Post: #1

I won't go into the details as it is all very technical but for reasons out of my control I saw a major set back in enlisting. And rather close to my ship date as well. This is Air Force if that matters.

I am not disqualified as of yet however I am increasingly paranoid that I will be. Because it's simply been one issue after another with this process.

So in anticipation of the worst possible news I was hoping forum members could help me out with how to find employment that is not minimum wage (I do have a job currently but it's not something I can live off of forever). I'm in my early 20s and lack the funds to attend college.

However community college is an option, but a slow one.

I live in Stockton, CA. A rapidly deteriorating small city so I see no future here.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Post: #2

Why are you getting potentially DQ so close to your ship date? You might be getting paranoid for bullshit reasons. But you better get use to "issues" with the "process" if joining the military. The military always has "issues" with the "process." Trust me.

The Air Force is traditionally the most difficult branch to enlist into because they have the best retention. They can afford to be picky. You could always consider other branches as well that have more relax entry standards. Although, the Air Force from what I know has actually recently had a push in recruiting due to ISIS. So, who knows. But you should give a summary on the possible issue and I can tell you if its a legit thing to be worried about or not.

Outside the military, do something where college isn't required (it's a waste of time and money for most degrees). Sales, trades, learn programming. You need to focus on learning employable skills and getting paid ASAP.

You could always move to Asia/Latin America and teach English and fuck off for a bit. But it's a dead-end life and you need develop something beyond teaching English.

Post: #3

This belongs in another section, but you bring up some good questions. Assuming that there does happen to be some problem with your enlistment, it is smart to have other options.

You mention that community college is a "slow" option. I guess this is a relative statement, but when you consider the real time that it takes to finish some very valuable and in-demand degrees or certification programs, you could be set for the foreseeable future with less than a year's time commitment and only a few thousand dollars (if that) invested. My suggestions:

See if any of these jobs (or related areas) appeal to you: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm These job will be in demand for a LONG time to come, many of which possess entry requirements that can be completed in CC.

Take some time to research certifications and degree programs that you can complete online and in a reasonable amount of time. Make sure that these credentials are acceptable to potential employers in these areas.

An example of an area where certification can be completed in a short period of time and in an in-demand area is the Certified Production Technician (CPT) (and the related Certified Logistics Associate (CLA)). These certifications can be completed at an offering CC in 2-3 months or online in a comparable amount of time. They also lead to careers in an in-demand field (logistics, production line, etc.) that pay significantly more than minimum wage, even at entry level. Here is an older example of a typical CPT online curriculum with associated costs:
http://macny.org/CertifiedProductionTech...ining.aspx

You have a lot of options. Take some time to explore them and be willing to invest a little bit of time and resources. You'll thank yourself later.

Post: #4

Thank you both.

Also to make clear as I failed to, this is simply for something to do now to get my life going. Not something to do forever. That would be silly and unrealistic.

Teaching english is a nice idea, as well as sales. I will look into both along with the other options.

To give a little background on the Air Force I originally went into the Navy however they DQed me for a certain issue. Which the AF then waived. So I've been at this for more than two years now, this is not just quitting at the first sign of trouble. It's not even quitting, just wanting a game plan I can implement.

Post: #5

I don't know if this is an option for you, or if there are many jobs available right now, but I know quite a few guys who went to the fire academy at their local community college and got on with CalFire. Good job with good benefits and lots of time off.

If I had to go get a real job, that'd probably be what I would do. Work 3 on 4 off. One friend would take a week off and end up with 11 days total time off because the 4 days off he'd normally get, then 3 work days he took off, then 4 days at the end he would normally get. He'd go on a cruise or fly down to Costa Rica, etc.

Post: #6

Do community college, if you do military at all just stick to reserves.

Stockton is a shithole, but you can commute to decent jobs. And depending on your age, you can definitely afford college. Once you hit 24ish you'ré off your parents income for financial aid and California gives a shitton in Calgrants. I didn't pay tuition for 4 years

Post: #7

Do you want to turn wrenches, climb, dig holes by hand/machine, run hundreds of feet of cable, build signal bridges, have a set schedule but it's pretty much 7 days a week? Go for Signalman at any class 1 railroad or commuter railroad.

How do you get the job:

Get an electrical certificate/welding cert and get a CDL. There's your ticket to 6 figures, a job for 30 years +, great retirement, and a job that cannot be replaced. You can literally work anywhere in the entire U.S. doing this. Guys I used to work with in Chicago were getting calls from commuter railroads in South Florida and So Cal because they were hurting so bad for Journeyman down there.



It's tough fucking work, but about as non-PC as you can get. There are ZERO women on the tool side of the railroad. I see more in the trades, but I've never seen any out wrenching/digging on the RR. You might be able to get into an apprenticeship with the above credentials, just give it a shot if that's something that sounds appealing.

If you truly don't want to go to a CC and get those certs, then look into becoming a conductor. Big $$ there too, you just never know your schedule.

If not the railroad, then google apprenticeship openings around you. Iron Workers, Elevator Constructors, Pipe Fitters, Plumbers, Electricians.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

Post: #8

Thanks again to all the new posters. Was meeting with my recruiter today hence the long pause between posts.

Still going forward with the military but all of these backup plans have been noted if it should go South.

Post: #9

I don't have military experience myself, but I went through the vetting process a few years ago.

A few years ago, I applied to become an officer in the USMC. I cleared their physical and got a clean bill of health from MEPS, but they weren't willing to give me a spot in OCS until they saw my grades from the past semester. My grades were solid, but by the time I got them, my recruiting officer told me it was too late and he couldn't get any more students into OCS. I didn't apply the following year because I found work somewhere else. But yes, I get that there are a lot of hangups you can run into for enlistment or a commission.

It probably wouldn't be a great idea to go into the details of your DQ where anyone could see it, but the exact circumstances are probably going to be the key to figuring what's best for you.

If it's something physical, like poor eyesight, that's probably going the toughest thing to overcome. I was taking some relatively mild medication at the time I tried to become an officer. The USMC wouldn't let me go forward with my application until I stopped taking it for a month. But it's for good reason. It's a very bad idea to try to rely on someone in a combat zone if they can't fully function.

The next toughest DQ is past history. If for whatever reason you have a checkered past, that can definitely get in the way. It wasn't a problem for me, but that one can take some time and effort to overcome. If that's your potential problem, you really do have to go out of your way to convince the recruiting chain that you're a reformed person who has learned his lesson from the past. They don't want people who aren't going to work well under authority or are at risk of a court-martial.

But probably the easiest DQ to overcome are skill-related qualifications. It could be a bad performance on an entrance exam or poor grades in high school. To fix that one, it's just really a matter of hitting the books. Your idea of going back to community college might not be a bad one if you don't get in. If I was you, I would try to use that opportunity to take courses in the specialization I was hoping to do in the Air Force (mechanics, computing, etc.).

Best of luck. I hope you get in.

Post: #10

(01-25-2016 08:23 PM)Eskhander Wrote:  Thanks again to all the new posters. Was meeting with my recruiter today hence the long pause between posts.

Still going forward with the military but all of these backup plans have been noted if it should go South.

When is your expected ship date?

Post: #11

The Navy DQ'ed you and the Air Force waived whatever the issue was?

I don't know the details obviously but you are extremely lucky (the recent AF recruiting ramp up probably had something to do with it). Usually, it is the other way around. The Air Force historically doesn't grant waivers; they don't have to usually with so many qualified applicants.

If you REALLY wanted to leave, you could tell the recruiter you want to "quick ship" under an "open" contract. You could also say you are willing to quick ship for your specific job only that you already have a ship date for (pretty rare but possible).

But unless you are going to end up homeless soon, I wouldn't recommend doing an "open" contract. You would be gambling the next 4 years of your life with regards to what job you'd be doing with no way to quit.

Post: #12

I just don't understand why you'ré choosing to do the military in your 20's when the Bay Area has so many job opportunities and the cost of a bachelor's here is 18,000 total if you do community college then a CSU

Post: #13

(01-26-2016 01:35 AM)cascadecombo Wrote:  

(01-25-2016 08:23 PM)Eskhander Wrote:  Thanks again to all the new posters. Was meeting with my recruiter today hence the long pause between posts.

Still going forward with the military but all of these backup plans have been noted if it should go South.

When is your expected ship date?

February 9th. Probably going to be delayed

Post: #14

I can explain the DQ for the Navy, minor medical issue I don't have any longer now. That's why the Air Force waived it.

Was not physical.

Post: #15

Well, my dread was not entirely unfounded.

The Bureaucrats screwed me over.

I got medically disqualified... for the condition the Air Force gave me a waiver for originally.

You see, because I was with the Navy my paperwork is weird. So if you don't actually read the file you can come away with the impression that there was no waiver.

My recruiter and MEPs liaison staff are doing what they can to fix this but they say there are no guarantees.

Motherfucker.

Post: #16

Stay patient man, hopefully it will all get sorted out and you'll get what you're aiming for.

Post: #17

(01-28-2016 11:38 PM)Eskhander Wrote:  Well, my dread was not entirely unfounded.

The Bureaucrats screwed me over.

I got medically disqualified... for the condition the Air Force gave me a waiver for originally.

You see, because I was with the Navy my paperwork is weird. So if you don't actually read the file you can come away with the impression that there was no waiver.

My recruiter and MEPs liaison staff are doing what they can to fix this but they say there are no guarantees.

Motherfucker.

This is very odd... to get a waiver then get DQ'ed after the fact. I wouldn't give up hope just yet regardless. Understand that the military is the bureaucracy to end all bureaucracy's; the amount of stupid regulations and paperwork is incredible and most civilians don't truly understand just how bad it is. Ask 10 people in the gov't/military a question and you will get 10 different answers. Just be glad you are still a civilian and have the option of walking away and not dealing with it.

Until you are DQ'ed by the highest authority figure relevant to your case, don't give up. You might even need to go past your recruiter (if he/she has been legit, you should give them a heads up) and start calling a congressman/senator to unfuck the bureaucracy if you have a valid case for not being DQ'ed. One phone call from the aforementioned can cut right through the bullshit.

Also know that if you actually get into the military, it is just as bureaucratic typically to get kicked out. I knew people who developed medical issues (nothing related to combat/on-duty work) while in and it took them like a year to finally be discharged due to all the layers of bureaucracy involved. They received full pay and benefits the entire time just waiting for a "process" to finish that shouldn't have taken longer than 1-2 months; this is actually a good thing in one respect since it makes sure guys don't get kicked out pre-maturly until everything is thoroughly documented and taken care of. When it comes to medical stuff and the gov't in general, they are incredibly slow, inefficient, and bureaucratic for better or worse. We have veterans right now with legit documented service-connected issues that can't get treatment from the VA due to bureaucracy and the bullshit.

I'm just saying: what you are dealing with really is par for the course.

Post: #18

That's good though. Your opportunities here are wayyy greater than in the military

Post: #19

Besides a blue-collar trade job or going into the merchant marine or fire academy, there are other technically-oriented trades you can go into that provide a fairly secure career track once you're in them. Many, if not most, of these don't require a four-year degree to enter. These include pharmacology (being a pharmacist), x-ray or other type of medical testing technician, paralegal, nurse, flight data recorder, and air traffic controller. Local community colleges usually have curriculums designed to get people certified to enter any (except air traffic controller) of these various trades.

Post: #20

Airforce is usually more lenient with medical waivers. Other waivers like moral they are hella tough on

Post: #21

Why is community college a slow option? It's not like you're going to be rich after 2 years of being in the military, I don't see why CC is slower than military (if anything, you will make more money quicker if you have a college degree).

If you just want a decent job with a 2 year degree, look into getting an associates in something healthcare related. Associates Degrees that deal with Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Sonography, cardiovascular technician, mortuary science and anything that deals with radiology pay middle class wages with only 2 years of education (and in most cases are in high demand). Not too long ago you could become a nurse with a 2 year degree, I think those days are about done but I don't know too much about that anymore.


I think those are probably the best CC degrees if you just want a solid job asap. There are other 2 year degrees, but they'll probably require hustle and they're things that you could likely do w/o a CC degree (though, still always useful to get formal education to at least get you started) - I'm thinking accounting (book keeper), computer science (programming or IT), CIS/MIS (programming/ITT), web design (making websites, admin), paralegal - most of these prob won't lead to glory jobs, but more than what you would make in the military.

Could also do something engineering related and probably land a decent gig if you can handle the academics for it. Mechanics is always helpful as well.


Trade school has countless options, but of course, that's going to take about 2 years on average as well. 2 years really is not a long time for getting certification for a 50k job, and it's not like your 2 year credits go to waste if you go the CC-4 year university route.

You should apply for civil service jobs asap though, (police, firemen, corrections officer, railroad etc). Even if you're getting a college degree, you have nothing to lose by taking the civil service tests.

Post: #22

Ugh. I feel your pain on Stockton. Lived there for a year with my ex wife and disliked every minute of it. Go learn a trade and move on.

Post: #23

If you want to pay your bills become an LVN.

If you want to bank, become an RN. RN takes two years and you'll be making 60K+ starting.

Post: #24

Yea, it's a very strange situation I'm in. But I'm being patient. And having these backups has made me take the news extremely well to be frank.

Always have a Plan B.

The congressman idea is brilliant. My recruiter has been legit so I'll give him a heads up should our attempts to rectify it fail.

Post: #25

I forgot to add this in but LVN you go to school for 12-15 months and can make 19-22 an hour.

RN school is about 24 months but you can easily make 27+ an hour.

Hospitals pay more but they give you a schedule, so you can't control what days you want off the money is there tho 35-50 an hour. Places that are not hospitals tend to pay less but you have more control over your time, patients, and such. Plus with all the babyboomers becoming old as fuck, you'll have work for a long ass time.