Terminal Lance #494 “Occupational Specialty”

For some reason I always felt like I was the only person that didn’t have some obscure friend back home that was going to hook me up with an even more obscure job once I got out of the Corps. It seemed like everyone I talked to had some kind of ridiculous hook up that involved the most random job I’ve never even heard of making an obscene amount of money by the hour in a field that shouldn’t even exist.

Yet, every Marine I knew had a buddy back home that not only did this for a living, he had a high-wage job waiting for the Marine as soon as he got his DD-214.

Me? Well I went to college on the GI Bill, and I encourage everyone else to do the same.

Transitioning out of the military is hard enough, especially when you realize that you’re suddenly responsible for all of your own bills plus food and shelter. Aside from this, simply adjusting to civilian life takes time. College is arguably the best place for a newly separated warfighter to take it all in. If you’re on the fence, think of it this way:

The government is basically paying you to sit in a classroom all day and flirt with hot college girls (or guys) . College is especially easy for prior enlisted Marines, because all you really have to do is what you’re told. Show up to class on time and finish your homework, all while collecting that sweet E-5 with Dependents BAH money from the VA.

Unless of course, you have a buddy back home with a better option for you.

On an unrelated note, a new episode of After Action is up for the listening! This week we have special guest Jack Mandaville giving his thoughts on NFL players kneeling during the national anthem. As a veteran. Check it out here.