Life After the Corps

[fl1946]

If you don't mind hearing from an old dinosaur and project yourself about 40 years into the future...if you have education opportunities at a nearby college, take some evening classes, i.e., core course and get them out of the way. This will not only help you learn how to study but earn some credits. (I did this at Univ Virginia Ext in Quantico). The Corps gave me a 30 day education early out when I was accepted by university. Now here's the best part...after you matriculate with your sheepskin in hand, if you go into federal law enforcement or federal agencies, your 9+ years in the Corps counts toward federal retirement. I did this later in life and wish I had gone the federal route earlier. It's not easy to get picked up by FBI, NSA or other fed agencies, but if you make the grade, the training and growth are superb. I'm still with the fed, a few years until my SECOND retirement. Albeit can't keep up with the pack in the field but love doling out choice assignments to my young Turks, men and women. Good luck. I'm sure you will do well...but at minimum, get your degree. That's your initial ticket to ride.

Semper fi,
Vietnam Vet, '67

Great answers to your Q's here. Any one will work.

[thewookie]

11 years from now you'll be telling someone that you were once in the Marines. You'll tell them you were in for 9 years and on your way up. They'll ask why you didn't finish out the 20 and now collecting a retirement check. And you'll say ........ ???

I hear what you are saying, Quinbo (what happened to Bulkyer?)

But I got out after 8, and when I get that question this is what I tell them....

"Cause it's not easy. Cause my body was tired and getting broke, and I wanted to have what was left for my kids. Cause I was tired of the games. Cause there was no war to fight (at the time, for me)".

Sure it is easy to look back and say what if, but it's sometime harder to do it.

To the OP --> Good luck -- make sound decisions, and once you have made them don't look back -- only forward.

[Kegler300]

Life after the Corps is great! I love the Marine Corps...I love it even more today!

[Tennessee Top]

Stay in, use TA, get your retirement check. Then get out and use your GI Bill if you want to. That's 2x the money earned.

Finished my associates degree in general studies from Azusa Pacific College and my bachelor of science degree (aviation management) from Southern Illinois University using tuition assistance while aboard Camp Pendleton. Niether degree cost me a penny. It helped that I was assigned to base units during this time and did not deploy. Meant that I sacraficed most of my free time for classes and study; did not have a weekend off for probably three years straight but it was worth it when done. Had my BS degree as a SSgt selectee and am certain it helped with future promotions.

Retired with 22.6 years service and went back to school fulltime again this time using my GI Bill. Got a check from the VA every month that covered all my tuition, books, lab fees, and even had some left over that I put toward the rent for my studio apartment near campus. Completed a Respiratory Therapy degree that never cost me a penny. Had job offers before graduating and accepted the one here at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. Due to retire, again, from the state of Tennessee on June 1st 2013 (I'll be 60).

TriCare for life is a LOT cheaper than what my colleagues pay for their health insurance (by hundreds of dollars over the course of a year). But, it is under fire from congress (too good of a thing I suppose) and getting more difficult to find physicians who accept it.

Going to school with youngsters is no big deal. They may be more tech savvy than you but you're there to learn not socialize anyway.

Being a "lifer" myself, I say stay in and finish your career (you'll be glad you did). You'll still be young enough to have a second career when you decide to punch out and that retirement check is mighty sweet! Look at a "B" billet; DI, recruiting, or MSG duty (I did that one twice). Gives you a different perspective of the Corps, a break from your primary MOS, and helps with promotion.

Good luck.

[Quinbo]

I did not have a choice and given the choice I would have stayed in. Today I would be planning my retirement ceremony. Important things of note.... My wife is retired Navy and that retirement check keeps the wolf away from the door. Trust me it aint much but it helps.

[SGT7477]

SBYates,
You are lucky that you have so many options. I agree with Quinbo. You have almost half of the 20 done. Keep in mind that Law Enforcement is not exempt from layoffs and cutbacks. It's happening all over the US. With parts of the Country seeing as high as 20% unemployment (Stockton, CA), you need to really consider and study your options.
Go to school, get a degree and try to get in an Officer's Program. That college degree will help you more, at retirement, in getting that next career started, as well.
From an old 65 year ancient Engineer, I would tell you from my experience, stay in, and make the most of your time.

Just saying.

Sempidr

If you want to be a full time police officer go to the oil patch in northwestern N.D. you will have a lifetime job, they can't get enough bodies for the job at hand,Semper Fidelis.

[SGT7477]

If I was you with the time you have in I would stay in for the long haul like the 30 year route, I could kick myself in the azz for not staying in, I remember the Gunny saying if you stay in my unit I will guarantee you SSgt within 5 years, you can't look back brother,Semper Fidelis.

[SGT7477]

I did not have a choice and given the choice I would have stayed in. Today I would be planning my retirement ceremony. Important things of note.... My wife is retired Navy and that retirement check keeps the wolf away from the door. Trust me it aint much but it helps.

No choice? Semper Fidelis

[thewookie]

I did not have a choice and given the choice I would have stayed in. Today I would be planning my retirement ceremony. Important things of note.... My wife is retired Navy and that retirement check keeps the wolf away from the door. Trust me it aint much but it helps.

I understand what you are saying.

Had I stayed in, next month I would be celebrating my 1 year anniversary of retirement from the Corps after 20 years.

I could also be dead - maybe before I got to retirement I got whacked by some raghead, or killed/injured by an ied, or maybe worse yet killed by friendly fire.

But, I could also have shot up the ranks, killed some terrorists and lived to tell about it, and then sailed off into the sunset.

Many of my peers from my last duty station are doing very well in the Corps, but one of them is dead, and a few of them have Purple Hearts, too. So, I try to stay balanced about those things and focused on what's ahead.

Any way, that's my story and I am sticking to it. Congratulations to your wife, it's not easy to do 20 years.

[rossmuten]

Guys let him do what he wants I say. Nine years is a lot of time if you get out let the Veterans affairs help you at least. Get enrolled with medical from them get your physical look over your c-file and you can get disability if it so happens you are sick or injured and in need of it sometime.

[Zulu 36]

Another option you can consider is joining a reserve unit of one branch or another. A lot of Marines end up in the Air National Guard for some reason (me, Sgt Lep, and others). Of course, Air Guard flying units have need for meteorology people. So does the Air Force Reserve.

It's a good chance the Air Guard will take you in as an E-5 and if your MOS schooling and experience is equivalent to Air Force standards, they'll take you without having to go to a school. I didn't have to go to Security Police school because I was a Marine and a Marine MP to boot. I had to do some correspondence courses to bring myself up to speed on the Air Force stuff, plus reading applicable Air Force/Air Guard regs, but that was no big deal.

Just a thought.

[E6Bond]

Just making a post to get some of you "Old Guys" knowlege. I been thinking about getting out of the Marine Corps after this enlistment. It would put me at 9 years and 15 days when I EAS. I am either interested in pursing a degree in what I do in the Marine Corps, which would be a Meteorogy degree, but I would have to wait to get out to get a degree that meant something. And I am not to sure how well I would do with a bunch of 18 to years old when I am 29 after 9 years in this gun club. On the other hand I have always been interested in Law Enforcement. And, I can get into that without a degree, which it does help to have one. Just curious if any of y'all of do any Law Enforcement work and how did you like it.

Yut
Sgt Yates

General feedback from an Internet forum is very useful but talk to Marine in the area your going to return to. I'm in CA and can cell you that being a cop in one city or area is very different than being a cop in another city. The best gouge comes from the local guys.

As far as getting out and starting college or a career: definitely go to college not because I think everybody needs it but because you have GI Bill benefits that are pretty good these days and it will allow you to take a good look around and see what you really want to do. It'll take you about 6 months to get comfortable with it but college campus' are really a good environment for the transitioning Marine.

Also, join up with the National Marine Corps Business Network (www.NMCBN.com) that has a lot of Marines in different professional fields. Signing up is free and you'll be able to search and contact Marines who are willing to give you and hand in transition and offer some really good advice.

Good luck, Semper Fi.

[SBYates]

Thanks guys, that was alot of great points. I should clarify why I am considering this. I still have three years left. I am finally, at a place where I can do some college, Pentagon, and on that same token, I have the ability unlike many Marines, to make some serious network ties. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my job, I love the Marine Corps. I just have other things I want to do before I get to old.

I also recently found out I will be a father. And now it wont just be us two moving around and dealing with deployments. Not to mention, my wife sacrifices so much of her career goals, following me around the country. That I feel that it is unfair for me to, "Say, well honey, 11 years left"

Sadly, not all degrees are created equally, especially. Meteorology degrees, and sadly you cant get one online. They have similar degrees. However, that doesnt help me, if I want to work for NOAA or NWS.

I have always be intrested in LE, and I love, I mean LOVE, being apart of something that doen't serve me. I like serving others, so naturally LE draws me to it. I am interested in working for county Sheriff's office. I plan on doing a ride along with Stafford County, which is just south of Quantico, just to get an idea of what they actually do on a daily.

So my reasoning for getting out is: 1: Sure I have a stable pay check, but to me it isnt a stable house, if you are moving and deploying. 2: I want my wife to have the career she wants to have, I don't want her to have to follow me around, and just work were she can find a job. 3: Everyday, I get older, and at some point I wont be young enough to do LE. 4: I like doing Weather, however, like I worry and my wife worries, I get bored, sitting in an office on a computer. Again thanks for all the imput. I appreciate it.

[SGT7477]

Thanks guys, that was alot of great points. I should clarify why I am considering this. I still have three years left. I am finally, at a place where I can do some college, Pentagon, and on that same token, I have the ability unlike many Marines, to make some serious network ties. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my job, I love the Marine Corps. I just have other things I want to do before I get to old.

I also recently found out I will be a father. And now it wont just be us two moving around and dealing with deployments. Not to mention, my wife sacrifices so much of her career goals, following me around the country. That I feel that it is unfair for me to, "Say, well honey, 11 years left"

Sadly, not all degrees are created equally, especially. Meteorology degrees, and sadly you cant get one online. They have similar degrees. However, that doesnt help me, if I want to work for NOAA or NWS.

I have always be intrested in LE, and I love, I mean LOVE, being apart of something that doen't serve me. I like serving others, so naturally LE draws me to it. I am interested in working for county Sheriff's office. I plan on doing a ride along with Stafford County, which is just south of Quantico, just to get an idea of what they actually do on a daily.

So my reasoning for getting out is: 1: Sure I have a stable pay check, but to me it isnt a stable house, if you are moving and deploying. 2: I want my wife to have the career she wants to have, I don't want her to have to follow me around, and just work were she can find a job. 3: Everyday, I get older, and at some point I wont be young enough to do LE. 4: I like doing Weather, however, like I worry and my wife worries, I get bored, sitting in an office on a computer. Again thanks for all the imput. I appreciate it.

Good points Brother,Good Luck,Semper Fidelis.

[Cardboardbox]

Thanks guys, that was alot of great points. I should clarify why I am considering this. I still have three years left. I am finally, at a place where I can do some college, Pentagon, and on that same token, I have the ability unlike many Marines, to make some serious network ties. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my job, I love the Marine Corps. I just have other things I want to do before I get to old.

I also recently found out I will be a father. And now it wont just be us two moving around and dealing with deployments. Not to mention, my wife sacrifices so much of her career goals, following me around the country. That I feel that it is unfair for me to, "Say, well honey, 11 years left"

Sadly, not all degrees are created equally, especially. Meteorology degrees, and sadly you cant get one online. They have similar degrees. However, that doesnt help me, if I want to work for NOAA or NWS.

I have always be intrested in LE, and I love, I mean LOVE, being apart of something that doen't serve me. I like serving others, so naturally LE draws me to it. I am interested in working for county Sheriff's office. I plan on doing a ride along with Stafford County, which is just south of Quantico, just to get an idea of what they actually do on a daily.

So my reasoning for getting out is: 1: Sure I have a stable pay check, but to me it isnt a stable house, if you are moving and deploying. 2: I want my wife to have the career she wants to have, I don't want her to have to follow me around, and just work were she can find a job. 3: Everyday, I get older, and at some point I wont be young enough to do LE. 4: I like doing Weather, however, like I worry and my wife worries, I get bored, sitting in an office on a computer. Again thanks for all the imput. I appreciate it.

I would push for instructor duty at Keesler and go to Mississippi State.