I am Getting out the ARMY.

[wwtd]

I'll be getting out the ARMY in about 6 months. I wanted to know if you guys have any good suggestions for me when I get out. I have not look for work since I joined so any good advice would help. In the ARMY I do finance but I am open to almost any kind of job. I am also taking any job offers . Thanks.

[SPLLANCER]

I don't really have anything helpful to tell you but... I get out in 6 months too! I'm so excited!

[wwtd]

I don't really have anything helpful to tell you but... I get out in 6 months too! I'm so excited!

yea, can't wait.

[true story]

College seems like a decent place to kick it for the next four years or so, GI Bill maybe?

[wwtd]

College seems like a decent place to kick it for the next four years or so, GI Bill maybe?

thanks, I already have that going for me, for now I' am applying to some of the best schools the 9/11 can afford me. My plan B is community college.

[true story]

I've thought about using the GI, but I can't afford to support my family on just an e-5 stipend, have you started ACAP'ing? I always wondered what they do for guys getting out and if it's just as useless as a lot of the programs they try to brag about providing us. My advice is just start hitting up job fairs and start networking. Maybe ask friends and family from home if they know of any leads.

[SPLLANCER]

Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I can't support a family with E5 BAH...I think I'm gonna go back overseas as a contractor...

[wwtd]

I've thought about using the GI, but I can't afford to support my family on just an e-5 stipend, have you started ACAP'ing? I always wondered what they do for guys getting out and if it's just as useless as a lot of the programs they try to brag about providing us. My advice is just start hitting up job fairs and start networking. Maybe ask friends and family from home if they know of any leads.

At this moment i am in Afghanistan, so I have not started ACAP. i should be going back in about a month and i should start on the 29 of February. I hope that the program isn't dome crap, but if it is it wont be a surprise.

[wwtd]

Yeah, I'm in the same boat. I can't support a family with E5 BAH...I think I'm gonna go back overseas as a contractor...

I would come back as contractor, but i have to finish college. The money in the ARMY is good but i have to finish college, plus i don't want to spend any more time away from my wife. I am sure that is gonna suck just getting E-5 BAH, but is way better than nothing. I am afraid that i will not be able to have the same life style and keep modding my car, but when i think about the life style i have in the ARMY, I know is not the one i want for me, my wife and future kids.

[true story]

I would come back as contractor, but i have to finish college. The money in the ARMY is good but i have to finish college, plus i don't want to spend any more time away from my wife. I am sure that is gonna suck just getting E-5 BAH, but is way better than nothing. I am afraid that i will not be able to have the same life style and keep modding my car, but when i think about the life style i have in the ARMY, I know is not the one i want for me, my wife and future kids.

I feel the same way. I'm just hoping that the mos I have really does transition well into the civilian life like everybody in my unit hypes it up to be. I'll probably start checking it out when I got two years left and if my prospects are slim, drop my warrant packet.

[wwtd]

I feel the same way. I'm just hoping that the mos I have really does transition well into the civilian life like everybody in my unit hypes it up to be. I'll probably start checking it out when I got two years left and if my prospects are slim, drop my warrant packet.

what is ur MOS?

My MOS is finance and with out that college degree there is nothing that i can do that can get me a decent pay check. I could apply for a GS position but i would not get anything hire than GS-6, so screw it, college would give a better turn around.

[true story]

12P, prime power production specialist. We're medium voltage. I'm currently overseeing a power plant that provides power to the western part of Kandahar. Apparently, some of the guys in my unit have been offered six figures to start, but turned it down because it wasn't high enough. I'm hoping I get an offer starting at 120k around the Philly/Wilmington area, cause I would become a civilian in a heart beat. Every guy in my unit has a number their waiting for. Some guys who have been a part of my unit have crazy numbers like 300, mine is 120.

[wwtd]

12P, prime power production specialist. We're medium voltage. I'm currently overseeing a power plant that provides power to the western part of Kandahar. Apparently, some of the guys in my unit have been offered six figures to start, but turned it down because it wasn't high enough. I'm hoping I get an offer starting at 120k around the Philly/Wilmington area, cause I would become a civilian in a heart beat. Every guy in my unit has a number their waiting for. Some guys who have been a part of my unit have crazy numbers like 300, mine is 120.

If you don't to stay in the ARMY don't stay, you will do good if u really want to do it. If you ever doubt yourself reed a book called who moved my cheese.

http://www.amazon.com/Who-Moved-My-C...sr=1-1-catcorr

[true story]

I know what you're saying and I agree. I could walk right now and I would be fine, but I'm trying to set myself up for the greatest success. I got five years left to finish my EE degree and then I'm looking to get out. But with the economy and all those other factors out there, a retired CW3 paycheck wouldn't hurt me either. So it's the typical Army toss up. I'm not too happy with what I'm missing being in, but I'm also not complaining about what I could get by retiring at 43. That's still really young and then I could pursue the career I want, not the one that just meets the requirements needed to support me and my family.

[WaWaMKVDub]

I got out almost a year ago and am still unemployed. I can't even get a ****ty retail job. I definitely suggest having something lined up for when you get out. I didn't really have anything lined up and am sucking at the moment.

[wwtd]

it sounds good.
I just don't want to spend all that time away, so I'm ready to sacrifice the comfy army and go to the unstable civilian side.

[Zombiee313]

ARMY

Okay it is really bothering me.... why are you using all caps when you talk about the Army?

Now getting back on topic... I am using the new GI Bill but I am a single guy so it is a little tight money wise but I can more then make do.

Network, Network, Network..... it isn't always what you know.... it is who you know!! I had a sweet job offer in Utah to do Depot level work on A-10's when I got out but I turned it down.... because it was in Utah and I REALLY COULD NOT see myself living in Utah.

I am sure as you get closer if you put out some feelers and such you can get hooked up with job offers before you get out.

[Zombiee313]

it sounds good.
I just don't want to spend all that time away, so I'm ready to sacrifice the comfy army and go to the unstable civilian side.

The other thing too is to look into going into the Guard..... Might I suggest the Air Guard as treating their people better then the Army Guard btw

[wwtd]

Now getting back on topic... I am using the new GI Bill but I am a single guy so it is a little tight money wise but I can more then make do.

Network, Network, Network..... it isn't always what you know.... it is who you know!! I had a sweet job offer in Utah to do Depot level work on A-10's when I got out but I turned it down.... because it was in Utah and I REALLY COULD NOT see myself living in Utah.

I am sure as you get closer if you put out some feelers and such you can get hooked up with job offers before you get out.

[wwtd]

The other thing too is to look into going into the Guard..... Might I suggest the Air Guard as treating their people better then the Army Guard btw

That is not a bad idea at all, i'll take a look at the air guard.

[DUB_MANGv2]

go to school and take up unemployment. i know ill get flak for saying it but why not? your ALREADY paying for it in taxes. when i came off active the first thing i did was sign up for unemployment. the pay was pretty close to my base pay and it helps keep the stress off while looking for a decent job. as for using your gi bill, DO NOT go to a major univ off the bat. go to a community college that way you can pocket the majority of the gi bill since city college units are WAY cheaper. why pay more for the same general education? finally, if you dont hate the military by time you come off active then i suggest you go guard. the pay is good for what we really dont do and it still adds points to your retirement pay.

not sure how it works now, but when i was ets'ing 'acap' was basically 2 months of shamming until my contract ended.

[wwtd]

go to school and take up unemployment. i know ill get flak for saying it but why not? your ALREADY paying for it in taxes. when i came off active the first thing i did was sign up for unemployment. the pay was pretty close to my base pay and it helps keep the stress off while looking for a decent job. as for using your gi bill, DO NOT go to a major univ off the bat. go to a community college that way you can pocket the majority of the gi bill since city college units are WAY cheaper. why pay more for the same general education? finally, if you dont hate the military by time you come off active then i suggest you go guard. the pay is good for what we really dont do and it still adds points to your retirement pay.

not sure how it works now, but when i was ets'ing 'acap' was basically 2 months of shamming until my contract ended.

That does not sound bad, the unemployment is not a bad idea but is the last I am considering. I have the new 911 gi bill, so it is gonna work a little different for me. I applied to Penn state and I am hoping to get in, if I don't, I was thinking on going to community college somewhere warm like Florida and get that nice BAH.

[true story]

<---We Are!!! Taking classes through Penn State. Had to cancel my spring semester because of all the up coming missions I have to go on. Shouldn't be too hard to get in to. I had a REALLY low GPA from my first school (way too much partying = low GPA + Army) and they let me in on a provisional status. Now I got it up to a 3.6 cumlative.

[wwtd]

Now I got it up to a 3.6 cumlative.

i am thinking on going full time

[DUB_MANGv2]

im telling you guy, sign up for unemployment asap. in fact i remember acap was pushing on that as well. its money you've already put into and it doesnt make you look bad especially coming off active. as for the 9/11 bill basically you need to have in class courses for at least 75% of your schedule in order to get the benefits (e5 pay + bah rates) im still on the original Montgomery bill, after i exhaust that THEN ill switch to the 9/11 bill for a year. (great perk for us older folks). so ill say it again. take up unemployment asap (u can cancel it once you get a job) and go to a community college because its cheaper for the same education, at least up until you work towards a BS/BA

[wwtd]

im telling you guy, sign up for unemployment asap. in fact i remember acap was pushing on that as well. its money you've already put into and it doesnt make you look bad especially coming off active. as for the 9/11 bill basically you need to have in class courses for at least 75% of your schedule in order to get the benefits (e5 pay + bah rates) im still on the original Montgomery bill, after i exhaust that THEN ill switch to the 9/11 bill for a year. (great perk for us older folks). so ill say it again. take up unemployment asap (u can cancel it once you get a job) and go to a community college because its cheaper for the same education, at least up until you work towards a BS/BA

[Steveo989]

If you have Post 9/11 skip community college if you are up to speed in math, reading, writing... Community College is a huge waste of time, and some classes will likely be turned down by the University that you are applying to. Not to mention Universities have so so so many more resources. I go to the U of MN with 50k ish students, there is a club for nearly any interest under the sun, and that means you can easily network with others build some friendships in a common interest. Then of course those friends can likely help with landing your first job after school.

There are also many more classes that you would never be able to take at a community college. Plus, who cares how much school costs if you qualify for Chapt 33 Post 9/11 at 100% rate. They will cover the bill... You can also apply for grants, in those cases the value of the grant will be refunded to your checking account since the Gi Bill still pays whatever your full tuition bill is before the grants. You earned the Gi Bill, and grants are there to help you if you were a normal student, so it isn't really double dipping...

Finally, Unemployment... Just don't be a douchebag using it while you have no intention of finding a job and just milking it because you can... By all means use it to help hold you over until you start school, but terminate it thereafter.

Another perk of Univ vs CC is that you can EASILY coordinate study groups for your tests. CC is filled with a bunch of people doing their own thing and many work FT hours so it is pretty difficult to get anything going. Student groups are also pretty non-existant. I went to the largest CC in the State and they had a handful of generic clubs.

Spark Note: Just choose University, if you go to a good school your grades will be slightly inflated since you are "the best and the brightest".... Also, A million more resources for everything... However, if you go to a state school that isn't selective you might want to go to a CC, get your GPA up, then apply to a more selective school.

[wwtd]

If you have Post 9/11 skip community college if you are up to speed in math, reading, writing... Community College is a huge waste of time, and some classes will likely be turned down by the University that you are applying to. Not to mention Universities have so so so many more resources. I go to the U of MN with 50k ish students, there is a club for nearly any interest under the sun, and that means you can easily network with others build some friendships in a common interest. Then of course those friends can likely help with landing your first job after school.

There are also many more classes that you would never be able to take at a community college. Plus, who cares how much school costs if you qualify for Chapt 33 Post 9/11 at 100% rate. They will cover the bill... You can also apply for grants, in those cases the value of the grant will be refunded to your checking account since the Gi Bill still pays whatever your full tuition bill is before the grants. You earned the Gi Bill, and grants are there to help you if you were a normal student, so it isn't really double dipping...

Finally, Unemployment... Just don't be a douchebag using it while you have no intention of finding a job and just milking it because you can... By all means use it to help hold you over until you start school, but terminate it thereafter.

Another perk of Univ vs CC is that you can EASILY coordinate study groups for your tests. CC is filled with a bunch of people doing their own thing and many work FT hours so it is pretty difficult to get anything going. Student groups are also pretty non-existant. I went to the largest CC in the State and they had a handful of generic clubs.

Spark Note: Just choose University, if you go to a good school your grades will be slightly inflated since you are "the best and the brightest".... Also, A million more resources for everything... However, if you go to a state school that isn't selective you might want to go to a CC, get your GPA up, then apply to a more selective school.

[wwtd]

Thanks to all of you that gave me some advice. Just to keep you all in the loop of what is going on; I only have like 27 days left, I got accepted to Penn State University and I will be attending it for the fall semester. For the ecconomical part I will be collecting unemployment till I fine decent job or my wife does( she'll get her 4 year degree by the end of December). State college, PA, i'll see this fall.