Basically, I am looking for advice from former Signaleers who are working in the civilian sector.
After six years, I am calling it quits. It's pretty scary, because it's just not me anymore. It's me, a wife and a toddler. As a staff sergeant, I make more than the average E-6-- approximately $51,000/year after taxes due to the extra incentives. I am not delusional about what awaits. I realize the strong possibility that leaving the Army may result in a pay cut. At the end of the day, it's not about the money. It's about happiness. I am just not happy in the Army.
For the past 18 months, I have trained myself constantly, because there's no real work for a soldier. The contractors and DAC's have that sewed up. I have gone from an enterprise system administrator to something less than desktop support.
Presently, I monitor the most sought skills in the civilian IT market and try to train myself accordingly...just so I can sling the lingo during future interviews. I entered the Army with a business degree and an IT degree. During my service, I trained myself to acquire an MCSE 2003, CCNA, A+, Network+ and a CISSP. I am learning UNIX on my own with VMware, books and CBT Videos.
I am thinking about abandoning the idea of applying for a GS position, because the selection process is bullsh**. It's not based on actually skills. It's all about who well one can craft a resume to be accepted by Resumix. How is the contractor route? I figure that GWOT will continue for at least the next 20 years; hence, that should offer some IT job opportunities.
Originally posted by pfont77: Have you thought about going the Officer route? You have a degree. I was going to get out a couple years ago myself, thats why I ask.
You seem to be dissatisfied with the Army life. With the amount of time you have in, I would have to assume that you are justified and your experiences would speak to this.
I have several friends that have gotten out and gone the contractor route. They all like the money, but benefits cost alot of money (ex. healthcare). The single guys could care less, but the ones with families are constantly nervous when the contract renewal time comes. On the other hand, a friend of mine works up near DC for HP, has a family, and loves it.
The only advice I can give is to network. Good luck to you and your family.
Originally posted by pfont77: Originally posted by pfont77: Have you thought about going the Officer route? You have a degree. I was going to get out a couple years ago myself, thats why I ask.
You seem to be dissatisfied with the Army life. With the amount of time you have in, I would have to assume that you are justified and your experiences would speak to this.
I have several friends that have gotten out and gone the contractor route. They all like the money, but benefits cost alot of money (ex. healthcare). The single guys could care less, but the ones with families are constantly nervous when the contract renewal time comes. On the other hand, a friend of mine works up near DC for HP, has a family, and loves it.
The only advice I can give is to network. Good luck to you and your family.
Thanks. Yeah, I thought about the officer route. I am not interested in dealing with the politics associated with a commission, and the signal warrant accession has lowered their standards drastically.
What a small world. Coincidently, I have a friend, with a family, who works for HP in the DC area. He commutes from West Virginia. I bet we are talking about the same person with the initials (EB). I have networked with him. And he's been very helpful. But, the wife doesn't want to move back to the DC area.
I drove up there to see my kids about a month ago and had a couple beers with him. He was a 31S (now 25S) when he was in. He's good guy, his only flaw is that he's a Colts fan....
Originally posted by pfont77: I drove up there to see my kids about a month ago and had a couple beers with him. He was a 31S (now 25S) when he was in. He's good guy, his only flaw is that he's a Colts fan....
Yeah, when the Colts won the Superbowl, he yapped and yapped and yapped.
i got out recently and had a hard time acutally. i also put in six and had extra bodies to feed. The civilian world is way different man, almost to a point that makes me want to get back in. Ive come to find out that you might be the most qualified person for the job but if the company can get someone cheaper and willing to work for next to nothin. They always look at the dollars signs and not the quality. its cuthroat too much. i thought the army was loaded with bs like useless formations and those manatory fun days. My first day as a civilian IT tech I was task to set up tables and chairs for the "fun day cook out". No matter what you do , you just can get away from it.
Looking at your public profile, it says you reside in NC. I also live in NC and the company I work for is always looking for talented workers. If you are interested, send me a resume to cspring72@hotmail.com and I can send it to a few people who have jobs posted internally and depending on your experience forward your resume to them.
