Transitioning out of the Military and looking for pointers.

[Archie]

Hey all,

I'm a current active-duty soldier who has decided to transition out of the military around the end of 2014. My occupation during my time in the military has been as a Satellite Communication Systems Operator/Maintainer, but I've also had some very basic exposure to Cisco programming (VERY basic) and some limited experience in troubleshooting and configuring Windows computers. I also have personal experience with computers that makes me fairly comfortable with Windows. I'm a fast learner, and eager to find ways to net a job in the IT field that can combine my experience in the military with whatever else I can scratch up in the meantime. Here are some notable things for me.

-Total of 4 years active duty military experience (with a possible promotion to E-5 (SGT) by my time of discharge); I've developed a solid work ethic and good time management skills, and have experience leadership and customer service positions.

-Bachelor's Degree in Psychology.

-Satellite Communications experience (set up and tear-down of SATCOM systems; basic understanding of signal flow with experience in troubleshooting connectivity issues).

-Basic experience with in-house networking (setting up computers, networking printers and shared hard drives).

-Veteran's Preference when searching for jobs with particular agencies.

-Current Secret clearance, with possible Top Secret before exiting the service.

I also have the edge of having the chance to get some technical certifications before exiting the armed forces; I plan on getting at least my CompTia A+, Network +, and Security + certifications before leaving the military, at no cost to myself (assuming I pass).

I'm also looking specifically into the fields of IT Help Desk, Network Administration, and Network Security, unless you know of something that relates more directly to my work experience that can blossom into a career.

I'm just looking to see if anyone has any words of wisdom or information to pass along to me about this gig. I plan on staying in the state of Washington (at least to get some experience and see where life takes me) and wondering if I have a good plan/good head start on what to put on my resume, and how to strengthen it before I exit the military in a little less than 2 years. Should I go back to college? Are certs enough? And I getting enough certs to get started? What else should I get before I put myself on the market? Any suggestions or anything would be totally welcome.

I'm currently deployed but when I return later this year, I plan on getting very hard at work to get ready for this. So thanks for input!

 

[Nukem]

Since I just retired from the US Navy, I can at least give you some websites to check out:

O*NET OnLine

VET NET

World's Largest Professional Network | LinkedIn

Security clearance jobs for defense & intelligence - ClearedJobs.Net

Government Jobs | USA.gov

https://myaccess.dmdc.osd.mil/identitymanagement/registration.do?execution=e4s1
(this one is good for helping with your questions and concerns once you are out)

I would also look at possibly moving to where the jobs are and/or want to be able to travel if needed. The bad part about transitioning out of the military and staying where you know, is a LOT of people have done it; Or in my case, can't leave due to selling my house... So that makes you less marketable due to a huge talent pool.

But contractor jobs are always looking for people who know certain systems that we work on, so that is a big plus. As a possible plus... If you know or can get to know the GCCS side of the house, that is a big seller these days. Also, get your security plus cert while you are in now and can use TA. Hope it helps...

 

[Archie]

Thanks for the links, Nukem! I plan on taking full advantage of the TA program to get some free certs. Looking at some of the jobs on there, especially at the ClearedJobs website and a few others I've found before, it seems like I'm generally on the right track to find some work somewhere. I'd really like to get my TS or TS/SCI before I get out, simply because of the opportunities it opens up. The only catch for me is that I won't be able to get too serious at looking at actual jobs until I'm nearer to my ETS date and newer job postings have opened up.

I think it could go either way; I know ManTech has a few jobs I know I could do, and even a couple on JBLM look good...my main concern is even if I have to start at the bottom of the IT field, I want to find a job where I can get that exposure to the tech, not just office management or field labor. I want to LEARN, and I want people above me that can teach; someplace with an experienced System Administrator that I can work under and learn from.

What some of the Army civilians I've talked to so far have shared with me is that the two best certs to get if I'm planning on turning around and working for the govt. again anyway are Net+ and Security+; they'll get my foot in the door in plenty of places.

Also, relocation is currently not an option I want to take. I'm in a steady relationship right now and we've mutually decided, thanks to this deployment I'm on now, that doing something long-distance is not going to be an option; it's too much, for too long, and I'm not going to sacrifice that much of my personal life for a career. And before that even, I just plain enjoy living in Washington State. I've got the drive and persistence to know I'll get a job somewhere.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you do in the Navy? And how long was your service? What are you planning on doing now?

 

[Nukem]

I am/was an Operations Specialist. I am about to retire with 24 years under the belt. So now I am trying to get into the contractor side of the house and work doing ship installs of various systems that I worked on. But if that doesn't work out I have a couple of other fall backs as well.

But it sounds like you have a decent plan in place... keep at it.

 

[fairfieldfalconsfan]

Thank you both for your service.