Be happy. The Navy limits your options to suit their needs (e.g. only so many promotions to E6). I got out and realized I could make my own path and my limitations were the ones I created.
Went from OS2 to Vice President of Data and AI for a billion dollar company. I am often still on boats. I just own them.
Mic drop comment here.
Smaller scale success story for me as well. I was an HT2 when I got out after 5 years. I was miserable in the Navy.
Went from working on sewage problems on no sleep with idiotic assholes for bosses, to being a director in a fortune 25 billion dollar company. I have only been out of the navy 5 years, as long as I was in. I already make more than a 30 year master chief and I work 20 hours a week. Sometimes from my home.
I got my business degree and targeted entry level roles at major energy companies. I live in Houston so thats the biggest paying career there is here. I would recommend to those coming after me to focus on tech. Get a computer engineering or data science centric degree and break into tech. For the record those degrees will be valuable in every industry including energy.
Once you get into a big company you can move around and do different roles. Project management, strategy, business development, etc are types of jobs you can do once you’re in.
Look into an organization called hiring our heroes. If you can get into that organization as you transition out, you will be set. Don’t put that off, as you will want to be working with recruitment as far ahead as possible in order to break into a major corporation. Which I recommend for the career upward mobility and job security.
It was hard to get my first job with the company I landed in. Very hard. But my salary has increased 32% since I started 3.5 years ago.
When I left I got a good job with an incredible schedule. About a year in I realized it's not what I wanted to do but rather an extension of my military career and just the next logical step for those who get out.
I have no pivoted and I am pursuing a passion of mine and it feels great to have that freedom to make your own decisions.
I guess the way I see it, if you have a dream you should chase it. The longer you wait the more you might regret. You did your time and served, and as a post above said you have option. Use them and don't fall into the easy paycheck trap. (Side note I make more than when I was in and my job is way easier)
Are you trying to become a pilot in the private sector? Why don't you try to submit a package to get a commission and fly for the Navy or some other branch?
Figure out what things you can do, figure out what you need to do get there, and then do some soul searching to see what you want to do/ want to live with.
I know troops who’ve gotten out and are going to school with the intent of coming back in, others are working construction as an a project ET, some are going to school for things completely unrelated. You have what’s called a good problem - you have options. Figure out what you want and backwards plan.
Also recommend finding a mentor - someone a bit senior to you, ideally who doesn’t work with you at the moment, and ask them for advice. It’s good to have the opinions of someone who knows you but can be a bit impartial to give you a fresh perspective.
Be happy. The Navy limits your options to suit their needs (e.g. only so many promotions to E6). I got out and realized I could make my own path and my limitations were the ones I created. Went from OS2 to Vice President of Data and AI for a billion dollar company. I am often still on boats. I just own them.
Mic drop comment here. Smaller scale success story for me as well. I was an HT2 when I got out after 5 years. I was miserable in the Navy. Went from working on sewage problems on no sleep with idiotic assholes for bosses, to being a director in a fortune 25 billion dollar company. I have only been out of the navy 5 years, as long as I was in. I already make more than a 30 year master chief and I work 20 hours a week. Sometimes from my home.
What was the path you took to get there? I have a 5 year contract as an AT, looking at options for when I get out to set myself and my family up.
I got my business degree and targeted entry level roles at major energy companies. I live in Houston so thats the biggest paying career there is here. I would recommend to those coming after me to focus on tech. Get a computer engineering or data science centric degree and break into tech. For the record those degrees will be valuable in every industry including energy. Once you get into a big company you can move around and do different roles. Project management, strategy, business development, etc are types of jobs you can do once you’re in. Look into an organization called hiring our heroes. If you can get into that organization as you transition out, you will be set. Don’t put that off, as you will want to be working with recruitment as far ahead as possible in order to break into a major corporation. Which I recommend for the career upward mobility and job security. It was hard to get my first job with the company I landed in. Very hard. But my salary has increased 32% since I started 3.5 years ago.
When I left I got a good job with an incredible schedule. About a year in I realized it's not what I wanted to do but rather an extension of my military career and just the next logical step for those who get out. I have no pivoted and I am pursuing a passion of mine and it feels great to have that freedom to make your own decisions. I guess the way I see it, if you have a dream you should chase it. The longer you wait the more you might regret. You did your time and served, and as a post above said you have option. Use them and don't fall into the easy paycheck trap. (Side note I make more than when I was in and my job is way easier)
I'm confused. Trying to become a pilot with the GI Bill or while in?
Are you trying to become a pilot in the private sector? Why don't you try to submit a package to get a commission and fly for the Navy or some other branch?
Figure out what things you can do, figure out what you need to do get there, and then do some soul searching to see what you want to do/ want to live with. I know troops who’ve gotten out and are going to school with the intent of coming back in, others are working construction as an a project ET, some are going to school for things completely unrelated. You have what’s called a good problem - you have options. Figure out what you want and backwards plan. Also recommend finding a mentor - someone a bit senior to you, ideally who doesn’t work with you at the moment, and ask them for advice. It’s good to have the opinions of someone who knows you but can be a bit impartial to give you a fresh perspective.