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Become A Techie In The Military Or Tough Out College?
Vain asks: "I'm a student in Wisconsin who is wondering just where his career path is leading him and needs advice. I'll be graduating with a 2 year degree (in networking) this summer. A few people have suggested that the military is a great place to get not only good pay, but good money for school as well, even if it's just the guard. Should I consider joining the guard, getting a BS or MS through government funding, or stick with my 2 year for now and try to find a place in the area? I guess what I'm looking for is some techies in the military (or out) to give me a few suggestions."
I spent four years on active duty with the Air Force, during which I was a Ground Radio Repairman (translated, I did lots of module level swapping to make radio stuff work). During that time, I spent a year in Turkey and several months in the desert. The majority of the training I got was electronics theory and troubleshooting skills, especially on analog systems (the computer technology got sent away to be fixed by someone else).
The main benefits I got out of military service came after I was a civilian again... I recieve VA medical care, my house was purchased with a VA loan, I'm finishing school with the help of the GI Bill. Many of the intangible things I learned while wearing a uniform have come in really handy in real life.
since you have some specialized education already, you might consider guard/reserve; that would (eventually) give you the benefits that will help you later on, while still letting you do what you really want as a civilian. there's no guarantee that you'll end up in a military job that translates to be what you're looking for, even if that's what the job description says. (if you're near a guard/reserve unit, see if a recruiter will let you visit during a drill weekend, and talk to the people who do whatever job specialty you're looking into.)
you can be a military techie; but just keep in mind that it might not be the kind of techie that you'll be as a civilian.
HTH.
Karma only matters to me now and zen.
That being said, I had no idea what I was in for when I enlisted at 17. While recruiters and classifiers (the people that help you pick a specialty) aren't usually lying, they're not always familiar with the specialties that you're enlisting for. For example, to a non-geek, an electician and a network administrator could be pretty similar. For this reason, I recommend seeking the advice of a veteran of the branch of service you're interested in, and, ideally, someone with a similar background (although some specialties, e.g. network administrator, are fairly new in the last few years).
If you decide to go the military route, grab all the education and training you can get. No matter whether you decide to stay after the end of your enlistment or leave for civilian life, it will never be any easier or less expensive to get educated while on the job. Find the Educational Services Office on your ship or station and make them your friends.
I know this stuff is Navy-centric, but the same ideas apply in all branches of service. Also, consider seeking a commission--ROTC will pay your college expenses and a stipend in return for service after. If you even think you might want to become an officer, do not enlist first unless it is your only way into the door. My observation of shipmates seeking a commission was this: a "go-getter" can always move up, however, once you're enlisted, a commission is harder to come by than if you're starting as a civilian.
Also don't forget to have a look at the service academies, particularly the Merchant Marine academy, which itself doesn't even require military service, only work in the maritime industry, after graduation.
Good luck!
P.S.: If you enlist, make sure you do whatever it takes to establish G.I. Bill eligibility. For a time, contribution of $1,200 over a year to establish eligibiity was optional--you had to decide in boot camp, and the decision was unchangeable. Don't make the wrong one.
- No guarantee of good use of your talents I have a degree in computer science with a specialization in network protection and information warfare. My AF job code is as a communications & information officer. Currently, though, my job is as an analyst for mostly unrelated subjects. (Some are related to computers, but less than 10%.) There is nothing I can do about this. Period. I've tried at least 5 times to be a better asset to the Air Force, and have been shot down each time by someone who manages my career (whom I've never talked to in person about my career, nonetheless) in Texas. I've basically been told that this inefficiency is par for the course and I just need to wait a few years to take a chance on another job with no guarantee of being interesting.
- Lack of self-determined direction As mentioned above, you get little to no input to where you will be going next, or what you will be doing when you get there. Have a family in Virginia? Here's your 1-year ticket to Korea/Greenland/etc. Granted that's a part of the way-of-life, and I understand that, but it's a major factor for many techies. (Ever try to stay current on the tech issue-of-the-day from a camp on the Korean DMZ? Me neither, but I doubt they have decent public internet access.) Even if they tell you you are on your way to a dream job, it can get pulled out from under you before you get there (or after). For instance, when coming to my current assignment, I was told I'd be managing the network administration shop. When I arrived, they told me that I'd be doing something completely different. Too bad - that's the end of the discussion.
- Slow bureauacracy (sp?) Don't expect to work with the latest technology, no matter what the Navy commericals tell you. For the most part, the acquisitions process takes so long that we don't get to play with the latest toys, except in some of the more restricted programs. Hell, I had some brilliant airmen working for me a few years ago that were forced to sit on 20-year old messaging equipment (teletypes, anyone?) and operate them for 8-12 hour shifts, 24/7. Needless to say, they are pursuing other interests, for far greater pay.
- Lack of generally-accepted 'perks' No 401K, no retirement plan outside of "stay for 20 years to get 50% of your pay, but leave before then and get nothing"
- Frequent moves Every 2 years, you will most likely have to move. This could be a good or a bad point depending on your perspective.
There are the good parts, though - guaranteed job security, the ability to put it on a resume as experience (even if it wasn't that techie-related, it does look good), camaraderie (I've gotten several job offers that I'll look at when getting out from people I used to work for/with), etc.So what's the optimal solution? Not sure. I'd say it seems to be either Guard/Reserve (I plan to go reserve when I seperate from active duty), or contractor. Just be sure you can still have a connection to the outside world to stay current.
Finally, for some people, this is just the right thing to do, and they would stay past 30 years if they were allowed. I'm just relaying my experience. If you have other questions, feel free to drop a line at the above email addy (after despamming it, of course).
Good Luck!
Military = They pay you, get 4 valuable years of experience with cool toys. Spend 4 years drinking. They assume you know nothing at the start, give you responsibility at the end.
College = You pay them. Spend 4 years drinking. Employers assume you know nothing at the end.
My 4 years were quite valuable. Air Force and Navy are best for techie-type jobs.
I spent quite a few years in the military. I was not in a tech-specific position (Psychological Operations), but I managed to work myself into a niche managing the company's LAN. This enabled my to get certified before departing the military, and I also ended up with a few nice post-military benefits (GI Bill and VA Home Loan, for example). In addition to tech-skills, I also gained some leadership experience and have a security clearance, both of which are looked upon highly by many civilian corporations (even those that do not pursue DoD contracts). Because of the experience I earned, I was able to gain a nice salary level in my current civilian position. Had I not entered the military, I would probably be at the same position as I am today, but I have cooler war stories to tell than a standard civilian techie. As an example, most civilian techies haven't jumped from an aircraft in the pitch of night with 120 pounds of combat equipment strapped to their bodies, or had fun with night vision goggles. Oh, and can I say playing Quake over a sattelite communications link at the tax-payer rate of $60 per minute in the middle of a combat zone. Or high-speed, off-road driving in a Hummer. Within the military you can earn some really great experience that most techs don't learn. Any SA can keep a LAN operational in a given location, but how about a mobile LAN in harsh climates? The dust and heat of the desert are not kind to computer equipment, it takes some skill to keep everything running, a skill that cannot be learned in most civilian companies. There are some drawbacks to military life: lower salaries, lots of annoying petty work hidden under inventive titles, such as building maintenance (cleaning the buildings, painting, etc.), and area beautification/police call (lawn mowing, picking up pine cones and trash along the road); waking up at the crack of dawn and running 5 miles, even when it's cold and raining; and putting up with arrogant bosses that don't understand techie-mind sets. Depending on how you feel about it, you will travel. A lot. To places you had never wanted to go to (and maybe some that you did). Personally, I enjoyed almost everywhere I went (except for Somalia). As long as you are single, military travel can be quite exciting. Once you get married and start having kids, though, the military becomes more of a burden, as you are never home. At least half of the year, you will be in the field, gone for training, or deployed for an exercise or an overseas operation. If lots of travel is not to your liking, but you would like a taste of the military, the National Guard or Coast Guard may be a better option. The Reserves could be an alternative as well, but they do get called up for some deployments when the regular military is strapped for personnel, especially for the smaller career fields. For example, when I was in Haiti, there were a lot of reservists there staying for 3-6 months, since the military was busy with both Haiti and Bosnia at pretty much the same time. Whatever you decide, good luck. Just my $.01 (the other cent went to taxes).