What do you do for a living

[Luke]

Just looking for some opinions, Im in the Marines on a 5 year contract. I have about 3 years left and Im trying to plan ahead on what to do when I get out and want to knock out most college now while its 100% tution, if I don't decide to stay in, But Im at a lost for what to do I have a year on my associates in Graphics/Printing don't wanna do that though, and Im a F-18 mech now and Aviation mechs actually don't make much and the job market sucks from what Im told, I've though of lawenforcement, or a heavy machine operator or somthing. If any one has any idea's or really like what your doing and could tell me about it I'd like to know. Has to be somthing that makes good money to live off, does'nt have to be six figures, just somthing you can live decently off of.

 

[xjwoody]

Why don't you run for President..? :wstupid:

 

[GI-John]

I have about 3 years left and Im trying to plan ahead on what to do when I get out and want to knock out most college now while its 100% tution.

Are you in a position where you can max out on college right now?

What is your workload?

How many credits do you have right now, and are you currently enrolled?

Many colleges and tech schools will award you credit for your military training/schooling. Try to earn certificates/ degrees from that first

Im a F-18 mech now and Aviation mechs actually don't make much and the job market sucks from what Im told. .

Structural, avionics, propulsion? what is your specialty (or do you just load bombs and such?)
I'd be willing to bet that an aviation mechanic makes more than a heavy equipment operator.

Try to specialize in SOMETHING....your knowledge and experience will help you greatly in a job search.


Good luck,

John

 

[mopar1]

Or stay in and retire. My father-in-law retired about five years ago from the army after 20 years I think. Now he works a smal job and collects his retirement checks!

 

[ChuckD]

Join the Air Guard,


The Guard isn't just the weekend warriors, we have full-time Federal Technicians. If you have AV expierience you may have to go to tech school for a specific air frame or job reclassification. Otherwise I say the pay usually starts at $20 per hour with very good benefits. Even if you do it for a while along with pursueing higher education. The work is very low stress and I know many who have finished degrees while working there full-time. Just find a unit with a low cost-of-living. They have jobs all over the country.

http://www.ang.af.mil/OM/career/

 

[Luke]

Never heard of the Airgaurd before, But will look into it.
My specialty 6217, is a Engine Mech and it counts as a few college credits for the training I have done.

 

[ChuckD]

Never heard of the Airgaurd before, But will look into it.
My specialty 6217, is a Engine Mech and it counts as a few college credits for the training I have done.

Well check it out, I have F-16's in Fresno, my Dad was a Engine Mechanic also. I'm in the Finance Section now, but I was in Non-destructive Inspection and Avionics back when I first joined in 91'.

Let me know if you need help with aplications, the KSA questions are very important.

You just have to remember not all the services treat thier people the same. The Air Force by far IMHO is the most humane. For example, we stay in nice hotel like rooms where the the other services are lucky to get a tent.

 

[19XJ96]

I was prior service in the Air Force. When I got out I took a job as an Air Force Engineering and Technical Services F-16 Weapons System Specialist. I am a Civil Service Employee. At each base we have a rep for each specialty Avionics, Engines, APG, ECM and Lantirn. What engines are in the F-18's Pratt's or GE's? This maybe something you might want to look into. Do the Marines have Civilian Technical Specialist?

 

[JnJ]

You just have to remember not all the services treat thier people the same. The Air Force by far IMHO is the most humane. For example, we stay in nice hotel like rooms where the the other services are lucky to get a tent.

Being retired Army, I would have to agree with that statement. Though for the active duty folks, the promotions are a little slower in the AF.

 

[Luke]

F-18 and the F18 Super Hornet is a GE Engine, We have GE Reps and Boeing Reps and a handful of civilians we work with. So in the Airgaurd, or you a civilian as a federal Employee or is it actually a branch of service that pays by the hour???

 

[19XJ96]

I am a Civil Service GS Employee I work for the Department of Defense, but yes I am a Federal Employee. We work with Active duty units all over the world. I do not know if the guard has Civilian specialist or not. Another option may be to look at Tinker AFB that is the Depot for the Air Force's engines. GE's and Pratt's.

 

[ChuckD]

F-18 and the F18 Super Hornet is a GE Engine, We have GE Reps and Boeing Reps and a handful of civilians we work with. So in the Airgaurd, or you a civilian as a federal Employee or is it actually a branch of service that pays by the hour???

Well if you go Guard, you have to join the unit. The plus side to it is the active duty time your already have done can then be applied to a guard retirement at age 65. Then if you have over 15 yrs, as a Federal Technician,WS gardes for mechanics, then you'll have two retirements. The AF Reserve units do the same thing also. So you'll have your Federal Service pay, plus when you do a drill weekend you'll have that pay as well.

I guess the down side is that you'll have regular monthly drills, but then there is also the ability to double dip. Which is being on a Military leave staus and then be on orders and get paid from both. Kinda like getting paid overtime without actually working it.

 

[Boatwrench]

Stay In.

I got out as an E5. Went to work as a Union apprentice auto mechanic, endured the dealership being sold twice in 9 years, each time losing senority and accrued vacation. Laid off twice due to slow business and thank goodness the reserve checks were coming in.

Back on active duty since 9/12/01. It's nice having 30 days paid vacation, 14 holidays, medical and employer that cares (no I'm not USAF). Benefits you take for granted while in the military most civilians don't get. Tax free shopping at the exchange, commissary shopping, good MWR venues, early liberty.

If you do get out get that degree and go back to OCS.

Tom

 

[HossHoffer]

I went your route. I had a couple of years of college before entering the Air Force. While I was in I got my A&P license and some additional schooling along with my AA. For the next 14 & 1/2 years I worked for the airline until I got laid off in November. If you want to stay in aviation then get your licenses. Not just your A&P but your FCC also. Most of the major airlines still do their engine overhauls so don't be afraid to look for that even now. United has engine overhaul in San Francisco and North Carolina. Delta has engine overhaul in Atlanta and don't forget Pratt and Whitney and GE run their own overhaul facilities. If you just want to be a line mechanic then there are jobs out there but they are in the $20/hr plus benefits range. I know here in Denver that they are hiring for mechanics at a biz jet outfit. Good luck.

 

[OT]

I was smart enough to marry a woman with a future. She's an RN makin the dough while I go to school and supplementing our income with GI Bill money and disability payments. Although this route may not be for you.

 

[BillR]

I got out of the USAF in '79 as a Wepons Control Systems mechanic. I stayed in electronics in some form, and now work for the local government as a network analyst.

 

[SeanP]

I have a college degree in Journalism and spent that last 10 years selling new technologies in IT and digital video. Just when I was going to quit and start a business, they pull me back in. Have made enough to buy good jeep parts, but not quite enough to pay somebody to finish my jeep with pretty welds.

SeanP

 

[woody]

I dunno how the Air Guard works their GS techs, but I'm pretty sure the ARNG had dual-slotted positions...basically the workers had to be members of a ARNG unit to maintain employment. Maybe it was just the particular place I was near (Ft Riley MATES site -the NG equipment depot-) I was a GS7/ (Sgt E5) Unit Admin in the National Guard for a bit, then got a stripe & got same job as an AGR E6 Cavalry Scout & 4.2 Mortar Platoon Training NCO. This position was dual-slotted as a Scout Squad Leader. Civilian Civil Service jobs are out there too, if you can get one and set into their mode.

Not long after I got out, I went to work for a land surveyor part & full time, along with a couple year stint in industrial (textile) mechanics & about a freshman year of comm college courses. Then did a couple years on a Snap-On tool route.

I got back into surveying with the NCDOT, and did a couple years of dawn to dark road & bridge building stakeouts, bookwork & CAD classes. That lead to a promotion and a 'permanent' job in a QA Asphalt lab, and more opportunity to continue school...work type & comm college. I have a great situation now...not the most intellectually challenging job, but I have a gearhead boss who's junk we look after (along with my own) and it's warm/cool, dry, & safe place with strong 220v & 110v right by the door, and far, far away from the careless & deadly motoring public.

I'd advise taking more classes towards a 2yr degree (in anything... eng-math-sci-his-lit?music?art) before you get out. Make sure the courses/school(s) you hook up have some sort of transer agreement to higher schools. If you get deployed, be sure to have arrangements made with your professors...but set that as a near-goal to be 2yr degreed.

While you finish up your hitch, load that Associate Degree out, and be thinking of areas/schools you like...if you aren't tied to a particular one by family or tied to the Corps for life by then.

FWIW Thank you Sir for serving! I have a young cousin serving in the USMC, doing something in the middle east, and two more young rock & roll buddies who just passed Boot in Parris Island and are fixin to be New Marines in 2004. Look after their asses with tough -18 CAS motors for me! Also had a childhood dirt-biking buddy (Maj Brooks Gruber) who rode down as Co-Pilot of the Osprey that crashed in AZ. If you get anywhere near one of those, nod a salute to the brave Marines that go forth for the USA.

Good Luck, Semper Fi, All the Way & all that...

 

[Luke]

FWIW Thank you Sir for serving! I have a young cousin serving in the USMC, doing something in the middle east, and two more young rock & roll buddies who just passed Boot in Parris Island and are fixin to be New Marines in 2004. Look after their asses with tough -18 CAS motors for me! Also had a childhood dirt-biking buddy (Maj Brooks Gruber) who rode down as Co-Pilot of the Osprey that crashed in AZ. If you get anywhere near one of those, nod a salute to the brave Marines that go forth for the USA.

Good Luck, Semper Fi, All the Way & all that...

Will do, and us Marines try and stay off them Osprey's, prone to crashing, But sounds like they are working the bugs out of them.

 

[Herc146]

Im like ChuckD, Air Guard Technician with the California Air Guard for about 5 yrs.Best Job
I've ever had.Im a C-130 Crew Chief. Get as much college done while on active duty!!!!!!!!!!!
and if you want to stay in aviation get your A&P Certificate!!! Take Care and Good Luck!!