It's a Scary World Out There

After serving 26 years in the Army and loving every minute of it, it was time to hang up my boots. I had no idea what I wanted to do because I had never held a real civilian job.

I attended several job fairs and passed out resumes, but still felt like I was out there flapping. I went on my first interview, which went real well and received my first offer within an hour of completing the interview. I thought that I was on my way. I almost fell into the trap of taking the first position that I was offered but after careful consideration of everything that was being offered to me the figures just didn't seem to add up. Driving 90 miles round trip every day was not my idea of a good job. I didn't mind that travel that was going to be involved with the job itself, but I didn't like that kind of daily travel. I turned it down with nothing on the back burner.

I know that things happen for a reason just not always sure why they happen but that they do. I went on my second interview, which in my mind went better than the first.  I had to wait a couple of weeks to get an offer, which I accepted and will start work next Monday. I can't wait. As I keep telling my husband now I am somebody!

The hardest thing for me in my transistion was losing my identity. When I was a private I was at least a private. When I retired I was a nobody and nobody seemed to care. I can't wait to get my new CAC card and be somebody again.

Good Luck to all my fellow retirees that find themselves in this situation. Remember everything happens for a reason.

(Submitted by Rachelle Gamblin)

Comments

[weires]

I'm sorry about what you have gone through. Just like what you said, "when i was a private i was at least a private". I don't think you retiree should have any problems in the civilian world, I think the med-boards are having hard time finding job. Two Qs that employers ask when they find out that you were in the service: Are you a retiree or were you medically discharged? They know the problems because of PTSD, TBI and such. I find it more harder for the MED-BOARDS. Brothers, lets not give up because of our conditions but strife for whats ahead. Good luck to you too and my fellow MED BOARDS. "Fighting Eagles"

[David B. Hopkins]

Congradulations! on your retirement, I too retired with 27 years in 2002 from the Army. I found it very hard to be a "nothing", expecially on September 11th.
I quickly took my first job and it was with the Navy, oh was I out of my league I resigning in less than a year. I have never been able to select another full time position almost seven years later. Thankfully I have my pension and retirement benifits and the family is grown and on their own.Don't get me wrong I work almost everyday, part time, temporary positions, it's difficult to give completly to an employeer, there's nothing like to world of the US Army. God Bless

[Steve Daigle]

I too can relate. I retired from the Navy in 2003 and quickly realized the "nobody status". I did accept the first job I was offered and It well for 4 years then burn out set in (Was a travel agent). Money was good but no benefits. I kept up the job search and was finally appointed for DHS/TSA as a Sceener at Norfolk Intl Airport. I have found that this an awesome fit for me, everyone i work with are either vets or retired mil and we all have simular stories. I would highly recommend this to anyone separating soon or retiring. Heads up though, the process can take a few months and they are very thorough with the background checks. Fair winds, following seas.

[Pnoy Amn]

After more than 2 decades of serving I feel like fighting another war. Like the rest of you folks I went to similar situations and stories. After this year I will give myself a break pursuing a federal jobs. I have more than 200 applications submitted in USAJOBS since I retired for more than a year now and no positive results. Good folks...it's awar out there.

[Thomas Hopkins]

Hey there, it seems to be the same way for us AGR retirees. I have 20 active plus 10 reserve in when I retired. I have applied all over the world not just here in the US and have had nothing. I have been turned down for jobs of all kinds, over qualified under qualified, etc. Civilian employers are definitely NOT military friendly, and government jobs are tough to get. Large competition levels, buddy systems, etc. You're right, it is like a war out there, a war against the vets. The preaching they do that vets are the first to get hired needs some serious editing! Good luck, let's hope enough noise on the issue can bring about some future changes!

[HOLLY]

hi,
my husband is deployed know for the first time we have been military for only 2 years,my husband know has the option to reenlist feel he is only doing it because he is afraid of what might happen if he dont.and i dont believe he is doing it because of what he truly wants to do.and im afraid of him getting deployed again,he has been told it will happen,to me sitting here,in my eyes i say its not worth the verry little extra money that we get.and its for what? for him to risk his life everyday,while the rest of America turns there back?we wont go there, like i said we are new to the military,and i have nothing but respect for my husband no matter what decision he makes,just want a point of veiw from the outside,cuz you all know how theses wives can be when you go to them for a issue like this. Thanks, Army wife

[Shawn]

Hello fellow vets, I served in the Airforce over 22 years applied for numerous jobs and heard nothing back from all levels of government and even private sector. I was proud to serve during peace and war but now I cant find a decent job. What ashame the forgotten soldier

[Randall Jaques]

Dear Brothers and Sisters out there man do I agree it is awar out there for jobs!!. 27 yrs am still in the Nat Guard thank goodness for that. Some ideas get involved with the State Honor Guard we are busy. TSA jobs are posted all the time, yes they love Vet's, also court house screening all Vets and yes KBR, blackbird, and others are out there if you miss AFG. Regards, Pvt. Randall

[Keith]

I retired in 2002 and my first job was at a Military Academy making $22,000 a year. I have had 5 jobs since I retired and I can't find anything more professional and organized as the United States Army. Civilian Jobs have good benefits but they don't give you the time to use them. It is so tough out here but I thank God I got my Bachelors Degree so that helps a little. Remember there are thousands of kids 22 to 24 years old with the same degree and a lot more hungry to make $26K a year than we are. I do sell BBQ on the side and one day I plan on having my own restaurant. Good luck out there and God Bless.

[Ray]

S.O.S. (and tht's not for mariners). I was picked up for local sheriffs department 1 week prior to my retirement date. Got laid off two years later and picked up by another agency. A year later, called back from layoff. One year later, laid off again. Too much Mickey Mouse nonsense. I told them where they could shove their badge, and asked if they needed my help putting it there. I don't "fit in" with the "make more money" generation. They seem to want more money, but won't do a lick of honest work. Union is draining every municipality dry. I wish I hadn't retired. At least I belonged in the Army.

[Patricia Cathey]

Hello Everyone,
I served proudly 22 years of active duty time in the Army and I retired on 2007. I went home to give back to my hometown of Chicago where I joined the Chicago Public School system as a JROTC Senior Army Instructor in a High School. The job was very rewarding but there was a lot of disappointing and hard adjustments I had to make. Its a great opportunity for anyone seeking employment and want something rewarding and it really is a good form of transition from the Active Duty world to the Civilian world. The disappointment I saw was that many Retired Officers and NCO were not teaching or demonstarting their craft from the Active Army of discipline, physical fitness and organization which quite frankly the children really need and surprisingly "want". I tried to maintain and I did not realize the impact I had on the children until I was about to leave and so many of them, not only from my High School, Lane Tech, but from the other schools, knew me, we worked with over 600 children! Anyway timing was on my side and I was selected to be promoted to Asst Director of Logistics, where I had to insure that all of the schools were well equipped to teach and perform their JROTC programs effective. It was great! I'm now in Kuwait, because my husband wanted me join him here, (to start supporting his movement as he had supported mine). I did not want to leave but family comes first and as has been stated in so many of these comments we are "nothing people" in the civilian world but as JROTC you continue to get paid military pay, BAH and VHA. The problem I had with the other retirees is that some days they utilized their military knowledge and skills and some days they just chose to be civilian minded.
Lastly, I'm working over here with AMC, a good agency for retirees to contact. There are a few and its definitely a who you know organization, but I was blessed to get in beacuse of God. Most of the people talk about active duty military like they are a disgrace because we come in the system as GS12 and higher because of our experience and they keep stating in front of you that they started from the bottom and military retirees think they are better than them. The people I work with are all over 40 years old, its kind of sad. I have been through so much harship because I want to do a good job and do it right. Amazing! So transitioning does require a lot of changing our mindset, but not our standards. I'm so glad I had Military Experience and I've been around so many people who enjoyed and strived for quality daily. I just get angry that these Federal employees, not all of them, who are bitter toward us (retirees/active duty) are allowed to work in Kuwait, a safe haven, and make money off of the GWOTE pot of money.

Thanks for giving me an avenue to vent........

God Bless you all and stay encouraged!

Sincerely
Pat

[Don McVaugh]

I too served twenty-some years in the AF and was definately surprised at the level of difficulty securing a new career. There were plenty of jobs but very few careers.

I did a considerable amount of research and geared my career search towards jobs which seemed to have the greatest potential. I even went back to school to complete a Masters degree to improve my odds of landing a decent post-AF career.

After about two years, I finally found a position which pays very well and has a great benefits package.

Don't lose hope. Determination and a solid plan can go a very long way in helping you land a decent job.

[Saint Williams]

Congradulation, on your retirement. I am a retiree also. I retired in 1993. I trutly understand and can relate to what you are saying, especially,"when you were a private, you were a private. When you retired you were nobody and nobody seem to care. I is a mean world out here. After being in the Military 23 years, and when I retired, I felt like I had hit rock bottom, not knowing which way to turn and where to go. I found my self taking a job in fast food, tossing fries. I was so use to being in management, I would go in every day and call myself the Kitchen Manager, a month later, I was in managerment in the restaurant. I am now contracting in Kuwait, have been here 10 years. After being retired for 15 years, I still fill the same, went from being somebody to a nobody. Keep the faith, It will work for you. God bless you.

[Louis C]

Hello all! Retired 2 years after 24 years in the AF. It is hard out here. Like many of you, I did what we we were taught in the transition assistance program; fine tuning my resume, working on what to say and what not, what I should wear (new suits I never use); and like many of you, I discovered my time didn't account for a lot. I expected that once they heard the 24 years in the military, running multi-million dollar flights and equipment, they would be all over me. But that was not the case. The big problem was that I did listen to all those people that were saying I would find a job right off the bat, so I didn't jump right into the job searching. I enjoyed that time on terminal leave (big mistake). 5 months later and a empty savings, I found a good job with BNSF railroad. Beleave me, this is not a job announcement, but they do like the military, because their CEO is retired military. I'm a conductor and I enjoy it, because I wanted a new career without the stress I had with the military. But for those of you that miss the stress; they love having prior military as Train Masters, because we know how to inforce the rules. The railroad has great benefits with good pay (better pay as you build seniority). The down fall is that it is union (I hate unions). Unions are hard to get use to after being in the military. But check out BNSF.com, because they are always hiring. Hopefully, the young folks that are still in read these notes, and better prepare themselves for their future. God Bless.