What, if anything, do other E3s of any other branches do for money as side jobs?

When I was in, there was hardly time to rest up when we were in port. When we were at sea, we were totally cutoff from the rest of the world. So between those two times, didn't have time for another job. Has the military become a part time job now?

I worked at Dominos as a delivery driver on Camp Lejeune. I was in an instructor position at the time, so I had regular hours. Not everyone can do it. It sucks working around the clock, but if you need the extra money it’s not too terrible. I was also a bouncer, but that one could have gotten me in trouble. I would stay away from that stuff. Young and dumb as they say.

The answers I read are a sign of the times. When I was in the Marine Corp 59-63 every thing I owned fit into a seabag. I had a record player in my walllocker. when I shipped out to Okinawa I gave it to another buddie in the barracks. In the army same answer except when I got Married. When I shipped out to Vietnam everything we owned fit into 2 cars. My brother and brotherinlaw and wife came to Ft. Knox in one car and my wife and my old car went back to my parents house about 250 miles away. I didn't have time to take leave because we only had two weeks notice to form the Plt. and Round up the equipment that was going to Vietnam with us. I was designated as the Supply Sgt. of the Plt. and I helped get the equipment together from all over the base. We flew to Oakland boarded the MSTS USS Mann. 3,000 troops on a ship that was designed for 1,500 troops. 17 days later we landed at QuiNhon. I know the younger generation don't care about what I said, but they don't realize how good they have it today. They held up their right hand and swore to defend the country from all enemies foreign and domestic, Not what to do with my stuff when I'm deployed. I can't live off my paycheck even though I have a place to live and 3 meals a day and even get a clothing allowance. We live in the greatest and best country in the world. Semper Fi.

In the early 80's, I schlubed in a Shoe Store for extra income. #AlBundy

In my off duty time I worked a second full time job at St. Mary's Hosp, Enid, Ok, as an armed Security Guard.

Not an E-3 but as an E-6 living on post:
My cousin was 63B light wheel mechanic by MOS training but before enlisting had worked as a small engine repairman.
He was at Ft Jackson and noticed a lot of lawnmowers, weed eaters, chainsaws and leaf blowers on the curb on trash day.
He would stop and pick up everything he ran across. Take it home and figure out what was wrong with it. Usually it was fuel lines and carb bowls that had varnished over from ethanol in the gas.
He'd clean them up and replace parts that were needed.
When he had a large amount repaired he'd go rent a stall at a flea market and sell them. $50 for an almost new mower. $100 for a chainsaw.
Anyway he did this two to three times a year and made a few extra thousand per year.

I fixed fellow Marine's vehicles in my off time. As long as I didn't make a mess or dump chemicals, my Command didn't care if I did it in the barracks parking lot. Nothing extravagant, lots of basic maintenance and parts swapping, some electrical. Just kept my tools in my truck under lock and key. Pulled in about 3K a month, which for an E-3 way back in the late 90's early 2000's was a lot of money. After I got out, I continued to do that since I lived so close to base, helped pay my way through college since the GI Bill was so crappy back then.

Ive only read a few responses to this so far and they all seem satirical or rude. So Ill do you a solid and actually answer your question without being a smart@$$.

Be a fly on the wall and figure out what peoples problems are. Someone from another team needs his brakes replaced and cant afford to get a shop to do it? do it on credit and then collect later. Little things like that are great ways to make some extra cash while helping people out; people that may or may not be able to help you later. It also helps build your skillset and good standing in a unit. (very important for an E-3) It can help with networking and open some fun doors later too. Anyone has a problem that you cant fix? Youtube it, you can learn anything on youtube.

I help work on cars (the most), small engine repair, do some minor gunsmithing, babysitting, proofreading, etc. and that brings me a decent chunk of change these days. It's not easy and it takes a minute to get real benefits from it. But i know from personal experience that it can be very rewarding.

An old teamleader I had went hunting and was really tired and didnt want to give his rifle a full once-over after getting back. I offered to clean it for him so he could get some rest. He went to bed and I cleaned it to near perfection. I even polished some of the surfaces for a smoother action. When I gave it back to him the next day, I showed him what I did and he gave me $50. He also spread the word about how good of work I did, and that word reached the CO. I ended up re-blueing his old Ruger 9mm. Got paid for that too and got to have a friendly conversation with the CO. As a SPC, being on the leaderships good side is a good thing.

Keep an eye out for opportunity and stay humble.

I clean houses, take pictures, buy stock options and trade Forex, UberEats, Postmates, Doordash, instacart, sell Avon and am a mystery shopper. I’m learning how to dropship. By the way, I’m an E6 Reservist on active duty orders now.

1977, my first permanent assignment, we had an E3 who applied for all the permissions and received approval to work as a female impersonator/stripper over in St. Petersburg. Until his paperwork reached the unit commander s desk. The CO offered him a choice of a military career, or his civilian one. We chipped in and bough him a pair of earrings as a going away present. Honorable discharge.