Results 1 to 33 of 33

Thread: Military to civilian transition

  1. #1
    IA Member
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Age
    46
    Posts
    43
    Rep Power
    0

    Default Military to civilian transition

    Just wondering how many have made the jump from Military service to being a Civilian? I have another 8 months to decide if I'm staying in or not. I'm not a military hater. Four years as an MP CPT has been great but hard on the family with two deployments. Thanks in advance for any input.

  2. #2
    Senior Member JASONBALL's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    columbus GA
    Age
    47
    Posts
    1,981
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    I'm on my 20 PTDY right now finaled out on the 11 of April. I was an MP for 6 years. at ft. benning where are you stationed at. McPherson.

  3. #3
    ACC CHAMPS bigdare23's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    ECEFC.com
    Age
    40
    Posts
    13,801
    Rep Power
    39

    Default

    Well, I'm am (was) a depended and civil life is different! No free healthcare, medicine, P.X./B.X. prices so it's going to be different. I was used to doing my grocery shopping at the Commassary, now I got to pay publix and kroger prices. It's different, real different. If you like the service and like your benefits, stay in, but that's just my opinion tho!

  4. #4
    IA Member
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Age
    46
    Posts
    43
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Currently stationed at Ft. Campbell...home on RR now. The commissary and PX have good prices on some items but not all. AAFES has the "price challenge" but for some reason their products will vary slightly from civilian stores. I'm worried more about the medical benefits. If I do stay in I'll probably change my MOS.

  5. #5
    Senior Member JASONBALL's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    columbus GA
    Age
    47
    Posts
    1,981
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    so your with the 716th MP BN right now. anyways I continue to recieve medical utill october even though I'm out. plus there is always VA for what ever you claim and they find valid.

  6. #6
    IA Member
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Age
    46
    Posts
    43
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Was with the 716th...haha...now I'm in 101st!

  7. #7
    Verbing weirds language Gaspeedracer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Dallas Ga
    Age
    39
    Posts
    55
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Bump to all Military past and present

    THANK You
    Chuck Norris and Mr. T walked into a bar. The bar was instantly destroyed, as that level of awesome cannot be contained in one building

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Age
    42
    Posts
    1,024
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    the last six months of the first year is really the hardest, how hard depends on what you branched. if you can transition straight into a civilian job it will be a ton easier. my experience was slightly different than most, my dad was a crusty old warrent officer, so civilian life seems odd. theres no structure to anything and it takes some getting used to. if you want to go back to college, give it a year and then deside. i have a friend that came back from the sand box and went straight back to college, he didnt last long and that seems to be par for most. best thing to do is settle into a "normal" everyday routine. good luck with it.
    "...I'm a thief, I'm a liar, There's my church, I sing in the choir..."

  9. #9
    ....@....
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Age
    54
    Posts
    403
    Rep Power
    21

    Default

    If two deployments have been really hard on the family, you may want to really think long and hard about staying in. I think it really depends on your personal situation. When you say family do you mean a wife and kids?
    How did they handle deployments, how were you?

    I was a Navy wife for more then 10 years, PM me if you want to talk.

    Good luck in whatever you choice you make.
    Quote Originally Posted by B16a2 Civic
    i dreamt about Tracy once, she popped my clutch

  10. #10
    Senior Member JASONBALL's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    columbus GA
    Age
    47
    Posts
    1,981
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    well i have fully exited the military now. it was rough. but I have adapted. I had 3 deployments and those people are still like family even more now. I was in for 9 years. got out with a injury. which sucks becuaes that was all I knew. enter army 40 days after highschool graduation.

  11. #11
    All Motor.. For Now
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Sanford, NC
    Age
    38
    Posts
    2,661
    Rep Power
    23

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bigdare23
    Well, I'm am (was) a depended and civil life is different! No free healthcare, medicine, P.X./B.X. prices so it's going to be different. I was used to doing my grocery shopping at the Commassary, now I got to pay publix and kroger prices. It's different, real different. If you like the service and like your benefits, stay in, but that's just my opinion tho!
    what he said, man i love the commasry. im a dependent, both parents were in the service and one still is. but moving here i see alot more of civ. life. since aroudn here not as big of a military atlasphere. From ft. lewis, wa. biggest army base on west coast.

  12. #12
    the old man NAIZBST's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    where I shifts with my left hand
    Posts
    7,075
    Rep Power
    33

    Default

    I will make that choice in 4 months when I get out

  13. #13
    JDM swaped shortbus Big J's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Atlanta
    Age
    46
    Posts
    1,110
    Rep Power
    21

    Default

    HOOAH! It's a tough call and can be a tough adjustment, just do what feels right, put some thought into it. If it isn't right for you can go back, you know the drill, but if you re-up active there is no backing out. I didn't have a family so that didn't enter into the equation. You could allways get out, get on with a contractor, pocket bank for a year and settle the family down. It's wide open.

  14. #14
    IA MEMBER YokotaS13's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    saudi arabia
    Age
    40
    Posts
    5,297
    Rep Power
    27

    Default

    yuo know there is a special department on base that helps yuo with this exact thing right


    its called the transition office......

  15. #15
    Virginity Cure BABY J's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    everywhere & nowhere
    Age
    46
    Posts
    16,170
    Rep Power
    46

    Default

    The transition office = WACK!!
    "I'm not a gynecologist... but I'll take a look."


  16. #16
    JDM swaped shortbus Big J's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Atlanta
    Age
    46
    Posts
    1,110
    Rep Power
    21

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BABY J
    The transition office = WACK!!
    +1

    Sign here, here, initial here, and here. Here's your DD214, bye.

  17. #17
    Virginity Cure BABY J's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    everywhere & nowhere
    Age
    46
    Posts
    16,170
    Rep Power
    46

    Default

    I miss the PEOPLE, but I do not miss being in the Air Force. That (military) is not an organization that deserves the best years of your life. I gave 'em 8... and I bounced. Never been happier.
    "I'm not a gynecologist... but I'll take a look."


  18. #18
    YELLOW POWER !!! The Golden Child's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    where do you live ??
    Age
    41
    Posts
    31,678
    Rep Power
    54

    Default

    why is this in the business part ??
    anyway i dont know much about this stuff ..
    but i am contiplating on joining up ..
    just right now i have to take care of things ..
    give or take maybe 2 - 3 yrs ill join and see ..
    but till than i am fine with what i have i guess ..
    wish you the best of luck on what ever decision you pick ..
    NY STAY HIGH !!!

  19. #19
    IA MEMBER YokotaS13's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    saudi arabia
    Age
    40
    Posts
    5,297
    Rep Power
    27

    Default

    if yuo join in 2-3 years yu beter be going in officer

  20. #20
    Senior Member JASONBALL's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    columbus GA
    Age
    47
    Posts
    1,981
    Rep Power
    22

    Default

    they aren't worth shit. lazy ass goverment civilians that know there getting paid way to much that don't do anything. you own research and knowledge and experience is way better than what they can ever help you with.

  21. #21
    JDM swaped shortbus Big J's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Atlanta
    Age
    46
    Posts
    1,110
    Rep Power
    21

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by JDM Is Ghey
    if yuo join in 2-3 years yu beter be going in officer
    Officers = whack

  22. #22
    Virginity Cure BABY J's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    everywhere & nowhere
    Age
    46
    Posts
    16,170
    Rep Power
    46

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Big J
    Officers = whack
    Wrong. Academy officers suck... prior-enlisted officers and OTS/OCS officers are kool.
    "I'm not a gynecologist... but I'll take a look."


  23. #23
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Omicron PERCI 8
    Age
    43
    Posts
    3,647
    Rep Power
    24

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BABY J
    Wrong. Academy officers suck... prior-enlisted officers and OTS/OCS officers are kool.
    roger that
    www.fairtax.org
    Quote Originally Posted by kelly
    True. But where's my sig?!! (lol)

  24. #24
    USAF Security Force Cato ED-6's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Acworth & Woodstock area
    Age
    35
    Posts
    924
    Rep Power
    20

    Default

    I would stay in. But thats just me.

  25. #25
    JDM swaped shortbus Big J's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Atlanta
    Age
    46
    Posts
    1,110
    Rep Power
    21

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BABY J
    Wrong. Academy officers suck... prior-enlisted officers and OTS/OCS officers are kool.
    Ok let me clarify, SOME officers = whack, some, coolest guys on the planet. But apples and oranges, air force and army.

  26. #26
    IA Member
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Age
    46
    Posts
    43
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    I know this is a bump from the dead but....

    I appreciate every one's response. I got a lot of job offers, even some nice ones in ATL and San Antonio. In the end I decided to give the Army another 3 more years. With that I got my choice of station, Hawaii.

    My reason, I couldn't look my self in the mirror every morning knowing that I gave up an opportunity to command.

  27. #27
    Intugly tybalt6691's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Age
    42
    Posts
    941
    Rep Power
    21

    Default

    try the reserves, im in and i enjoy it, you get to play both sides of the fence

  28. #28
    WheresClarenceBeeks? Leadfoot_mf's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/fucking%2C_Austria
    Posts
    4,784
    Rep Power
    28

    Default

    cool you should love hawaii i did i was in pearl on the uss louisville was there from 94-97.
    also i still use the va for my health benefits they base what u pay by how much u make.
    after i got out i went straight into college made it thru in 3.5 years. plus with the g i benefits had mad bank as well. no regrets would do it all over again.
    -IA MGMT is inappropriate.


  29. #29
    Moderator BanginJimmy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Hiram, GA
    Age
    46
    Posts
    7,499
    Rep Power
    31

    Default

    I got out of the Corps this time last year and it was the worst decision of my life. Afer 9 years with that kind of structure it was hard getting into a civilian mindset with co-workers. Anyways, good luck with your next 3 years. Also now is the time to be doing your job research and schooling, so you can be prepared tog et out if you decide to after this contract.

  30. #30
    Banned
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Age
    45
    Posts
    1,631
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    I guess if you have no drive in life it may be hard. As soon as I got out I applied at QT and was hired on as a 2a manager.

  31. #31
    Boosted Inc. MulattoBoi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Columbus, Ga
    Age
    38
    Posts
    457
    Rep Power
    19

    Default

    I will be out in 2 weeks. I can't wait lol, everyone I talked to said it's not that bad. Just the benefits. And it's not like im getting out unprepared ready have a job and everything.

    Black Is Beautiful

  32. #32
    PEENGONE Hektik's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    ( +[__]:: ) PLAYING IN TRAFFIC
    Age
    43
    Posts
    8,244
    Rep Power
    32

    Default

    Been out a year and a half... Worst decision I made was not to prepare myself prior to leaving. I was just in a rush to leave. When I got out I didnt have a job lined up and no real leads. But I took four months of and just relaxed lol... Its definately a big change....Good luck with your next three...

  33. #33
    Banned
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Age
    45
    Posts
    1,631
    Rep Power
    0

    Default

    Everyone said I looked like a officer. I got saluted ALOT! Even in the desert I would get saluted and when I would walk into a tent ppl would jump. LOL I was a Pfc

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
About us
ImportAtlanta is a community of gearheads and car enthusiasts. It does not matter what kind of car or bike you drive, IA is an open community for any gearhead. Whether you're looking for advice on a performance build or posting your wheels for sale, you're welcome here!
Announcement
Welcome back to ImportAtlanta. We are currently undergoing many changes, so please report any issues you encounter with the site using the 'Contact Us' button below. Thank you!