What advice would you give to active duty Service Members in all aspects of the military/transitioning?

SSG Warren Swan Excellent response, as always!

I would disagree on a few points. First in regards to 11 Series, that is pretty much true of just about any Army MOS, your not going to transfer direct to the Civilian World without training in the Civilian skill after you get out. I see a lot of wannabes that think if they enlist in a Army IT field they will get discharged and start right up in IT on the civilian side. Maybe for network admin but nothing else. You really do need to have a civilian education and training in addition to your Army training if you want to make it in the Civilian world. So based on that I would never steer someone away from 11 Series just have them research it and what else they have available and make a choice.
In regards to the six figure salary. I disagree because of the 401k deduction and typically the 401k employer match, the civilian side is a little more enticing than the military side. If you just live paycheck to paycheck (at over $100k you shouldn't), maybe I could see your point there. However, your going to accrue a LOT more in savings with a civilian salary over $100k than you would in the Military because the wimpy TDSP does not go far enough as it should to be competitive.

SPC Erich Guenther - I can respect your opinion, but I have two MOS that do transfer directly to the civilian sector. 25B and 31B both have direct correlations to their respective fields on the outside. 25B is not limited to tier 1 or 2 helpdesk duties, network or sysadmin either. Before the 17 series, it was 25B's and the 35 series running Cyber. I know that for a fact being I was in a unit that did it, and all of us were one of those MOS. I won't argue the points on education other than there have been multiple times I went to a cert class or talked in an interview for a job, and the stress is not on a degree. It's nice to have, or to be pursuing, they want certs. They want you to walk in the door with them, not be trying to get them after you're hired. I'm in the DMV and I know plenty of folks who got out on a Friday came back a few Mondays later just to sit in the same chair doing the same thing, and being paid a lot more, until they break it down and that six figure job actually allows you to take home the same amount they were making when they were on AD (all of us were SSG and above). In just about every interview I've been on up here, a TS will get your foot in the door, but no certs, you'll be walking right back out. If those wanna be's follow the IAM or IAT models (I know they've changed a bit), they'll know what is expected for each one. That was shoved down our throats in my last unit. It was also a means to place you in the correct section.
In regards to me, I actually had an Sheriff tell me to apply with them and I would be hired. All I told her was I was a MP and nothing else, but go apply. Only reason I didn't is I was already interning somewhere else, and I liked the job and the people (and I hate people and crowds) . So MP is a direct transfer or a "feeder" MOS same as 25B would be.
I have no idea where you live but there are a LOT of 100K makers living in modest apartments due to the cost of living requirements in the DMV. I heard all the time about that "instant" 100K+ job, even know a few 150k+ makers and while the money seems like a lot, take home again isn't substantially higher. Make 100k, then after taxes you bring home 70k? Rent or mortgage, healthcare, childcare, car notes and insurance, clothes, and a ton of other things eat that 70K up. If you are single it's gonna hurt. 11B has no "true" straight line into a job unless you're 11A and we all know officers get it a bit better than Joes would.

SSG Warren Swan - OK we see things totally differently and I think you live in Northern VA near DC......maybe? One of the highest cost areas of the country to live in???. I live in Texas, but have bounced around the country on various projects, so I am familar with the cost of living in other areas. I don't know why or how you would have all those up front costs either. My employer pays for healthcare, I pay cash for my cars, I built a home and don't pay rent, home is almost paid off. Your just looking at the Network Admin part of IT which is generally underpaid for the hoops you have to jump through. I run into a lot of Network Administrators and tell them to look at Computer Programming. No real cert requirement if you pick the right application, much more flexible work rules. I have not worked in an office since May, I work at home but even so, most workplaces are business casual now and suits are not required, so you can't be spending a lot on clothes. Majority of my life I have been well under 90k a year salary but was still able to accumulate a huge retirement kitty. It blows me away that you say over $100k a year is not enough money to make. Also, I am working with a former 11B now (SFC), left in the 1990's he is further ahead than me and started a lot later. Also, 11B's have that law enforcement path open to them as well and I have seen them hired into it right after the Army, it is not only MP. But I have an old OSUT buddy that was 11B and is now a Writer. Know another 11B that works for the state in hydrology, etc. It's what you make of the MOS and what you do after you exit the Army. In Texas a lot of the 11 Series are on Oil Rigs or Oil Drilling sites and they do very well with pay but another large chunk go into Law Enforcement.

Excellent advice.

LTC Stephen F. thanks for bringing the read title to my attention(blooper). I have since altered the subject to reflect the picture somewhat. Great points of interest my friend.

SPC Margaret Higgins thanks for the response, very important points of interest that can last a life time. I appreciate your service.