What’s the best MOS in the military to get out and start making good money right away?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 03:03:38 -0500

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2019 4:00 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 04:00:53 -0500

I'm currently in the job market and I've noticed a lot of job listings seeking military vets with any type of electrical or electronic experience. Especially companies that specialize in fiber optic, semi-conductor pumps or testing, installation of clean room equipment, just to name a few. Many of these positions are technician or installer jobs that don't require degrees, you just need to know basic electronic fundamentals, and know how to use testing equipment like voltmeters, multimeters, and oscilloscopes. PDB soldering/ welding is a plus. Starting pay in Oregon and Washington is around $20 to $25 DOE with bonus incentives for shift differentials. That's almost double the state minimum wage. I've met former navy techs and marine mechanics who went this route instead of college and are happy with it. Some have progressed into management/supervisor roles.

I've also met a vet that was a data analyst who went to a coding boot camp (Epicodus?) for $8,500 that included an internship and was able to get short term gigs that paid $30+/hr. So, even if you don't have the best MOS you can still find training that only takes a few months. Amazon also has some free cloud management training to supplement your free cyber training at FedVTE.

That's pretty much the trend I see in my area: electronics, coding and anything cloud-related (including business intelligence). However, there really is no shortcut to success unless you're really good at professional sports, acting, or singing.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2019 4:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 16:41:56 -0500

Theres a lot! but, technology is the future so anything in IT will get you some good money outside, considering you gained a degree as well.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2019 5:39 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 17:39:01 -0500

Doctor, Physician Assistant, or Nurse.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Nov 9 at 2019 7:30 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 19:30:01 -0500

Underwater diving and mess kit repair.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2019 9:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 21:26:34 -0500

Honestly, very few, if any. While the military MOSs may give you the experience and training to step into another role as a civilian, the single most common theme/recommendation from civilian recruiters is that you have to invest in yourself after you transition. The Army presents the opportunities to step into these roles but you still have to invest in the civilian certifications to be competitive with your peers. Here's an example: a good friend worked as a 25B in SFG. He was trained on all the new equipment and was offered a job by the civilian contracting agency that worked on their networks there. But when he separated he couldn't get hired. He had the experience, he was far more technically proficient, he was even the preferred candidate. But he hadn't finished his Sec+ and CompTia certification before separation. Most MOSs will give you enough training and experience in a field to get certified, but very few Soldiers will bother to get the certifications because they believe their experience, or being a Veteran, will make them more competitive.
The monetary value of your military job is equal to the value of your civilian certification.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2019 10:05 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 22:05:24 -0500

Its less about MOS and more about the skills you carry. Here is a list of things that will help the most generally speaking.

Security Clearance Higher the better.
Intel/SIGINT/COMINT
IT skills with Security+
Electronics skills
Heavy machinery skills
HVAC skills
Get an AS degree in the military.

Response by 1SG Dennis Hicks made Nov 10 at 2019 10:40 AM

1SG Dennis Hicks — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 10:40:08 -0500

I had to get a good laugh out when I read this, Back in the day I was a SFC/PSG with jump pay and additional pays and I made roughly $25,000 (+ or -) a year and I felt comfortable. I decide to pop smoke and see what civilian life had to offer, after listening to the many that said Infantry applies to many civy career fields. I took the test for police and a few other careers and scored very well in teh mean time I took a job as a maintenance man entry job changing light bulbs. My annual pay started at $36,000 and is now ell into six figures with a GED, 1 semester of college and some skill schooling. I received a call two years later for the police department for an interview and I declined because the pay was roughly the same as my former military pay and the politics in a big city police department were toxic at that time. Plus rarely does a maintenance mechanic get shot at :) I work at a university and make more than many that have degrees. Sometimes its just plain stupid luck and many times "It's WHO YOU KNOW" that gets you on the right path. Military service regardless of MOS can many times be a step up for you.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Nov 10 at 2019 1:02 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 13:02:51 -0500

None of the hunter/killer MOSs transition to the civilian world. Even as a helicopter pilot, I could not make a transition. Yes there are helicopter pilots jobs but they are few and far between and go to the friend, or son, or uncle, etc. USAF aircraft mechanics seem to have a pretty good transition to the civilian world. Airline mechanics make good money and can live almost anywhere there is a big city.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 10 at 2019 2:53 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 14:53:44 -0500

Many logistical and support MOS/AFSC have some transferable skills to the private sector. Almost all IT technician skills and knowledge will help you find a civilian job. Also, jobs with readily identifiable equivalent civilian jobs provide good transferability, Fire Fighter and Police Officer are good examples. Supply, transportation, finance and personnel MOSs contain readily transferrable skills and knowledge to the private sector. The engineering career field may provide skills that transfer to the building trades.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2019 5:22 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Nov 2019 17:22:45 -0500

SOF jobs are prob the best, allied trade specialist would be good. More importantly is getting certifications. Security+, certified emergency manager, etc. Use the COOL website to capitalize what you've learned through the army and get the certs to prove to companies you are qualified.
Just writing "ALC graduate" or the BS recruiters tell you about "leadership experience" wont help at all in getting a job.
Get Six Sigma belts, degrees, real qualifications besides what the army calls a qualification.
It's very possible, just gotta juggle your time and be dedicated.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Nov 11 at 2019 7:25 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 07:25:39 -0500

11b or logistics

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Nov 11 at 2019 7:26 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 07:26:00 -0500

MI????

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Nov 11 at 2019 7:27 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 07:27:15 -0500

They are still trying to put me back to work