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Retiring soon...what can I get into?

kiki162

So my hubby is about 5 yrs out from retiring from USAF, and he's in a bit of a dilemma..."what am I going to do when I get out". He's sounding like Eeyore...and I'm trying to get him to become Tigger. Sorry for the Disney reference but I have a 16 month old.

He's got 3 classes left to complete his CCAF, and I'm working on getting him through with that. He currently is doing flight line work (aviation) and is counting the years/days till he's done. So for my prior/current military folks...you can understand that.

He's expressed an interest in computers, and is the "fix it, break it, make it work" type of person...very hands on, very technical. He's got his Amateur Radio license (as do I..but don't use it as often), and likes getting into the RF/UHF/HF, amps, antennas, etc..etc.

So the question is this, and I'm looking for advice and thoughts here. I suggested getting into the wireless/networking field as I could see that being a good fit for him. But the obvious concerns of where can I get a job, and will my degree help, etc..etc...keep coming up for him.

Where could I start him out degree wise and job wise? EE sounds like the place to start.

What would be a good cert track to start him off with.

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Comments

paul78

If your hubby enjoys his current work, what about just sticking with aviation. I have a family member who works in civilan aircraft maintainence for the past 25 years and loves the work. After he separated from the Air Force, he got a job at Goodrich working on commercial airline maintenance and has been there ever since.

But if hubby has his heart set on IT, can he change his current AFSC to something IT related? It will be difficult to enter the IT workforce without experience unless he wants to start at the bottom.

Plantwiz

You may need to give him a little space and let him decide his path. It sounds like you might be running his life a bit too much. He is an adult. Therefore, he should be able to seek out his new path. He may want something completely different from technology and keep technology items as a hobby.

I believe he has resources available to him through the military for job placement or such after the military. I recall reading from others on the board that they have sought our the assistance that is available. Encourage him to check into what they offer, but let him check it out.

Have him check out local colleges and their course offerings. He can speak with career placement folks, or college advisors to find what fits him.

It frankly frightens me a bit that he is not the one on the forum asking about what his next choices are and that his wife is doing this. To me, it sounds like he is not motivated, and therefore will not have his heart into whatever advice anyone here can provide.

The day he is discharged, he doesn't HAVE to have something lined up, but he may simply want to see what is out there in the civilian world first before jumping on further education or certifications. He could have a game plan say three months after discharge having made a decision for his new direction, but I would recommend that he is 99% responsible in this decision and you can contribute 1% opinion into what stage 2 of his career looks like.

Spouses do help each other out, but this sounds a lot more like dictate rather than assistance and support.

My 5 cents.

krjay

He may want to stick with aviation. Sounds like you are pushing him into IT because that's what you know. I did something similar when my significant other wanted to get out of the HR realm. I thought 'what IT field would she best fit into coming from HR...' Then I quickly realized what a terrible idea it would be for her to get into IT and recommended she pursue something she has a serious interest in.

dmoore44

If he's got 5 years before retiring, then he's got plenty of time. Ideally, he would finish up his CCAF and try to get his undergrad taken care of. Since he's a maintainer, from a least time/effort perspective, the best institution for him to complete his undergrad through is probably going to be Embry-Riddle (Online Campus | Embry-Riddle Worldwide).

But truthfully, I wouldn't worry about trying to get him in to IT - unless he's expressed an interest in it. Reason being is that he'd most likely start at the bottom of the food chain, and being a recent retiree, a career change + no seniority isn't likely to appeal to him.

kgb

My 2 cents... Just be supportive in what ever decision/path he decides. Clearly if he's not making any effort into looking at his options, he clearly doesn't care about it at the moment. You are talking about 5 yrs... That's a long time.

Probably not your intention, but when I read the post I felt like I was reading a post by a mother talking about her 16yr old son... I think it's awesome you want him to succeed, but that's up to him.

typfromdaco

I agree with Plantwiz, if you are having to "get him through" three classes for an Associates degree after being in the military for 15 years, then IT may not be the best venue. He will have to spend alot of his spare time studying for tests at the entry level just to appeal to employers; the degree alone will do nothing for him.

jibbajabba

typfromdaco wrote: »

if you are having to "get him through" three classes for an Associates degree after being in the military for 15 years, then IT may not be the best venue.

she shouldn't have to get him through anything really

kiki162

My post was more out of frustration and trying to help him out. By no means am I "running his life" or jumping all over him. He's the one who has expressed an interest in the EE route and talks about computers, but isn't quite sure beyond that point. Since the EE route is not my area, I was posting my thoughts out there to see if anyone with skills in that area could offer advice.

Granted the later portion of my original post didn't come off to well...that's not my intention. Bottom line is he's starting over and he's got zero interest in staying with aviation, unless nothing else comes up.

@Plantwiz - I agree with your post, however keep in mind that 5 years is a long way out, it does come up fast...so there is time.

@krjay - That I can understand. I've never personally made the "hey you should get into this..." He's made the statement of "well I would like to get into "Radio, RF, HR type of stuff, but I'm not sure what degree would help with that". I mentioned EE would be the way to go.

@jibba - Your right...I shouldn't and I don't....so let me reiterate.. When you have kids...your personal time is limited, so allowing your spouse the time to get whatever he needs to get done..done and supporting him through that.

BTW...big thanks to NetworkVet for answering my post offline...

Plantwiz

If you would like us to help him out, then encourage him to post for himself. Working third party adds too many variables.

As already mentioned, if he is not showing the motivation, then IT will not be the place he wants to settle into because one needs to be constantly learning to stay up and as far ahead of the pack as possible.

And in Technology, five years is an enormous amount of time. Things change quickly. To even predict today what one needs to know in five years is a waste of effort. Building up to today's tech trends and reading white papers, doing research, getting hands-on products to beta would be how one will be ready in five years starting today. Otherwise, there is merely 'starting'.

My apologies you are unsatisfied with several of our answers. I invite your husband to register and post his questions for the members to address him first hand.

Hatch1921

kiki162,

I retired from the Air Force at the end of 2010. Like your husband, I wanted nothing to do with pursuing my AF job in the civilian world. For me, the transition was strange.

You go from 20 years of a steady job, deployments, military life and knowing how the AF operates to a void. I spent a year decompressing...is the only way I can describe it. It might not be the same for him... but... at the time I was a little lost and unsure of what I wanted to do. I had a photography business but wasn't 100% sure this was a good path or long term choice for my needs. I really didn't do much of anything for about a year... some photography... but.. mainly relaxed and enjoyed life. Of course, not everyone can do this... but... I recommend it if you all can... even 6 months... just to somewhat purge the military and start transitioning to the civilian world. The only other comparison I can think of ... albeit extreme... is getting out of prison and being institutionalized. You need time to adjust

I then started taking a few classes at the local community college and through talking with students and faculty, I ended up pursuing a couple of tech degrees, which lead to the CCNA path and now on to a University. More importantly, to me, I was now on a new path with goals in mind. I found something which interested me.

I think it's great you are wanting to help him with the transition. Planning ahead is a great thing. The CCAF... well... I would say get it as he has time left in the service. It will help with the career and his performance reports. Now, if he has no desire to pursue aviation after the AF, some of his gen ed classes will transfer and depending on what he goes in to, most might not. The school I'm at accepted 55 hours but for the degrees I went after, none of the hours counted towards them. Just something to think about. Most important is the Gen ed classes... knock those out and this will help a ton.

I say dabble... you guys have time... maybe take a few different classes over a few semesters and let him figure out if what he likes and what he doesn't. Over the years with the AF I had taken several classes but didn't know what I wanted to do... until I retired. I put the GI Bill to work and maybe this is something he might want to do as well? Or, he could knock out his under grad degree with the time he has left and then use the GI Bill for a grad degree?

You guys have lots of options and again, I think it's smart to plan the transition now.

Best of luck.
Frank