What do you do?

[Wary Buck]

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.

[Raging Water]

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

[SAM E. STEPHENS]

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,,,,,,,

[Jon Stewart]

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

[slivrslingr]

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!  

[LoneWolf73]

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!!

[Glunt]

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!

[dnovo]

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.

[cowboylineman]

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.

[USN_Sam1385]

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.

[USN_Sam1385]

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.

[buckeye_hunter]

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.  

[iron_llama]

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.

[Bjorn]

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.

[Bakes168]

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.

[Van/TX]

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

[SELFBOW19953]

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.