What military experience/job has most benefited you after you got out of the military?

2015-02-28T21:37:43-05:00

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2015 7:45 AM

2015-03-01T07:45:48-05:00

This is an easy one for me, SFC Private RallyPoint Member. The experience that benefited me the most after I left the Army was my time as a counterintelligence agent, and that's because I am still working in that field as a civilian. Those years of experience definitely helped me land a job and give me some "cred" as a CI guy.

While I was in the military, I would have to say that my first tour as an infantryman was most beneficial. My time in the infantry taught me about the "real Army." I learned so much as an infantryman, and I am so very glad I started out in a combat arms MOS.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Mar 1 at 2015 12:44 PM

2015-03-01T12:44:25-05:00

Honestly, I would have to say my time in an S3.

The ability to actually come up with a plan that is THOUGHT OUT! will put you miles ahead of your civilian "peers" in almost any occupation. As will your ability to adapt seamlessly when life happens.

This is true for almost ANY position in the military (and why I will try to hire veterans if at all possible), but the time doing nothing but planning and operations and getting into all the details of how to do it right.. Gold.

Response by CPT Catherine R. made Mar 1 at 2015 1:55 PM

2015-03-01T13:55:57-05:00

Staff time. Being able to work with a team who doesn't always agree AND have a plan, contingency plan and alternate contingency already thought out is head and shoulders ahead of many. Plus the ability to make a decision with the information at hand. It drives me insane watching people have 4 hour meetings to discuss and yet no decision about anything is ever made!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 7:29 AM

2015-04-07T07:29:33-04:00

Have to agree with Staff time response below. The ability to Make a decision and execute - even if you don't have all the answers or facts. A senior commander would often rather have a well thought out plan executed in a timely manner than a bunch of blank looks from the S shops because someone didn't have enough information to move forward. You make the best decision possible with what you have available. The ability to Operate on several different levels of reality at once - yes, multi-tasking. If you've held a staff position, either as the primary or assistant, you've juggled multiple hats/tasks/priorities at the same time. The ability to Take a butt-chewing from the boss and NOT see it as career-ender (and the ability to Give One - without your Soldier feeling like it's time to update the resume or drop a DA4187). For me, constructive criticism came with the territory and anyone who thinks they are perfect in the Primary role on day one needs to step away from the pharmaceuticals.

Response by CPT Alan W. made Apr 7 at 2015 7:46 AM

2015-04-07T07:46:11-04:00

Simple things like 1. always putting something back where it belongs (so you can find it again easily in in your ruck in the dark), or 2. the understanding that "a pilot is only as good as his next landing". Or, 3. treating everyone with dignity and respect. Or, 4. knowing everyone has something meaningful to contribute (it takes all kinds of people to make the Army go). And finally, 5. don't make a decision until you absolutely have to, and then don't fall in love with it and marry it.

I was taught these, to some extent, growing up, but it wasn't until I was in Army that I saw them in action and how well they worked.

Response by SSgt Herb King made Nov 18 at 2021 10:23 PM

2021-11-18T22:23:40-05:00

I was a volunteer firefighter before joining the AF but was trained in Crash Rescue and Structural firefighting. This gave me a leg up in obtaining a Civil Service Job as a Firefighter as NAS Willow Grove where I spent 28 years in every position from rescue, EMT, Haz-Mat, Structural and Aircraft Crash Fire Rescue, VRT, and training. Retired from the Navy Civil Service and worked as a Safety manager at a 240 bed hospital, running the Fire and Security departments for another 12 years. So my USAF experience led to a wonderful career where I have interacted with thousands of other Fire Dept and safety personnel all over the country.