What are some of the best places to work after the military for enlisted?

2016-02-11T09:53:17-05:00

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 9:54 AM

2016-02-11T09:54:50-05:00

The question is really too broad. It depends upon so many factors: location, military skills, even rank. BUT, the one place where many of my retired friends have made a killing is going right back to work for the federal government (GS) and becoming a double-dipper. The opportunities are almost endless, the bennies plentiful, and the monetary rewards will grow almost exponentially.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 10:00 AM

2016-02-11T10:00:59-05:00

Answer could be Lockheed Martin or Home Depot.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 10:02 AM

2016-02-11T10:02:07-05:00

Well, I'm here in Alabama! Right now, the steel mill! Something that correlates with your MOS. or just do something that will benefit you!

Response by SSG John McCammon made Feb 11 at 2016 10:03 AM

2016-02-11T10:03:06-05:00

I guess what I mean is what would job would make the most of what you learned in the Military?

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Feb 11 at 2016 10:07 AM

2016-02-11T10:07:09-05:00

Police Department, Security, so far those 2 are easiest to work if you have any prior or current service.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Feb 11 at 2016 10:13 AM

2016-02-11T10:13:01-05:00

I agree with SCPO Private RallyPoint Member, the question as it stands is very broad making it very difficult to answer SSG John McCammon's question. There are so many independent factors that goes into the problem.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 11 at 2016 10:24 AM

2016-02-11T10:24:01-05:00

There is an annual list of top military friendly companies published in the transition magazine they give you at TAP amongst the other gittin' out swag

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 10:28 AM

2016-02-11T10:28:05-05:00

SSG-I work with many former military people, of both senior enlisted and junior to mid-level commissioned rank. What I find is that there is virtually no advantage/impediment based on rank. I've worked for people who left as E5, and been on "equal" terms with people who left as O5. It all comes down to the industry, market and skill sets involved.

JOs make good corporate "cannon fodder" where someone willing to work largely for "resume building" is needed to fill a gap for 3-5 years. That said, I managed to somehow survive eight years in my current position. SNCOs can make excellent program managers; particularly when working in an equivalent or similar area of technical expertise. I've worked for many former E7's who are now senior level Operations Managers in Oil and Gas.

Any industry focused on logistics, energy, transportation, regulatory services, law enforcement are fertile fields to plow for any veteran.

Ultimately, there are minimum degree/cert qualifications for any job, and from what I've seen, there's just as many former infantry possessing an MBA, as their are former aviators selling insurance.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 10:47 AM

2016-02-11T10:47:36-05:00

I wish i knew , i hear BNSF rail company is good and Schneider trucking company.

Response by Liz Hodges Flores made Feb 11 at 2016 11:02 AM

2016-02-11T11:02:00-05:00

THAT IS TRUE WARRIORS AMONG GOD !!!!

Response by SSG Lenzie Bailey made Feb 11 at 2016 11:03 AM

2016-02-11T11:03:33-05:00

Brother I thonk your MOS would be one of the main driving forces when it comes to your question.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 11:22 AM

2016-02-11T11:22:08-05:00

Anywhere I can hear my first name.....once went over 18 months with someone saying it.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Feb 11 at 2016 11:26 AM

2016-02-11T11:26:45-05:00

I would recommend teaching in high school or college after military service. I was offered a position at my high school but turned it down because of the salary was much less than what I was being paid at Loral Corporation. But recently I wish I had taken the job at my High School ..

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 12:10 PM

2016-02-11T12:10:39-05:00

Two ideas were mentioned with which I concur: Troops to Teachers and the railroads. My wife retired from Union Pacific in nearby Omaha. They absolutely LOVE Veterans. As for teaching, I wish to present one HUMONGOUS caution: you, the service member, are leaving one of the most regimented environments possible. That's great for you. But, IF you plan on teaching in public schools systems, bring plenty of Valium!!! You will be utterly shocked at what you discover. I performed some limited teaching in public and parochial schools when I taught the DARE program while a law enforcement officer. Parochial schools provided a higher degree of respect and discipline. And NO ONE wants to take on a Nun!!! In the Kansas City, Missouri, metro area public school districts, discipline was an absolute joke. That will make your transition from Trooper to Teacher much more difficult...IMHO. The truth is, you are just what schools need. The reality is you are not verbally or physically allowed to exercise much of the discipline and training you received. For me, that was very hard to swallow. Recommendation: teach Second Grade...just about the best age of kids I ever found!!!

Response by SSG Melvin Nulph made Feb 11 at 2016 12:12 PM

2016-02-11T12:12:03-05:00

Ssg, being in the military hasn't changed one rule in life, "find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life". 99% of this you have the answer for already. Just make sure you enjoy it, be your best at it and enjoy life, Lord knows as military members we know how fast things can go south.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 12:31 PM

2016-02-11T12:31:29-05:00

With B.S in engineering? Defense contractors that manufacturing parts or building weapon system. Apparently, not very many out there can get a secret clearance ... and an Engineering degree ...

Response by PFC Thomas Cunningham made Feb 11 at 2016 12:37 PM

2016-02-11T12:37:05-05:00

SSG John McCammon I have found that working in State Government has been successful. I work at a non profit that contracts out to the state and it has been good for me and my family. I do think depends on your interests out side the service and the career you would like to focus on. Again what SCPO Donnie Bowerman is true to the location, state, skill level, rank and education level all factor in. Next to federal government jobs most state jobs have good pay and benefits. LCDR Joshua Gillespie also said it well Resume's are very important when you focus on these type jobs. I suggest making sure you have your resume solid before applying. Just a thought on your question.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 12:54 PM

2016-02-11T12:54:03-05:00

SSG John McCammon That is a really good question. Spend a considerable amount of time trying to figure out what you think you want in a post military job, after all we're all only guessing until we get out there and try different things. I totally get being unsure because I am in the middle of transition, I'm a SF guy, and our skills (yours as a mortarman) don't directly translate like IT or finance. Spend a lot of time on RP and other sites just talking to people who may be in the industry you want to get into. This has helped me tremendously, both learning about positions and also meeting people who may be able to help get me an interview. You can work with a company like http://workscouts.com/ to try and find a good job using some of the criteria you develop. Also, you can work with a mentor to help by using a company like: https://www.veterati.com/. There are a lot of free resources to help with transition, don't plan in a bubble.

WorkScouts

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Feb 11 at 2016 2:01 PM

2016-02-11T14:01:06-05:00

Sergeant Mc Cammon - - -
Work with ACAP when you start to work retirement processing (0ne year out) and follow the recommendations of SCPO Bowerman and man countless other's. Do what "YOU" want to do and search out what will make you happy. One good place is the Army Reserve to ensure that you have a good retirement and medical and educational benefits for you and your family.

Response by SSG John Jensen made Feb 11 at 2016 4:28 PM

2016-02-11T16:28:12-05:00

Civil Service - whether city, county, state, or federal, there are hiring points for veterans, and you can buy back your time so that your military time will count towards your civilian retirement. Dad was able to retire 3 yrs early from teaching because of his army time. My time as full-time Nat'l Guard Tech was 19 yrs civil service + 7 yrs Active duty for my 26 yr retirement.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2016 5:18 PM

2016-02-11T17:18:47-05:00

I was an ammunition specialist while in the military. there are not a lot of jobs for ammunition specialists outside of the military. I became a corrections officer until an injury sidelined me from that job.

I would have loved to continued working at the ammunition depot on Fort Riley once the civilians took it over. i didn't interview very well, I was very nervous. :(

go with what you are familiar with or with something close to your MOS unless you are prepared for retraining time.

Response by SGT James Allen made Feb 11 at 2016 5:36 PM

2016-02-11T17:36:58-05:00

I work for a municipality doing maintenance for a Police Department. Great group of people to work with.

Response by Brigit Freedman made Feb 11 at 2016 8:38 PM

2016-02-11T20:38:17-05:00

It depends on your MOS there are many options. Government contractors are usually the best for a first job out.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2016 9:09 AM

2016-02-12T09:09:34-05:00

Here's a couple of lists. I don't know how they were compiled though.
https://militaryfriendly.com/top-100/
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efkk45lkjh/top-10-military-friendly-employers/

Top 100 - Military Friendly

MilitaryFriendly.com has rated the "Top 100" Military Friendly Employers for veterans to work for in the all sectors. View the list here.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Feb 12 at 2016 2:54 PM

2016-02-12T14:54:10-05:00

John, not so much the best place to work. But what do you want to spend the rest of your life doing?

Response by Michelle Titus made Feb 15 at 2016 11:43 AM

2016-02-15T11:43:41-05:00

Farmers Insurance - Agency Ownership!

Response by SSG Ronald Colwell made Feb 18 at 2016 9:16 PM

2016-02-18T21:16:15-05:00

Definitely not McD's, I would say in the tech field, or DOD employment positions related to what their Mos was, on USAJOBS.GOV or any federal job,

Response by SPC Nicholas Cureton made Feb 23 at 2016 6:38 PM

2016-02-23T18:38:47-05:00

Everyone will have a different answer. The best recommendation I have is do a self evaluation. Figure out what you like. From there do research into companies that work well with veterans. Sorry this is vague but it's as specific as I can get without knowing you and your interests etc.