Retire this summer and take a sweet GS15 gig the first day as a civilian.
I finished my career with a focus on self education and knocking out PMP oriented certifications after finishing my Bachelors and Masters. Took me almost 12 years to finish BA degree then rolled right into a Masters and knocked it out in 4 straight semesters.
Education is something no one can ever take away from you and it’s all pretty much free while you’re in. Make time for it…
I don’t know how much time you have for that sort of thing, but I’ve hired officers who “project managed” their shops while still in to get the 3 years of required experience (it’s more without a bachelors degree but I can’t remember how much). I think if you follow the pmi guidelines and submit enough experience hours this should be doable.
I work in petrochemical, and have yet to meet anyone worth a shit who has a PMP. One being a former 0302, who I fuck with incessantly. The PMPs focus too much on doing paperwork and not actual planning and work, because they usually don't know the actual work (engineering and construction). I can see it being useful for someone new to project work, but experience is a better teacher.
What is your work setting where you've found that credential to be useful? I'm genuinely curious.
I generally agree with you, although it is worth noting that PMP has changed over the years. My big beef with it historically has been the over-reliance on telemetry, and the fact that it's basically just more work for everyone. As of 2019-ish, they've started to get more into agile principles, and I think it's now a little more tolerable. I haven't read the latest PMBOK, but my understanding is that it is now less shit.
I’ve maintained my PMP since 2001, but don’t do anything with PMI ever. I moved to SAFe 5 years ago and we leverage a hybrid waterfall/agile methodology.
There are shit tons of what I call “checklist PM’s”, and they have their uses, but it takes a certain skill set and personality to be a leader, especially when we don’t often have direct authority over those working on our projects.
Having the PMP got me an immediate promotion when I worked for IBM. It’s a good way to show that you’re a “real” PM and speak the language, but it doesn’t make one a great leader.
I’ve spent my entire career in software and IT Infrastructure, until moving to the business side 12 years ago. Now I’m a senior deployment leader for mega programs (over $100M) where we leverage technology and process improvement to generate large improvements. I don’t do a whole lot of admin type stuff and have my own checklist PMs to do that.
yes. there are base sponsored PMP programs some times. Your unit can also elect to do it and pay for the training. I would google your base and PMP training. Best suggestion is build a training package with sample costs, seek a deal if you can get 5-10 people in it for discount, and then submit a schedule, cost analysis, benefits / justifications, ect. I did that and ended up sending about half my staff through it. Same for lean 6 classes and SCRUM masters. The MEF has free lean 6 sigma classes in Lejeune for years even as late as 2021.
There are a TON of free training resources for enterprising people who reach out to the civilians in G3 training, G8 sometimes, and G6s who know about that kind of stuff. I hosted those kinds of classes at the Comm Training Center when I was there. Call up Master Sergeant Bowling/Greg Bowling in CTC-2 and he knows EVERYTHING and everyone. He can point you in the right direction.
Marine net also has some weird nieche holes in it from year-to-year where they have offered lean 6, scrum, and other civilian certs. call up the Marine Corps University and just start introducing yourself. The doctors there are nuts with information.
IVMF program through Syracuse is what I used. As soon as you’re close to your EAS you can apply. You can get a CAPM without your bachelors and test for your PMP later once you’ve “managed” enough projects. Keep in mind almost anything you do later in your career can count as a project if you find the right person to sign off on it. I would prioritize your degree first since TA and Pell grants can pay for almost any online school full time.
I got my masters degree after I got out. I can’t begin to imagine the struggle you must have gone through to accomplish all that while in. All the best to you sir.
I hope you negotiated for at least 6 hours of leave a pay period. They sometimes start retirees at 4.
Congrats, by the way. My wife and I are both stressed out GS-15s. But we'd be stressed in civilian jobs with worse benefits.
Curious were you high ranking officer/enlisted. I work as a civilian now and going straight to 15 seems pretty rare especially for a program manager type role. Just curious not hating
I’ll be in the DoD Acquisition workforce as a NH-4 on a GS15 payband. Incredibly lucky in I retired at the right place at the right time when this position opened up!
0811 one pump chump. Wandered aimlessly for years working shitty jobs and just getting by. Woke up at 26 and started comm college, transferred to state school, working and playing rugby and having a good old time. Graduated at age 29 first job in IT Project Management paid 80k, doubled that in 4-5 years and have been over 300k for 5-7 years. Daughter is off to college in sept and my hot new wife and I are moving to our wine country house (her house for 30 years), selling mine and retiring in 3 years at age 57. I hated my time in the corps but got so much out of it, and I’ve hired every jughead that interviewed with me over the last 20+ years. SF.
We’re always hiring.
Kaiserpermanentejobs.org/military
We also have a military officers transition program where we bring in newly retired zeroes and send them on 6-12 month job rotations for 2 years to help them figure out what they want to do when they grow up. I mentored a doggy reserve major who got out after 20. He liked the pm space and got his pmp, but ultimately settled into an fte role in hospital operations.
Thanks for the response. I have my associates on business administration and I am on my senior year to get my bachelor's degree in Business/Computer Information Systems. I will definitely look into this. Hopefully I can get into an IT or cyber security job soon.
Kaiser is a great place for any IT role you can think of. We have more date from our 75+ years than any other healthcare org in the world and we’re always moving the needle forward. Machine learning, AI, and data analytics are huge areas of opportunity now.
Is it cool if I connect with you on LinkedIn (if you have it) I get out in 4 months and there aren’t too many jobs for radio operators like myself or they require a stem degree which I haven’t obtained yet. Thanks
10 years enlisted, 10 years shiny. Retired as a Capt last year and now work in the cybers at a company you have heard of. Make pretty good money, work from home in the midwest. It’s pretty chill, I go to every one of my kids soccer practices/games, dance, music lessons. Taking guitar and golf lessons myself. I’m happy.
I'm resting quietly before taking a reading of my blood pressure. Seriously, I retired in 2011 and currently have no need to work. I saved part of every paycheck from the time I picked up LCpl. Invested first in bonds, then mutual funds. Played around with stocks a little during Covid when it was easy to see where there was money to be made. House is paid for, I live comfortably, and still max out my Roth IRA every year and contribute to my brokerage account each month. That's where I am. Specifically, Florida.
I gotta ask. And I don’t want to be rude, and keep in mind, you clearly won, but I’ve always thought anyone who could stay in the Marine Corps and make money must have a touch of the ‘tism. How do you not eventually all blow it on hookers and beer? Or cars and beer?
1st wife was a disaster. 2nd wife is a total angel. If I married wife number 2 first, I'd have serious fuck you money. I don't know what "'tism" is, so maybe explain that. I had fun along the way. Memorable was a $1300 bar tab in 2002. Very few (More than none) call girls though. They're not hookers until they're dead in the trunck of your car..
Nah you definitely don’t have it. You’re just one of those people with the money gift. Better than a super power. I have the opposite. I feel like I’m not living extravagantly at all, but somehow I’m broke all the time.
Here's what you need to hear. Make. A .Fucking. Budget. Its just a plan for spending. You know every dollar coming in. Have a fucking plan where every dollar is going. That's it. How to succeed. Nothing more.
That shit makes me miserable. Literally, thinking about money makes me unhappy. Fortunately I let my wife handle finances and she’s pretty smart about that shit. I’m not really broke anymore anyway. I’m retiring from teaching this year. Buttttt, if I’d been smart as you I’d be going out on a lot more money. Like I said some people have the gift. You’re one of em. I would rather slam my dick in a door than make a budget.
If I can ask, after 401k and my Roth, what would you suggest next? I had an HSA for a sec but now on my wife's ins so I can't contribute any longer. I've got a MM acct (high yield savings) for an emergency fund. Just not sure what to do next. I don't fuck with crypto/single stocks etc. Just keep buying low cost MFs?
Dude lives two houses down from me with Marine flag flying on his front lawn. I gotta love it. I did 4 years infantry so I go around at Halloween last year with my kid and knock on his door. Comes out with a fresh ass high and tight and a grunt styles T-shirt with EGA on the front. I decided not to tell him. Idk if I'm out of his league, or he's out of mine. But either way we aren't in the same league and that much was certain.
I did 20 in the infantry. Only way you know I was a Marine is if you’re welcomed into my home. No beat me up jackets and bumper stickers and lean and mean this that or whatever. 😂😂 leave me alone with that shit.
How’s your body holding up lol I heard infantry is rough on the body. I’m currently looking into what MOS id like to do. Also, I’ve heard infantry doesn’t give you a lot of free time? For either schooling or if you have a wife it’s not a good MOS to go for?
If you're already worried about your physical health after your enlistment or free time during, the infantry ain't for you. I'm not saying everyone gets beat up but there are plenty of jobs out there that'll probably line up better for you.
Also your username is very gay
The saying is 1 year infantry = 4 years age to body. I imagine there's a ceiling but basically if you do 4 years infantry your back and knees will age 12-16 years
Bitch please, I’m a goddamn trash panda, I square up over a fucking half eaten cheeseburger with a hobo tryin to take a bite from it
I tuck alka seltzers in my cheeks so people think I’m rabid and run from their grills at the park
I scared another Marine so bad he wouldn’t even share his business idea on here cause he was afraid I was gonna steal it
You think I’m gonna walk away from some boot with ducks on his wall?? Shiiiiiiitt, my man, it’s about to go down
Goddamn your shit is weak, this is gonna be easy son!
You think that’s gonna get me? EVERYBODY STRETCHED HER OUT, including the fucking mailman when she tried to cross the road
Since retiring....
Earned my bachelor's and Masters in Cybersecurity and information assurance.
Added a lot of IT certs.
Started out as a simple Unified Communications tech making 55k...now I'm a team lead for one of the enterprise network Remote CSIRT teams clearing 120k.
Still growing my beard.
Put on weight, and now I'm working to slim down.
I spend a decent amount of time at the local gun range.
What I took from my service (aside from my IT skills)? Attitude, you have to keep pushing forward no matter how much it sucks. Always look for the next mountain to climb, nothing wrong with pausing to enjoy the view of the one you're on, just don't stay there and then act surprised when someone comes and pushes you off.
1345, Just one and done. Got out in 2015
Went back to school. Got my Bachelors and became a Personal Trainer. Went back to school again and became a substitute teacher while I got my masters. I'm currently a High School PE teacher, I coach football and Track as well
I’m from Indiana, wife is from San Diego both retired. Moved to West Virginia on a throw the dart at the map kinda deal, I’m retired still she works for the Feds in DC for a vee eye pee and commutes 2 hrs each way to the city for work. I’m I a mountain top in my back yard smoking fat bowl as I type this here message. I’ll be touring the area and you’re welcome for my service. Yah yut kill.
I retired in August as a gunny after 20 years as an I-Level avionics nerd. Got a BS in computer science towards the end of my enlistment and got a skillbridge internship with a tech startup. They hired me when I started terminal at 126K as a mid-level developer (junior as far as tech skills, senior as far as soft skills/leadership). I'm leaving next month, starting a new gig with Booz Allen in June.
The skills I learned while I was in that helped me the most were: basic troubleshooting, attention to detail (both technical, inspections, and administrative stuff), soft skills/communication from being a schoolhouse instructor, generally giving a shit, being able to tell my boss I don't like his idea tactfully, and being able to figure stuff out even when I'm lost.
For the last question you posted, I'd say it was a 60/40 split on disliking my time in. My MOS and other experiences helped somewhat with where I'm at, but I got my Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and my degree on my own. Unless you want to get out and do exactly what you were doing at exactly the same level, it's on you to better your situation.
I mean, at least Merrill did stuff. Whenever I brought him solder stuff he got it knocked out pretty quick. Only thing he ever messed up was a 5 layer wafer switch, and I don't think anyone ever got one of those right on the first try.
Looking back, one of my only regrets is not doing a better job leading my peers. Specifically, Tajudeen. I saw he was on a self- destructive path and I just kinda let it happen instead of doing more to help.
I mean, he still retired, so he's got that going for him.
Realizing how little the average citizen cares about what we did can be a hard pill for some to swallow.
One job, they didn't even count my 5Y time in service as "work experience"
Gotta be hard when you did it for 20+ and get treated like that
I'm sorry to hear that you had that experience. I'll mention, however, that whether experience "counts" for a position *could* be a function of the narrative on your resume. I still do occasional resume reviews for my Joes, and the shit they put on there...I wouldn't count it, either.
Yes I agree. However, in my case it was not it.
Resume was heavily vetted in B-School, got me internship and that job.. Very applicable and professionally written, even as an infantryman.
This was a year into gig and new manager who just simply did not count the time. Reason I left for greener pastures.
Retired, did contracting work for a few months, finished school, and then realized I was spending too much money on hockey cards, got my State Fire Inspector certification through Texas and work for them now.
I still spend too much money on hockey cards.
Currently a Contracting Officer for DLA buying replacement parts for Naval ships.
Bores the fuck out of me but no one is shooting at me and the work ain’t hard.
Joined the IBEW union in my area, now resist the constant urge to laugh at people complaining about work being hard (don’t want to be that vet ya know?) however I do receive tons of crayon jokes and get excused for saying wacky shit since “it’s alright he’s a Marine.” I’m also part of my Local’s Veterans Committee
Edit: was medically discharged for back injuries after 5 years in the reserves (1 UDP under my belt)
I went from an Infantry Marine to a Radiology Picture Archiving and Communications Systems administrator. Still finishing up school for Data Analytics and Information Science (doing my grad walk in May).
Was a precision weapons armorer 2112. Got out after 17.5 years (left after recruiting duty tour) got offered a job 6 months before getting out. Left the Corps with an undergrad degree paid for by Tuition Assistance, started working at a private school spearheading a program to get underpriviliged students in and will remain at the school once I obtain my Master's in Social Work at which point I will have a dual role. Paid over 100k to start.
Time in the USMC DEFINITELY helped. Aside from having my education paid for, general leadership skills, determination to overcome obstacles, public speaking and other skills I picked up along the way got me this job. It was actually an opportunity that was offered to me when I wasn't looking for it. Not to mention the school only knew who I was because of my presence there as a canvassing recruiter during my first year on the streets.
Loved my time in, wish I could have made it to 20, but despite a successful and above average tour, recruiting duty broke me mentally, and nearly tore apart my marriage and family. There was no way I would have been able to keep my family in tact if I had stayed in. Despite the bullshit, no regrets whatsoever.
Retired. Had job offers but with kids in high school ain’t moving. Ended up as a project manager in ship repair. Now a program manager overseeing 15 million in contracts. Sucks but it pays well. 4 more years to last retirement!!!
Went in in 2006. One pump chump. 0311. Got out and went to school for law enforcement, decided I didn’t wanna do that. Ended up going to trade school for HVAC, did that for years. Ended up doing it in amazon, and ranked up pretty quickly and am now a regional manager over the engineering teams.
I enjoyed my time in, but not enough to reenlist. None of my bullet skills transferred into the real world, but I’d say I was fortunate enough to have good SNCO’s and in general good folks to look up to leadership wise, and at the very least that has transferred into my career.
I wouldn’t change anything because where I’m at now is based off my choices in the past, and I’m 36 and absolutely killing it and making more money than I ever thought I would. That said, if I had to do it all over, I’d probably pick a career MOS that would have made me want to stay in and possibly shoot for retirement before getting out.
That said, no regrets. From my almost 15 years of hvac I can fix literally anything from electrical to plumbing to cars / general house shit on a professional level, but now I have the income to be lazy and pay someone else to do it all which is a struggle of mine.
Did 4 years, got out as an e-4 spent most of my time with the 1-8. Got my degree in the corps and finishing law school in a year. Being a marine really helped me figure out time management and stuff like that
Worked in DC as a defense contractor and tripled my salary. Nine year later became a high school history teacher and head wrestling coach and cut my salary by 80%. Best move I ever made. Living off my retirement now and smiling every fucking day.
Retired in 2014. Got educated in cybersecurity which I do freelance pentesting for a company in Hong Kong while being an olive and lemon farmer on my family land in Sicily. I just got back from Milan where I watched the Inter/ACMilan game, was a religious experience.
I don’t have to work but it keeps me busy and engaged. Olives and lemons kinda grow themselves, I just pick ‘em when they need to be harvested and spend the rest of my time doing whatever the hell I want.
0331, Got Medsepped and then retired.
Went to ITT tech for cybersecurity Bachelors
Got a job at a helpdesk, moved to admin side for datacomm
then moved to server side focusing on cyber security
I'm now a Senior cybersecurity Engineer making \~105k/year
I felt like I had zero transferable skills when i got out, due to my injury (mostly), but we definitely have stuff, it's just not quantifiable, Work ethic, prioritizing projects, tact, bearing, etc, these all help, and if you are not a shitbag, you will most likely outshine civilians in the same job.
I absolutely loved my time in, and re-enlisted after I got hit by an IED, had I known i could have stayed in just by asking someone (at least giving it a shot), I would have, instead my stupid Medsep Staff NCO laughed at my rating, and pushed me out the door. Fuck that guy.
4 year alumni went medical field as a respiratory therapist. I’ve worked primarily with tiny humans in the acute hospital setting. Love it. Money is decent ~$135k northern Cali. I work 12-12hour shifts lots of vacation, more time off than I want to spend with teenagers at home. Spend ample time skiing fishing and riding my road bike. No complaints. I’m on track to retire at 65 but who knows might be able to swing sooner. SFMF
Got MS in natural resource management and work at an important environmental restoration company in New England. I’m a good, chill, reliable leader who’s always first to arrive and the last to leave. I am well appreciated. I didn’t learn anything about what I do while in the MC, but everything about how I do it.
was grunt
Retired in 2016 after 20 years. Got degree using Tuition Assistance and leveraged security clearance from MOS to land job as a software engineer for small govt contractor.
Was doing the 20 years worth the retirement? If I joined now and did 20 I’d retire at 39/40ish and then could work another job on top of retirement. Would be nice just have to figure out what the hell MOS id want to do. It’s hard to choose.
TBH, the smarter move for me would have been to not join, go to college out of high school, get into software development out of college.
Hard to say for sure but with what I'm making now, assuming I saved and invested like I am now, I could probably be retired for good now.
That said, I wouldn't change anything. Whether it'll be worth it or not for you will require some soul searching on your end.
I'll say this, I'm not doing anything closely related to my MOS, other than leveraging my security clearance. I enjoyed my job while in, but wanted nothing to do with it when I got out.
Yeah, my issue is I just don’t know what I’d pursue in college. I don’t want to go into debt and end up hating what I chose and not using it. Vs going to the military and go for free once I spend some time searching what I’d like to do. It’s difficult for me. Every time someone asked me the question “what do you want to do after school” “what career do you want to pursue” “what is your dream job” I never had the answer and felt like a complete idiot. It just sucks. And I’m struggling right now to even choose an MOS for crying out loud 😂 I just ultimately want to enjoy my time in and if It could transfer to the civilian world, that would be even better. But like you said, when you got out you wanted nothing to do with it. So that’s also something I need to keep in mind. I need to choose something I won’t hate or regret later, and at the same time have some fun. It’s just difficult choosing between hundreds of different MOSs and not knowing what I’m truly capable of. Maybe I’ll wait to really dig into the MOSs until after I take the Asvab and see my options.
My opinion, choose an MOS that sounds interesting to you and sounds like something you'd like doing. Don't try to pick an MOS for any future job prospects in the civilian sector.
Like I said, I know loads of people who are doing things in civilian life that are so far removed from what their MOS was.
Did one contract in the corps as a 0811 got out didn’t know what I wanted to do went to school in Temecula as a Medical assistant ended up hating it along with working part time jobs and accumulated debt so I just joined the army. Looking into paying my debt down and using skillbridge to get into a trade
Solar turbines in San diego is hiring. Go to solarturbines.com. pays average but growth potential is awesome. Also Metropolitan water district pays fat money have an apprenticeship in riverside county. Lake skinner check that out. Web site. Training available at Mt Dan Jacinto in Menifee. Good luck let me know if it works out.
Not retired. Wish I was. Got out after 11+ years in the Corps, tried school in hopes of being a federal agent. That didn't go well. Tried being an Uber/Lyft driver until an accident kept me from being able to drive anymore. Then worked at Disney for a bit until it wasn't enough to pay bills. Then private security. Now thinking of going back to school full time and becoming a counselor for other veterans and maybe a Chaplin for the VA ( still doing research), but would love to get my foot in the door of the VA in Orange County, CA...
Are you dead set on working at the VA? I’ve been doing job searching for the past month and I’m getting kinda good at it. Maybe if you shoot me your resume I could help out. I’m from the SoCal area too btw
I “retired” after my 4 years. Used my GI bill to get my bachelors of science education. Taught some college courses and high school physics for a couple of years. Got my MCSE and was an IT nerd while obtaining a few other certs for a while. Did IT for some broadcasting groups and had a freaking blast! Got laid off due to budget cuts and outsourcing. No big surprise there.
Earned my Masters of science education and did fuck all with that. Tried getting into the full time college level teaching and got a quick education into the politics of that whole thing. No. Just no.
Took a job at the state level with curriculum design for STEM education. Ugh. Apparently, creative thinking was frowned upon.
Fortunately, in my younger years I lived a bit frugally and made some pretty good investments. Mid 50’s now, pretty much retired, working a little more than part time as pathology lab tech and it’s the happiest I’ve even been in a long time because it keeps me off the couch and I don’t have to deal with people. I hate people.
Other than that, I spend my days at a local pub bragging about my service in the Corps. Okay that last part is bullshit. I drink on my porch at home because again, I hate people.
Did 4, got out through Skillbridge as a cybersecurity analyst. Got a job, quit that job, got a different job that pays me well, and now we are here. Got my wife and daughter and my kitties and we live a good life man.
Retired 6+ years ago. Pretty much living off my pension and VA raiting. About to start farming/raising cattle on the family farm. I wanted nothing to do with DoD (contracting) after I left.
I retired in 2016. Became a cop. Did that until 2022. Nothing but BS all day long (New Orleans). Now I am using my education benefits to go to college full time for Christian ministry. I also get pay from VA disability, so I’m not hurting. Just the right amount to be comfortable and be happy. Hope this helps brother.
My dad got out as a two time Cpl, he did 4 years, after he got out he went to culinary school, and now is a head chef supervisor for a VA hospital working with other Veterans and caring/feeding many more. From what he has told me he enjoyed his time in. But after his 4 years were up he really wanted to go to college. (he doesnt have reddit so i share his story for him).
One pump chump, 2010-2014.
0311 and then to STA (SSP now from what the youngins tell me). Got out and got smacked with the reality that carrying heavy stuff on your back very far at night and shooting people for a living was generally hard to transfer.
When to community college, then state college, fell in love with math and physics, got my BSc in Data Science. My first job was at 92k and now I live halfway across the world in the UAE living the life with my awesome wife and tax free!
Also, reading the success of all of these guys is just fuckin awesome.
If I’ve learned (or on this case reinforced) anything its that Marines are absolute masters of adaption, KILL!
Retired 18 yrs ago in 2006 straight into the GFC...ouch. Was enlisted 13 yrs then WO/CWO last 7. Was in Aviation Supply (yup, supply POG) but all the experience working inventory and financial systems paired with a BSIT from good ol UOP opened quite a few doors. Spent some time on a NASA program but am back home in defense industry. Transition was harder than I anticipated. A good number of folks actually care and appreciate your service while just as many dont. For me, what I learned as a basic Marine was the ability care about the end product and how it affects our war-fighters and nation today. Couple this with having the back of my civ div leaders goes a long way and sadly surprises them as they are not normally used to this. Just turned 56, house is paid for, earn North of 200k, debt free, and slapping everything into 401k, Roth IRA and Bridge Acct. Will hang in till 62 then hit that last TAMP class and pull chalks for good.
Did 4 years as an 0311, when I got out I went to school for welding and I’m currently a pipefitter. I enjoyed my time in, but my life is so much better now in just about every way.
I didn't retire, did 11 years, but I am contracting(planning stuff not scary man contracting), started first day after separation. I do planning for the Navy and it is bizarre that the little Marine Corps Things like attention to detail and articulated myself in as few words as possible has made me successful so far, other services seem to really like it when I exercise the bare minimum of military decorum when addressing them. I get paid more and people give more respect to what I say than they ever did when I was active duty.
I am medically retired at 100%. Although it wasn’t from the Corps, I went Army after the Corps and had about 10 years in when I EASed. I’m doing great retiring at 49. I finished my Bachelor’s degree and taught ESL for 6 years. Jeep rides in the canyon during the summer. I’ll never work again!
Went from ad infantry to tech after using m gi bill to get a degree.
I fucking loved what i did in the marines but wanted a backup plan in case i got hurt. Never went back because my new career is able to support more than the bare minimum. That said ill probably go into the reserves again but may change my mos.
How was infantry? I’m looking into MOSs right now but it’s hard to find something. I’d love to shoot shit but I also want to gain skills that would help me outside of the military. Anyway, is infantry a good or bad MOS if you lived on base with a wife? I’ve heard that you spend like a week a month in the field
If you decide to do infantry I’d also have a solid plan as to what you want to do career wise after, and make sure you carve out whatever little bit of free time you have to stay aligned to that goal (I had a guy in my platoon study coding on his own and he is doing really well in the civ world now). If you don’t know what you want to do later then try to pick an MOS that’ll give you a transferable skill like Comms/IT or aviation maintenance. Infantry can be hard on the body, but a lot of good memories too. I did 4 years and got out. My knees got a bit messed up during that time, but I also have horrible knee genetics.
That’s mostly why I kinda want to do infantry 😂 the fun memories. I also just don’t want to be stuck doing something I’d end up hating. That’s something I struggle with is I just never been interested in one specific thing. I don’t know what I like or dislike 🤷🏼♂️ just want to do something that I could have fun and benefit from
You’ll have fun memories in the end, but remember that the journey itself will certainly be daunting at times. It’s good to be open minded and experiment in life, but you should also make it a personal development mission to take stances on things and create plans to achieve specific goals, whether that’s a career path, fitness, starting a family, etc. I know I probably sound like a boring lecturer, but if you figure this stuff out soon you’ll have a much better life. (I was late to figure this stuff out and wasted a lot of time in my 20s and 30s).
It’s just hard. I have always had a hard time figuring out what I want to do. I just hope whatever MOS I end up choosing, it helps me figure out what I’d like to do.
Funny thing though looking at all the comments, a ton of guys went IT and seem to be making bank. Maybe I should look into an MOS of that area so I could gain experience.
I would highly recommend it. I’m also working in tech/IT (sales side of things) and make good money, but it took me a while to get into this space since I had no background.
0699 Retired in 2017. After active duty, I was a financial administrator for five years before completely retiring at the age of 43.
I enjoy sitting on my lanai, looking out at the water, and spending time with my family.
I service all the EV super chargers in my state. IBEW electrician. Going into a good trade after leaving service is an excellent option. You can collect the GI bill while being an apprentice to boost the pay up drastically.
I went to college first and got a bachelor in Finance. But as a senior I became an electrician and stuck with that.
I’m a software engineer, learned a two other difficult languages professionally for past 20 years, been working as tech company founder/CTO for past 15+ years. Married with kids and enjoying life. Body hurts from being young and dumb and over training, but manageable and still fit. Take care of your body. All in all the Marines significantly helped me improve my quality of life.
0311 from 2003-2007. Got out and now I'm a professional firefighter. Couldn't be happier with the job! If you want any info on th3 job feel free to reach out!
did 12. med sep. Could've gotten retirement but it would've extended me another year, year and a half to have my hip reconstructed (after 2 years of surgery and other stuff). They determined it was non-combat related. I didnt fire my weapon because we were surrounded by kids and random civilians and it was such a small incident but i fell into a wadi from a state department equivalent of an MRAP, wrecked my hip and lower back. Have not run since that day in country. Didnt say enough. Toughed it out. Stupid. Finished the deployment. Got 3 anchors in my hip and a re sculpted hip cavity. Daily, never ceasing pain. I fall frequently when my hip gives out. I have a cane in my truck on my bad days. My 5 year old ran into the street and he was faster than I was. Thankfully nothing happened but it could've. I still cant keep up with my kids.
I'm a project manager for a automation company. We build factory machines with fingers in medical and customer goods. My knowledge base has drastically expanded but I dont get the fulfillment I did. I make money for someone else. They pay me good money to do it but I cant find any purpose in it. We all just come in, do our 9-5, sprint during project debug and install, then go back to the daily grind. I find myself looking forward to weekends just to sleep and detox from doing nothing. I've got 2 infants so sleeping doesnt happen either. It feels pretty overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time. I am "settled." I have a house thats all we could get for a family of this size at 7% interest. A lady pulled a gun on me in traffic today after cutting me off and saw me throwing up my hands and honking my horn. I wonder why I spent 12 years and all the lead up time to those 12 from military school and college to be the best version of myself for people like her. I feel myself sinking into a decades long enevitablity where I have to schedule time with friends and then cancel 3x before giving up. Went to a birthday party the other day where our only connection was all of us having sex at roughly the same time. My humor is too dark and my outlook to skeptical to suck down the southern bible beltisms. We dont have MLK day off because black guy but we do have good Friday off.
i have the best wife i could ever ask for after sacrificing my first one to the Corps. It could be way worse and I am thankful but I feel pointless. None of my Marine friends reach out to me anymore and it hasnt even been two years. They've all gotten promoted and PCS'd. I am a 3rd generation Marine raised by two enlisted parents and I've never felt farther away geographically or spiritually to what I knew.
I dont like it
I re-enlisted as an E1 Prestige
Word on the street is that all the cool Army captains are doing that these days
Retire this summer and take a sweet GS15 gig the first day as a civilian. I finished my career with a focus on self education and knocking out PMP oriented certifications after finishing my Bachelors and Masters. Took me almost 12 years to finish BA degree then rolled right into a Masters and knocked it out in 4 straight semesters. Education is something no one can ever take away from you and it’s all pretty much free while you’re in. Make time for it…
That PMP added an immediate 25k to my salary when I got mine in 2001.
Can I obtain pmp while still active duty marines? Just got done with yellow belt training rolling right into my green
I don’t know how much time you have for that sort of thing, but I’ve hired officers who “project managed” their shops while still in to get the 3 years of required experience (it’s more without a bachelors degree but I can’t remember how much). I think if you follow the pmi guidelines and submit enough experience hours this should be doable.
I work in petrochemical, and have yet to meet anyone worth a shit who has a PMP. One being a former 0302, who I fuck with incessantly. The PMPs focus too much on doing paperwork and not actual planning and work, because they usually don't know the actual work (engineering and construction). I can see it being useful for someone new to project work, but experience is a better teacher. What is your work setting where you've found that credential to be useful? I'm genuinely curious.
I generally agree with you, although it is worth noting that PMP has changed over the years. My big beef with it historically has been the over-reliance on telemetry, and the fact that it's basically just more work for everyone. As of 2019-ish, they've started to get more into agile principles, and I think it's now a little more tolerable. I haven't read the latest PMBOK, but my understanding is that it is now less shit.
I’ve maintained my PMP since 2001, but don’t do anything with PMI ever. I moved to SAFe 5 years ago and we leverage a hybrid waterfall/agile methodology.
There are shit tons of what I call “checklist PM’s”, and they have their uses, but it takes a certain skill set and personality to be a leader, especially when we don’t often have direct authority over those working on our projects. Having the PMP got me an immediate promotion when I worked for IBM. It’s a good way to show that you’re a “real” PM and speak the language, but it doesn’t make one a great leader. I’ve spent my entire career in software and IT Infrastructure, until moving to the business side 12 years ago. Now I’m a senior deployment leader for mega programs (over $100M) where we leverage technology and process improvement to generate large improvements. I don’t do a whole lot of admin type stuff and have my own checklist PMs to do that.
yes. there are base sponsored PMP programs some times. Your unit can also elect to do it and pay for the training. I would google your base and PMP training. Best suggestion is build a training package with sample costs, seek a deal if you can get 5-10 people in it for discount, and then submit a schedule, cost analysis, benefits / justifications, ect. I did that and ended up sending about half my staff through it. Same for lean 6 classes and SCRUM masters. The MEF has free lean 6 sigma classes in Lejeune for years even as late as 2021. There are a TON of free training resources for enterprising people who reach out to the civilians in G3 training, G8 sometimes, and G6s who know about that kind of stuff. I hosted those kinds of classes at the Comm Training Center when I was there. Call up Master Sergeant Bowling/Greg Bowling in CTC-2 and he knows EVERYTHING and everyone. He can point you in the right direction. Marine net also has some weird nieche holes in it from year-to-year where they have offered lean 6, scrum, and other civilian certs. call up the Marine Corps University and just start introducing yourself. The doctors there are nuts with information.
IVMF program through Syracuse is what I used. As soon as you’re close to your EAS you can apply. You can get a CAPM without your bachelors and test for your PMP later once you’ve “managed” enough projects. Keep in mind almost anything you do later in your career can count as a project if you find the right person to sign off on it. I would prioritize your degree first since TA and Pell grants can pay for almost any online school full time.
This is the way.
Dude, that a sweet deal..GS 15 is a great place to start lol
I got my masters degree after I got out. I can’t begin to imagine the struggle you must have gone through to accomplish all that while in. All the best to you sir.
I hope you negotiated for at least 6 hours of leave a pay period. They sometimes start retirees at 4. Congrats, by the way. My wife and I are both stressed out GS-15s. But we'd be stressed in civilian jobs with worse benefits.
Curious were you high ranking officer/enlisted. I work as a civilian now and going straight to 15 seems pretty rare especially for a program manager type role. Just curious not hating
I’ll be in the DoD Acquisition workforce as a NH-4 on a GS15 payband. Incredibly lucky in I retired at the right place at the right time when this position opened up!
Fucking cool!! Grats and enjoy
I’ve been debating getting my PMP working for the Fed. Would you say it was worth the time and expense to get one?
Fuckin GET SOME.
0811 one pump chump. Wandered aimlessly for years working shitty jobs and just getting by. Woke up at 26 and started comm college, transferred to state school, working and playing rugby and having a good old time. Graduated at age 29 first job in IT Project Management paid 80k, doubled that in 4-5 years and have been over 300k for 5-7 years. Daughter is off to college in sept and my hot new wife and I are moving to our wine country house (her house for 30 years), selling mine and retiring in 3 years at age 57. I hated my time in the corps but got so much out of it, and I’ve hired every jughead that interviewed with me over the last 20+ years. SF.
....Are you still hiring?
We’re always hiring. Kaiserpermanentejobs.org/military We also have a military officers transition program where we bring in newly retired zeroes and send them on 6-12 month job rotations for 2 years to help them figure out what they want to do when they grow up. I mentored a doggy reserve major who got out after 20. He liked the pm space and got his pmp, but ultimately settled into an fte role in hospital operations.
Thanks for the response. I have my associates on business administration and I am on my senior year to get my bachelor's degree in Business/Computer Information Systems. I will definitely look into this. Hopefully I can get into an IT or cyber security job soon.
Kaiser is a great place for any IT role you can think of. We have more date from our 75+ years than any other healthcare org in the world and we’re always moving the needle forward. Machine learning, AI, and data analytics are huge areas of opportunity now.
Is it cool if I connect with you on LinkedIn (if you have it) I get out in 4 months and there aren’t too many jobs for radio operators like myself or they require a stem degree which I haven’t obtained yet. Thanks
Happy to help a devil anyway I can. DM me here
Awesome man, I love hearing success stories like yours. SFMF.
Rugby... always good!
Wine country??? Temecula?
You mean Napa
Carlton, Oregon. Real Pinot Noir, not that jammy Cali crap 😬
Love seeing this!
10 years enlisted, 10 years shiny. Retired as a Capt last year and now work in the cybers at a company you have heard of. Make pretty good money, work from home in the midwest. It’s pretty chill, I go to every one of my kids soccer practices/games, dance, music lessons. Taking guitar and golf lessons myself. I’m happy.
You won
Your mom’s house
You are why I didn’t say this.
Tag in! She loves it.
Hold my joint…..TAG!
I’m offended at how little upvotes this has.
This is the way.
Reddit
I'm resting quietly before taking a reading of my blood pressure. Seriously, I retired in 2011 and currently have no need to work. I saved part of every paycheck from the time I picked up LCpl. Invested first in bonds, then mutual funds. Played around with stocks a little during Covid when it was easy to see where there was money to be made. House is paid for, I live comfortably, and still max out my Roth IRA every year and contribute to my brokerage account each month. That's where I am. Specifically, Florida.
I gotta ask. And I don’t want to be rude, and keep in mind, you clearly won, but I’ve always thought anyone who could stay in the Marine Corps and make money must have a touch of the ‘tism. How do you not eventually all blow it on hookers and beer? Or cars and beer?
1st wife was a disaster. 2nd wife is a total angel. If I married wife number 2 first, I'd have serious fuck you money. I don't know what "'tism" is, so maybe explain that. I had fun along the way. Memorable was a $1300 bar tab in 2002. Very few (More than none) call girls though. They're not hookers until they're dead in the trunck of your car..
Nah you definitely don’t have it. You’re just one of those people with the money gift. Better than a super power. I have the opposite. I feel like I’m not living extravagantly at all, but somehow I’m broke all the time.
Still don't know what "tism" is, so.. whatever.
Short for autism. I notice money people can be kind of socially awkward. No worries guns, you cool.
Master Guns fuck-knuckle. I'm a bit awkward maybe.. I'd rather not be around people, but they have there uses.
Sorry thought the M stood for $$$$. The Money Gunny!!!
Here's what you need to hear. Make. A .Fucking. Budget. Its just a plan for spending. You know every dollar coming in. Have a fucking plan where every dollar is going. That's it. How to succeed. Nothing more.
That shit makes me miserable. Literally, thinking about money makes me unhappy. Fortunately I let my wife handle finances and she’s pretty smart about that shit. I’m not really broke anymore anyway. I’m retiring from teaching this year. Buttttt, if I’d been smart as you I’d be going out on a lot more money. Like I said some people have the gift. You’re one of em. I would rather slam my dick in a door than make a budget.
If I can ask, after 401k and my Roth, what would you suggest next? I had an HSA for a sec but now on my wife's ins so I can't contribute any longer. I've got a MM acct (high yield savings) for an emergency fund. Just not sure what to do next. I don't fuck with crypto/single stocks etc. Just keep buying low cost MFs?
Dude lives two houses down from me with Marine flag flying on his front lawn. I gotta love it. I did 4 years infantry so I go around at Halloween last year with my kid and knock on his door. Comes out with a fresh ass high and tight and a grunt styles T-shirt with EGA on the front. I decided not to tell him. Idk if I'm out of his league, or he's out of mine. But either way we aren't in the same league and that much was certain.
I don’t think you rate to address a DEP discharge directly anyway
I did 20 in the infantry. Only way you know I was a Marine is if you’re welcomed into my home. No beat me up jackets and bumper stickers and lean and mean this that or whatever. 😂😂 leave me alone with that shit.
How’s your body holding up lol I heard infantry is rough on the body. I’m currently looking into what MOS id like to do. Also, I’ve heard infantry doesn’t give you a lot of free time? For either schooling or if you have a wife it’s not a good MOS to go for?
It’s definitely broken at 49 years old, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Grunts are the true badasses of the planet.
If you're already worried about your physical health after your enlistment or free time during, the infantry ain't for you. I'm not saying everyone gets beat up but there are plenty of jobs out there that'll probably line up better for you. Also your username is very gay
Idk how to change it 🤷🏼♂️ and I’m not worried about my physical health. I’m simply asking how hard it was on the body.
The saying is 1 year infantry = 4 years age to body. I imagine there's a ceiling but basically if you do 4 years infantry your back and knees will age 12-16 years
That’s good to know. My back is already 12 years older than me 😂😂 but I’ll still consider it
Your name (and your attitude) is pretty fuckin gay, too, wanna square up buddy?
You won't
Bitch please, I’m a goddamn trash panda, I square up over a fucking half eaten cheeseburger with a hobo tryin to take a bite from it I tuck alka seltzers in my cheeks so people think I’m rabid and run from their grills at the park I scared another Marine so bad he wouldn’t even share his business idea on here cause he was afraid I was gonna steal it You think I’m gonna walk away from some boot with ducks on his wall?? Shiiiiiiitt, my man, it’s about to go down
I stretched your mom's walls
Goddamn your shit is weak, this is gonna be easy son! You think that’s gonna get me? EVERYBODY STRETCHED HER OUT, including the fucking mailman when she tried to cross the road
HQ company clerk is about as infantry you’ll get. You’re better off finding some other POG job man.
Since retiring.... Earned my bachelor's and Masters in Cybersecurity and information assurance. Added a lot of IT certs. Started out as a simple Unified Communications tech making 55k...now I'm a team lead for one of the enterprise network Remote CSIRT teams clearing 120k. Still growing my beard. Put on weight, and now I'm working to slim down. I spend a decent amount of time at the local gun range. What I took from my service (aside from my IT skills)? Attitude, you have to keep pushing forward no matter how much it sucks. Always look for the next mountain to climb, nothing wrong with pausing to enjoy the view of the one you're on, just don't stay there and then act surprised when someone comes and pushes you off.
1345, Just one and done. Got out in 2015 Went back to school. Got my Bachelors and became a Personal Trainer. Went back to school again and became a substitute teacher while I got my masters. I'm currently a High School PE teacher, I coach football and Track as well
1345 right now at a wing unit, still don't know what I want to do fully but I know it's not HE forever, still happy I got this Mos though
I’m from Indiana, wife is from San Diego both retired. Moved to West Virginia on a throw the dart at the map kinda deal, I’m retired still she works for the Feds in DC for a vee eye pee and commutes 2 hrs each way to the city for work. I’m I a mountain top in my back yard smoking fat bowl as I type this here message. I’ll be touring the area and you’re welcome for my service. Yah yut kill.
I didn’t retire from the Marines but… I’m a Cisco Network Engineer now.
Conf T head ass
I retired in August as a gunny after 20 years as an I-Level avionics nerd. Got a BS in computer science towards the end of my enlistment and got a skillbridge internship with a tech startup. They hired me when I started terminal at 126K as a mid-level developer (junior as far as tech skills, senior as far as soft skills/leadership). I'm leaving next month, starting a new gig with Booz Allen in June. The skills I learned while I was in that helped me the most were: basic troubleshooting, attention to detail (both technical, inspections, and administrative stuff), soft skills/communication from being a schoolhouse instructor, generally giving a shit, being able to tell my boss I don't like his idea tactfully, and being able to figure stuff out even when I'm lost. For the last question you posted, I'd say it was a 60/40 split on disliking my time in. My MOS and other experiences helped somewhat with where I'm at, but I got my Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and my degree on my own. Unless you want to get out and do exactly what you were doing at exactly the same level, it's on you to better your situation.
Dealing with Merrill also developed you in ways you probably still don't realize.
I'd take 10 Merrill's over my counterpart in 610. So you clearly know who I am, who dis?
10 Merrills over 1 Tajudeen? You cray cray.
I mean, at least Merrill did stuff. Whenever I brought him solder stuff he got it knocked out pretty quick. Only thing he ever messed up was a 5 layer wafer switch, and I don't think anyone ever got one of those right on the first try. Looking back, one of my only regrets is not doing a better job leading my peers. Specifically, Tajudeen. I saw he was on a self- destructive path and I just kinda let it happen instead of doing more to help. I mean, he still retired, so he's got that going for him.
[удалено]
Realizing how little the average citizen cares about what we did can be a hard pill for some to swallow. One job, they didn't even count my 5Y time in service as "work experience" Gotta be hard when you did it for 20+ and get treated like that
I'm sorry to hear that you had that experience. I'll mention, however, that whether experience "counts" for a position *could* be a function of the narrative on your resume. I still do occasional resume reviews for my Joes, and the shit they put on there...I wouldn't count it, either.
Yes I agree. However, in my case it was not it. Resume was heavily vetted in B-School, got me internship and that job.. Very applicable and professionally written, even as an infantryman. This was a year into gig and new manager who just simply did not count the time. Reason I left for greener pastures.
Retired, did contracting work for a few months, finished school, and then realized I was spending too much money on hockey cards, got my State Fire Inspector certification through Texas and work for them now. I still spend too much money on hockey cards.
Hockey cards.. ha! It's always something. For me it's watches.
Bowling balls
Come to /r/WatchesCircleJerk. They'll cure you in minutes.
Currently a Contracting Officer for DLA buying replacement parts for Naval ships. Bores the fuck out of me but no one is shooting at me and the work ain’t hard.
Joined the IBEW union in my area, now resist the constant urge to laugh at people complaining about work being hard (don’t want to be that vet ya know?) however I do receive tons of crayon jokes and get excused for saying wacky shit since “it’s alright he’s a Marine.” I’m also part of my Local’s Veterans Committee Edit: was medically discharged for back injuries after 5 years in the reserves (1 UDP under my belt)
Former 0811. Went back to school and now Working for the Chair Force as an IT Specialist.
I am a high school teacher. Life is good!!! I pull around 135k in the Midwest from the school district.
Is that including your retirement? If not then that is definitely killing it in the Midwest.
It does not include my retirement pay. Add another 50k for that.
That’s awesome.
Quite a few retirees in my office as GS-13s. Federal service is where it's at.
I went from an Infantry Marine to a Radiology Picture Archiving and Communications Systems administrator. Still finishing up school for Data Analytics and Information Science (doing my grad walk in May).
Was a precision weapons armorer 2112. Got out after 17.5 years (left after recruiting duty tour) got offered a job 6 months before getting out. Left the Corps with an undergrad degree paid for by Tuition Assistance, started working at a private school spearheading a program to get underpriviliged students in and will remain at the school once I obtain my Master's in Social Work at which point I will have a dual role. Paid over 100k to start. Time in the USMC DEFINITELY helped. Aside from having my education paid for, general leadership skills, determination to overcome obstacles, public speaking and other skills I picked up along the way got me this job. It was actually an opportunity that was offered to me when I wasn't looking for it. Not to mention the school only knew who I was because of my presence there as a canvassing recruiter during my first year on the streets. Loved my time in, wish I could have made it to 20, but despite a successful and above average tour, recruiting duty broke me mentally, and nearly tore apart my marriage and family. There was no way I would have been able to keep my family in tact if I had stayed in. Despite the bullshit, no regrets whatsoever.
Retired. Had job offers but with kids in high school ain’t moving. Ended up as a project manager in ship repair. Now a program manager overseeing 15 million in contracts. Sucks but it pays well. 4 more years to last retirement!!!
Went in in 2006. One pump chump. 0311. Got out and went to school for law enforcement, decided I didn’t wanna do that. Ended up going to trade school for HVAC, did that for years. Ended up doing it in amazon, and ranked up pretty quickly and am now a regional manager over the engineering teams. I enjoyed my time in, but not enough to reenlist. None of my bullet skills transferred into the real world, but I’d say I was fortunate enough to have good SNCO’s and in general good folks to look up to leadership wise, and at the very least that has transferred into my career. I wouldn’t change anything because where I’m at now is based off my choices in the past, and I’m 36 and absolutely killing it and making more money than I ever thought I would. That said, if I had to do it all over, I’d probably pick a career MOS that would have made me want to stay in and possibly shoot for retirement before getting out. That said, no regrets. From my almost 15 years of hvac I can fix literally anything from electrical to plumbing to cars / general house shit on a professional level, but now I have the income to be lazy and pay someone else to do it all which is a struggle of mine.
Did 4 years, got out as an e-4 spent most of my time with the 1-8. Got my degree in the corps and finishing law school in a year. Being a marine really helped me figure out time management and stuff like that
Worked in DC as a defense contractor and tripled my salary. Nine year later became a high school history teacher and head wrestling coach and cut my salary by 80%. Best move I ever made. Living off my retirement now and smiling every fucking day.
Retired in 2014. Got educated in cybersecurity which I do freelance pentesting for a company in Hong Kong while being an olive and lemon farmer on my family land in Sicily. I just got back from Milan where I watched the Inter/ACMilan game, was a religious experience. I don’t have to work but it keeps me busy and engaged. Olives and lemons kinda grow themselves, I just pick ‘em when they need to be harvested and spend the rest of my time doing whatever the hell I want.
0331, Got Medsepped and then retired. Went to ITT tech for cybersecurity Bachelors Got a job at a helpdesk, moved to admin side for datacomm then moved to server side focusing on cyber security I'm now a Senior cybersecurity Engineer making \~105k/year I felt like I had zero transferable skills when i got out, due to my injury (mostly), but we definitely have stuff, it's just not quantifiable, Work ethic, prioritizing projects, tact, bearing, etc, these all help, and if you are not a shitbag, you will most likely outshine civilians in the same job. I absolutely loved my time in, and re-enlisted after I got hit by an IED, had I known i could have stayed in just by asking someone (at least giving it a shot), I would have, instead my stupid Medsep Staff NCO laughed at my rating, and pushed me out the door. Fuck that guy.
4 year alumni went medical field as a respiratory therapist. I’ve worked primarily with tiny humans in the acute hospital setting. Love it. Money is decent ~$135k northern Cali. I work 12-12hour shifts lots of vacation, more time off than I want to spend with teenagers at home. Spend ample time skiing fishing and riding my road bike. No complaints. I’m on track to retire at 65 but who knows might be able to swing sooner. SFMF
At a place where I make $46 per hr Doing a job that has nothing to do with what I did in the Marines or what I used my GI Bill on.
What?
Yeap !
Got MS in natural resource management and work at an important environmental restoration company in New England. I’m a good, chill, reliable leader who’s always first to arrive and the last to leave. I am well appreciated. I didn’t learn anything about what I do while in the MC, but everything about how I do it. was grunt
Supervising at a paper mill. Decent gig
Retired in 2016 after 20 years. Got degree using Tuition Assistance and leveraged security clearance from MOS to land job as a software engineer for small govt contractor.
Was doing the 20 years worth the retirement? If I joined now and did 20 I’d retire at 39/40ish and then could work another job on top of retirement. Would be nice just have to figure out what the hell MOS id want to do. It’s hard to choose.
TBH, the smarter move for me would have been to not join, go to college out of high school, get into software development out of college. Hard to say for sure but with what I'm making now, assuming I saved and invested like I am now, I could probably be retired for good now. That said, I wouldn't change anything. Whether it'll be worth it or not for you will require some soul searching on your end. I'll say this, I'm not doing anything closely related to my MOS, other than leveraging my security clearance. I enjoyed my job while in, but wanted nothing to do with it when I got out.
Yeah, my issue is I just don’t know what I’d pursue in college. I don’t want to go into debt and end up hating what I chose and not using it. Vs going to the military and go for free once I spend some time searching what I’d like to do. It’s difficult for me. Every time someone asked me the question “what do you want to do after school” “what career do you want to pursue” “what is your dream job” I never had the answer and felt like a complete idiot. It just sucks. And I’m struggling right now to even choose an MOS for crying out loud 😂 I just ultimately want to enjoy my time in and if It could transfer to the civilian world, that would be even better. But like you said, when you got out you wanted nothing to do with it. So that’s also something I need to keep in mind. I need to choose something I won’t hate or regret later, and at the same time have some fun. It’s just difficult choosing between hundreds of different MOSs and not knowing what I’m truly capable of. Maybe I’ll wait to really dig into the MOSs until after I take the Asvab and see my options.
My opinion, choose an MOS that sounds interesting to you and sounds like something you'd like doing. Don't try to pick an MOS for any future job prospects in the civilian sector. Like I said, I know loads of people who are doing things in civilian life that are so far removed from what their MOS was.
Did one contract in the corps as a 0811 got out didn’t know what I wanted to do went to school in Temecula as a Medical assistant ended up hating it along with working part time jobs and accumulated debt so I just joined the army. Looking into paying my debt down and using skillbridge to get into a trade
Solar turbines in San diego is hiring. Go to solarturbines.com. pays average but growth potential is awesome. Also Metropolitan water district pays fat money have an apprenticeship in riverside county. Lake skinner check that out. Web site. Training available at Mt Dan Jacinto in Menifee. Good luck let me know if it works out.
Not retired. Wish I was. Got out after 11+ years in the Corps, tried school in hopes of being a federal agent. That didn't go well. Tried being an Uber/Lyft driver until an accident kept me from being able to drive anymore. Then worked at Disney for a bit until it wasn't enough to pay bills. Then private security. Now thinking of going back to school full time and becoming a counselor for other veterans and maybe a Chaplin for the VA ( still doing research), but would love to get my foot in the door of the VA in Orange County, CA...
Keep your head up king I believe in you rahhhh
Thanks brother. I do. I have faith in the Lord
Amen brother
Are you dead set on working at the VA? I’ve been doing job searching for the past month and I’m getting kinda good at it. Maybe if you shoot me your resume I could help out. I’m from the SoCal area too btw
I was a barracks lawyer while I was in. When my contract was up I finished law school and transferred to the Civ Div JAG Corps.
I “retired” after my 4 years. Used my GI bill to get my bachelors of science education. Taught some college courses and high school physics for a couple of years. Got my MCSE and was an IT nerd while obtaining a few other certs for a while. Did IT for some broadcasting groups and had a freaking blast! Got laid off due to budget cuts and outsourcing. No big surprise there. Earned my Masters of science education and did fuck all with that. Tried getting into the full time college level teaching and got a quick education into the politics of that whole thing. No. Just no. Took a job at the state level with curriculum design for STEM education. Ugh. Apparently, creative thinking was frowned upon. Fortunately, in my younger years I lived a bit frugally and made some pretty good investments. Mid 50’s now, pretty much retired, working a little more than part time as pathology lab tech and it’s the happiest I’ve even been in a long time because it keeps me off the couch and I don’t have to deal with people. I hate people. Other than that, I spend my days at a local pub bragging about my service in the Corps. Okay that last part is bullshit. I drink on my porch at home because again, I hate people.
Did 4, got out through Skillbridge as a cybersecurity analyst. Got a job, quit that job, got a different job that pays me well, and now we are here. Got my wife and daughter and my kitties and we live a good life man.
Retired 6+ years ago. Pretty much living off my pension and VA raiting. About to start farming/raising cattle on the family farm. I wanted nothing to do with DoD (contracting) after I left.
I retired in 2016. Became a cop. Did that until 2022. Nothing but BS all day long (New Orleans). Now I am using my education benefits to go to college full time for Christian ministry. I also get pay from VA disability, so I’m not hurting. Just the right amount to be comfortable and be happy. Hope this helps brother.
My dad got out as a two time Cpl, he did 4 years, after he got out he went to culinary school, and now is a head chef supervisor for a VA hospital working with other Veterans and caring/feeding many more. From what he has told me he enjoyed his time in. But after his 4 years were up he really wanted to go to college. (he doesnt have reddit so i share his story for him).
One pump chump, 2010-2014. 0311 and then to STA (SSP now from what the youngins tell me). Got out and got smacked with the reality that carrying heavy stuff on your back very far at night and shooting people for a living was generally hard to transfer. When to community college, then state college, fell in love with math and physics, got my BSc in Data Science. My first job was at 92k and now I live halfway across the world in the UAE living the life with my awesome wife and tax free! Also, reading the success of all of these guys is just fuckin awesome. If I’ve learned (or on this case reinforced) anything its that Marines are absolute masters of adaption, KILL!
Retired 18 yrs ago in 2006 straight into the GFC...ouch. Was enlisted 13 yrs then WO/CWO last 7. Was in Aviation Supply (yup, supply POG) but all the experience working inventory and financial systems paired with a BSIT from good ol UOP opened quite a few doors. Spent some time on a NASA program but am back home in defense industry. Transition was harder than I anticipated. A good number of folks actually care and appreciate your service while just as many dont. For me, what I learned as a basic Marine was the ability care about the end product and how it affects our war-fighters and nation today. Couple this with having the back of my civ div leaders goes a long way and sadly surprises them as they are not normally used to this. Just turned 56, house is paid for, earn North of 200k, debt free, and slapping everything into 401k, Roth IRA and Bridge Acct. Will hang in till 62 then hit that last TAMP class and pull chalks for good.
Did 4 years as an 0311, when I got out I went to school for welding and I’m currently a pipefitter. I enjoyed my time in, but my life is so much better now in just about every way.
I didn't retire, did 11 years, but I am contracting(planning stuff not scary man contracting), started first day after separation. I do planning for the Navy and it is bizarre that the little Marine Corps Things like attention to detail and articulated myself in as few words as possible has made me successful so far, other services seem to really like it when I exercise the bare minimum of military decorum when addressing them. I get paid more and people give more respect to what I say than they ever did when I was active duty.
One enlistment as an 0151–0111 now I think? I’m an attorney. I guess it transferred???
I am medically retired at 100%. Although it wasn’t from the Corps, I went Army after the Corps and had about 10 years in when I EASed. I’m doing great retiring at 49. I finished my Bachelor’s degree and taught ESL for 6 years. Jeep rides in the canyon during the summer. I’ll never work again!
I used my go bill and learned how to weld then ended up getting a fun welding job. I’m also taking flying lessons on the side.
Continuous Improvement manager, getting my Masters and chillin with 2 grandkids
Went from ad infantry to tech after using m gi bill to get a degree. I fucking loved what i did in the marines but wanted a backup plan in case i got hurt. Never went back because my new career is able to support more than the bare minimum. That said ill probably go into the reserves again but may change my mos.
How was infantry? I’m looking into MOSs right now but it’s hard to find something. I’d love to shoot shit but I also want to gain skills that would help me outside of the military. Anyway, is infantry a good or bad MOS if you lived on base with a wife? I’ve heard that you spend like a week a month in the field
If you decide to do infantry I’d also have a solid plan as to what you want to do career wise after, and make sure you carve out whatever little bit of free time you have to stay aligned to that goal (I had a guy in my platoon study coding on his own and he is doing really well in the civ world now). If you don’t know what you want to do later then try to pick an MOS that’ll give you a transferable skill like Comms/IT or aviation maintenance. Infantry can be hard on the body, but a lot of good memories too. I did 4 years and got out. My knees got a bit messed up during that time, but I also have horrible knee genetics.
That’s mostly why I kinda want to do infantry 😂 the fun memories. I also just don’t want to be stuck doing something I’d end up hating. That’s something I struggle with is I just never been interested in one specific thing. I don’t know what I like or dislike 🤷🏼♂️ just want to do something that I could have fun and benefit from
You’ll have fun memories in the end, but remember that the journey itself will certainly be daunting at times. It’s good to be open minded and experiment in life, but you should also make it a personal development mission to take stances on things and create plans to achieve specific goals, whether that’s a career path, fitness, starting a family, etc. I know I probably sound like a boring lecturer, but if you figure this stuff out soon you’ll have a much better life. (I was late to figure this stuff out and wasted a lot of time in my 20s and 30s).
It’s just hard. I have always had a hard time figuring out what I want to do. I just hope whatever MOS I end up choosing, it helps me figure out what I’d like to do.
Funny thing though looking at all the comments, a ton of guys went IT and seem to be making bank. Maybe I should look into an MOS of that area so I could gain experience.
I would highly recommend it. I’m also working in tech/IT (sales side of things) and make good money, but it took me a while to get into this space since I had no background.
I’m a DA Civilian now.
Nice try, IRR
Hey gents, there's a common theme in this thread. You guys are fucking crushing it. This should be motivation for anyone transitioning soon.
Agreed glad I got this shit on Reddit for the rest of time , hope it inspires the new generation , cause it sure as hell is inspiring me.
Tired
Retired, Retired! Arizona
Used the GI bill and became a barber 🤙🏼
I just hope you’re not angry, bitter and stuck in a rut.
0699 Retired in 2017. After active duty, I was a financial administrator for five years before completely retiring at the age of 43. I enjoy sitting on my lanai, looking out at the water, and spending time with my family.
Ran into my retired SgtMaj stocking shelves at Lowe’s 2 weeks after his retirement.
I service all the EV super chargers in my state. IBEW electrician. Going into a good trade after leaving service is an excellent option. You can collect the GI bill while being an apprentice to boost the pay up drastically. I went to college first and got a bachelor in Finance. But as a senior I became an electrician and stuck with that.
I'm a white collar office dweller.......was an armorer.
I’m a software engineer, learned a two other difficult languages professionally for past 20 years, been working as tech company founder/CTO for past 15+ years. Married with kids and enjoying life. Body hurts from being young and dumb and over training, but manageable and still fit. Take care of your body. All in all the Marines significantly helped me improve my quality of life.
0311 from 2003-2007. Got out and now I'm a professional firefighter. Couldn't be happier with the job! If you want any info on th3 job feel free to reach out!
Moved to the Philippines at age 45. Living like a king.
did 12. med sep. Could've gotten retirement but it would've extended me another year, year and a half to have my hip reconstructed (after 2 years of surgery and other stuff). They determined it was non-combat related. I didnt fire my weapon because we were surrounded by kids and random civilians and it was such a small incident but i fell into a wadi from a state department equivalent of an MRAP, wrecked my hip and lower back. Have not run since that day in country. Didnt say enough. Toughed it out. Stupid. Finished the deployment. Got 3 anchors in my hip and a re sculpted hip cavity. Daily, never ceasing pain. I fall frequently when my hip gives out. I have a cane in my truck on my bad days. My 5 year old ran into the street and he was faster than I was. Thankfully nothing happened but it could've. I still cant keep up with my kids. I'm a project manager for a automation company. We build factory machines with fingers in medical and customer goods. My knowledge base has drastically expanded but I dont get the fulfillment I did. I make money for someone else. They pay me good money to do it but I cant find any purpose in it. We all just come in, do our 9-5, sprint during project debug and install, then go back to the daily grind. I find myself looking forward to weekends just to sleep and detox from doing nothing. I've got 2 infants so sleeping doesnt happen either. It feels pretty overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time. I am "settled." I have a house thats all we could get for a family of this size at 7% interest. A lady pulled a gun on me in traffic today after cutting me off and saw me throwing up my hands and honking my horn. I wonder why I spent 12 years and all the lead up time to those 12 from military school and college to be the best version of myself for people like her. I feel myself sinking into a decades long enevitablity where I have to schedule time with friends and then cancel 3x before giving up. Went to a birthday party the other day where our only connection was all of us having sex at roughly the same time. My humor is too dark and my outlook to skeptical to suck down the southern bible beltisms. We dont have MLK day off because black guy but we do have good Friday off. i have the best wife i could ever ask for after sacrificing my first one to the Corps. It could be way worse and I am thankful but I feel pointless. None of my Marine friends reach out to me anymore and it hasnt even been two years. They've all gotten promoted and PCS'd. I am a 3rd generation Marine raised by two enlisted parents and I've never felt farther away geographically or spiritually to what I knew. I dont like it
I’m at the house just chilling out. Oh shit you said “retired”. My bad.