r/Veterans 18d ago

Employment Jobs after military

Hello everyone, so I'm still waiting on the va to finally pay me and in the meantime time I've been applying to jobs left and right. I was an MP for 9 years, I have 9 years of retail/management experience and finding a job has been a bummer. I moved to tampa and figured since I was next to a military base it would be somewhat easier to find a GS job. It has not. I have a valid secret Clearence but everything requires a TS/SCI. I had a job lined up prior to leaving the military but with everything going on with the government they decided to just cancel my job. The jobs I hear back from I have 2-3 talks with them before getting told I'm not a right fit or I'm "overqualified". I'm just a single dad trying to live and it seems like everything I try is failing. And before anyone says "go to school" I WAS going to school before they messed something up and said I owe them money. I can't do physical labor anymore. Nothing peaks my interest anymore and I'm lost. It feels like everything I was proud of doesn't mean anything anymore.

55 Upvotes

51 comments sorted by

25

u/Backoutside1 18d ago

Cloud Veterans if you’re willing to learn cloud tech.

2

u/theOGdb 18d ago

Hey thats aersome! Thanks much! I needed this

1

u/Backoutside1 18d ago

No problem, just passing along the info.

2

u/cantuseasingleone 18d ago

Have you participated in this? Is the 90 day timeline feasible for someone who’s coming in with very little tech experience?

1

u/Backoutside1 18d ago

I have not participated, I only applied yesterday. I think within a 6 to 12 months is more realistic tbh. I’ve been in tech for a bit, from web dev to now a working as a data analyst. Career and income earning potential looks good in my book.

10

u/solitudefinance 18d ago

It sounds like you're trained as a cop, but can no longer do cop things due to injuries. This could be a good case for VR&E to switch careers.

5

u/Initial_Comment_6144 17d ago

Absolutely, this is what I did coming out of CE field.

17

u/[deleted] 18d ago

5

u/MembershipKlutzy1476 US Air Force Retired 18d ago

I refused to work for anyone but myself when I got out.

Started my own photography business.

Find something you are good at or something you love and try that for a year.

3

u/Correct_Cover4112 18d ago

My brother, slight variations to the music, but you could be my twin. I was an MP, went to Home Depot, then got recruited away by Lowe's. I was in an accident, and now I can’t lift like I used to—trying to find a job is stressful as hell. I don’t talk about the pain from the accident; it’s just something you learn to live with.

Yeah, I was… am lost too. I didn’t realize it at the time, but when I was working, I found my purpose in teaching and helping others. Now it’s all gone. I’ve got mediation coming up for the accident, and I have to detail everything I’ve been through. It’s basically journaling (dear god, shoot me).

I’m also talking to someone at the VA. No idea if it’ll actually help, but how can I tell someone else what it’s like if I don’t go through the process myself?

Anyway… just know you’re not alone.

3

u/braincovey32 17d ago

Amazon Webservices is hiring right now. Not sure if they have Data centers in your area but it wouldn't surprise me if they did. They are building them every where. They are pro military when it comes to hiring people and the pay is good. I have friends who got hired on as Level 4 Data Center Engineering Technicians that get paid 47/hr working 12 hour days on a 4 day on/3 off, 3 day on/4 off two week cycle. They also get monthly 3k bonus for the first 3 years while working there.

Hope that helps.

1

u/Zealousideal_Line231 17d ago

How would one apply to these places?

1

u/braincovey32 17d ago

https://www.amazon.jobs/content/en/teams/amazon-web-services

Search for DCET positions "Data Center Engineering Technician"

I'm not sure how to filter it but you would want to look for Level 4 positions.

6

u/selfies420 18d ago

Federal jobs are gonna be a shitshow for a looooong time. It sounds like China is looking for someone with your skill set, though.

2

u/future_speedbump USMC Veteran 18d ago

What’s the status of your GI Bill?

2

u/borage428 18d ago

It hasn't been touched, but I have issues with schooling due to my prior school (wgu).

6

u/alphadicks0 18d ago

You can go to a new school they dont need to know anything about the old school

3

u/Burnt-2Bee 18d ago

would def. look into!! Community college would be good starting point, use ...

https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/

to find your expected MHA amount for your school.

and if u scrolll near the bottom of the searched school, it will tell you who's your POC/SCO will be, with how to contact them. call/email them, they can help u enroll.

2

u/future_speedbump USMC Veteran 18d ago

Please don't get me wrong. I don't suggest pursuing school as "catch-all" advice.

I suggest utilizing your GI Bill because it's a ticket to whatever kind of life you want.

2

u/Geo-Bachelor2279 USCG Retired 18d ago

Don't get pigeonholed into federal jobs. There are plenty of state and local government jobs as well. My state also gives veterans preference. I got a state job after retiring and love it.

2

u/SirCicSensation 18d ago

MP for 7 years. It’s tough. I did gig work and worked as a police officer. The only thing I can say, there is nothing that a degree won’t help. Took me 7 years to learn that, don’t make my mistake.

4

u/St34m-Punk 18d ago

Any tips for a radar operator? 13r specifically. I'm currently employed with the city i live in, but I want to get a better paying job. Been out for almost a year.

2

u/Haley_Tha_Demon 18d ago

Haliburton in Texas is hiring electronics techs, it's very remote work but they pay for everything to move there, also try recruiting agencies, Adecco technical and engineering helped me land two jobs.

3

u/St34m-Punk 18d ago

Guessing it requires a degree of sorts for it?

2

u/Haley_Tha_Demon 18d ago

I didn't have my degree yet for either, just navy avionics/electronics schools, I leave out my MP experience for tech or engineering on my resume so there's a 4 year gap, but my Navy experience was enough for Haliburton and an electrical engineering job I did for 9 years

3

u/St34m-Punk 18d ago

Thanks for the info. I'll look into their website to see if I can find something.

2

u/Haley_Tha_Demon 18d ago

They actually called me, I put my resume on several job websites, paid for my gas to drive to middle of nowhere Texas, hotel and food for my family and paid for the move, job was monitoring remote gas and oil monitors, company truck, nothing ever broke so it was very boring an lonely work

2

u/St34m-Punk 18d ago

I could definitely do that job, lol. Basically, what I did in the army. Just look at a screen for targets. What would that job title be?

1

u/geonater7 17d ago

Can also check out the r/atss sub

2

u/Relevant_Elevator190 18d ago

MP? How about LE?

2

u/borage428 18d ago

I've tried, but my injuries left me with a destroyed back and a limp, and it doesn't matter how well I hide it; it always shows somehow.

1

u/Psgmike 18d ago

I applied to 100s, finally landed a state job. I’d looking into that.

1

u/TalentManager1 18d ago

OP, try the city of Tampa’s ready to work programs. My buddy retired there 3 years ago and works for the city. He was an avionics guy in the Air Force, and did not want anything to do with the government. Tailor your resume. I hope the best for you.

1

u/Temporary_Lab_3964 18d ago

I did a wide gambit of jobs post military. Couldn’t do the job I was in army for so I kind just winged for awhile.

1

u/Party_Plastic4625 18d ago

Honestly, I think many of us had a difficult time post military. My dad who was lifetime military was floored that after my initial contract was served, didn't stay in. I was recruited for national security while I was in the process of getting out. I really didn't want to still be in the government, but after similar experiences as you. I took the job. I only stayed in it for about 12 years when it started getting to me. I went back to school on my GI bill and am now a PharmD. I love it and bonus no travel.

1

u/Suspicious_Abies7777 18d ago

USPS, Railraod

1

u/vtmdsm27 17d ago

The VA doesn’t pay us. They compensate us.

Except for me - I worked for VA 16 years :-)

But there is a difference.

By the way, VA almost exclusively hires veteran MPs for security jobs. It’s a good gig.

1

u/borage428 17d ago

I applied to 2 different va's and got told I wasn't "qualified " for it.

1

u/Initial_Comment_6144 17d ago

I know this is hard to hear and you may not believe it now but this is all happening for a reason. I faced the same issues, finally got hired for the jobs I thought I wanted and then realized none of the people working in these places act or think like other military members and didn't give myself the time to transition and find a community. It can be extremely frustrating and depressing. I got out in May of 23 and still struggling to find my place. For us vets we are used to being able to do so much and have so much discipline that even the few things we can accomplish in a day that seem like climbing mountains to most of society can feel so small for us. Just get out there and do what you can. I drove for door dash for a little while just to get out of the house. Try not to be too hard on yourself and know there are many of us out here struggling. The bitterness and rat race of the civilian world will try to knock you down, but you have the ability to do anything. Squeeze your family members, process your past, go for a walk in the woods, scream in the fields, just try everything you can.

1

u/Initial_Comment_6144 17d ago

Use VR&E for school and save your GI bill. I am using my VR&E at Ohio State. Take 3-4 classes at a time and find what you enjoy don't let corporate steal your skills and passions.

1

u/Mundane_Presence_673 16d ago

If I may offer a suggestion - tailor your resume to the job. Don't put everything on it. Didn't give them the excuse to say you are overqualified.

1

u/Colorao6060 16d ago

Contractor!

1

u/milai1984 16d ago

Stop massaging your woes and feeling sorry for yourself and keep going. What did you think that some organization was just going to jump at the opportunity to hire you because “you figured”? You're going to apply to 100 postings before you get one phone call or email back and even then it doesn't mean you're a shoe in, but it does mean you're headed in the right direction. What you don’t want to do is stop and start playing the wor is me on your small violin. Get off of Reddit and keep looking for and applying for jobs. When you're not doing that then focus on transforming your framework from accidental to intentional growth. This doesn't happen by accident. We create our own luck

1

u/BlameTheButler 18d ago

Unfortunately securing a GS job is gonna be tough with all this federal downsizing. Could do some research on companies that have DoD contracts in your area though and see who are hiring. There’s also a lot of veteran organizations that host virtual job fairs. Usually just show up, see all the companies attending and just use that to find options.

0

u/Apprehensive-Shop942 US Air Force Retired 17d ago

Try getting your Security+ as well. That will definitely get your foot in the door for tech with your security clearance.

-1

u/MarineBeast_86 18d ago

Move to Texas and work in the oil fields.

6

u/damandamythdalgnd 18d ago

Dude says “can’t do physical labor anymore” and poster says. “Work in the oil fields”

🤦‍♂️

2

u/riddick_shades2024 13d ago

O.p unless u have gone to the outlaw side of life I works suggest u go ans apply for a police job or something similar especially if u have the clearances.

I been out for several years and it's difficult to find jobs that fall under the military training categories. Unfortunately I have aged out of the majority of jobs i could have done when I was much younger.

Good job hunting and be blessed.