What are your thoughts?

[KaNtSt0PMeH]

Okay so I am sure many of you have discussed, thought about, or separated from the military before. Just trying to get some tips because I am really not trying to form my opinion of the military after 1 base only.

I was wondering if any of you had tips for getting orders lol or possibly some insight on how successful BOP(base of preference) is. I just hit my 4 year mark in Feb. And i sewed SSgt on May 1st so I'm really trying to get a lay of the land.

Lol and please no one scream at me to stay in. I know it sucks on the outside looking for jobs. Just want to know what my options could be!

SPARTAAAAAAAAAA!

[USAFANGELS]

Okay so I am sure many of you have discussed, thought about, or separated from the military before. Just trying to get some tips because I am really not trying to form my opinion of the military after 1 base only.

I was wondering if any of you had tips for getting orders lol or possibly some insight on how successful BOP(base of preference) is. I just hit my 4 year mark in Feb. And i sewed SSgt on May 1st so I'm really trying to get a lay of the land.

Lol and please no one scream at me to stay in. I know it sucks on the outside looking for jobs. Just want to know what my options could be!

SPARTAAAAAAAAAA!

You're on the flightline... Life is going to suck...

School and other programs are available if you want to stay in. You already have the CCAF so pursuing officer is a viable option

[MARDIGRA21]

Your in the airforce and made staff in 4 years, is it really that bad? It took me 7 years to finally make second class. Plus again your in the airforce, you shouldnt be complaining about anything!! Lol

[Port66]

Your in the airforce and made staff in 4 years, is it really that bad? It took me 7 years to finally make second class. Plus again your in the airforce, you shouldnt be complaining about anything!! Lol

Both good points, us army guys always wanted to live it up like the air force.

[MARDIGRA21]

Both good points, us army guys always wanted to live it up like the air force.

As well as the navy.

[KaNtSt0PMeH]

Your in the airforce and made staff in 4 years, is it really that bad? It took me 7 years to finally make second class. Plus again your in the airforce, you shouldnt be complaining about anything!! Lol

I do just as much as you Navy clowns :) haha not that its bad just bored with it man. Yeah I made Staff in 4 years but SSGT in the AF is E-5 isn't like army and what not. Just see people going all over the world lol the only places I have been is Iraq and Afghanistan I wanna go somewhere fun.

SPARTAAAAAAAAAA!

[MARDIGRA21]

I do just as much as you Navy clowns :) haha not that its bad just bored with it man. Yeah I made Staff in 4 years but SSGT in the AF is E-5 isn't like army and what not. Just see people going all over the world lol the only places I have been is Iraq and Afghanistan I wanna go somewhere fun.

SPARTAAAAAAAAAA!

All joking aside, you guys have the best and worst air force bases. If I were you I would try to get to Nellis lol . Only I would probably end up broke. You should try to go to Okinawa or Germany though. Heard germany is the shit.

[Stonezulla]

If you are still a first term airman, you have a lot more options than if you have re-enlisted already. Good luck.

[USAFANGELS]

I am not going to write all the things you have available as a FTA. Next time you're on I'll tell you.

[arMedL3PR3ChauN]

Special Duty? MTI, MTL, Recruiter, ALS Instructor.... Just get off of the flight line bro, thats what I had to do. Now I love it.:dance:

[Pakman3000]

Okay so I am sure many of you have discussed, thought about, or separated from the military before. Just trying to get some tips because I am really not trying to form my opinion of the military after 1 base only.

I was wondering if any of you had tips for getting orders lol or possibly some insight on how successful BOP(base of preference) is. I just hit my 4 year mark in Feb. And i sewed SSgt on May 1st so I'm really trying to get a lay of the land.

Lol and please no one scream at me to stay in. I know it sucks on the outside looking for jobs. Just want to know what my options could be!

SPARTAAAAAAAAAA!

What was your goal when you first went in and did you achieve what you wanted? You also have rank, a wife and kid so that's very different than me when I chucked the deuce after my 1st enlistment. For me BOP sucked and I had PSAB and every place guys didn't wanna go on my list. If it weren't for 9/11, I might've done my full term at Andrews which wasn't uncommon for most to do their almost their whole 20! Many were even proud of that.

Don't listen to any lifers in your shop. It's your choice and you have to do what's right for your fam. The job market always sucks lol. I went in only for college money and my rationale was that I gave 4 years for freedom so Uncle Sam owed me a shot at experiencing it. Don't let anyone lead you on with the officer program shit. They bait people with that like Bootstrap etc, but its highly competetive, you need a stellar immaculate airtight package and officers in your corner. Its always put out there with hardly any local success stories and the 2 officers I've met who did it were so evasive to were you got the message they didn't want to help anyone else. Weigh your options.

[jxspyder]

You should transfer to McChord. I hear it's awesome.

Sent from the muddy banks of the Wishkah

[SAPPER USMG]

Both good points, us army guys always wanted to live it up like the air force.

that aint no shit....air force chow halls were the bomb!!! re-class to combat controller! hoo-ahh...

[BilgeRatBilly]

You should transfer to McChord. I hear it's awesome.

Sent from the muddy banks of the Wishkah

It looks nice in the spring and summer that's for sure.

Not sure if you're interested but i wish i had gone overseas before I left active duty. Might try flooding your dream sheet with overseas assignments of that is something that interests you.

Sent from my van down by the river using Tapatalk 2

[clarkness7112100]

I just got out a month ago and I was hired at the first job I applied for. A lot of it depends on where you moved back to, I decided to go back to New York where my wife's family is and the job market is better than my home (Illinois). If you are thinking of getting out, figure out where you want to go and check out the job market for what you are qualified to do. Many companies love ex-military for many reasons, but especially for the tax cuts. Right now, I just was hired as WG-10 for the Federal Government working on CNC machines for the Watervliet Arsenal, not exactly what I wanted, but it pays 50K a year and allows me the ability to gain experience on equipment I have never worked on before and will allow me plenty of time to work on getting my degree. The job market isn't horrible right now, IT, technical, and medical fields are doing well. One thing to think about is that barring another war from being started, there will be plenty of troops getting out after 2014. I was separated in the downsizing of the Navy, but it was good for me because rather than compete with multiple waves of sailors getting out, I rode out on the first one and got my job quick.

From what I gather, after getting E-5 (at least in the Navy), its no longer how good you are at your job, but more like how well you do kissing ass and playing the game. Many people are fighting to get one up on each other to advance and you can see some of your brothers start stabbing backs because they want the promotion. If you don't like being part of the games, I would get out. If you were to stay in, I would concentrate on school as your primary concern. Find something like your specialty in a more general area, so if you're an aircraft mechanic, go for mechanical engineering or and aircraft electrician, go for electrical engineering. This way you can have a broad range of jobs you can get overall. Many of the people out there having problems finding jobs are way too specialized in one thing and not flexible in what they can do, or they degree is worthless on a general basis because they decided 19th century literature degree was he best avenue to make money. Just understand that you may not get your dream job right of the bat.

If you stay in, I would definitely make up your mind if you want to make the military your life because its hard ti get out after 10 years. Also its possible that they will be getting rid of what we know as military retirement. They have been playing with holding off paying money until 65 and switching it to be more TSP based in the end. Plus talking to some of the head hunters out there, they find it easier to get E-4 to E-6's jobs because of the fact that while we do have supervisory experience, our technical skills are still pretty sharp which provides the best mixture for employers. Many higher ups tend to not want to do actual work and they think they an just slip into a cushy management situation but they forget they are competing with all of the officers getting out.

All I would say is that you should make a list of the pros and cons of getting out and staying in. Don't take my word for it or anyone else's, do your research. Some of us are meant for short journeys with the military, some are meant for long, figure out which one you are.

[KaNtSt0PMeH]

Great advice Clarkness I will definitely check it all out. Fortunately today I received a call from a friend that teaches Tech School for my job etc. A job that I had previously applied for. On an even better note he said that they are going to have a short-notice hire so his flight chiefs and everything asked me to re-submit my application directly to them so my fingers are crossed! I will find out in about 2 weeks whether or not I got it!

SPARTAAAAAAAAAA!

[MARDIGRA21]

Great advice Clarkness I will definitely check it all out. Fortunately today I received a call from a friend that teaches Tech School for my job etc. A job that I had previously applied for. On an even better note he said that they are going to have a short-notice hire so his flight chiefs and everything asked me to re-submit my application directly to them so my fingers are crossed! I will find out in about 2 weeks whether or not I got it!

SPARTAAAAAAAAAA!

Sweet man good luck.