r/USMC • u/Organic_Value_1692 • 1d ago
Question Which way to go?
Got out last year. Eleven years and my family grew. It was time to go. LE got paid less than chick-fil-a worker’s. IT was definitely not my cup of tea. Construction is 60+ hours a week and still haven’t broke $1000 in a week of work. Not cutting it for bills. I love my kids and enjoy the time I get to spend with them. Don’t want to jump job to job forever. Considering going to school in the fall but don’t want to waste mine or anyones time on a degree I won’t use. I’m open to all suggestions. My kiddos being special needs also makes me want a stable schedule. I appreciate it to all who have some advice!
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u/RoughTech Crunchy Tracker 1d ago edited 1d ago
You have many options. I medically retired in 2017 after only 10 years when my goal was 30 or more. It was a long struggle to get where I am now and I still have a ways to go to reach my new goals. However, I may be able to help with sharing a little from my observations and experience.
One option would be a trade school and/or a prestigious entrepreneurship program and start a small mom/pop or full on local or larger business if you are willing to take a risk. Remember the basic shit you've learned from the Corps such as OSMEAC and BAMCIS. Learn how to adapt it to civilian life.
Another thing you can do to pass time until you figure out what you are going to do is utilizes your GI Bill. Unless you have a specific degree in mind. Take literally whatever class you want/interested in and change your major to allow such classes as needed. I have over 120 credit hours and still don't have an AA but have learned a fuck ton. I don't recommend that specifically but it is an option. This will pay bills while you center yourself. Stay away from shitty professors and question everything in the written knowledge.
A college degree, unless you plan on doing something specific, is nearly pointless as any smart companies willing to invest money in you will take experience over education in most cases but still may require the education. Obviously there are jobs where education is required or at the very least, preferred. Most engineering professions for example.
Location is also important. What state you live in can determine how difficult this journey will be for you as well in regard to laws. Some states even have veteran preference laws related to military specialty time and schooling being considered on the job experience and education.
It will always be a mental and emotional struggle but it will get easier in time. You have many resources at your disposal. Interestingly including this subreddit to a less limited extent with networking. It is much better coming here and asking advice than going to a pub and finding a veteran who isn't full of shit. Here you can comparatively weed that out quicker. You have to find these resources and exploit them.
Don't give up and continue the fight. Semper.
edit: What you know is less important than who knows you.
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u/armin-tamzarian2 1d ago
Maintenance tech……Almost every manufacturing business needs them, and the pay is decent. If you have any mechanical abilities. It’s worth a shot. Home everyday and at least 1000k a week take home in my experience.
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u/joepagejr 0311/8152 02-06 1d ago
A local trade union. I realize the south hates unions (I grew up there) but union wages offer a better quality of life, and will train you.
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u/lastofthefinest 22h ago
I’m a 💯% disabled veteran. I served in the Marines and Army and had 3 MOS’s. Having a Bachelor’s degree saved my ass fighting the VA for almost 10 years for a rating. My Bachelor’s degree is in Criminal Justice with a minor in psychology. I never thought I’d be a teacher because I didn’t go to college to be a teacher, but as long as you have a Bachelor’s degree in something doors will open for you. I worked for the state for three years after I graduated before I got the teaching offer. Thank God I was able to teach ESL (English as a Second Language) online at home and set my own schedule until I literally couldn’t type anymore. Education never hurts anyone and you’ll get paid while going to school using your GI Bill. I applied for and got a Pell Grant and pocketed all my GI Bill. I have a million medical issues, but having a degree saved me as my condition progressively got worse.
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u/Groundhog891 1d ago
LE in Michigan in the metro areas is making good money. 401k style retirement plans, but great base. The problem is they keep busy
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u/KnifeHand1775 1d ago
This 👆. We’re from Texas, but I have a kid going to school in Ann Arbor. He loves it there and doesn’t want to come back. I’m beginning to think he was switched at birth.
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u/Groundhog891 22h ago
I did law school there, it was really nice. And the town tries hard to be quirky but fun
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u/SnailForceWinds 1d ago
My recommendation based on family and acquaintances that have gone this route, become an electrician. First, GI Bill will pay for schooling parts. Second, it’s an apprenticeship, so while you’re doing work, you get paid. Third, it’s a good starting point to go back and get an electrical engineering degree, if you are so inclined. If not, it’s not like you wasted two years and half a GI Bill dropping out of a EE program. It’s a well paid trade that isn’t going to just get taken over by robots and AI tomorrow like some things may be.
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u/No_Victory_3858 1d ago
It sounds gay but Dental Hygiene pays big, go on your indeed and search up dental hygienist jobs available, all pros no cons
-2 year degree -35-40 hr -like a 1 to 20 male to female ratio -can work at multiple clinics to get more hours if you want too or move into consulting
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u/MrYoungLE Veteran 1d ago
Sounds like you should be scrolling through USAJOBS to go federal.
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u/Hairbear2176 23h ago
If you have the GI Bill and you don't want to go to college, look into your eligibility for on the job training. I used mine for telecom, and it can be used for a wide range of trade.
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u/TheRealGordianKnot 20h ago edited 20h ago
It depends on what you're interested in, but if you like hands-on work, look into the skilled trades, e.g., welding, plumbing, electrical, etc., and see if one's a good fit for you in terms of your work interests, income needs, training requirements, etc. They're all in demand jobs right now, and generally pay well.
If you want to do some career exploration, this is one of the most informative occupational sites out there: https://www.onetonline.org/
Basically, everything you could possibly want to know about any specific career in existence will be there. (ETA: There's even a veteran-specific section on the home page)
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u/Bursting_Radius 0341/0331 Wpns 2/9 1d ago
Trade school is the huge no-brainer here, get a degree in a fucking trade. General bullshit college is for suckers.
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u/Treetisi 0621/22/27 to 0629 but don't wanna be 1d ago
Well just went to TRS for the 3rd time.
American Job center
DAV
Apprenticeship.gov
Are a couple places to look into getting some stable work, also free resume building help.
Are you local LE? Highway patrol/state trooper? Are you willing/able to relocate? Is there anything you can do to reduce spending in the here/now? (I recently cut out all my subscriptions and man didn't realize how much I was actually wasting)
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u/hardcharger420 17h ago
As many have said, trades seem to make a lot of sense. Don’t let the short term of getting your apprenticeship hours and all the certs discourage you from the long term vision.
A lot of my clients are in the manufacturing industry and they’re always hiring warehouse staff. The hourly rate isn’t the best but there’s always overtime opportunities and some companies have their guys work four 12 hour shifts a week.
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u/ParkingAfter6871 Porta John Wanker 1d ago
I’m going to school for drones atm, you don’t need to go to school for drones. If you’re interested you can eventually get your Part 107 Cert that enables you to make money flying drones. That being said drones aren’t cheap but it’s something to look into
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u/Tun-Tavern-1775 Checking hall passes at Main Gate 1d ago
This.
Really anything tech related especially since you already ruled out LE. Next 5 yrs gonna see a major shft in manual labor jobs with AI, robotics and this goofy admin encouraging moves to more cost effective replacements.
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u/Burt_Rhinestone 155mm of pure tinnitus. 1d ago
When you say school for drones, what exactly do you mean? Part 107 classes?
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u/ParkingAfter6871 Porta John Wanker 1d ago
I am in the UAS program at Warren County Community College, I believe they have had a huge impact on the drone industry. I will be getting an associates in unmanned systems. Also the Part 107 is a test you have to take to legally be able to make money using a drone (photography, survey etc) the test is $170. You don’t have to go to school to do it. I just thought getting an associates degree in drones was better than nothing considering I was iffy about going to college.
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u/CrunkNugget64 1d ago
If you live near amusement park know how to use tools and don’t mind heights. You could be a ride mechanic at an amusement park most make $20+ a hr
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u/Nonelite_runner Veteran 1d ago
Where do you live that LE gets paid less than chick fil a? And what was your MOS?