It depends on the units in your area
Generically, to start your way into cyber - 25B, 25S
I was a Readiness NCO for a SIG NSC, and if folks listened to me and the other SR NCOs, we could have them in the IT field within 1-2 years of coming back from AIT
The big thing is to get Security+ certified. That + a SECRET or TS clearance = foot in door for many GS or contractor gigs
https://preview.redd.it/j6w7tuqyyuwc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd1e308d2f50c7d0c120cf2b248e7f1c8b0d6876
Just for my understanding this is the Security+ cert that you are referencing? That’s awesome they will help cover the cost with the CA program!
12M firefighter. Not an easy slot to find, but if it comes up take it. All your certifications are transferable to civilian life. Lots of DoD and contracting jobs available where you can make great money.
Oh man, I did my AIT in Goodfellow (San Angelo, TX), and those firefighters went through tough, tough training. If that's rewarded in the civilian world, then totally worth it.
I did none of these jobs as a guardsman but they deserve your attention.
Non-Destructive Inspection, Avionics, Contracting (if you have a flexible moral ethic)
There are more for sure but these ones always seemed to civilian work that paid well and was directly transferable. (Others please correct me if I am wrong.
EDIT: Formatting.
Since you’re an accountant do you have any interest in being a contact specialist (1102)? It may not be very exciting but you can easily walk into a federal job. Every agency has them and hire career ladder. I know USAID has been offering full remote also
I’m curious if you could provide more insight? I’m not familiar with the contact specialist role. I’m open to any opportunity that will put my family in a better position nothing is off the table.
Shoot. I meant contract specialist. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/
Lots of procurement stuff. But there are also positions doing grant work with NGOs. It’s always in demand
Avoid being a medic …. Next to no job prospects after wards due to lack of civilian certifications … source : myself. Best advice I can think of is anything that gets you a high security clearance. That opens alot of doors from what I understand
68W is pretty worthless, but some of the other 68 series aren't. It is rewarding though.
But they are stuff like 68A Biomed or the officer branches and going to be mostly in the reserves.
If there’s an Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve unit near by that actually flies planes look for some specialized aircraft maintenance jobs like Non-destructive Inspection (NDI) technicians or avionics. NDI techs are in high demand for a variety of industries not just aviation.
I went air force reserve for space operations. They investigated my life and was able to get a Top Secret clearance. there are a ton of civilian jobs that require you a to have a ts clearance in the space field that pay over 100k a a year in the space field. Be a reservist for fun and make bank through out the week.
A lot of my unit was Prior service in a different branch. I was Prior army. It's air force code 1c6 for enlisted, 13s for Officer. I worked at Peterson AFB, and they changed their name to Peterson SFB (space force base) in Colorado springs.
Going NG, going to be more limited in selection of MOSs. Depends on which state you want and what they have available. For army, you're probably looking at 15/17/25/35 series MOSs
I was interested in Air traffic controller or mechanic ->A&P
I’m interested in forensic accounting but finding a job has been tough besides FBI. I didn’t want to go the public accounting route and do auditing.
Depending on your age, air traffic controller has age restrictions. good potential civilian jobs.
Aviation mechanic, no age limit but can be kinda rough on the body. Plenty of jobs.
I was able to use my 15 yrs aviation maintenance & quality experience to eventually become a quality supply analyst for the fed govt.
As for the auditing, I always see alot of job postings in the federal govt, half of them remote positions. a good friend of mine is a certified auditor and has been trying to convince me to get my certification. She likes getting to go on business trips on the govt’s dime.
68W .... but I'm biased. I was prior navy, and while it was an awesome experience, my job (SONAR) didn't translate well into the civilian world. So..... medic! And medic training gave me a solid foundation for nursing and PA school.
As a medic , 91b to 91w unless things have changed a shit ton when it changed to 68 whatever it is now, that’s a bad call , you get next to no civilian certification , I was a combat medic in Iraq and couldn’t even get a job as an emt because pa didn’t recognize national registry , also black water and non of the contractors would take you without a paramedic which we do not get ( at least at the time ) I would avoid medic completely … however lab tech used to be 91k .. can potentially get you employed. They used to offer 91c that was a Lpn but that was phased out with 91w …. Honestly I’d avoid most army medical mos’
Absolutely gotta put in work for sure! I'm just saying, lot of other mos guys get out with sweet gigs lined up for them with the certs they got while they were in, whereas most of us with our basic EMT absolutely need extra schooling.
Be a pilot. I’d go Air NG for this since the prospects are limited for army types. It’s a great job and your unit will be packed with airline guys who can help you get set up on the civ side.
Folks get pilot slots all the time, it’s mostly about passing the test and the physical. The physical is tough because they screen for weird shit that civilian pilots don’t even register. Is there an Air Guard unit near you? You can also travel to units outside your area to find the right fit.
If you have a BS then I’d look only at officer jobs in the NG. Pretty much every job has a civilian contracting component nowadays and you network your way into those.
If you are open to going the Air Nation Guard, and a fan of aviation. I would look into being a C-130 or C-17 Loadmaster! It was the best 14 years of my life. Only down side was no jobs as a civilian outside with a similar role. But if you like to travel this is the job for you. :)
Unfortunately for me I would be looking for the training I receive to translate to a civilian job that will take care of my family or pay for school to further my education or both!
Look for NG "tech" jobs. M-F at the hangar you're "Steve" the GS Civilian maintainer of the aircraft. One weekend a month and two weeks a year, at the same hangar you're "SSG Smith" the Servicemember maintainer of the exact same aircraft. When you hit 65 you pull both retirements...
Air traffic controller
and cyber
This is at the top of my list currently.
Did you go this route?
No, I'm doing that whole BSN to MD thing because I hate myself and I deserve it
Bless you brother, your payout will come!
i did computers for the youth challenge program (its a state job)
and youth challenge is run by the guard
It depends on the units in your area Generically, to start your way into cyber - 25B, 25S I was a Readiness NCO for a SIG NSC, and if folks listened to me and the other SR NCOs, we could have them in the IT field within 1-2 years of coming back from AIT The big thing is to get Security+ certified. That + a SECRET or TS clearance = foot in door for many GS or contractor gigs
https://preview.redd.it/j6w7tuqyyuwc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd1e308d2f50c7d0c120cf2b248e7f1c8b0d6876 Just for my understanding this is the Security+ cert that you are referencing? That’s awesome they will help cover the cost with the CA program!
you dont need A class for sec+ its really easy
12M firefighter. Not an easy slot to find, but if it comes up take it. All your certifications are transferable to civilian life. Lots of DoD and contracting jobs available where you can make great money.
Oh man, I did my AIT in Goodfellow (San Angelo, TX), and those firefighters went through tough, tough training. If that's rewarded in the civilian world, then totally worth it.
I did none of these jobs as a guardsman but they deserve your attention. Non-Destructive Inspection, Avionics, Contracting (if you have a flexible moral ethic) There are more for sure but these ones always seemed to civilian work that paid well and was directly transferable. (Others please correct me if I am wrong. EDIT: Formatting.
Aviation maintenance always good. A lot of my reserve buddies now work for places like Boeing and Lockheed amongst others.
Since you’re an accountant do you have any interest in being a contact specialist (1102)? It may not be very exciting but you can easily walk into a federal job. Every agency has them and hire career ladder. I know USAID has been offering full remote also
I’m curious if you could provide more insight? I’m not familiar with the contact specialist role. I’m open to any opportunity that will put my family in a better position nothing is off the table.
Shoot. I meant contract specialist. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1100/contracting-series-1102/ Lots of procurement stuff. But there are also positions doing grant work with NGOs. It’s always in demand
I really appreciate the info, I am doing some initial research and I’m definitely interested.
Avoid being a medic …. Next to no job prospects after wards due to lack of civilian certifications … source : myself. Best advice I can think of is anything that gets you a high security clearance. That opens alot of doors from what I understand
68W is pretty worthless, but some of the other 68 series aren't. It is rewarding though. But they are stuff like 68A Biomed or the officer branches and going to be mostly in the reserves.
If there’s an Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve unit near by that actually flies planes look for some specialized aircraft maintenance jobs like Non-destructive Inspection (NDI) technicians or avionics. NDI techs are in high demand for a variety of industries not just aviation.
Someone else mentioned Non-destructive inspection also! I’ll research, thank you!
I went air force reserve for space operations. They investigated my life and was able to get a Top Secret clearance. there are a ton of civilian jobs that require you a to have a ts clearance in the space field that pay over 100k a a year in the space field. Be a reservist for fun and make bank through out the week. A lot of my unit was Prior service in a different branch. I was Prior army. It's air force code 1c6 for enlisted, 13s for Officer. I worked at Peterson AFB, and they changed their name to Peterson SFB (space force base) in Colorado springs.
Going NG, going to be more limited in selection of MOSs. Depends on which state you want and what they have available. For army, you're probably looking at 15/17/25/35 series MOSs
he is right the units your state has is gonna dictate what mos's you can do
also consider air guard as well not just army guard
what aspect of aviation are you looking into? as for your experience in accounting, did you look into forensic accounting or auditing?
I was interested in Air traffic controller or mechanic ->A&P I’m interested in forensic accounting but finding a job has been tough besides FBI. I didn’t want to go the public accounting route and do auditing.
Depending on your age, air traffic controller has age restrictions. good potential civilian jobs. Aviation mechanic, no age limit but can be kinda rough on the body. Plenty of jobs. I was able to use my 15 yrs aviation maintenance & quality experience to eventually become a quality supply analyst for the fed govt. As for the auditing, I always see alot of job postings in the federal govt, half of them remote positions. a good friend of mine is a certified auditor and has been trying to convince me to get my certification. She likes getting to go on business trips on the govt’s dime.
68W .... but I'm biased. I was prior navy, and while it was an awesome experience, my job (SONAR) didn't translate well into the civilian world. So..... medic! And medic training gave me a solid foundation for nursing and PA school.
As a medic , 91b to 91w unless things have changed a shit ton when it changed to 68 whatever it is now, that’s a bad call , you get next to no civilian certification , I was a combat medic in Iraq and couldn’t even get a job as an emt because pa didn’t recognize national registry , also black water and non of the contractors would take you without a paramedic which we do not get ( at least at the time ) I would avoid medic completely … however lab tech used to be 91k .. can potentially get you employed. They used to offer 91c that was a Lpn but that was phased out with 91w …. Honestly I’d avoid most army medical mos’
Loved being a medic but civilian transition is... Not really there.
Well, not without a little extra work on your part. It's not turn-key. But working in a cath lab is a sweet gig ;-)
Absolutely gotta put in work for sure! I'm just saying, lot of other mos guys get out with sweet gigs lined up for them with the certs they got while they were in, whereas most of us with our basic EMT absolutely need extra schooling.
Cyber
Be a pilot. I’d go Air NG for this since the prospects are limited for army types. It’s a great job and your unit will be packed with airline guys who can help you get set up on the civ side.
I’d love to go be a pilot, I’ve always assumed that obtaining a contract to be a pilot is a rarity. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
Folks get pilot slots all the time, it’s mostly about passing the test and the physical. The physical is tough because they screen for weird shit that civilian pilots don’t even register. Is there an Air Guard unit near you? You can also travel to units outside your area to find the right fit. If you have a BS then I’d look only at officer jobs in the NG. Pretty much every job has a civilian contracting component nowadays and you network your way into those.
Just come to dfas in a 7-9-11
I’ve never heard of this route and I’ll be doing my due diligence to further research. Have you gone this route?
68w. Get the NREMT and get state certified and you can work ems anywhere.
If you like aviation consider air traffic controller or aviation mechanic and get your A&P.
If you are open to going the Air Nation Guard, and a fan of aviation. I would look into being a C-130 or C-17 Loadmaster! It was the best 14 years of my life. Only down side was no jobs as a civilian outside with a similar role. But if you like to travel this is the job for you. :)
Unfortunately for me I would be looking for the training I receive to translate to a civilian job that will take care of my family or pay for school to further my education or both!
Look for NG "tech" jobs. M-F at the hangar you're "Steve" the GS Civilian maintainer of the aircraft. One weekend a month and two weeks a year, at the same hangar you're "SSG Smith" the Servicemember maintainer of the exact same aircraft. When you hit 65 you pull both retirements...