I’m at a crossroads

[Wake27]

You know....

it seems like money isnt your motivator. I say go for it. All of it.

You might just make it.

Agreed, I'm jealous that I can't say the same. I get your mom worrying about you, but if you don't have a wife and kids (+ dogs) to worry about, might as well do what you want.

[thepatriot2705]

You know....

it seems like money isnt your motivator. I say go for it. All of it.

You might just make it.

It’s kinda of ironic. Money was my primary motivator for the longest time. I’ve come to realize that, given my competitive nature, I will never be happy and it will be a fruitless pursuit. There is more to life than just money. I’ve dreamt of flying for the longest time and have always felt a sense of duty and honor. There have been times that I haves screwed up and stained my honor as a human being. But I look back at all the negatives in my life and realize that I have never given up and always try to make myself better. Even when things hurt, I push forward. I ran a full 26.2 mile marathon last year with two bad IT bands and several other injuries. Regardless of my decision, I have even more respect for our service men and women, especially spec ops. The training and selflessness they exhibit is nothing short of superhuman.

[thepatriot2705]

Agreed, I'm jealous that I can't say the same. I get your mom worrying about you, but if you don't have a wife and kids (+ dogs) to worry about, might as well do what you want.

I do have one cat (I swear he is part dog with how much he loves me....yes I know, I have a cat that’s not an asshole��)

[pinzgauer]

I have a view into multiple kids heading down that path each year. Some thoughts:

- General consensus is you'll get fit (and have time to get fitter ) in basic if you head the Army route. And depending on your contract, airborne and other following schools will give you more time and fitness prep.

- PJ is a tough path... Friend's son was close to making it, swam like a fish. But would pass out holding his breath. Gotta be careful with your contract, wash out and they put you where they want in some cases.

- may want to look at an option 40 army contract. Friend's son is at the tail end of RASP. Still hard path, but less swimming dependence.

[NWPilgrim]

If you like flying and adventure then I would recommend pursuing that route. There is an all around shortage of pilots and projected to get much worse in the next ten years. The aviation industry is very professional but also relaxed attitudes and friendly networking. You can go rotary or jet fixed wing, cargo and hauling, wildfire fighting, police, trainer, corporate charters, personal VIP, regional or international airline.

Not having been in the military but seen many family members serve I would NOT recommend it unless you are willing to serve no matter the job or where. It seems 90% boring, slogging and getting treated poorly, but chance of getting killed too. Are you willing to serve no matter who may be President, no matter how screwed up civilian leadership and military top brass are? No matter what job or location in the US or world? No matter whether “the people” appreciate your service or despise it? Basically are you willing to serve under the military’s terms and not yours? Millions have and there seems to be a unique camaraderie rarely found in civilian jobs. Try for what you want but be willing to live with what you get. All the more respect due to our service members!

The Air Force is hurting for pilots and although military flying does not translate directly to civilian flight jobs, it sure in hell doesn’t hurt to have any type of military flight experience.

[Det-Sog]

Airline pilot here checking in... Well... Do SOMETING then. Maybe not flying, but something.

I got out of the Army and became a LEO. I loved it, but after 2-3 short years, realized that I did not want to be chasing hood rats when I would be in my 50s-60s. I always wanted to be a pilot. Since I came out of a trailer park in Texas, I had not been to college. So...

I started working all of the extra shifts and moonlight jobs that I could pull off to pay for flight ratings and flight time. I went ONE YEAR without a single day off at one point. I continued the LEO path also in case the flying did not work out. I took two years off from the flying because I met the wrong woman. Yeah, I know... I made Detective at the age of 28 and got my commercial pilots license three years later. I built as much time up as I could and started tossing resume's out everywhere. I landed a corporate turboprop job, which turned out to be a Lear-Jet operation. I then got picked up by a regional airline two years later. I kept my reserve commission as a LEO current for another 16 years while flying. Fast tracking... I'm now a wide-body trans-pac pilot for a major US airline. Point??? If I can do it... ANYONE can.

<--- Yes, I STILL miss being a LEO from time to time, but I'm glad I made the move. WARNING, if you go the pilot route, you will miss A LOT of time with your family. There will be times when you come home and your cat will wonder who you are. If it's not an a-hole now, it will be. Same for your kids... You will miss many B-days and holidays. The grass is always greener. Choose wisely. I WISH I could have gone the corporate MBA route as my wife did, but I can NOT sit in an office all day. I am an "in the field" kind of guy.

https://youtu.be/rNxz2hhSXuY

[Achilles11B]

Do it.

I’m 36 years old, ex-Army, current EMT. I currently have an application in for St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, because I don’t want to be thinking how I would’ve been a good cop after it’s too late for me to do anything. It’s not too late for you, either. Go talk to a recruiter.

[CPM]

If you wait until you’re ready, you’ll never go.

[NWPilgrim]

If you wait until you’re ready, you’ll never go.

That is so true of all things in life worth pursuing: having a family, buying a first house, switching careers, asking a girl out, etc. It is good to be deliberate and prepared and not act recklessly. But, many times we have to act on instinct rather than have all the answers mapped out or else the window of opportunity passes.

You already have a good career you can fall back on if a career change does not work out as you hoped. If you are willing to accept whatever bad is involved for the chance of the adventure and fulfillment, then go for whatever inspires you. We can never anticipate all the future branches or paths an initial endeavor leads to, usually much better than could be planned. But if we don’t take that first risky step, none of it will unfold.

[elephant]

My ideal roles are either a pilot or Pararescue. Pararescue’s motto “so that others may live” rings deeply with me.

I’ve always been one to stick my neck out for others and put myself in somewhat dangerous situations. (I’ve helped over 5 dozen people change tires on the side of the highway over the past 8 years. Intervened on the behalf of 4 girls in college when a random car started harassing them at 3 in the morning...story for a different day).
Long story short, I think I would exemplify that motto.

Helping people on the side of the road and rescuing SEALS behind enemy lines is a completely different ballgame.

My hang ups right now are
This country is tearing itself apart.Why defend the country and constitution from foreign enemies when our own people are going after various amendments, trying to abolish the electoral college, etc.

Because you get better parking at Lowes, Home Depot, WalMart and even a discount at various retail places for being active duty or veteran.

I don’t even know what to ask directly. I’m completely lost in life as I’m well educated and still have multiple options I can pursue.
1) could go back to business school and get a second MBA which might land me on my dream corporate gig
2) join the military in some capacity
3) settle with my situation and live a middle class life (I’ve never been one to settle and always push myself.)

1. An MBA might get you hired over a non MBA candidate, but not always for more money!

2. NO!

3. That's the same as going home with the fat girl after prom!

What makes you happy? What are the things that interest you? I struggled for years trying to find that "thing" thing that brought a sense of purpose and joy in my life. Being a Pararescue sounds sexy, so does the idea of flying a F-15E.

My advice, if you want to get into the corporate world, then harness your business skills to a niche area. Like helping companies grow or expand or helping them with strategic procurement an sourcing programs, build financial models for future growth and long term operational risk management, financial forecasting etc.,. That is what a lot of small - medium companies need is expertise in critical areas, especially a company that wants to grow. An MBA is not a specialty. Or you could specialize in being a interim manager that works with capitalizing a business or even winding down a business. By the way, the guys who are hired to wind down a business and restructure that business to sell, usually make around $15-20k/week. But you need to find a niche!