Lack of Preparation Led to Living in a Garage

When I got out of the Marine Corps in 2005, I was heartbroken and lost. I had no idea what I was going to do. I had served 4 years -- two overseas -- and had done things I never thought I would in my modest life.

I felt that I was leaving "my family" to go back to the unfamiliar home I grew up in. I had no money when I got out. I spent it all during my time in and hadn't saved a dime. In addition, a screw up on my leave balance left me with an outstanding balance that came out of my last paycheck.

I didn't get a car until two months before I got out. I wasn't prepared at all. I went back to my native state of Ohio for  three months, and worked a few jobs that I hated. Then a friend of mine asked me to move back to North Carolina with her, where I stayed for six months in her garage with no heat.

I got a job on the base working at the convenience store almost immediately, making $5.15 an hour. Finally, after only searching for one month, I got a job with a government contractor with decent pay, and started going to school a year later.

Now, I'm halfway through my degree and still working. My advice to military personnel getting ready to transfer back to civilian life is be prepared.

Save as much as you can, get a car, get a computer, go to school while you're in, and don't waste time. Military life puts you on auto pilot, but in the real world you have to make your own decisions, and no one tells you what to do, where to go, or what to wear. Also, be yourself and remember who you're above what the military says you are, because one day you will not have the nametag to speak for you -- you'll have to speak for yourself.

God Bless all of you, active, reserve, veterans, etc....Thank You for all you have done to serve the United States.

Semper Fi,

(Submitted by Heather Williams; Corporal, USMC)

Comments

[cjmilcom]

Heather, this is a great story for all young actvie duty people to learn from.

[Arnold Owens]

I am a retired MSG and retired school teacher. I completed my B.S. while in service and my M.S. shortly after retirement. I also took advantage of the soldier to teacher program which put me in the classroom and on the payroll as a full-time teacher within 90 days. A GI Bill not used is money down the drain. The Army released me to attend school during the duty day. You'll never find an employer so generous. Go to school if not for yourself, for your family.

[OldGrunt]

Enroll the next seminar after you get out. I needed to upgrade scholastics and a community college was perfect for that. Don't sweat the small stuff. It's liberal place. Remember, they are young kids..the military to them is something someone else does. My diploma says Syracuse University and I graduated cum laude. You will also get laid more than you can possibly imgagine. The younger fellahs are still writing home for beer money. The GI Bill then was fully funded, but the concept is the same. I have live a rewarding, prosperous life in large measure due to the GI Bill.

Semper Fi