I know its cliche but I don't give a ****, I want to thank each of you for your service and sincerely tell you that one of my greatest regrets in life was that I didn't have the balls to join the Marine Corps. If I did, I might not have had the greatest experience like I see some of you have, but it doesn't matter, the title would have been enough for me.
I'm in charge of the business development of a high rise window cleaning company, and as such I get my pick of the litter as to who I want to hire for my division.
I was curious if you one of you could help point me in the right direction to where I could SPECIFICALLY connect with young Marines coming off active duty Infantry MOS's.
Well, thanks for the praises on us infantry guys. But as a disgruntal GRUNT, vet, I have to say the majority of the US could care less about GRUNTS and former military individuals. If you are a SGT or below, your resume is only good enough to work at a dept store or some security officicer job. Many of us bring many, many things to the table, but all an employer see's is that you know how to huse a rifle and shoot s**t. To me USA jobs is an abomination to vets becuse it's set up for indiviuals that already know how to post things correctly on ther. A recently seprated VEt has no idea about a KSA or how to even start of Fed resume which is not one page but almost 10 pages. No one is set up for success when they get out. Seps & TAPS my a**. I paid attention to all of what the guy in that program said. I asked in an intial brief, I want to become an IT when i got out as an 0311 GRUNT. He told me to go to college. No other info or anything. Basically saying that the fact that I was a GRUNT was irrelevant, this came from a career planner. Thats a big ol slap in the face considering I was deployed 3 times in 4 years as well as an instructor billert at 29 palms UWTC for 6 months. It's like all that to get out and feel worthless. The VA need people that actually been the the system employed in these programs to ensure that the newly separated VETS get proper information. It should be mandatory that all vets attend a job seminar 12-24 months after separation. With open discussions from others who are coming out well to help others that are coming out bad.
Lucky for me i found that certifications are big keys in the IT world. As for all that I learned, it was from trial and error. I went from not even being able to get a job at best buy, to eventually working at Lowes (great success story right). I had to move to DC to really have a shot at a career, i had to bust my a** and write sorrow letters and letters of straight heart felt pain I had in not having a decent opportunity after getting out to the VA. I finally got in contact with a local vets office and they helped me beyond help and got me a job as a contract security officer at the US State Dept in DC. Which paid very very very very well (in the 60 realm); it also gave me a clearance. But it was very very extreme management with harsh work conditions. Now I'm a former grunt from 3/8 and if i say that place was harsh then it must be bad. Thankfully after a year and some change i left that job and I now work under contract with TSA as a security officer, which still pays about the same.
All in all as a 24 year old VET that got out in fall of 2007, it took me leaps, bounds, and sacrifices to get where I'm at, and it's still a slap in the face to see the work ethic of gov employees that i am around on a daily basis. All because they had a degree or knew someone. And I still have no real clue on how to write a Federal resume. The unemployment rate among VETs is up because vet are not educated about the system. Thankfully due to a big part of my INFANTRY!!! training, i move swift fast and smartly in order to achieve my goals. With 2 years out I have done well, but the process could have been a heck of a lot easier if I would have been educated.
TO all my fellow VETs write the heck out of the VA, and contact them everyday. They have to respond, it's a requirement. They also have to satisfy your questions and give real help. I know this because called me after i contacted them and asked "was our services helpful". They made a specific call just for that question. You are worth something, and never let some kid out of college that had mommy and daddy pay his way discourage you. Yes they will indeed have the better opportunities INITIALLY. Work hard and never give up. And learn how to write a federal resume.
Donald 3/8 India 2003-2007 CPL GRUNT now 175th Air Force National Guard Security Forces SRA (did what i had to do to survive)
It's always like this after coming home. DoD is always a sure bet for all of you over the next ten-fifteen years. After that you'll end up in the private sector making twice the money and a lot less public sector BS.
Welcome home ... here's where your real war is. My prayers are with you all.
Don't be focused on Fed jobs. Go to college online. Take as many classes you can before you get out. Look for books that give advice on surviving in the world without the military or Mom and Pop. Learn the ways of the back stabbing overly PC world of the civilian and your transition will be a lot easier.
I applied for DoE Courier before I got out, scored high on their requirements, and never heard from them again.
Also try to expand your choices beyond the usual former military job like Fed work and law enforcement. I went from wanting to be a Secret Service agent and well on my way (a two year degree in Criminal Justice looking to transfer to Sacramento State) before I decided the computer industry was more for me - now I make far more than I would have in law enforcement. Although I still go on Ride Alongs - I am up to 28 multi-agency and state Ride Alongs thus far.
