Transitioning from Military to Civilian

In this writers opinion it is not worth joining any Branch of the Military unless you have already completed college. I have seen many people, from family friends, and my fiance go from Military to jobless with no chance at getting work in the field they worked in while serving the country. Yes the Military pays for you to go to College and they even send you to schools to be educated and trained in the field you chose to serve in. However, once you are out of the military those credits you earned at military schools and the years of experience you earned in your field add up to nothing in the civilian world.

Unless you were lucky enough to get a degree from a college in your field there's very little chance you'll get hired doing what you did during your Military career. For example my fiance, like many others these days, was "let out" of the Navy before his ten year mark due to "Military Convenience". He got an Honorable Discharge, but gets no real benefits including retirement as he was "let out" before hitting that crucial 10 year mark. In the Navy he worked on billion dollar, top secret and high security computers. He had an extremely high security clearance, and passed all of his Computer based courses with flying colors.

Since he got out he has worked at 7-11, a shipyard where he worked as an Electrician, and now he's trying to find work in the field he loved and spent 8 years working in. Everyone he's come across is impressed with his skills, his education in the field as well as his DD214's or "EVALS" from all the years he was in the Navy. But when they see he has no degree they shy away. If you take all the schools he passed while in the Navy and turn those credits into college credits he is only 8 credits away from earning the Degree he needs. The trouble is finding a school that will accept those credits for that particular field. Some colleges have already said they'd count the credits but only as General Education credits. So his 8 years of service, his hard work, the government trusting him with billion dollar equipment and he's not good enough to hire just because he's 8 credits away from a degree?

I'd rather hire someone with extensive experience, Government funded schooling and top security clearance than some fresh out of college newbie with no experience who wants over a hundred grand a year in salary just because he/she has a degree. If you do choose to join the Military think long and hard about it. Remember we are over in Iraq right now and odds are if you enlist now you will most likely be going overseas. Unless you choose your field wisely. Being a Nuke is a great way to go. Find out about Officer's programs, research the fields and make sure you pick one you can handle. If you are one of many people who is looking to join just so you can go to college DON'T. You should only join the military if you are serious about putting your life on the line to defend this nation. Otherwise just work your way through college or apply for Government assistance.

If you do join the Military take online college courses, or try to take night classes at your local college if you can. It'll be hard to do as military schedules can be hectic, but do your best. Otherwise when you get out of the military either by retirement or by force (or "let out on Military Convenience") finding work will prove to be difficult. Companies may say they support the troops but when a Veteran comes looking for work, they're not too impressed.