I'm trying to figure out what to with myself when I get out of the corps. I'd like a job that will let me survive/be successful and maybe support a family while allowing me to indulge in my outdoor passions year round. It would be nice if the two were connected and I could do something that I love, while hopefully impacting people in a positive way while I'm at it.
What do you do? What's your dream job?
Just about every year there is an internet list of the best jobs and why people think they are such good jobs. Things like "college teacher -- because of the autonomy" will be the things you will see. You might just find something you like with an internet search with "best careers" or "best jobs" as the topic.
I like my job because I can get most Saturdays off during the deer bow season, and I get to live in NC, a good bow hunting state and a beautiful place.
Good luck.
I am retired now but I faced the same issues when I left the Corps years ago. The Corps has better programs to help you now than I had. A lot will depend on what and how much schooling you have. Be flexable, you may have to relocate to get your dream job. Even if you wanted to be a firefighter you would have to train first.
Currently a Deputy Sheriff. I wish I would of reinlisted in the USMC would of had 5 years to go and be done.. But it was not an option when that time came around. The biggest thing that I see now is Insurance. Most employers do not provide insurance after you retire. The military does.
As far as an outdoors type of job to indulge in the outdoors, I would think that Game Warden would be right up your alley. Most of the State jobs give military preference and at least gurantee you an interview. At least Kansas does and we have openings for game wardens all the time. Start out at about $20/hour, full benefits. Since you work so much during the fall and spring most of them use comp time for feb, april and some through march.
James
I'm living it, but it's taken me 30 years of experience to get here. :)
I provide technical assistance to a company that employs wood products inspectors across the country, who call me when they encounter a problem. I work mostly from home, with computers and telephones. Some days the phone doesn't ring; some days, like today, I'm pretty busy. I probably average 20 hours a week of actual work, although I'm on call all the time. In hunting season, I've been known to take business calls on my cell phone from the woods. Thank goodness for "vibrate". The VP of the company is my hunting buddy; I called in his first turkey for him many years ago. We get together at least twice a year for a few days of hunting deer and turkeys, or fishing. This weekend I'm going deep-sea fishing with one of our business associates.
You're on the right track wanting to do something you love. That's much more important than money, as long as there's enough of the green to survive on. My happiness in my job has never been relative to my salary. The nature of your job, and maybe most important, the people you work with, are the keys to satisfying employment.
I retired from the Air Force, and had a few civilian jobs but never could get used to civilian management after being accustomed to leadership. So I started a small archery business and now I build a few bows here and there for a living.
I retired this past January after 36 years as a firefighter. I worked 24 on 48 off until 1997 and got promoted to chief. I t wasn't big money but the time off was what attracted me. Work one day and hunt two. That is hard to beat. You can always find some kind of work on your days off in the spring and summer. It usally comes with good benifits also. As long as you do your job, you never have to worry about job security either.
law enforcement,fire service,dept. Of natural resources,fish and game warden,do a job that brings you joy not time off. Then you will have a happy life and you will enjoy the time off and afield alot more.jmho
I've been a full time taxidermist for 28 years. I love my job, but I lose some hunting time as I have to be in my shop alot during the season. I also have been building bamboo flyrods part time for the last 9 years.
I finished my first dream job in 2007 -- Wildlife Biologist. I'm on #2 now.
The bio job is difficult to get -- about 1 in 5 after 4-6 years in college. The one I'm in now I helped invent.
That Corps background will serve you well as most employers look very favorably on someone with such a service-oriented background.
Good Luck
A few people mentioned game warden...I have to say, that while some may find it a rewarding and satisfying job, it doesn't leave you much time for hunting. A family member of mine was a game warden up here. A lot of 12 hour days, a lot of harassment, definitely almost zero time during hunting/fishing season. There were times when I was staying at his house during deer season, and I barely saw him all week he was so busy.
As to my job...I'm a GIS technician (think computerized mapping) for the municipalities here. It's stimulating for the mind, decent pay, good hours...and living on Manitoulin, a great place for deer hunting. I wouldn't call it my dream job, but I'm satisfied and I feel like I'm contributing to society. As a member of the Marine Corps, I imagine that would be important to you!
I've worked in Fish&Wildlife enforcement since since 2002. Left for a while to work for the Police but came back to resource law enforcement for the life style ie: Jet boats, atvs, etc. and the work environment ie: back roads, rivers, mountains, and ocean
Lots of competition to get in for a reason, it's a life style job.
I have a cousin that left Ohio to go to a guide school in Montana years ago and he loves it. He is married and they have 2 little children and they will never come back to Ohio.
When I returned from Vietnam in '66, I had about 9 months left to serve, and they sent me to Camp Lejeune, NC. (When I left Vietnam, they said I could put in for any duty station in the Corps, so I put in for Kodiak Island. Like most things in the Corps, there is a significant difference between being able to "put in for," and "getting orders to.")
But other than finding out that Camp Lejeune had a great NCO club, I also found out that they had a base library with books on every profession out there. Nowadays, I suppose that information is also available on the internet. It was worthwhile having that 9 months to think about what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I think I considered about every profession they wrote about in those books.
The only mistake I made is that I was tired of being out in the rain all night, and I probably put too much emphasis on getting a job where that wouldn't happen again. I should have thought that there was a reason I joined the Marines, and a big part of that reason was that I loved being outdoors. I don't regret my choice of a profession; it has been good for me. But I have had to get all my outdoor activities separate from the job. It doesn't sound like you're going to make that mistake, but there may be other annoyances that you might place too much emphasis on. Look at the big picture.
Every job I've had since then, it has been an advantage for me to have been a former Marine, either because people show me more respect because of it, or because the mental discipline I learned in the Marines has helped me get the job done better.
Real Estate. The economy is tuff right now for the job but you have flexible hours. Alot of people got out of it. A friend of mine just took his real estate exam and will be posed and ready when the market breaks. You can set your appointments for afternoon and hunt mornings. Most people want to do the evening after they get off work.
had a friend that became a nurse worked as a subcontractor to a couple of hospitols named his own hours and vacation time hunted all over worked for him
Why not a registered nurse......I am an ER Rn and have been for many years....It is highly techinical, and emotionaly rewarding. Many healthcare organizations will pay schooling costs, you can make good money and men (right or wrong) seem to rise into management more quickly. You will always have a job as an RN no matter how bad the economy. It is my privilage to work with military RN's, great people who bring much to the table from their military background. And if you stay in the military RN's are treated very well there....You don't know me from Adam But please! Check it out..... :thumbsup:
I went to work for the National Park Service after nearly 30 years of working for myself, when my clients became more important than my family, it was time for a change. The Park Service posts at some of the prettiest places on the planet, flexible hours, good benefits and the joy of being part of America's Finest Idea. Your military background will give you a leg up and depending on your training and experience who knows where you may end up. By the way did I mention I love my job too, and nearly everyone I work with Hunts, likely as not you will work with like minded folks, good luck and all the best, Joe
I'm a career firefighter/paramedic. You get to help people in the greatest time of need and make a difference, one day off shift and I have 5 days off in a row and every shift day is a Friday. With days off and trading shifts I work my last shift the 27 of Oct. and don't go back to the firehouse until the 23 of Nov. Can't beat that! Good luck with your decision.
-Jeremy :coffee:
I got off active duty, went back to school, and took a commission in the guard. I live from deployment to deployment and drill to drill along with sub teaching when I want to and hourly work when it suits me. All in all, it works very well to allow me to hunt and or fish in some capacity almost every day of the year. Now, you mentioned something about a family. This is probably a bad plan for you. It's not a good way to ever get ahead, but it's low stress and you don't have to bring work home with you much. As long as you are willing to skimp on things like food and utilities and social engagements in favor of hunting/fishing stuff and liscences and fuel and whatnot (which I am), it's a good life.
I'm a high school teacher and it's a good job for the guy who likes to hunt (would be awesome for a serious fisherman) if you are in an area where you can hunt close to home and do NOT coach in the fall. It does not allow much for NR hunts out-of-state but being able to leave the building at 3:30, 4 or 4:30 can equate into a lot of evening hunts.
I've read several discussions above on game wardens. That was one of my options coming out of high school and I talked to a couple local wardens and both said if you go that route, you will not be able to hunt nearly as much as you want. Also, NE has not been replacing many of the retirees, the game wardens' jobs have taken on more and more stuff they really didn't sign on to do (kind of like teaching in that regard!), and the competition for the jobs that do get posted are incredible. I've heard 200:1.
I am still trying to be a Lottery Winner.
No luck yet. But, the job search continues every Wednesday and Saturday night.
Wish me luck.
Matt
Firefighter love my job , and I work 2 out of every 8 days so lots of time for hunting.Will be after elk ,deer, for 33 day non-stop come Sept.
Being a firefighter is great some days are good some are bad some are real bad it is something you either love or hate.Good luck in whatever you do,,,,,Sam,,,,,,,
I got out of the Marines in 69, went to college and became a policeman and my wife is an RN. Both working in the public sector we pretty much had job security. Most cities hire only those that have 4 year degrees so start on your college education if you haven't already.
You live in a nice city with a Public Safety department which would be a good place to work if you choose to go in that direction.
In Michigan the medical field may be the way to go. Teachers in Michigan are taking a hit and getting laid off.
Next time you are home make sure you get ahold of me.
Jon
Cop, firefighter, paramedic, nurse. If you're interested in law enforcement, get a degree (if you don't already have one) and you could go Federal, think FBI, Marshals, Secret Service, NCIS, etc. You should have a NCIS office on base or near where you're stationed and could talk to someone one on one. I'm not ex-military, but if I were to it all over again, I'd pursue being a firefighter/paramedic. Good luck and thank you for your service! :thumbsup:
Most of my work has been Government related, Army for 7 1/2 years, Joint Defense Facility in Australia 7 1/2 years, now Space Station Payloads for past 10 years. But I always thought Surveying would provide a decent living and outdoor work with some "in the woods" in rural areas. Always thought it a neat means to do some "land cruising"! Good luck and thank you very much for your service!!
Wow - a whole bunch of government job suggestions! I have alot respect for military, police, firefighter, teacher, game warden, etc, but somebody has to produce something with a profit to keep America rolling. Don't rule out your own business. It can be tough and risky, but also very rewarding. Thanks for your service!
I have been in construction my whole life and have had my own business for the last 21 years. I get to work outdoors with a lot of people who also like to hunt and fish. Some people think when you have your business you can just take off when you want, but it doesn't exactly work that way. I am tied down more than my employees because I'm the one doing the paperwork and bidding at night when they're off and I have to make sure my customers jobs get done on time. That being said, my business has and does allow my some freedoms, which allow my to pursue my dreams of being out there with my longbow.
I am a journeyman electric lineman. There are surveys that show that 2/3 of the linemen in the US will be retiring in the next 3 years. If you like being outside in all types of weather, especially the worst kinds of weather, and aren't scared of heights or electricity this can be a very good job. Almost all of the guys I work with like to hunt and the pay is pretty good. There will be a shortage of lineman soon and people will always need electricity.
Whatever job you can get right now is a dream job. It is TOUGGGHHH out here.
I know because I am living it. In fact I was just at a military expo job fair in St. Louis today.
Let me elaborate:
I served US Navy 2004-2008. Got my Honorable discharge, completed my Associates Degree while active, and got out to pursue my Bachelor's.
Finished my Bachelor's at the University of Missouri - St. Louis in December of 2010 near the top of my class with full Latin Honors.
I have tried to get a job as a Conservation Agent, a State Trooper, and with the Department of Homeland Security. Not to mention about 20 other jobs.
The State Patrol took over 3,000 applicants from 5 states for 36 poistions, and the Conservation Department took over 800 applications for 9 spots.
I made it to the final group of guys for the Conservation and State Patrol jobs, but did not make the final job offer. I am waiting for a final offer from the Department of Homeland Security, and that application process started June of 2010, over 13 months ago. I also have an active OCS package going through for the MO National Guard to be a commissioned officer in the Guard.
I currently work for a power washing, window-washing, deck restoration company for barely over minimum wage and have no benefits. Thank god my wife works as well.
Good luck out here bud. I played by all the rules, have an Honorable discharge, a 2 year and 4 year degree, and a Secret clearance, and I power wash decks to survive.
This economy is nuts.
I wish you the best of luck, but unless you have a really good plan and some luck on your side it is going to be a tough ride. It is great that you are going to be ex-military but you will join about 800k other vets competing for the same jobs.
Can I ask why you are getting out?? Might want to re-enlist.
I don't wanna sound like a debbie downer, just a realist. You are going to be an ex-grunt from the Marine Corps competing for jobs in an EXTREMELY competitive market. Even a Bachelor's doesn't put you ahead anymore, that just gives you a fighting CHANCE of even being considered.
Let me also add that that with the draw down of troops in the desert, the military is FORCING people to end their contracts early. The Navy wants to get rid of 30k sailors in the next 6 months.
That is going to drive even MORE jobless vets into the already crazy job market where there are approximately 10 applicants for EVERY job opening.
If my previous post scared you about getting out, that was not my intention. I just want you to be fully prepared for the hurricane of a $%(^ storm you are about to walk into in this current economy as a job seeker. I want you to think very long and hard about your decision.
If you are tech savvy, there are usually jobs in computer hardware and software. Also, plumbers and undertakers are always needed and get paid reasonably well.
Stay the hell out of teaching. I am a special education teacher and love working with kids, but hate the politics. If you want to work with kids, do something else and then volunteer in a school!
Thank you for your service to our country. :clapper:
I got out of the Coast Guard in 2002 and went to college. The biggest piece of advice I can give is to stay active in the Reserves. If you can, pick up a secondary MOS, or get into a technical MOS, that translates to civil sector a little more readily than infantry. If you can pick up a journeyman electrician or welder certification, something like that, you could set yourself up to start your own business. If you can pick up a CDL now, you can jump right into a trucker or bus driver job if you have to wait a bit longer for a better job.
Are you willing to move? I saw an ad recently in a military.com email that the customs service is hiring. For that matter, set up an account on usajobs.gov and start filling out applications now. Feel free to PM me if you have trouble with usajobs.
I got laid off for the third time about a dozen years ago and decided it was time to start my own business. The first year was tough-paid the staff but never enough left over for myself; after that initial period things have been great.
It helps to pick a field where you have some expertise and you have to genuinely want to 'harvest an opportunity' for your customer.
Thank you for all the input guys, it's greatly appreciated! I've got a while to think yet and I'm sure whatever happens I'll be fine. The good Lord has a plan, I just wish he'd show it to me.
I fish almost everyday. You've probably heard folks say that you'll finally get tired of fishing and become bored with retirement. Wrong :D ...Van
If you want to work as a game warden, you will need to graduate from a police academy, at least in most states. I retired from the Air Force in 1991, and recently retired from the Division of Fish & Wildlife in Delaware, so I knew most of the enforcement guys. Lots of work during hunting season, not a lot of hunting time. With the economy the way it is, many vacant Public Sector jobs are not being filled, making those that are highly competitive. As Iron Llama said, stay active in the reserves, for a while at least. It's tough as a civilian right now, unless you've got a job lined up, maybe not the best time to get out. Put in for a controlled tour-DI, tech training instructor, etc. where you have more stability in your life.