Posted on Jan 3, 2015
What is the lowest GS job level you would consider after 20 years of service?
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Well all know it's hard entering in the GS system at a decent GS level. After serving 20+ years of Military service what is the lowest GS job level would you accept regardless of what grade you retired at?
Posted in these groups: 
RetirementGovernment Administration
RetirementGovernment Administration
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 14
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Honestly, I would take just about any level. Why, to get in to the system. Many of the GS-11 plus jobs are not direct hire, you have to be a GS to apply. I personally know someone that started as a GS-6 out of college and retired as an SES-2.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
I agree, getting your foot in the door is the most important part. Once in, its like the army in a sense. You can only move up depending on how much effort you put into it.
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SSG Dwight Amey MSA, MSL, BS, AS
The VA has direct hire. Many Veterans do not know much about the programs and live in a bubble that is not reality. When I retired last year even with two Masters Degrees the best I could start out was GS05. I refuse to sell my time and will work another 25-30 years for my next retirement. I like the VA because of one reason. When the government shut down in 2013 it did not affect our pay because we have two years out. I worked with a few prior DOD civilians who were caught up in the cut back. One a GS12 and another a GS09.
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In my opinion, part of that depends on how much education you have and your location. Also, probably your specialty.
I did 30 years, 26 in counterintelligence, and the standard - even for the average schmuck (like me) at 20 years - was GS-13. That was typical, and I think it still is, probably because you're bringing experience and no need for further training, at least not right away. You can hit the ground running as a civilian, if you stay in your field.
I'd say my personal lowest level would be GS-9, but I think a more reasonable starting point at 20 years, with a 4-year degree, would be GS-11. There's no doubt you can get a higher grade if you compete in the field where your military experience lies. Outside of that field ... my numbers would go down to maybe GS-7 (bottom) and GS-9 (expected/hoped for).
I did 30 years, 26 in counterintelligence, and the standard - even for the average schmuck (like me) at 20 years - was GS-13. That was typical, and I think it still is, probably because you're bringing experience and no need for further training, at least not right away. You can hit the ground running as a civilian, if you stay in your field.
I'd say my personal lowest level would be GS-9, but I think a more reasonable starting point at 20 years, with a 4-year degree, would be GS-11. There's no doubt you can get a higher grade if you compete in the field where your military experience lies. Outside of that field ... my numbers would go down to maybe GS-7 (bottom) and GS-9 (expected/hoped for).
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CW5 (Join to see)
I mentioned location and then forgot to expand on it: I'm talking about things in the DC metro area. Fort Meade may be outside that a bit, but there are a LOT of GS jobs around here. In more remote areas, the expectations probably go down a bit. I know a guy - SGT Steven Montgomery - who did five or six years in the military and entered civil service with a BA degree, in Richmond, VA. There, I think the expectations might be somewhat lower. He can answer that if he sees this post.
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SGT Steven Montgomery
It depends on your education and experience; here at DSCR (part of DLA) in Richmond, VA, if you have a BA with at least 24 hours of business and are a veteran (which you are of course), you can probably get a GS-7 target 11 (intern) meaning you start out as a GS-7, one year later you get GS-9 and one year later you get your GS-11.
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CW5 (Join to see)
That's not bad, SGT Steven Montgomery. Those GS-X target Y postions are good jobs, because in a few years you're at the target grade.
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Any level, just to get in the system. I started as a GS-5 Purchasing Agent, changed jobs several times. Now I have the job I wanted GS-13 IT Specialist.
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SSG Dwight Amey MSA, MSL, BS, AS
I will be following your career trail. What I am leaning now is how to adjust my resume to fit the job announcement. Gone are the days of cutting and pasting the job descriptions on resumes.
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SFC Stephen Smithers
I have one Resume that has everything I've done and I keep that up to date. When a job comes open, I take information from the main Resume and tailor it to fit that job. You can go to USAJobs.gov and build a base Resume. You can upload documents like your DD214, college transcript, SF15, etc. When a job opens start a new Resume and tailor it for that job. I think you can have 5 Resumes on that site.
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MSgt John McGowan
SFC: It depends on slill levels but there is also the WB route to get in federal service. My son's skill was a aircraft electrican in the Navy. He was hired as a aircraft electrican and made his way up to the highest level of WL is a very short time. By the way, he now works for the Air Force.
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