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Options After the Military

Updated | Julie Provost
life after the military

Your Options for Life After the Military

Every service member has a reason for deciding to transition out of the military. Some make this decision to focus on their family, go back home, go to school, or many other reasons that may come to mind.

Transitioning out of the service can happen after one tour, many tours, or even when retiring, but either way, there will come a time when you will have to leave. Leaving the service can be a time of uncertainty, so be sure to have a plan to make the process easier.

Find a GI Bill-Approved School

Many service members choose to attend school once they get out of the military. If you plan to take this route, remember the career you want to pursue so you can choose the best educational course for you.

Look into the educational requirements for your career choice to determine whether you should attend a public university, community college, or vocational/technical school.

Next, it is best to consider whether you have the time and finances to attend school online or on campus. Depending on the benefits you receive after the military, this decision will also help.

For example, the Post-9/11 GI Bill will pay you a monthly housing allowance (MHA) based on the military’s Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates. If you take classes on campus or in a hybrid form as a full-time student, you will be paid the full amount of MHA.

However, if you take only online courses or are a part-time student, you will be paid as described on the VA official site:

“We base your monthly housing allowance on half the national average for MHA.”

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Job Field

Depending on your situation, getting a job may be a better option. However, you have to decide what you are looking for in a job and if you meet the requirements.

  • Do you already have the education qualifications for your chosen career?
  • Does the job you want align with the skills you learned in your previous military occupation?
  • Is there a specific location or salary that you are looking for?

Finding a career that matches your skills and interests can feel overwhelming, but it is key to ask yourself these types of questions.

Once you have figured out what job you want, use various resources to help you allocate it.

Employment agencies, job sites, or job fairs can help you in your search. After you have found the job you want and reviewed the required qualifications and skills, it’s time to write your resume.

When writing your resume, target your objective, market your accomplishments, highlight your skills, and list your military experience. Not everyone understands military jargon or acronyms, so make sure to translate everything into terms the employer can understand.

Get started finding jobs and career info to help you further your career with CareerRecon.

Continue to Serve

If service members leave active duty with fewer than 20 years of service, some may consider transitioning to the Reserves, the National Guard, or another branch of service. Continuing your military service may be a good option if you want to earn a retirement, as the years you’ve already served will carry over.

Each branch has its own policies and procedures for keeping your rank. Some may let you keep your rank or bump you down, but it varies by branch.

Depending on the route you take, a few factors can be considered.

  • Your Reentry Code (found on your DD Form 214) is used to determine your eligibility for continued service.
  • The branches of service have limits of the number of prior service enlistments they allow each year.
  • Whether you have to go through boot camp depends on which service you choose.

 

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About the author

Julie Provost is a freelance writer, and blogger. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.

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