leaving military for civilian equivalent job

[Anonymous]

i'm the wife of a former enlisted guy who became a fed employee in a completely different field. i think you've gotten some good advice here. my husband did it, and it worked, and he's better off for it, but it was tough, and it's become even tougher now. i know others who have got out as officers with good degrees and can't find good jobs, but i think computer science is a different (and better) story, so you probably would be better off. definitely milk every benefit out of the military that you can while you are in. you might not realize how much it adds up when you leave. on the upside, some benefits will stay with you forever (hello, va loans!)

[Anonymous]

The federal government basically has no pensions anymore. So a pension is better than no/crappy pension.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:op here -

there are some very valid points here, i have considered all of them. it's a difficult decision for sure, i'm just worried i will not make enough money in the military, because theres only so much more rank i can achieve. i have a BS in computer science and my MBA and management exp. i've had a few job offers making around 80k and there's certainly room to grow. i feel like this is the hardest decision of my life, work 30 hr week for 55k+ in the military or work 60+ hrs for 80k.

i also should mention my wife and i 24 years old with a reasonable amount (150k) invested in mutual funds, my wife is a social worker making around 24k a year (sadly she has her MSW making 24k/yr). new cars paid off - 13' bmw 335i and a 12' subaru forester (vehicles paid for by parents). our only debt is our mortgage at $1175/mo. i'm not sure if this would change your decisions.

With that education you'd do fine and make a lot more. You can also look at other services options for OCS.

Why did you join the Army? I take it that it wasn't to pay for those degrees (since, if your parents can pay for your car, they likely would've paid for your education). Did you come straight in as an E-4? Have you met the goals that you intended to meet while in the service?

i'm in the air force, not the army our quality of life is much better than the army for the most part. i would definitely say my goals have been met.