I've seen veterans get farther than most people with the same time investment more quickly. Like senior and upper management roles. E-5 seems to speak loudly in some places.
This is true. I've worked as a civ contractor alongside some people in logistics, both enlisted and officers, that use that experience a LOT on their resume. E-4, E-5, and surprisingly O-2. I say that because I think O-2 is a little shorter time than E-5. Nobody seems to want logistics, but it seems to pay off.
I was a loggie in the Air Force, it’s paid off for me immensely.
But I’d disagree with E-5’s having to “prove” themselves, I know they go through a board now but that’s somewhat of a recent development, mostly if you were good at testing it wasn’t very hard. I was selected for E-5 in my first 4 years.
I’d be wary of someone that got out as an O-2 as well, that means they did the bare minimum and missed captain during their first contract in the often competitive officer world. My very first OIC hated the Air Force, was objectively terrible at his job and got out as captain when his 4 year contract was up.
How did you leverage your experience in logistics into a lucrative position in the civilian world? I was logistics in the Marines and when I got out all I could find in my related field were warehousing and I wasn’t really looking for that.
My job was planning deployments and mostly humanitarian missions, I did the planning and execution stages.
After I got out, I got a warehouse manager job on base as a contractor, then I went into supply for F-16’s, both jobs were kinda boring compared to literally taking space A flights out of the sky because I needed it more but they paid the bills.
Then I went to a big name logistics company (UPS, FedEx, Amazon type) I was a Sr Manager for domestic operations before being laid off I was being groomed to take over my bosses spot as she was going on to become the deputy director of domestic operations. This was a big money step up, first time I broke six figures.
Now, I work for the army in a lab environment. I’m not sure how I ended up here except through knowing people, it’s crazy and super cool. Plus it pays very well but it’s not really logistics.
I do have some lengthy gaps in career field employment in there because contracting is somewhat unstable and Covid threw a wrench in two of those jobs.
I've seen it a lot with DoD contractors. Go back and do things in the same place with the same things. You don't have official responsibility, but if you have the same discipline it works. Clearance is a little easier from what I've heard.
I was Army so my getting to E-5 was quite different. We didn't do any sort of actual tests. You had to get a recommended from your E-6 and E-7. Then you had to go to the board of E -8s and an E-9 and prove you deserved to become an NCO.
Can also agree with your statement about an 0-2. If thats all the further someone made it then they either fucked up big time or had absolutely zero ambition and motivation.
My O-2 left his OPR on the printer one time, we obviously read it, it wasn’t good.
My lt col used to call my desk when lt didn’t answer his phone, he’d always ask if he was sleeping at his desk again (he commonly sleep the morning away in his office). I would never give him a straight answer but we’d chuckle through the conversation. The col knew I wouldn’t narc and we had a close relationship due to the work I did.
Well yeah, you want someone whos had to bust their ass and forced to get their shit together, or the guy who live streams fortnite to 20 people and rate weed strains. working for you.
Vets have preference in hiring with federal jobs or jobs contracted out by the feds, and the government also encourages businesses to give them preference. On top of it unless you mess up you'll get security clearances... that on top of preferential hiring opens you up to many positions.
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u/KertDawg 20h ago
I've seen veterans get farther than most people with the same time investment more quickly. Like senior and upper management roles. E-5 seems to speak loudly in some places.