Posted on Aug 22, 2015
Who has left the military and chosen a different career path? How did it work out?
25.2K
43
38
8
8
0
Did you leave the military and chose a different career path than what you did in the service? What made you do it? How has it worked out?
Transition
Civilian Career
Military Career
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 27
5
5
0
3
3
0
I worked on the Space Shuttle program for 33 years, from three years before the first flight until one month after the last flight. I loved my job.
(3)
(0)
Suspended Profile
Bet that was an interesting job to have.
Sgt Tom Cunnally
I was selected for the 27th OCS at Quantico & offered a position with North American who had just been awarded the Apollo contract. I decided to accept the offer from North American because it was @$150.00 per month more than as a 2nd Lt. But for a lot of years I wondered if I made the right decision.
(0)
(0)
2
2
0
I avoided conventional employment for a whole lotta years. Now, I've found a new company and a new career, where I believe I can be valued again. It's often a long, hard path.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I was a Builder in the Navy Seabees. And now I'm learning how to shoe horses now. I'll always have construction to fall back on. Horses are so therapeutic and have saved my life.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I left the Navy a few months ago and after a month or two of sabbatical, started my job search. Went to work in the local shipyard, thinking I might like it(and also happy to be offered a job off the bat), but realized it wasn't a good fit for me(and visa versa) and put in notice. Decided to set my sights higher and work for one of the high tech jobs in the area that I think would be more suited to my skills and personality.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Well I got my CDL-A and drove tractor trailer from NY to Chicago to Michigan then back to NY. I did that twice a week for 7 1/2 years til my back couldn't take it anymore. I had 2 back surgeries while I was still employed as a driver. I had 12 disks because of the military. After my last surgery June 9th 2014, I didn't return to driving and instead got hired through the wounded warrior fellowship program and started working for Congressman Chris Gibson as a military and Veteran affairs constituent service representative.
I love every minute of the decisions I have made, the smart and dumb ones!
Just remember every decision good or bad you make, defines you a little more and builds character within!
I love every minute of the decisions I have made, the smart and dumb ones!
Just remember every decision good or bad you make, defines you a little more and builds character within!
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
2
2
0
PO1 Matthew Murdock Well, I left and went right back to sea with the Merchant Marines. I regret leaving. I see you made PO1 within 10 years...may I ask why you left? Seems like you'd've been a shoo-in for Chief. (Btw, you left a letter out in your title 'let')
(2)
(0)
PO1 Matthew Murdock
Yea I see the typo now... Thank buddy. I made first in 7 year but didn't make it on my evals or military bearing, I made it on knowing my job damn well. And in the navy today as a first class it didn't seem like that was good enough. Plus i don't play nice with others
(1)
(0)
SN Greg Wright
PO1 Matthew Murdock - I hear you. I hate to see someone go half-way and leave off. Mostly because I wish I'd stayed. Have you considered Federal employment, which would finish off your 20? Plenty of good civvie jobs to close that out. Or, have you considered the Merchant Marines? They're always needing good engineers. (Wouldn't apply to your 20 tho unless you went MSC...which is effectively Navy).
(0)
(0)
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SN Greg Wright How did/do you like being a Mariner? I'm debating putting in a package with MSC down here in Norfolk area. I figure it will help my longer term goal of getting to Florida.
(0)
(0)
SN Greg Wright
Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS - I love it, Sarge. But, I love the sea, being out there. The money is good (less good in MSC compared to commercial vessels, but even MSC is much better than the Military in terms of pay, and the difference isn't THAT great), and the down time is excellent (I do 90 days on, 45 off, paid), and the job isn't hard in the least -- I'm an AB. Again, note (and I'm not trying to talk you out of MSC, because MSC is an excellent route) MSC rotations are more like the Navy than commercial companies. If you have specific questions feel free to hit me up.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
I went into school counseling and mental health therapy (I love it). I was a logistician and transporter and enjoyed 22 years of it but that was enough. My husband was in Supply and he taught 4th grade and really liked it.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google