Have your certifications converted to college credits get your degree apply for warrant officer one option. The area you get out is another issue in large metropolitan your chances are better landing a job. I know this decision is hard but I also know you had more place on your plate than people your age coming out of college therefore get a good resume and try the waters.

SGT Laura Delgadillo Being in a job that you love is the most important consideration. Obtaining your degree should also be high on your list. I know that you will make the correct decision, so I will wish you the best on your future endeavours.

There are a lot of IT jobs. The type and availability may depend on location. You have internationally recognized certifications. I can not speak to the current Army bring the better choice. Ultimately you need to decide which option is going to fit your life.