02-17-2017, 01:53 AM
(02-16-2017, 09:00 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I agree, that is an excellent program. You are correct, besides LEO, there aren't a ton of jobs requiring the skills of an infantryman. Back to the Pipe Fitter's apprenticeship that your friend is involved with, perhaps some of those guys can get preferred selection on Trump's plan to move forward with both the Keystone and Dakota pipelines.
When I was an infantryman I was faced with the same decision, "What the hell am I gonna do when I get out?" Wondering what the hell I was going to do is one of the reasons why I joined the military. I saw many transition into law enforcement, private security, or education (specifically physical education.). I didn't want to do any of that. (Lot of fire fighters or EMTs and I might have chosen that path.) So I came up with a plan and with luck, hard work, and the help of others it worked out. Not everyone is as lucky.
The Interservice Physician Assistant Program I completed trained us to the standards required to pass the civilian national certification board. Thus military PAs transition into the civilian sector easily because we're required to obtain civilian certifications. If you check the top ortho clinic in your area I can all but guarantee there is a military trained PA on staff.
The top NCO of the Air Force testified the Air Force air traffic control training includes obtaining civilian certification while the Navy's training did not. That's a problem for the service member wanting to transition later. (Matter of fact, my niece's husband is an Army air traffic controller recently stationed in Germany. I'll have to ask him if his training includes civilian certification when I see him next.)
There is also the dilemma many military jobs don't have a civilian counterpart. Like an 18D or SF medic. They could easily do the job of an advanced EMT, but their training exceeds that of an EMT, but falls short of a NP, PA, or RN.
So I see three areas of improvement. 1) The individual service member needs to have a plan for their transition. 2) Require military training to include civilian certification where applicable to assist the service member during their transition. 3) Develop a fast track system for civilian certifications for military jobs; like a CLEP system for CDL/DOT certification as an example.
The Army has a program all soldiers are supposed to attend before they leave the service to teach job seeking skills. I was grateful for the assistance, but you only get out of it what you put into it as with everything in life. I was 38 at the time and took it seriously. Someone who is 22 may not.
