Posted on 02/14/2009 4:07:18 PM PST by Little Pig
So I've been weighing things in my mind for a little while now, and I have decided to seriously look into re-joining the Military. I was in the Army for four years from 1990-1994. I now have a Master's degree and lots of real-world experience under my belt. I am looking at joining the Air Force, specifically the newly-forming 24th (possible) Air Force, which will be the new Cyber Warfare command. My Master's is in Information Assurance (computer security). I have been having a hard time recently finding new jobs (who hasn't). I have been doing contracting, but the economy is particularly dry right now, and I don't seem to fit into the corporate world as well as I'd like.
However, there are a few things I need to consider, and which I'd like the opinion of the FreeRepublic intelligentsia on: First, although Gates has stayed on as SecDef, that won't be a perfect shield for the military from this administration. The Cyber command is likely to be less affected than the weapon-heavy jobs, but there is still the possibility that the Zero's administration will negatively affect the military. I'd like the forum's opinion on this. Second, I am a bit older than the "cutoff" age, particularly for the Air Force, and I'd like the advice of the forum on how I can best address this with recruiting. I plan to go in as an officer, so the age limit is higher, and a former AF pilot friend of mine tells me that there are still waivers and whatnot for special skills such as mine. I still want to maximize my chances should I decide this is what I want to do. I know I can handle the physical demands, and my life experience will make the mental demands much easier to keep in perspective, but I have to convince the AF of this.
I know there are those among my fellow Freepers that can help. Thanks.
1) Will Obama ruin the military that badly, that I wouldn't want to be in the service despite Gates as SecDef
2) How do I address the age issue to the satisfaction of the service? I am only 2 years past the cutoff (and the AF allows people as old as 42 for healthcare jobs, and I'm under that).
Do you still have an active clearance? Have you looked into the DoD contracting world? There is all kinds of companies that are constantly looking for folks. You have an MS in IA so that puts you a step above most hires. Do you have a CISSP or any other certs?
I can only address your question #1 - I suspect that Barama will affect the AF and the Marines less than the Navy and Army. I would not recommend the latter two right now, but i would think the AF will be OK.
I have a CISSP, An MCSE with a specialization in Security, a CCNA. I used to have a secret clearance, and had a civilian clearance for a recent project with the Dept. of Education, but that kind of clearance ends once the project is done, so no, I don’t still have an active clearance. Also, most of the civilian jobs don’t have the perqs that the mil job has. If I do the mil route, I can keep my house in TX, but if I go the civ contract route, I have to move, and the mil job is a lot more stable.
In regards to Q2, everything is waiverable.
Sure everything is waiverable, but how likely is it?
How old are you, if you don’t mind me asking?
I’m 37
First, if you join the military you must follow the orders of the C-in-C, who, like it or not, is Obama. Going in with the thought that Obama will “ruin” the military conveys a very low opinion about the institution you wish to join and it’s ability to withstand whatever ruinous things might happen.
I also find it hard to fathom that you can’t find a job in the civilian sector, especially with a Fed contractor. Even the stimulus bill contains cyber security elements. Also, NSA and HSA are hiring people in this field. Where do you live? That might be the problem.
As for not fitting into the corporate world, I think that would be a bad indicator of how you would fit into the Air Force or other branch, especially as an officer. What about the corporate world is the problem.
I guess it would depend on the need of the Air Force. We need nurses more than anything right now.
You can never depend on any administration or SOD. The congress is notoriously fickle. Your field however has good prospects for long term priority.
I was an aircraft maintenance officer hence the handle. Good luck.
2) I recently received information that the AF is seeking retired O-5 and below rated officers to return to duty, if they are under age 60. This does not affect you, per se, but it may indicate a trend. Go aggressively after the waiver if you need one. Prior service may help, and could be a plus for you in obtaining waivers. But that's only my guess.
First, it’s not that I’m going into this thinking that Obama will definitely ruin the military. Just that recent Dem presidents have historically had a deleterious effect on the military, and that has in turn had an impact on military morale.
Second, right now the IT/Security field is pretty tight. I know I can find a job, but most are contracts, not full-time, and moving out of state for a contract is an iffy proposition at best. I live in TX right now. I’ve looked at the gov agencies, but I am not that big on moving to DC.
Lastly, I don’t fit into the corporate world for the very reason that I will fit into the military world. I just prefer a world where goals are more clearly defined, not to mention where said goals are more predictable. I still think in military patterns. Also, with very few exceptions, I have not worked with former military often, and it can be difficult to match my experiences and thought patterns with those who have never “been there”.
2- Not sure about Air Force, but Army calculates your age by subtracting years of prior service. USAF probably does the same thing.
You'd go in as an Officer with a desk job, make great pay and have great benefits... I'd highly recommend it.
I served 12 years in USAF. I think you'll like it. I tried to get back in a few times but they have changed the rules about diabetes. I'd have to work myself off meds and I don't think I can at this point.
Well, the important question here is, how do I get rid of this damn Netflix ad that keeps popping up in Firefox?
I’m assuming you have the Firefox pop-up blocker plugin added?
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