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Army OCS is more difficult to get into these days as well. You need to take the ASVAB as well for Army OCS. You have to attend basic training with everyone else and if you make it through basic, you go to OCS. You're not even guaranteed a shot at OCS once you get there. You have to make the PT cutoff score in order to be admitted into an OCS class, the score varies but I've been hearing that it's been 320+ out of a 300 scale so you need to be in good shape.
Some people have the belief that you can't translate military experience into a civilian resume but I disagree. While you do learn specific skills sets in the military, I think the more important things you learn are things such as discipline, planning, self management, people management, supervision, follow through, attention to detail, etc. Those are the things that you can apply not only to a civilian job but also to your personal life.
I believe everyone entering military has to take the ASVAB tests. But the qualification scores will normally vary for each service and for each job. The ASVAB web site is here: Official Site of the ASVAB Testing Program
Last edited by Poncho_NM; 10-27-2012 at 06:24 PM..
all the certifications and classes you take in the military, are they useful in civilian careers or would all that be wasted once you get out?
Some are wasted. I have heard that, for example, an Army medic with extensive experience would need to start over as a civilian paramedic or nursing student. I believe there is talk of changing some laws about this.
On the other hand, ex military does get extra points in any civil service job. If I were an employer, I would certainly love to get mechanics or technicions with training in the military. I guess it just depends.
I have heard that, for example, an Army medic with extensive experience would need to start over as a civilian paramedic or nursing student.
You may have heard incorrectly, I know two Army 68w's who are currently an EMT and EMT/Firefighter. "MOS 68w, Health Care Specialist, Soldiers must reregister with the National Registry (NREMT) every 2 years to maintain their 68w MOS qualification. Maintaining NREMT registration is a requirement to hold the 68w MOS and ensures our medics continue to meet the highest of national standards certification."
Some are wasted. I have heard that, for example, an Army medic with extensive experience would need to start over as a civilian paramedic or nursing student. I believe there is talk of changing some laws about this.
On the other hand, ex military does get extra points in any civil service job. If I were an employer, I would certainly love to get mechanics or technicions with training in the military. I guess it just depends.
this was mentioned by the President int he debates but is not accurate. At least in a sense. There are programs you have to register for and things and individual has to do to get it to carry over. A lot of people don't do the diligence while they're in and then try to convert their training once their out or almost out and find out it's too late
Army trained Medics, do better, by also taking classes for a BSN from Excelsior, an online college, that will help you with transferring military knowledge, to medical certifcations for transition out of the military, into civilian life.
My son is in the Army, he works with contractors on engine repair and maintence of specialized military equipment. He has been given business cards from several private agencies, telling him to give them a call when he leaves the military.
ok back to what submariner on the first page said:
so the different certifications you need to advance in rank and pay or move to another position, are they likely to be things you can put on a civilian resume and be transferable in a related civilian field or do most civilian employers ignore military certifications as not relevant?
It depends a lot on exactly what the cert is, and who awarded the cert.
For example, during my career, I did two tours of shore-duty. For both of them I had option of choosing jobs that would need schooling. Most in my career field select to be instructors. I chose Law Enforcement. So I was sent to the Air Force Police Officer school. I later learned that the DOL recognizes that as a fully accredited Police Academy. The DOL also offers a Journeyman program. I was told that as a Federal program, local PDs would all recognize the credential. I applied and over the course of working Law Enforcement I had to track how many hours I performed in various duties. I had to document working so many thousands of man-hours in each of 20 different categories of Law Enforcement duties. In my career, I did 2 shore-duty tours, both were Law Enforcement, for a total of 6 years in that career field. I was able to fulfill the requirements of the DOL to be awarded their Journeyman status as a Police Officer.
When I retired, I approached a few PDs. In each case, I was simply a guy on the sidewalk. Even though they had openings, I would have to apply when they announced it, and compete with a thousand other applicants. Then if selected, go through their Police Academy and begin at the bottom. Regardless of my DOL credentials and 6-years of experience on the job.
Obviously there are PDs who do hire vets. However I was disappointed that my DOL Journeyman card held no value.
I think it depends a lot on what field your looking at, and who it is that gives the certification.
I believe everyone entering military has to take the ASVAB tests. But the qualification scores will normally vary for each service and for each job. The ASVAB web site is here: Official Site of the ASVAB Testing Program
Navy Officers do not take the ASVAB. Navy Officer candidates take a test called the OAR (or ASTB) and it's a much harder test.
As you have a degree, make sure you talk to an officer recruiter for each branch first or at least before you sign anything to enlist. I know with the Marines it's mandated that everyone with a degree or enrolled in college is screened by the officer selection team, but am not sure if it's that way with every branch. Don't listen to any hogwash anyone might tell you'll make a better officer and get more respect from enlisted if you are enlisted first. You'll get respect by taking care of your troops and listening to your NCOs.
Army trained Medics, do better, by also taking classes for a BSN from Excelsior, an online college, that will help you with transferring military knowledge, to medical certifcations for transition out of the military, into civilian life.
My son is in the Army, he works with contractors on engine repair and maintence of specialized military equipment. He has been given business cards from several private agencies, telling him to give them a call when he leaves the military.
A bit of correction--Excelsior isn't exactly an online college. It's really a "regular" college that has no residency requirements. They prepare a degree program and identify the courses you must take...but you can take those courses anywhere, with the college's approval. It's ideal for the military person who prefers to take classroom courses, but never stays anywhere long enough to fulfill residency requirements.
This does mean, though, that they accept some military technical training as regular lower-level coursework.
Last edited by Ralph_Kirk; 12-10-2013 at 07:15 AM..
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