Posted on Apr 27, 2015
What was your first job when you separated from the military?
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What was your first job when you seperated from the military? If your still serving, what was your job before joining the military? How many people had trouble finding a job when they got out?
Posted in these groups: 
Employment
Civilian Career
Employment Civilian Career
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 18
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My first job was with Wounded Warrior Project as a Veterans Services Officer. They are truly one of the best organizations for vets out there. Only reason I left was they are not in the area I am moving too yet. I learned there that I as an individual can make the difference in someone's life. Keep doing that over and over...they play it forward...that is how we change things for the better!
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SFC (Join to see)
I am about to depart the Army and I have been planning my ass off for over a year.....hope it all pays off!!
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My very first job after getting out (sort of) was as a pizza delivery driver for a then-brand-new Mr. Gotti's Pizza in Harrisonburg, VA.
Between my ROTC stipend and pizza delivery, I could afford to live pretty decently for a college student during my year at Jame Madison University.
After that, I went through an assortment of jobs: electrician's apprentice building SEGS2 outside of Daggett, janitor, construction worker, and mall/hotel security guard. My first post-school job was as a staff reporter on a trade publication for the swimming pool industry.
Between my ROTC stipend and pizza delivery, I could afford to live pretty decently for a college student during my year at Jame Madison University.
After that, I went through an assortment of jobs: electrician's apprentice building SEGS2 outside of Daggett, janitor, construction worker, and mall/hotel security guard. My first post-school job was as a staff reporter on a trade publication for the swimming pool industry.
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SSgt Michael Orcutt
Jeeze you have had a lot of experience outside of the military. Some good... Some bad I bet. Are you just enjoying retirement now, or are you still being the jack of all trades?
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1LT William Clardy
SSgt Michael Orcutt, I'm still a long way from "enjoying retirement" -- I'm "Honorary Retired" as far as the Army is concerned. I'm on a roster somewhere, but no paycheck and not even authorized a CAC (although technically that's a violation of the Hague conventions, which require all uniformed combatants to be issued identification cards).
I've continued to evolve, although I've definitely skewed over to the geeky side with database and software development, avoiding management roles unless it's necessary for my piece of mind.
Aside from irritating young soldiers with unsolicited advice, I scratch my do-gooder itch by putting in time as a volunteer fireman.
I've been fired a couple of times, and also found myself a year's income in debt before taking a job which erased that debt in a few months. So, yeah, there have been some bad times, lots of good times (even the "being where someone was shooting" parts)
Honestly, I'd feel bored if I didn't have new problems to solve every day. And, a little more each day, I feel like an old fire horse -- hoping that I'll get to answer the clang of the bell at least one more time...
I've continued to evolve, although I've definitely skewed over to the geeky side with database and software development, avoiding management roles unless it's necessary for my piece of mind.
Aside from irritating young soldiers with unsolicited advice, I scratch my do-gooder itch by putting in time as a volunteer fireman.
I've been fired a couple of times, and also found myself a year's income in debt before taking a job which erased that debt in a few months. So, yeah, there have been some bad times, lots of good times (even the "being where someone was shooting" parts)
Honestly, I'd feel bored if I didn't have new problems to solve every day. And, a little more each day, I feel like an old fire horse -- hoping that I'll get to answer the clang of the bell at least one more time...
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Suspended Profile
Prior to enlisting, went to college for few years and had different jobs: bartender, forklift driver, machine operator in a fabrication plant, waited tables, worked in a hotel, etc. Wasn't doing so hot in school; ultimately withdrew. After separating, I went back to bartending, but job was temporary. That fall I started school using post-9/11. Thankfully , graduated college this time round.
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My first "job" out of the military was helping a friend with his HVAC business. But that wasn't intended to be a career. It took me quite a while to find a job. A lot of that was my unwillingness to relocate- I'm divorced and I want to stay within a radius of my kids so I can see them regularly. But I did regular trips to the various websites and kept sending in resumes until something bit. Now, I work in the insurance industry and I love my job! Best advice, your skills may not translate directly into the civilian world, so you may not get the job you think your qualified for. Just keep looking and throw a wide net. Your discipline and leadership will be useful somewhere.
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I'm still active duty because getting out would be a huge mistake. My job prior to the Navy was at Jamba Juice.
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SFPD . I had no problem getting jobs , keeping them was though , hated SFPD just fought one war didnt need another , plus cops were hated as much as Marine Nam Vets in that era .
IT WAS HARD WHEN SOME PUNK KID WOULD TAKE MY JOBS FOR LESS PAY SO I WOULD BE LET GO ..
I was 17 when I went in Marines so was in high school , no prev job.
IT WAS HARD WHEN SOME PUNK KID WOULD TAKE MY JOBS FOR LESS PAY SO I WOULD BE LET GO ..
I was 17 when I went in Marines so was in high school , no prev job.
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SSgt Sharron Nolley
Yes , worse place to be then .. Lol what was I thinking ?
highway strangler , SLA, anti cop everywhere !
, world freaked my out ! Lol Nam was safer !
I have had a great life ! Married 42 years and still loving every minute of it , had too many jobs to name . My hobby is helping other vets get their benifits and any other kind of help they may need ..
highway strangler , SLA, anti cop everywhere !
, world freaked my out ! Lol Nam was safer !
I have had a great life ! Married 42 years and still loving every minute of it , had too many jobs to name . My hobby is helping other vets get their benifits and any other kind of help they may need ..
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I was pretty fortunate when I got out. I started college a week after I seperated and put in some hard time on a resume. Scoured USAjobs for about three months and landed a position with the Army Corps of Engineers as a Budget Analyst. I was fortunate that it was a 5/7/9/11 ladder as well. I try to tell my buddies wanting to get out that my experience post military isn't the norm, and some have found that out the hard way.
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