What are your thoughts on someone getting a 2nd job while on Active Duty (such as Uber)?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 19:57:50 -0400

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2017 8:05 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 20:05:29 -0400

Ask to see your 1SG before doing anything.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2017 8:09 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 20:09:08 -0400

Exactly!

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jul 16 at 2017 9:09 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 21:09:48 -0400

Flexible work like that would be a great source of income and perhaps keep a few families off food stamps

Response by CW4 Angel C. made Jul 16 at 2017 9:19 PM

CW4 Angel C. — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 21:19:33 -0400

You got time for a 2nd job? Wow! I recommend not having one but if you must then ensure you get the blessing of your chain of command.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2017 9:20 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 21:20:47 -0400

It would have to be a job that did not interfere with your military commitment. I think you would have a serious problem if you told your COC that you could not be at a formation or assigned work site because you were working elsewhere.

As others have said get approval before accepting a job outside the military.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2017 9:21 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 21:21:33 -0400

Should not be a problem with Uber or Lyft since you work your own hours. I would be doing a lot more POV inspections for my soldier if he/she decided to try uber/Lyft.

Response by SGT Eric Knutson made Jul 16 at 2017 9:54 PM

SGT Eric Knutson — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 21:54:30 -0400

That is the nice thing with Uber or Lyft, you can come and go as you please, Still check with your COC to let them know you are doing it, and talk to the MP's as well to see what if any post regs you need to worry about before you start. Keep your car clean and your gear at the Unit. and above all remember that you are a soldier subject to recall at any time, Good Luck

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Jul 16 at 2017 10:05 PM

PFC Jonathan Albano — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 22:05:49 -0400

I knew a battle who played repo man on the weekends and another who moonlighted as a bartender. I liked my free time too much to spend it working. Main thing is to get approval from the chain and don't go with anything that conflicts or has potential to conflict with your unit's schedule. With that said, Uber shouldn't be a hard sell to your CoC since you are able to set your own work hours.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 16 at 2017 10:25 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 22:25:17 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Working at post movie theatres were a part-time job when I was at Ft Lewis in 1956. Working almost every night equaled about 1/2 my basic pay. A side benefit was all the popcorn I could smuggle up to the projection booth.

A brother-in-law, USAF type worked in NCO Clubs wherever he was stationed. (Wife and 4 daughters at Home)!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2017 10:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 22:54:28 -0400

while I was working at the Step-down ICU at Womack army medical center I also worked for Maxim home health doing pediatric critical care at home

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2017 9:36 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 09:36:12 -0400

I had a soldier that delivered pizza on weekends. The chain I won't name (mostly because I've forgotten which it was) had a lot of dependents that worked there along with a handful of active duty so it was flexible enough so my soldier worked a few hours here and there without much issue. So long as it didn't interfere with his duties, our CoC was okay with it.

I also know a person who worked bagging at the commissary on weekends for tips because his ex-wife did some not so nice things that he needed to cover.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jul 17 at 2017 9:53 AM

SGT Tony Clifford — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 09:53:15 -0400

Talk to your chain of command and NCO support channel. A lot of people do second jobs, but it must be approved by 1SG and the commander.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 17 at 2017 1:48 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 13:48:38 -0400

I've seen it. I don't get it, but then again, I don't have to.

IF it doesn't interfere with one's military tasks and duties--and that is the biggest factor of all, because duty comes 1st!--and a SM wants to make a few extra bucks working a legitimate side hustle, I don't see anything wrong with that. In fact what I see is a motivated person with a solid work ethic and desire to make more for themselves.

Go through/work with the CoC, set personal and professional boundaries, and proceed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2017 2:03 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 14:03:42 -0400

You have to let your leadership know and get approval to do so. Okay you're supposed to - anyone can do anything but if you go get a second job without notifying your leadership and then they find out because it interferes, be prepared.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2017 3:55 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 15:55:07 -0400

A Soldier from one of the Companies in our Battalion did just that. I don't know whether or not he had approval from the CoC, but knowing his 1SG as well as I do I would assume he did. He worked for Uber for about 3 months. He said he honestly didn't enjoy dealing with drunk college kids every weekend. Something like this where you can work your own schedule and won't interfere with your Duty shouldn't be an issue, but do the right thing and get it approved first. If you enjoy it, then you'll know you've made the right decision. Good luck.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2017 5:11 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 17:11:10 -0400

So long as it doesn't interfere with your duties I don't see a problem but I'd talk with Top before you commit to anything.
Uber won't have scheduling restrictions like some other jobs so that screw you over by them trying to schedule you during military functions (Civilian Employers for the Guard and Reserves try that all the time) so I think that's a good choice.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2017 6:11 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 18:11:13 -0400

Just have to check unit policy. My unit has a policy against it, but it's mostly to prevent hospital staff from working as a civilian and then being stuck at a different hospital if an emergency occurs.

Response by SSG Billyray Musselman made Jul 17 at 2017 8:04 PM

SSG Billyray Musselman — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 20:04:45 -0400

I drove for Lyft while on leave prior to my current deployment to Afghanistan... made an extra few hundred bucks to go on vacation with.... wasn't bad, you work your own hours...

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jul 17 at 2017 10:01 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 22:01:38 -0400

As long as they understand the military life comes first I have no issue with it. I also expect them to be an above average performer at their primary job. I can't allow someone to be investing their time in outside employment when they are barely competent at their military occupation.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2017 10:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 22:46:58 -0400

I drove for Uber nearly every weekend before we deployed. I love driving, its very relaxing for me. Most chains of command will allow it because it promotes responsibility. Most of my customers were soldiers, and I will gladly spend my weekends driving them home from the bars so they aren't tempted to drive and get a DUI.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Jul 18 at 2017 1:49 AM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 01:49:24 -0400

Definitely run it through your NCO support channel if you are enlisted, while I might not have an issue with it, there might be some risks that are not readily apparent.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2017 10:06 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 10:06:01 -0400

why would you want a second job ? especially being on active duty and what's your training like? how would you have time for a second job ?

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jul 19 at 2017 10:09 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 10:09:38 -0400

My first question is why? My first question to you would be, 'Is this best use of your non-duty time?' The extra money is nice, but it is a short term thing, why not think of long term benefits?

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jul 19 at 2017 8:20 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 20:20:32 -0400

I knew a few guys that had second jobs at Benning (Being in TRADOC made it a lot easier thanks to the set work schedule) and they never seemed to have any troubles and all did it the correct way by getting approval from their CoC.

Response by Sgt Robert Woods made May 2 at 2018 4:59 AM

Sgt Robert Woods — Wed, 02 May 2018 04:59:12 -0400

Does anyone think military bases would benefit from a mil to mil only version of Uber?

In my mind, I think people would love to have rides to PT, medical appointments, and the BX.

Uber does not exist in places like Columbus, Mississippi, where Columbus Air Force Base is located.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 2 at 2018 10:45 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 02 May 2018 10:45:59 -0400

1. It takes permission form your Chain of Command. 2. Any field training, drills, exercises, rotations etc., will have priority over any 2nd job- to include duty assignments- CQ runner, etc.

Response by TSgt Timothy Backstrom made Jun 26 at 2020 6:09 PM

TSgt Timothy Backstrom — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 18:09:02 -0400

Back at Pease AFB I had to get approval from the Commander before I could get an after hours part-time job around Christmas time.

Response by SSG Timothy Stevenson made Jun 27 at 2020 6:56 PM

SSG Timothy Stevenson — Sat, 27 Jun 2020 18:56:36 -0400

Nothing wrong with it as long as you have approval, I’d rather you have a second job then me picking you up from jail after drinking all night. Just my .02

Response by SSG Darrell Peters made Jun 28 at 2020 3:30 AM

SSG Darrell Peters — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 03:30:26 -0400

Well, I knew guys that were Pizza Delivery Drivers and one that worked at Subway on Post. I also knew guys that would do Seasonal work over the Christmas Holidays for extra Christmas Money. Being in the Medical Corp I worked with Military Doctors who would Moonlight at Civilian Hospitals. Whatever the case maybe you have to make sure it will not conflict with your military duties. In the case of the Doctors. The Hospital Commander realized the importance of Doctors having Hospital Privileges with other hospitals in the area and how they worked. However, the Hospital Commander had to Lay down the law on how many hours they could work outside of their military duties. He was pretty much okay Doctors Moonlighting at other Hospitals as they were nearing there ETS so they could transition to civilian employment. He was not so understanding about Doctors only a couple of years into their contract.