what to do with my life - Northern California Ford Owners

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Posted by JohnCM (Member # 1076) on :

Help cafords, I just don't know what to do.
I'm needing some advice and input on what to do, I've got a pretty major decision to make soon and I am really nervous about..
I'm currently active duty Air Force, which I must admit I do not like. I want to get out, my enlistment ends soon (5 months to go) and I don't know what to do when I get out of the military.
I went to school briefly but didn't acquire any degree. I'm pretty close to an AA but never did finish it off.
I know the military is the easy way out, but the easy way isn't always the best way in my opinion, I have a feeling I'd be 100% happier in a civilian job making less money than I currently make.
Although I don't make the greatest money as it sits now, but I think I'm going to be hard pressed to find a job that pays similar to what I make now. (1 reason I'm very nervous)
What are some decent career fields to get into right now that are entry level type positions?
My plan right now is to get out and use the GI bill to go to school full time and work part time doing something else to have some spending cash.
The GI bill will pay me 1100 a month as long as I take 3 classes a semester. But 1100 bucks isn't going to go far, especially with a wife and kid.
My wife works, but we'd be living pretty horribly just off of her income alone.
I don't want to make the wrong decision, but I don't want to be miserable for the rest of my life thinking what if I would've got out? thinking where I could be in life..
Probably one of the hardest decisions I've made in a LONG time, and any input would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks

Posted by N8 (Member # 6048) on :

quote:
Originally posted by JohnCM:
Help cafords, I just don't know what to do.
I'm needing some advice and input on what to do, I've got a pretty major decision to make soon and I am really nervous about..
I'm currently active duty Air Force, which I must admit I do not like. I want to get out, my enlistment ends soon (5 months to go) and I don't know what to do when I get out of the military.
I went to school briefly but didn't acquire any degree. I'm pretty close to an AA but never did finish it off.
I know the military is the easy way out, but the easy way isn't always the best way in my opinion, I have a feeling I'd be 100% happier in a civilian job making less money than I currently make.
Although I don't make the greatest money as it sits now, but I think I'm going to be hard pressed to find a job that pays similar to what I make now. (1 reason I'm very nervous)
What are some decent career fields to get into right now that are entry level type positions?
My plan right now is to get out and use the GI bill to go to school full time and work part time doing something else to have some spending cash.
The GI bill will pay me 1100 a month as long as I take 3 classes a semester. But 1100 bucks isn't going to go far, especially with a wife and kid.
My wife works, but we'd be living pretty horribly just off of her income alone.
I don't want to make the wrong decision, but I don't want to be miserable for the rest of my life thinking what if I would've got out? thinking where I could be in life..
Probably one of the hardest decisions I've made in a LONG time, and any input would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks

I will tell you this

"A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush".

Especially in this down economy. Not a good idea to try to change careers now especially with a family. Think hard about it. I would pursue a trade in the AF something that equates out in the real world. Like electronics or computers hell even Law. My friends uncle left the AF and jumped right into Law in the civilian world.

But if you are willing to take the L, I would say just grab you any old job like a warehouse job and go balls out on school. Struggle for a bit, but you will come out on the other side ok. Remember though, for even menial jobs you may be competing with lots of folks because the unemployment rate.

The more I think about it, your best bet is to stay tied to the AF for a lil bit.

Posted by CHUGGABREW (Member # 7845) on :

man brother im in your same boat but not really my ant is kickin me outa my grandma house and now i got to find a new spot [Mad]

i got a pretty good bid on a house last week but i didnt get it now i have to look somewhere eles and now im running outa time, i have a pretty clean stang that im probley have to sell if a have to go with an apartment rought beacuse there no way i can afford a 1700 dollar month rent on a house [Mad]

fuck my family i wish they would all die [Embarrassed]

Posted by Pure Stang (Member # 7251) on :

work your ass off now go through the tough times, so later you can give your family a better future. If you take the easy route what can you offer them later? ( school for the kids college wife wants a new car, retirement lol ect)..

Posted by CHUGGABREW (Member # 7845) on :

bro invest your money if u can, when i was 20 i took a profit shareing check that i got at the end of the year from my work and put it into secret plan, im 23 now and made almost triple of what i put in plus bro its life shit happens its up to you to make it better [Big Grin]

Posted by General Butt Naked (Member # 4831) on :

It sounds like you are going to be happier transitioning out of the military.

If I were in your shoes...
I would pursue school. I'd look at the next 5 years as a transitioning period into a full time career taking me somewhere I want to be.

I would get loans and aid from everywhere to minimize the mental burden of financial stresses.

Living on the material basics isn't soo bad when you have a vision of a rewarding future for you and your family.

I would look at this moment and the use of the word "miserable". It sounds like you already feel like you aren't happy and that's important to recognize.

In hard times just remember...

Posted by BLK35th (Member # 4685) on :

Since you have military experience, I would think you could get a job as a security guard for the time being. Take day classes and work nights. There's plenty of places that are hiring and will pay well if you obtain a guard card. And online classes work too. Some of them are toooo easy.

Posted by fasthatch (Member # 7277) on :

quote:
Originally posted by JohnCM:
Help cafords, I just don't know what to do.
I'm needing some advice and input on what to do, I've got a pretty major decision to make soon and I am really nervous about..
I'm currently active duty Air Force, which I must admit I do not like. I want to get out, my enlistment ends soon (5 months to go) and I don't know what to do when I get out of the military.
I went to school briefly but didn't acquire any degree. I'm pretty close to an AA but never did finish it off.
I know the military is the easy way out, but the easy way isn't always the best way in my opinion, I have a feeling I'd be 100% happier in a civilian job making less money than I currently make.
Although I don't make the greatest money as it sits now, but I think I'm going to be hard pressed to find a job that pays similar to what I make now. (1 reason I'm very nervous)
What are some decent career fields to get into right now that are entry level type positions?
My plan right now is to get out and use the GI bill to go to school full time and work part time doing something else to have some spending cash.
The GI bill will pay me 1100 a month as long as I take 3 classes a semester. But 1100 bucks isn't going to go far, especially with a wife and kid.
My wife works, but we'd be living pretty horribly just off of her income alone.
I don't want to make the wrong decision, but I don't want to be miserable for the rest of my life thinking what if I would've got out? thinking where I could be in life..
Probably one of the hardest decisions I've made in a LONG time, and any input would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks

i would look at different branches of the armed forces frist

Posted by venomous99 (Member # 1917) on :

i would stay in the military and get whatever u can out of it such as higher education and moving up the ladder.

Posted by 04mustanggtkibby (Member # 4202) on :

quote:
Originally posted by venomous99:
i would stay in the military and get whatever u can out of it such as higher education and moving up the ladder.

Posted by WildFire532FB (Member # 1482) on :

How old are you John? Ever thought about getting into Fire?

Posted by JohnB (Member # 969) on :

If you don't like your current job, cross-train...people do it everyday. If you don't like the military, get out. Last thing I want is someone I work with bitch about how much they dislike the military/AF/their lifestyle...but still stay in and leech off the Gov't. As for the GI Bill, your numbers are way off. You're definitely under the post 9/11 program, so unless you're going to USC, you'll be making money off it. Check out he calculator GI BILL

If you've got 5 months to go...good luck. Hate to sound like a downer, but I hear this literally daily out of first-termers. If it isn't for you, move on...and make a plan NOW.

Posted by JohnCM (Member # 1076) on :

I looked into cross training and there's no other jobs that appeal to me, I'm not the guy that bitches and complains about having my job either. I know how to shut up and color, I'm just ready for change I think.
Just a bad time for the change with the economic situation, kinda scary.
But I guess I won't be wondering what could have been if I get out, but I know there's no way back in after I leave either

Posted by SHOalex (Member # 7720) on :

Hahahaaha fuck man johnB is a harsh man, hell of a fucking guy when it come to tech advice [patriot]

Posted by JohnB (Member # 969) on :

quote:
Originally posted by SHOalex:
Hahahaaha fuck man johnB is a harsh man, hell of a fucking guy when it come to tech advice

Nothing harsh about it, just being realistic. [patriot]

Posted by DLo (Member # 6133) on :

quote:
Originally posted by SHOalex:
Hahahaaha fuck man johnB is a harsh man, hell of a fucking guy when it come to tech advice

Just because he didn't sugar coat it doesn't make him a harsh man..

Posted by 90GT510 (Member # 9199) on :

be a truck driver. or if you fly an airplane pilot.

Posted by SHOalex (Member # 7720) on :

quote:
Originally posted by JohnB:

quote:
Originally posted by SHOalex:
Hahahaaha fuck man johnB is a harsh man, hell of a fucking guy when it come to tech advice
Nothing harsh about it, just being realistic.

i guess what I meant to say is the truth is harsh but johnB was the one passing I along, makes alot of sence what he said. Now if he's unhappy their with his job couldn't he get another job?

Cause I have a cousin who got shit canned from air traffic control in the marines but all they did was put him off work for 6 months while still getting paid and then made him pick a new job train him and off to work you go

Posted by SF89lLx (Member # 3965) on :

theres no reason to stay in the military for financial reasons only. there are always a lot of options out here in the civilian world with your freedom. sure its tough out there but not impossible. survival of the fittest. dont stay stuck in something you don't like

Posted by SlowStockFox (Member # 1081) on :

as a personal frined i know your bout to move up in rank. your wife has quite a few years. u been in now i think 6. stick it out a few more years and get a degree and make that $ with the wife. i know you doing semi good. but then again whats my adice i cant hold a job for shit lol.

stick it out man maybe youll get WA. you work on jets and planes on the exterior {right} WA is the plane mecka. looks of jobs here for planes. if you do get out ide look in to other carrer jobs fire,police post office. ide do that after doing the school bill thing.

hope you do what you like. i know you dont like your job a whole hell of alot...but who does. neways i hope you do what makes you and your family happy. you have to look at the long run and what the future holds money, life and happyness for you and the fam

Posted by adower (Member # 5955) on :

quote:
Originally posted by JohnCM:
Help cafords, I just don't know what to do.
I'm needing some advice and input on what to do, I've got a pretty major decision to make soon and I am really nervous about..
I'm currently active duty Air Force, which I must admit I do not like. I want to get out, my enlistment ends soon (5 months to go) and I don't know what to do when I get out of the military.
I went to school briefly but didn't acquire any degree. I'm pretty close to an AA but never did finish it off.
I know the military is the easy way out, but the easy way isn't always the best way in my opinion, I have a feeling I'd be 100% happier in a civilian job making less money than I currently make.
Although I don't make the greatest money as it sits now, but I think I'm going to be hard pressed to find a job that pays similar to what I make now. (1 reason I'm very nervous)
What are some decent career fields to get into right now that are entry level type positions?
My plan right now is to get out and use the GI bill to go to school full time and work part time doing something else to have some spending cash.
The GI bill will pay me 1100 a month as long as I take 3 classes a semester. But 1100 bucks isn't going to go far, especially with a wife and kid.
My wife works, but we'd be living pretty horribly just off of her income alone.
I don't want to make the wrong decision, but I don't want to be miserable for the rest of my life thinking what if I would've got out? thinking where I could be in life..
Probably one of the hardest decisions I've made in a LONG time, and any input would be greatly appreciated..
Thanks

Honestly, if you dont have something lined up right now I think you are screwed in this economy. At my job we have people flying in from other states to interview for entry level jobs. Unless you are the cream of the crop and really, really, really know your stuff and have an in I would consider cross training like others have said.

Posted by NavidR (Member # 3164) on :

IT sounds like you are on the right track! Use th GI bill and go to school, yes it will be hard on you and the family but at the end it's all worth it. I have gone through it wife and kids and college. It's hard but at the end it was the best for our family. So go to college and get a good degree, look into mechanical engineering etc. I know there are lots of good fields out there you just have to pick something you like and make sure you can make good money!

You also said the gi bill pays 1100, that's perfect since you can go to school full rme and get a part time job! You have a great opportunity here so don't miss it!

Good luck to you and your family

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