Does the military really train soldiers for civilians jobs?

Question

Many times soldiers say they re-enlist not because they are so excited about military life or patriotism, its because they are NOT prepared or experience in any field that can transfer over to civilian life except in law enforcement.

Answer 1

The military trains its personnel for jobs within the military.  Many of those skills can be transferable to the civilian sector though.  I joined the Navy and was trained in electronics, and while the equipment may be different outside the military, the principle of electronics remains unchanged.  If you joined the Navy, and were a SeaBee trained in construction, that could transfer directly to a civilian job.  There are many skills that are transferable, it may not be the same exact job, but the skills you learn in the military can help you.  

Answer 2

there are many jobs that transfer over. Medical, computers, air traffic control, intelligence, mechanical, pilot, administrative. The Air Force has alot of these jobs. The jobs that deal with actual combat are the ones that dont really transfer over well.

Answer 3

They teach you discipline and how to manage stress and difficult situations. Couldn't think of better skills than that.

Answer 4

Many times

link?

Answer 5

Now days, the Army has a lot of MOS or jobs like Welding, Electrician, Cooks, Plumbing, Human Resource, Computers, etc. I'm 30, so when I joined the Guard, I chose an MOS (Unit Supply Spec.) that would allow me to do my civilian job and would also keep me out of gun fire. I am doing a job for the Army and my country, but also getting the training (between training for my MOS and free college education) to get a career once I finish my military duty.

Answer 6

It just depends on what your job is. Some do not transfer at all. Some do, and do so very well.  

Answer 7

This really depends on the job that you sign up for.  If you sign up to be an xray tech you have great job skills, if you sign up as infantry, then maybe all is available to you may be law enforcement.

If you are thinking about signing up, think about what you want to do when you get out and ask if that job gives you enough training to be on your own after.

There is a lot more to consider though when people are not prepared enough to leave the military.  The military is actually an pretty easy life style.  You have housing and food provided.  Many people join at 18 and never pay a real bill (besides maybe a car note) until they get out.  This can also be a part of not being prepared for civilian life!

Answer 8

Many many many military jobs are highly specialized to the point where they are only useful to the military. They will invest a large amount of money and time to train you on their specifics machines, technology, methodology, tactics, etc.

A majority of the time these skills are useless outside of the military. The only enlisted jobs that I've seen transfer over well involve law enforcement.

Answer 9

My cousin  was in the Air Force, his job was maintaining radar systems. When he was discharged, he got a job with IBM.SO, yes, you can get valuable training which translates into a a civilian skill.

  Yes, I see so many posts, " how do I become a sniper."  Well, really, there is no great civilian demand for snipers.

It all depends on the MOS.

Don't overlook the fact that the military trains you do  take orders, and follow them, immediately, to the best of your ability and without making excuses. If I want something done, I want it done! I don't care about excuses or problems, I just want to job done. The military  trains you to do just that.

Answer 10

Darlin, I know places that are firing just so they can hire former military. No joke.  

Answer 11

Just having military experience on your resume will help you in the civilian world. I worked a corporate internship and this was verified with every HR person there. Military experience can show that you are motivated, and know how to follow orders and get the job done. It wont get you everything, but it will help out for sure.

Answer 12

People are often scared to leave the tranquil secure enviornment of steady pay, paid leave, benefits and housing for the unexpected, unreliable, fast paced world of civilian-hood.  We all come up with an excuse or two when facing retirement or ETSing.  It's NATURAL.

That said, most servicemen/woman have more of an advantage than they ever knew.  If the military would take a more positive spin on their experiences, they too would know how marketable they are.

Experience: Experience equals time in service.  

Education/College: It's hard not to have NO college after serving just a few short years in the military.  All you have to do is have whatever college you're interested in evaluate your training, experience and everything else you've done into college credit.  h**l, Thomas Edison University doesn't even care if you go their college.  You pay them 300 bucks, they'll issue you transferable credits based on the same evaluation techniques other colleges do.  

Management/leadership:  If you serve any time in the military, you already have some management skills under your belt.  If you've been in for a while, it's probably all you do.  It all translates into time served in supervisory positions.

Logistics/Responsibilities:  You all know serving requires you know supply systems pretty well.  That said, most soldiers (generalized term here) have been very successful in taking care of multi-million dollars in equipment which translates into highly responsible people.

Integrity:  Well, you worked all these years.  You were on time.  You took very little sick time.  You'll always be there when needed, and then some.

OK, that's just a way to sell your experience.  It's not the only way certainly, its just ONE way.

How MOSs translate into civilian jobs is relatively easy too.  First, some jobs flat out ARE jobs in the civilian sector.  Others, you have to see what the ACE or American Counsel of Education says your duties parallel in order to understand the intricates of your jobs.  

I was a medic for sometime.  Essentially, this is an EMT outside the Army.  I was then a nurse--but this is exactly the same job on the outside too.  Law Enforcement isn't the only MOS to fully transfer into the civilian job force.  As a matter of fact, all you get is the experience--not the certification as in completing the police acadamy yada yada--u get my drift here.

Then there's alot of MOSs that require you to pass civilian certifications which of course makes it easy to walk out the military door and into the civilian one.

Finally, many reenlist because their values truly are DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY.  It was for me.

All it basically boils down to is taking steps to see where you're at.   I used to tell my soldiers who thought about getting out to take some leave and act like a civilian for week.  Network a little.  Write a resume.  Apply for work.  See it through civilian eyes for a bit--this will pay off big time.