B. Todd, I spent 4 years in the USAF from 84 to 88. I’ve now been out over 20 years. I could be retired now and well into my second career! LIFE FLYS BY my friend! You are only about 12 years from military retirement right now. GO BACK!!! Stay in, invest in your education for the next decade, and have a wonderful life! Take what you have experienced from this time on the “outside” and learn from it so that when you retire you can do it right. Imagine how great your life can be in just another dozen years or so! And believe me 40 years old is NOT old. That’s my advice, regardless of the condition of the economy. I wish I would have just stayed in the Air Force. I would have had a lot more control over my own life and future… GO BACK!!!!

Try being a female parachute rigger with a back injury (denied disability by the military after ETS), divorced with three children to support.
Still looking for a career– Since 1995– and taking any odd job crap work to feed my kids.

USA 1SGT Retired Signal/Ordance
29W5MH We have to do something about this good-old-boy system. I’m in Colorado Springs/ been trying to get a job @ Ft. crason for 11 years, I’m still hard-core and know Army procedures like the back of my hand. Hope guys like me can get a job on Base one day.

I understand and am sadly experienceing the dreaded long wait for a decent job or even a federal job. Most companies will not pay relocation expences and I cannot afford to sale my home with the economy and lose $35,000 to $50,000 out of pocket to sale my home at a huge discounted rate.
I am retired Navy with multi-faceted knowledge and experience that equals a GS-12 and I have a Bachelors degree in Business Admin with a minor in Education and minor in Manangement. Both me an my wife are unemployed, my wife for two years and her benefits just got extended for the last time and run out in February. I have a household of FIVE and only income is retirement and the little disability I receive. I find odd labor jobs here and there and I mean hard labor jobs that pay little for your back breaking labor pain. I also know it does pay to know someone inside but that does not always get you in. You have to start at ground zero ‚that is, IF you can land the job over the thousands applying for the same job and sometimes its someone with a MASTERS DEGREE getting the $28,000 to $35,000 year technical or better jobs. I have also experienced that everyone thinks diversity, teamwork, outside the box thinking, but when in the interview it is more about specific job focus, are you 100% committed to US not your family, education, other commitments away from the job, and can you work 50 to 60 hours a week and some weekends for the offered terms and low pay? In three years of 1000’s and 1000’s of job applications and you know how long it takes to fill a gov’t application online, I have had 16 job interviews, 8 second interviews and applied to over 200 HOT JOBS that the military and civilian sector say that are open until filled or desperate for a candidate, but I cannot even get a call back or email response except you are overqualified/not qualified or did not meet the criteria or even you were not among the selected candidates. Can’t get a lower paying job because I live in Texas and the illegal immagrants get all the construction and $15 and below worthwhile jobs. Most jobs requirements are written and key words requested automatically disqualify you even if you have a high level of knowledge or experience and are considered a skilled worker (excellent knowledge and compentecies above basic job level discription and education). I also realize just like the last post, that maybe you do have to actually LIE or COPY and PASTE the job description. Maybe I will try to change my nationality or religious preference. EXAMPLE: I will classify myself as a Spanish speaking Hispanic American. I will live the FREE American way for FREE handouts, FREE medical, FREE education, better job opportunities, NOT REQUIRED to have insurance and only speak Spanish or my religion is different than yours. I am not held accountable to anything. Now, you cannot and will not slander, libel or punish me on this because it would not be politically correct and I have more rights than a true American. That is the new politically correct American melting pot that is melting away America and its values to real Americans that scacrifice, fight, suffer life long injuries and even die for. True American Patriatizm is given away to political correctness.

When the economy is good and companies are struggling to find people, everyone thinks they got in because they beat out the crowd. When the economy is bad and one can’t land something that they want, it all of a sudden isn’t them…it’s “the man” or the good-ol’ boy network” that’s preventing a highly qualified person like themselves from getting the six figure job.
Resumes are flat and worth about as much as the paper they’re written on. The way of the world has always been networking, not necessarily the cynical “good ol’ boys network” mentioned above. If one is really qualified and competent for a job then work on noting accomplishments and getting references from competent leaders. In tough economic markets the worst thing an employer can do is hire someone who can’t produce and make the numbers as they’ll lose opportunity, revenue, and overhead in paying someone who wasn’t able to tow the line.
One of the best places to network is at a local college or jr. college taking certificate or executive programs. Everyone is affected by this economic downturn and the last thing others want to hear is another person preaching to the choir and carrying on with the same crap we can tune into CBS for. Get out there, be enthusiastic, and find some optimism to spread around with others…they’ll remember you for it.

Back in the late 60’s early 70’s the Air Force had a program called Project Transition. It really seemed to help those getting out after 4 years or retiring, etc.
I worked as a Transition Counselor; then later helped close out the program as NCOIC of Transition at my base. Surprise, some time later, I think in the 90’s, this ‘new” transition program turned up! I got a good laugh. But if it helped, it was worth it…
I cant cry about finding a job after I retired because I in was in training for one as a fed 9 days after retirement. However, had I had a 2 year or higher college degree; I could never have got in under the Viet Era Assistance Program. I had the hours but not the paper. As it was I only had a 5 point vets preference.
One thing I suggest, save as much leave as you can and use terminal leave. Or at least if you still can, sell it back for something to tide you over a bit. I had 63 days leave, took it terminal and used it well. Retired in 84; am now retired from CS after 20 years there.
No the economy isnt good now; and probably wont be for some time, contrary to some popular beliefs.
Use your off-duty time wisely, if you can. I have seen too many people lean toward the ‘soft’ core degrees, management, education, etc. But have seen the more technical ones appear to come out on top.
More I cannot say other than good luck to all of you upon separation/retirement. And God bless all those past, present and future that serve/served.

I stepped off the boat in ’87 with $200 dollars in my pocket having spent everything I made while in service. I ran down the pier and tossed all my uniforms into the dumpster…and I’ve been struggling ever since. A year out of the navy i was hit by a pickup truck, while riding my motorcycle home from work. With no benefits and no insurance, it was a financial disaster, coupled with the fact that the driver of the truck was an illegal alien and fled the scene never to be caught. 10 years later I stepped off the bus at Parris Island. Unfortunately, the leg acted up and I was sent home. Once again with about $200 and a bus ticket home. I then put myself through college, and I did well. A college degree is worth little these days, even less if it’s in a field that isn’t a desirable one. I have often thought that if i had stayed in, I would have retired at 38 (I’m now 44). the military is only the most value when you complete a 20 year hitch. If you get out before then, it’s only luck that will see you through the tough times…and there are alot more of those, than you ever saw in the service. The other more important issue, is that civilians don’t think the same way as the military. If you go into a job with a gung ho attitude, those looking for a promotion will see you as a threat and will do whatever they have to do to sabotage your career. Oh they’ll be great to your face, but it’s all just an act. Be mindful of what you have read, my operational knowledge in this arena is vast…Stay in, do the time, get a retirement package and then when you do get out, you wont have to worry that much…and try to put some of that service money in the bank…It doesn’t hurt to have a financial plan in place either…good luck.