vinva Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 So, I've noticed a lot of current and former military guys around here...thought we should have a place to discuss the inevitable...going out into the real world. I'm a LT in the Navy with 6 years in. I start my terminal leave in about 2 weeks and I just found out yesterday that I will not be unemployed when I'm officially out :wavetowel :applause: I'm a surface warfare officer in the Navy...spent my first 4 years on ships and the last 2 in a major weapons system program office doing Test and Evaluation. Any advice on or stories about making the transition are welcomed and much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slateman Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 SLEEP IN!!!! I remember when my Dad got out. First thing he did was sleep til 8:30am Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpillian Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 Enjoy every moment of terminal leave, buddy. THAT'S the good stuff. You already have a job lined up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD_washingtonredskins Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 Never been in the military and have no advice for you whatsoever...but thank you (to everyone) for your service to this country! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thiebear Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 People in the civilian world say "Why" a lot.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskins Diehard Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 Be sure to cancel your weekly appointment at the barbershop, you don't need haircuts as frequently now. Put the razor away for a while, and then when you decide to start shaving again just remember that you don't HAVE to do it everyday. Figure out how you are going to pick what you will wear to work each day, no more same thing everyday! (And it does get expensive to purchase and maintain even a "business casual" wardrobe.) Maintain your fitness, that isn't just a military thing. The percentage of people at work that are just there for the paycheck is much higher, at least in my experiences. Don't let people tell you that the "military approach" won't work in the civilian world. Often those people think that your everyday existence is similar to the opening half of Full Metal Jacket. Successful organizations share many of the same characteristics, no matter what their ultimate goal is. edit: and there is probably a lot of stuff that you are going to miss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themurf Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 A quick warning: I got out of the Army almost four years ago. I walked out of my office, and was lucky enough to be offered my boss' job. It still took more than five months to get my security clearance and everything transferred -- even though I was staying in the same organization. If you have another job lined up (especially if it is a government gig) plan on the system taking forever to get everything in order. I had to bartend on the side to earn money once my 82 days of terminal leave ended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 I'm walkinginto a DoD job, so the transfer is not as harsh. I'll still be working on a base around military folks. Take some time off and relax, but then get yourself back on a schedule, especially the gym. We ain't getting any younger. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick1796 Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 officers. . .sheesh. just go ask your local Master Chief he'll tell you what to do. i changed jobs 4 times in the first year i was out. always moving up. That's what i loved about being out. my limits were set by my desire to excell, not by time in grade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redz Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 So, I've noticed a lot of current and former military guys around here...thought we should have a place to discuss the inevitable...going out into the real world.I'm a LT in the Navy with 6 years in. I start my terminal leave in about 2 weeks and I just found out yesterday that I will not be unemployed when I'm officially out :wavetowel :applause: I'm a surface warfare officer in the Navy...spent my first 4 years on ships and the last 2 in a major weapons system program office doing Test and Evaluation. Any advice on or stories about making the transition are welcomed and much appreciated. Sir, Congratulations on your new life. I am on active duty onboard the USS John C Stennis. I just wanted to say thank you for your time in service and good luck in the future!! :applause: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
APBT Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 So, I've noticed a lot of current and former military guys around here...thought we should have a place to discuss the inevitable...going out into the real world.I'm a LT in the Navy with 6 years in. I start my terminal leave in about 2 weeks and I just found out yesterday that I will not be unemployed when I'm officially out :wavetowel :applause: I'm a surface warfare officer in the Navy...spent my first 4 years on ships and the last 2 in a major weapons system program office doing Test and Evaluation. Any advice on or stories about making the transition are welcomed and much appreciated. Well.... I have been out since 98 and I am still transitioning. Civilians are a trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinva Posted May 18, 2006 Author Share Posted May 18, 2006 Thanks for all the kind words. I do have a job lined up...I will soon be one of those damn contracters. I'm very excited but also more than a little nervous. I'll still be working around the navy so I'm pretty happy about that (I can only take so much change at a time). For those of you that have gotten out, did you all stay around the military or go in a different direction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raub Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 I got out in 1994. Couldn't stay away. Went back in in 1998 and have 6 years and change left till retirement. In my 4 years as a civilian I got really frustrated with the amount of slacking, laziness, and apathy I saw in my co-workers. I was also kind of irritated at the drop-off in responsibility. I don't think civilians realize the amount of responsibilities that servicemembers are entrusted with everyday. Working as a gov't contractor shouldn't be as harsh an adjustment though. Best of luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
28rdsknsfn28 Posted May 18, 2006 Share Posted May 18, 2006 Since no one else has said it yet I will. Think about the Reserves. I did 8 years active and now have just over 12 years in the Reserves. The one weekend a month and two weeks a year can be inconvenient at times but try to find another part time job that offers retirement. You do not become eligble unitl you hit 60 (but that is expected to go down) but every little bit helps. I am also a government employee on the civilian side and get 3 weeks of military vacation in addition to my 4 weeks of regular vacation per year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinva Posted May 19, 2006 Author Share Posted May 19, 2006 Since no one else has said it yet I will. Think about the Reserves. I did 8 years active and now have just over 12 years in the Reserves. The one weekend a month and two weeks a year can be inconvenient at times but try to find another part time job that offers retirement. You do not become eligble unitl you hit 60 (but that is expected to go down) but every little bit helps. I am also a government employee on the civilian side and get 3 weeks of military vacation in addition to my 4 weeks of regular vacation per year. I have 3 years from my seperation date to join the reserves without losing any rank or having to go through any more training. Right now I plan on taking a year off and then joining up. I really don't want to get called up immediately to go be a staff ***** in Iraq (I know several guys this has happened too). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskins Diehard Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 I have 3 years from my seperation date to join the reserves without losing any rank or having to go through any more training. Right now I plan on taking a year off and then joining up. I really don't want to get called up immediately to go be a staff ***** in Iraq (I know several guys this has happened too). That is exactly why I didn't join the reserves. I figured the fastest way back to Iraq was in the reserves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thanos Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Thank you for your service.Enjoy the new phase in your life and remember that we are all on the same team. Army guy talking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinva Posted May 19, 2006 Author Share Posted May 19, 2006 Army guy talking Surprised you could figure out the keyboard... HEY OH!!! (just joking of course) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskins Diehard Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Surprised you could figure out the keyboard... I was going to say something funny about why you were worried about a "military to civilian transition" if you were leaving the Navy! Just Joking of course(kind of) Army Guy #2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinva Posted May 19, 2006 Author Share Posted May 19, 2006 I was going to say something funny about why you were worried about a "military to civilian transition" if you were leaving the Navy!Just Joking of course(kind of) Army Guy #2 Oh come on...that's a Air Force line and we all know it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskins Diehard Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Oh come on...that's a Air Force line and we all know it... Airlines, Cruiselines...what's the difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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