How is life after the army?

Question

My husband just ETS'd from active army. He was a cavalry scout and recieved lots of ribbons and it seemed like he really enjoyed what he did. Suddenly he just decided to get out when his ETS date came up. He thought he would be the pick of the litter when he applied for law enforcement jobs but that wasn't the case. It's been 2 months now and no job. My income is our only source and I am getting a little frustrated. We have a child and we need health care. I thought we would be back home by now and having our own place but that hasn't happened either. I am also a student and part of me wants him to get back in the army but because of the war, part of me wants him to find a civilian job fast. Sometimes I feel like going off on my own and let him figure it out because it is too much for me sometimes.
Any advice?

Answer 1

Hello Ang1492:

Finding a job after one career has ended is tough, whether you are moving from military to civilian, or from one job to another. It will take time, you need to be patient. It will be difficult and frustrating, but he will need to look at job-finding as his current career.

Your husband may have to return to school to accrue skills in an area of high demand. I was a graphic artist for 15 years making a decent living, then one day I was let go, and could not find a job at all. After a year of searching, I looked to see what jobs are available, and every time I looked for a job, I found HVAC listed. I didn't even know what HVAC was, so a little research I discovered that you combine an electrician, a plumber, tinsmith and a carpenter, you end up with an HVAC technician. I took a 9-month course and am now an apprentice. I can feed the family and feel good about what I do. I won't die a millionaire, but I won't be in debt either.

I'm not suggesting your husband become an HVAC tech, but he should look for something that is not in his field, or something that he has never considered before. Have your husband take a trip to your local community college and take an interest survey and skills assessment. He doesn't have to go to school there, the test may reveal a path which he had not thought to pursue. Statistics show that most people will have five or more jobs in their lives, look for something new. The school can also advise if your husband has GI bill benefits, or qualifies for grants or low-cost loans. Anything in the medical field is a sure-hire. Service jobs are currently in demand, as these cannot be outsourced overseas. Schooling will also help your husband network, and the school will help with a job search as well.

To earn a little for school, your husband might also look into the National Guard. Some states cover tuition for Guard members up to four years. Make sure that the unit is one that will not be deployed in the upcoming years. Air Guard units tend to be stationed stateside.

Best of luck.

Answer 2

Since I retired from the military I've had the opportunity to answer your questions many times. Frankly, this best answer is that it totally sucks.

Transition to the civilian life can be difficult to say the least. The military training and job is particularly difficult to translate to a civilian position. Many people electing to leave the service find it totally frustrating. I'd be a rich man if I had a dollar for everyone who said, "I wish I had stayed in."

It sounds to me that your husband suffered through a period that we GI's experienced more than once by thinking "it's better on the outside." Only to find we were wrong.

Of course I am a bit biased, but I firmly believe a military career is the greatest thing that can happen to an individual. I only wish I could relive those times. However, it is very difficult for the family. We are gone for extended periods, many times with little or no notice. Mom becomes father, plumber, mechanic, and electrician. And, when dad returns home, your problems of a leaky faucet are inconsequential to someone who has returned from a deployment where death was an everday part of service.

All I can say to you that you guys to sit down and talk it out before your marriage is destroyed. Weigh the problems of his having a civilian job, or extended unemployment, versus a career in the military. Weigh the problem of his being home everynight from a civilian job that he'll probably hate, versus a military career he will love that you will probably hate because of his being gone so much.

In closing, I wish you luck. If I offered my opinion I would say he needs to return to the military. But it is your decision. And his. Jointly in marriage.

Answer 3

The whole advantage after the military thing I found out also is quite the myth. Unless you have a really useful technical job in the civilian world, which most are not. I had gone through college for many years and military almost never helped, other than GI bill and VA job placement if you like making minimum wage and worrying about getting laid off all the time :)

My advice, go to school. Don't wait for someone to hire based on military experience

Answer 4

Try to be patient, as hard as that is. It took my husband 5 months to get hired. We did not think the veterans preference would take to long either for a job in the same field as his military experience. Military experience did play a huge role in getting his job and the rapid promotions and accolades that come with it. He should post his resume on www.militaryhire.com. There is a lot of job opportunities and information for veterans there. Every state has children's health care that you can look into after your Tricare expires. It can be frustrating when you are the only one working, but remember he would do the same for you. When I would get hot about it all, I would sit online with him and apply for jobs. It takes a long time to fill out all the profile info and applications and it helped with us doing it together. I know how you are feeling. If you need any more websites or info (or just someone to talk to) please contact me.

Good luck =)

Answer 5

Unfortunalty, the process of going from soldier to civillian is extremely tough. Unfortunatly, veterans think that the fact that we served will guarantee us a job is untrue. It does not help that the jobs we do in the military are not geared the same way civillian jobs are.
My husband and I both served. Though the transition was easier for me, because I "Fell" into a great job, it was extremely hard for my husband. He bounced around from Job to Job for about a year, when he decided it was a better idea to re-enlist.
Just be patient with him. It takes time, and from the sound of it, he was quick on his decision, so he did not take the time to use ACAP, etc.
It may take a while, but you will end up back on your feet.

Answer 6

this is typical with most of us who are out now..if you husband is willing to re-enlist he should do it now b4 he loses rank..$..etc...im sure he wants to find a job out here but people dont look at us as heros just a regular joe....have him try the prison system(guard) they will give him a better chance than most