Need career advice

[Spmrks]

So a background on me. I am 24 yrs old currently serving a 6 yr enlistment in the Air Force of which I have 3 more years. I will be a free man as of March 2014. I have an associates of applied science/aircraft maintenance. I wish I could say the direct skill I have learned in the AF could be utilized in the civilian sector...however unless ejection seats get put in to cars some day my options are limited. And seeing as I have only worked ejection systems no technical aspect of my job can be rolled over into an A&p License. Which leads me to the point I am currently at. I have the chance of getting out pursuing a degree in something. But the only thing that peaks my interest quite frankly is building stuff. I love the feeling of working the day away and having the picture that has been stored away in your mind come to fruition. Enough babbling on... the point is I want to go to school for welding. And if there is anyone on the boards that can offer some of their time to answer some questions I would greatly appreciate it.

[Stuart Adams]

Find a business that does what you are interested in and try and work for them part time or see if you can volunteer for them is they won't hire you. Before you get out of a retirement type job you may want to make sure by trying your other interests first. When you do it for a living it becomes less fun. My dad was in the air force for 25 years and still gets a check today..

Good luck.

[Spmrks]

Thank you for your response. 25 years is quite admirable. I give much respect to those that can do it for that long. Quite honestly a 20 year retirement is becoming harder day by day. There is so many bills on the hill right now aimed at taking away from veterans and less and less people to defend those rights for those veterans who have signed on the line to give everything for their country. Quite honestly the most important thing to me right now is settling down and starting a family. Military life isn't always conducive to my main goal of being the best father I can be. As for trying to volunteer before getting out... I pretty much work 12+hrs a day 6-7 days a week.. that would be kinda tough right now. For that reason and the other being I'm in Korea until 2014. And I do not yet know where I will be when I return state side. What are some good schools stateside?

[BANKO]

Thank you for serving our country and keeping us safe!

I have heard good things about Wyotech.... there are even some on this forum who have attended. However, I'm not sure of the total cost for the program.

http://www.wyotech.edu/program/autom...om-fabrication

Bryan Fuller was also a graduate:

http://www.fullerhotrods.com/pages/about.aspx

After learning to weld and honing your skills with shop tools, an apprenticeship would the best way to learn especially if custom metal work is what you'd like to do.

[67ragtp]

If theres any way the military will send you to school to obtain your Airframe and powerplant liscence get it. The private sector loves to see military people working on there gulfstream G4/G5s and Bombardiar global's(sorry spelling sucks) . They do very well monitarily if you can get in with a good fortune 500 company flight department. All my in laws two brothers and father over 100k.

Rich

[youthpastor]

Do what you are passionate about- what do you think about constantly? check out Dan Miller's 48days.com and .net- great community about doing what you enjoy-

[Sandbagger]

If your thinking about the Auto Body Collision industry ... Run

















not kiddin

[Stuart Adams]

The planes will always need ejection seats. You could maybe cross train into something else that interests you in the air force. I would make them kick me out before I would get out in this economy.

I understand your complaint, but being twice your age and putting two kids through college and professional school, there is too much instability right now to think it's greener on the other side.

Thanks for risking your life for us, I hope your decision brings you happiness and prosperity. Be safe.

[03fridge]

I can understand your frustration with the military these days, but you really need to think this decision about separating completely through. You need to give Stuart Adams' advise some thought. I retired after 21 years in the Air Force (1983 to 2004) and currently work in the Air Force Contact Center or as they call it today "The Total Force Service Center". I talk to guys in your situation all day, every day, and if you would be interested in talking to me and allowing me to hear what you are thinking concerning your situation, I might be able to give you some things to think about or alternatives to your current situation that might have you reconsider staying in. Maybe not until retirement, but possibly doing a CONUS tour after Korea so you might be in a better position to separate at that time.

My DSN is 665-5238 and I work 0630 to 1530 CST Monday - Friday, if you're interested. No pressure if you do or don't...just trying to help take care of our own.

Scott

[garickman]

I agree with Stuart Adams.

The grass may be greener on the other side but it's just as hard to mow!