I'm closing in on 20+ years of service. After some much-needed R&R (my career total leave days are in the double digits), I'm thinking about what to do next.

Obviously, there's money as a contractor/advisor. Then there's the security of a GS position. But as much as I love our country and those who serve in it, I want to do a 180.

I've thought about teaching, but I would only be qualified in the same field that I'm doing now. I've even thought about becoming a vocational pastor (more of a calling).

Then there are the "what if" professions that I only knew I wanted to do after I was already knee-deep in service. It would require going back to school. It would be like starting all over again, which sounds a bit daunting.

Then there's Dick Winter's notion of a "peaceful, quiet life". Sometimes the idea of opening up my own woodworking shop on a plot of land in Idaho sounds nice.

What did you do when you got out? What did you find that you enjoyed the most?

Mine is a little different, but not so much.

I was an enlisted medic. I loved medicine, but not enough to go to med school. EMT's get paid ****, so I decided to go a different route.

Now I'm an engineer and build helicopters. I love it. The attention to detail is still required, but timelines are significantly relaxed vs working a patient.

I loved playing with Lego's as a kid, and also wanted to be an army man. Got to do one, now I do the other.

Figure out what you want to do, there's always a way to make money at it.

I don't know what you do in the military or what your education credentials are, or your interests, so I don't know your options moving on.

One thing to consider - if you ever wanted to be your own boss, you have that option that so many people can't really entertain, all because of the need for health insurance coverage. Tricare may not be the very best, but it's better than a lot and the price is great. (I'd recommend you buy a supplement at retirement - I use MOAA's).

I had the option to go to work as a civilian for the Air Force, doing the same thing I did in my last assignment, commanding a cubicle. Was tough to turn down, but some circumstances in my personal life and some quality of life priorities led me to pass on that.

A few years down the road, I would up opening my own business. A little boring, but more profitable than government service, and I'm my own boss and live where I choose.

Best wishes in your search.

I retired after three years enlisted in the USMC and twenty-five commissioned in the USAF. With my retirement, disability rating and the benefits Texas gives its Vets, I really didn't have to work unless I wanted to.

I also wanted to do something "non-mil" but. it was difficult to find a "non-mil" related job that was going to pay enough to make it worth my while to do. You would be surprised (or not) to see how many jobs want so much education and experience to pay you half of what you are making in the service.

I took a job as a contractor doing the same job that I last did in the service. (FMS for Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar). After doing that a year and watching contracts change hands with the associated salary games, I decided I preferred the stability of a GS job, so hired on doing the same thing, but for a different country (Saudi Arabia). Did that for about four years and tried to "retire". That lasted about a year, so I went back to work as a GS doing Strat Basing.

First, need to have an idea about what you want to do. My whole career was in operations or operations related. It can be difficult to translate those kind of jobs to civilian-speak and to make potential employers see that you have more than enough experience and education for the job you are applying for.

Second, you need to consider whether you want another career or just a job. I had my career, I just wanted another job to pay for things (I hate being in debt) and to feel useful. It was a bonus that I was able to continue to serve, even out of uniform.

Third, you either have to work where you live, or live where you work. You need to decide which takes precedence. I knew I wanted to live in Texas and about where I wanted to live. I picked three areas (Austin, College Station, New Braunfels) drew a "45 minute circle" around them and started looking for a job in those areas.

EDIT:
Fourth, pure civilians are a different breed of animal from career veterans. I don't mean that disrespectfully, but they haven't done what we have done, don't know what we know and for the most part, haven't experienced the same brotherhood or commitment to mission that a career vet has. It does make a difference in a workplace environment. I found it "off putting". It may well be that we've become institutionalized and out of touch with our civilian counterparts <shrug>. Enjoying your work and the people you work with can be more important than what you get paid. Food for thought.

Thank you all for the personal stories. These are great perspectives and have given me a lot to think about. Please keep them coming!

Dependants weigh big here. A lot of opportunities open up if you can afford to be without an income for a few years.

While I stopped well shy of 20; dropping pay and benefits to start my own business or start the climb of an entry level engineer just wasnt going to keep my wife at home. So I made responsible choices. If unrestricted, my personal path (and recommendations) would quite different.

74OA said:

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I didn't need to work when I retired, but I wanted to. I was lucky enough to find a well-paying job in a small consulting company doing work I found interesting with people who I liked being around. When I tired of it, I quit.

The nice thing about a military pension is the flexibility it gives you. If you don't want to work or prefer to live in the boondocks where jobs are scarce, your pension will carry you. If you find a job you love that doesn't pay much, your pension will likely make up the difference to maintain your lifestyle. If you become unhappy at work, your pension also lets you promptly move on because it will cover the essentials.

I guess it comes down to your financial situation and preferred lifestyle. If you have a big mortgage, kids in college, need to build up your investments, want to live large, etc., you may need a well-paying job to supplement your pension. If/when your needs and wants are covered, you can choose to work for fun, part-time, or not at all.

You know you best, so don't overthink it--your pension is your lifetime security blanket no matter which way you go.

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this^

If interested in EMS, become a paramedic, then work way up up into swat medic. Lots of career options that way. After 3-5 years you can become an instructor for future EMT's if you desire a slower paced lifestyle.

I transitioned from Navy as Intel Officer (NCIS Agent) into Homeland Security Investigations as Criminal Intel Research Specialist at GS-13 level. Then retired from there after 9 years + years purchased back from military time to be eligible for retired pay. Get Navy and FERS retired pay and bennies now. Not bad retirement.

Military lawyer here. I've heard so many JAGs talk about how they are going to do _________ when they retire, but it seems like all of them continue practicing law. I think the money is just too good to pass up. Being a park ranger/teacher/shop owner sounds cool, but it's hard to pass up that GS-14 gig.

Great thread, I'm a little further out but the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to appear. Appreciate all the insight and will certainly be following this thread. About all I know right now is that I want to end up in TX although the easiest spot for me to transfer to a GS or CTR gig would be in Colorado

I retired from the Air Force in 1994. i used an Alternative Teaching Program to become a teacher. I taught Special Education in my hometown. I also used Troops to Teachers to help pay for my certification.

This is a great and relevant post. I just retired following a few decades of service. Although I could've easily slid into some GS jobs near my last duty station, I opted to move to BCS to be close to my elderly parents and brother's family (with wonderful children). I realized the window of opportunity to catch up on missed birthdays and holidays would be very brief, so "Full time son, husband, brother, and uncle" was an opportunity I could not pass up.

Sure, there's a risk that my "shelf life" of relevance to the trade/industry atrophies with each passing day, I found this opportunity to experience family time for a little while to be too compelling. Also, while I'm "cooling off," I am seizing the opportunity to have a few physicians do some much-needed overhaul work on the old chassis. This extended combat stance we've been on for a couple of decades has taken it's toll on the muscular-skeletal system.

There is some good words about entrepreneurship above as well. I've noticed several veteran agencies avialable to assist with business plan (over to you to do the market research, but it seems that there are many people/ways to raise capitol). When the family picture changes, I might try to godown this path.

Thanks again for the great topic and discussion!

My dad retired in 1965 as a E8 from the AF with 20 years total service. He was only 41 and one kid left at home (me). He was recruited to work at Johnson Space Center to do the same type of work he had been doing, working with pressure suits and altitude chambers. He had a lot of airmen that worked for him in the AF there also. He worked there for 15 years before he retired for good.

Jock 07 said:

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Great thread, I'm a little further out but the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to appear. Appreciate all the insight and will certainly be following this thread. About all I know right now is that I want to end up in TX although the easiest spot for me to transfer to a GS or CTR gig would be in Colorado

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What's your military background?

USA*** said:

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Jock 07 said:

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Great thread, I'm a little further out but the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to appear. Appreciate all the insight and will certainly be following this thread. About all I know right now is that I want to end up in TX although the easiest spot for me to transfer to a GS or CTR gig would be in Colorado

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What's your military background?

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Space & Missile Ops

Jock 07 said:

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USA*** said:

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Jock 07 said:

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Great thread, I'm a little further out but the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to appear. Appreciate all the insight and will certainly be following this thread. About all I know right now is that I want to end up in TX although the easiest spot for me to transfer to a GS or CTR gig would be in Colorado

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What's your military background?

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Space & Missile Ops

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Have you looked at GS and/or contractor positions at Lackland? USAJobs for GS, LinkIn has a lot contractor jobs. There was a glut of them not too long ago.

USA*** said:

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Jock 07 said:

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USA*** said:

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Jock 07 said:

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Great thread, I'm a little further out but the light at the end of the tunnel is starting to appear. Appreciate all the insight and will certainly be following this thread. About all I know right now is that I want to end up in TX although the easiest spot for me to transfer to a GS or CTR gig would be in Colorado

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What's your military background?

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Space & Missile Ops

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Have you looked at GS and/or contractor positions at Lackland? USAJobs for GS, LinkIn has a lot contractor jobs. There was a glut of them not too long ago.

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I have not, just figured my job experience would transfer most easily in the springs. I love CO but still think I'll wind up in TX.

7 years flying strat airlift and Instructing followed by 35 years at Delta Air Lines.