I need a new job. Who is hiring?

[Inked_Ghandi]

So I was sitting here today making a wish list of parts I want/need for my charger and I thought, "Man I really wish I made more that $20k a year."  So I need a new job. Fucking military doesn't pay enough. How have all you guys been so successful in your lives that you can rebuild cars and buy project cars all the time. I would just like some advice. And a job 

[68coronetGLwannabe]

I was never able to do it until I started my own Business. Drove truck for 15 years for other people, been doing it on my own now for 11 yrs.
Thank you for your Service 

[b5blue]

Go to USAGOV.JOBS and start looking! The VHA is seeking to hire veterans. 

[Inked_Ghandi]

Sadly enough i have two years left. Then I wanted to become a cop for San antonio. But a lot can change in two years

[twodko]

Most folks don't have the scratch to afford this hobby until later in life......I'd say after 45. By this time most are well established in their career or business. I've always loved muscle cars but didn't have the discretionary money to buy a car until I hit 50.

[Budnicks]

Unfortunately most or allot of the guys/gals that are into the hobby are either empty nesters, baby boomers or have good paying vocations, that have more disposable income than $20k a year, I own my house outright & have very few bills, I pay off my credit cards monthly or bimonthly at the most, if I don't have the cash to do what I need, I don't buy...  I got into the hobby when cars were $500 all day long, but it was still tough on  a young person.... Thanks for your service to our fine country, you will reap the benefits of your time in service, when your out, be patient, your young still.... Maybe if you have a law enforcement back ground maybe a security position possibly will help for some extra car building cash... Go to school, get an education, especially while you can use the GI benefits, you wont regret it in the future, when your a middle aged old fart like a bunch of us in the hobby are now... Deployments, Marriage & kids will also slow down progress on your cars,life happens...

[Inked_Ghandi]

I better not tell my wife that. If my wife had decided to stay in the military instead of get out and go to college then I might be able to do some work on the car. Man my whole plan for the car is ruined

[Inked_Ghandi]

I would say this deployment helped me buy the car. And I will most likely be back over here in four months so then I could buy new pieces. My plan was to buy a piece every paycheck. Trying to not exceed $200. Or when i get back from my next depkoyment just buy most of everything I need. I'm just going for a driver right now. Nothing fancy.

[Budnicks]

One of my brothers retired from the Navy {20+ years in Subs}, now he's a Stanford Grad. & a Doctor making $300K-$400K a year as a head shrink...

[Budnicks]

Stay safe over there, the car thing will come around sooner or latter, just do what you can when you can, sweat equity is also very important, there is tons of stuff you can do with little to no cash, you have a long life ahead of you to fulfil, your car dreams....

[Budnicks]

I better not tell my wife that. If my wife had decided to stay in the military instead of get out and go to college then I might be able to do some work on the car. Man my whole plan for the car is ruined

Go to school while your active duty if you can, kill two birds with one stone so to speak... It's allot harder to do as you get older trust me... Life happens & gets in the way

[Inked_Ghandi]

To be honest I barely graduated high school. So something tells me I would not be able to make it through college. If i fail a class I have to pay for it and obviously I can't do that.

[Budnicks]

To be honest I barely graduated high school. So something tells me I would not be able to make it through college. If i fail a class I have to pay for it and obviously I can't do that.

It sounds like the military is a good vocation for you then it has great structure built in already....

[Inked_Ghandi]

I keep trying to tell myself the military is the way to go but I feel as though I am lying to myself. That is why I want to get out after my enlistment is over and do my duty elsewhere. I'm hoping to either do swat or go up the chain in the department hoping to be chief or go political and go mayor.

[adauto]

These days a college degree does NOT garantee high income thats for sure. If you have a special skill, buiold on it,  I'd go that route. The 2 major things need to suceed are motovation and common sense. These are traits you are born with, no school teaches this that I'm aware of. I've always loved cars (since I was about 6), my brothers got the gift of BS (yes he's in sales!). We both make very good incomes w/o a degree. My sister has 2 degrees...... so what..  she makes less than half what we do. Just keep in mind this took years and sacrifice to do this.

I appriciate your service  

Best of luck

[Budnicks]

I keep trying to tell myself the military is the way to go but I feel as though I am lying to myself. That is why I want to get out after my enlistment is over and do my duty elsewhere. I'm hoping to either do swat or go up the chain in the department hoping to be chief or go political and go mayor.

Even going into S.W.A.T. or any form of law enforcement, you will still need to go to the academy or have criminal law or some law enforcement schooling back ground, especially in the private sector... I'm not saying you have to be a college grad, but it will help, but just because you get a degree doesn't make you any better of a person, especially if the degree doesn't offer any thing for the employer, it will just allow you a foot in the door, you can't get with out an education, look at how many jobs aren't even available if you don't have a Associate degree at a minimum, I'm not saying you need to be an egg head, vocational schools are also a great idea, especially in nowadays economy were you have to have something more than the other 500 people applying for the same job... Good luck

[Inked_Ghandi]

I knew that I would have to go into the academy for law enforcment. Hell how much harder than basic training can it be? And I have two years before I really have to worry about it. In the air force I have to take a pt test every six months so I need to stay in shape. And for swat I have seven years to get into even better shape. But so much can change in that time so it is kind of why I was asking for advice now. To be better prepared if the future doesn't play out like I hope.

[Budnicks]

Unfortunately for just High School grad or G.E.D equivalent the job market is getting smaller every day construction laborer, retail sales, restaurant service, landscaping or many different skilled trades maybe a possibility... I was a contractor, now I'm a Golf Pro/instructor, the money isn't any were near as good, but allot less hassles now... I went to University of Oregon to play football, I wish I had concentrated on my studies more than football, I was studying architectural engineering & ended up becoming a general contractor instead,  believe me I'm no brainiac either, I liked school for sports & the women, not the books/studies, I still want to, but now many many years latter, I still have never worked a day as a draftsman or architect...   

[Cooter]

To say that you can't afford a hobby on less than $20K/year is BS IMO...I've been doing it for over 15 years. It wasn't until Recently (Within the last year) that I've made more than $25K/year. Learn to do your own work, buy ONLY what you HAVE TO, make the rest, and buy in small increments. DO NOT think your gonna enjoy your ride within the next year or two and your gonna be surprized at what you can get done. If it's instant gratification your after, then unfortunately, you'll be paying for this hot rod the rest of your life paying other people to do things for you.


Thanks for your service...

[no318]

To say that you can't afford a hobby on less than $20K/year is BS IMO...I've been doing it for over 15 years. It wasn't until Recently (Within the last year) that I've made more than $25K/year. Learn to do your own work, buy ONLY what you HAVE TO, make the rest, and buy in small increments. DO NOT think your gonna enjoy your ride within the next year or two and your gonna be surprized at what you can get done. If it's instant gratification your after, then unfortunately, you'll be paying for this hot rod the rest of your life paying other people to do things for you.


Thanks for your service...

WELL SAID!!  Start small and learn as you go.  BUT, KEEP YOUR FAMILY 1st.  That is my advice. 

[Budnicks]

Stay safe over there, the car thing will come around sooner or latter, just do what you can when you can, sweat equity is also very important, there is tons of stuff you can do with little to no cash, you have a long life ahead of you to fulfil, your car dreams....

Guys, that's pretty much what I said earlier, lots of stuff that hard work & very little cash can be done...

[Back N Black]

So I was sitting here today making a wish list of parts I want/need for my charger and I thought, "Man I really wish I made more that $20k a year."   So I need a new job. Fucking military doesn't pay enough. How have all you guys been so successful in your lives that you can rebuild cars and buy project cars all the time. I would just like some advice. And a job  

20K a year! what army?

[NHCharger]

As Cooter said you don't need to be a doctor to afford this hobby. Just don't set your sights on a fully restored 68 Charger R/T if your making 30k a year. I bought my 71 Charger for $1,200.00 in October 95, spent about 2k fixing it up as a decent driver, then enjoyed the hell out of it for ten years before I decided it was time for body work and new paint.
I'm currently working on a 68 Charger R/T clone. If I wasn't doing all the work myself I could never afford it. I'm at the point where I  enjoy working on the cars almost as much as I do driving them.

Thank you for your service to our Country.

[Todd Wilson]

Unfortunately most or allot of the guys/gals that are into the hobby are either empty nesters, baby boomers or have good paying vocations, that have more disposable income than $20k a year, I own my house outright & have very few bills, I pay off my credit cards monthly or bimonthly at the most, if I don't have the cash to do what I need, I don't buy...  I got into the hobby when cars were $500 all day long, but it was still tough on  a young person....

Thats why I am in the hobby bought my 71 in 1987  and the 69 in 2002 when prices were still fairly low.


Todd

[charger_fan_4ever]

So I was sitting here today making a wish list of parts I want/need for my charger and I thought, "Man I really wish I made more that $20k a year."  So I need a new job. Fucking military doesn't pay enough. How have all you guys been so successful in your lives that you can rebuild cars and buy project cars all the time. I would just like some advice. And a job 

20K a year! what army? that's welfare money. 

I'm kind of stunned too. I know a guy that offered to go on a tour in the sands a few months ago. It was going to pay 80k with the first 60k tax free.

[Inked_Ghandi]

Its all branches of the military. I'm an e4 with almost four years of service under my belt and that is all I'm making. And thank you scooter for that bit of hope. I wasn't trying to get instant gratification I was more looking for a project for the years to come. 

[billschroeder5842]

'02....If I were you....

Stay military till you get your 20
Get college degree
Get a job with a defense contractor

You will be set and like the others say it will happin mid 40's. S

[nvrbdn]

you can stay in the service and attend college. take a few needed courses to work toward a degree like say um law enforcement, but also take the auto courses. when i got out of the air force i took classes at a junior college. had a 56 ford truck. when we did electrical the class worked on my truck when we got to engine rebuild class, i did my truck engine see where this is going? at the end of 2 1/2 years my truck was rebuilt and i had an associates degree in auto tech. you will learn and the car will get done

[chargermike]

i made 18 grand the last year i worked for someone. started my own business and now make 4 times that. but it took 5 years to build my car. every spare cent went to building the car.  SELF EMPLOYMENT is the only way. i never want a job again. and its been 17 years. and you dont have to have a collage degree.

[Inked_Ghandi]

I wish I knew a certain skill to be self employed. And I am not big on going to college. I would love to go to school for automotive and I've looked into but then I need to have a job to continue supporting my family. So that is why I want to go into law enforcement. I would get paid about $40k starting.

[AKcharger]

Hi Inked

My advice may seem a little rough around the edges but I assure you it's with the best intentions  :

1st - You don't know how good you have it. Granted, each service & MOS/AFSC can suck, and deployments are hard, but from a pure job stand point the safety, security and cradle-to-grave support you have is unmatched in the world. From excellent healthcare to retirement that you contribute nothing to, to a world-wide recreational support system (Private "military only" resorts in Hawaii, Bavaria, Disney World ect) .  I retired this summer after 27 years in the Air Force and started work in the civilian sector...what an eyeopening experience. Ya' know how people judge job security? when they swipe their ID card the door opens! imagine living where at any moment the door doesn't open and you're unemployed...I know that was an eye opener for me.

2nd - Ya gotta pay your dues no matter where you go/what you do. Nobody walks in the door to ANYTHING brand new and make $100K, it takes time...you're already on the way up the ladder. Even if you did make a a lots to start paying for a family will always take a big chunk out of disposable income. I got my 1st Charger when I was an E-7, the 2nd as an E-8, restored them both and we have a ball with 'em. Bottom line you can't have everything all at once, do what you can with what you got.

3rd You make a LOT more than you think - Why? because you only pay taxes on about half your income (you're only taxed on base pay), you get a tax free allowance for housing AND food. In addition to a myriad of other allowances depending on what ya' do.  Oh, and if you live on base, free electric/water/heat (though you loose BAH). Deployed? then remember Base pay tax free + Family Sep/Hostile fire.

You still with me? good :-) Lets run you're numbers:

E-4 at 3 years is $2157.30 a month
Your married, so here comes the housing $$$ (I used Alamogordo BAH) $918.00
And don't forget food! $346.50

OK, so that's 3421.80 a month or $41,061.60 a year

OK, not done yet...you said you were deployed. So lets figure typical 4 month AEF deployment:
- Add $225 a month hostile fire
- Family separation $100 (but starts after 30 days so just 3 months worth)
- Per Diem $105
- Tax free pay about $345
So add in another $775 a month or $3000 a year. Add that to the above and you're making $44,000 a year...Not too bad for a 22-23 year old guy who walked in to the recruiters off the street with no training at all


I think the issue isn't $$, it's spending. The family support center can help you make a budget (again for free) to cover the bills, keep wife happy AND get you're charger fixed.  If you didn't tune me out by now good work 

CMSgt (ret.) Bill Holm
questions...PM me

[Inked_Ghandi]

Ok put it that way it makes sense. I was going off of what mypay was showing my ytd earnings as. Something somewhere isn't right then. Also maybe I am not seeing most of this money because my wife seems to make it all disappear. Without spending a dime.  And somehow when I am over here with nothing to buy, I spend it all. I do appreciate your input about staying in but it just doesn't seem to be for me. I have heard lots of people say that staying in is the way to go. But I feel that I am being held back from doing something bigger and better while sitting here.

[AKcharger]

Also maybe I am not seeing most of this money because my wife seems to make it all disappear...

I can relate...trust me 

The military isn't the end-all be-all, but unfortunatly way too many people realize the good stuff after it's too late and their out. On the other side of the coin is there is life after the air force. Yes you can do well, and yes you can even (occasionally) make a LOT of $$$. Just do your homework and talk to some people that recently got out to see what they say. Oh, and do not underestimate the impact of INCOME TAX!

Be safe and keep us posted on the car!

"If you aint' ammo....you're waiting on 'em"   

[Inked_Ghandi]

Also my wife is getting out to go to college so she can get a better job. So I think i love my wife more than the military so I am going to get out of this little new Mexico town. Everyone in the military knows Clovis is the end of your career. You aren't going anywhere else after that. I want better for my family. So i guess it comes down to, I need advice on how all you self employed people got started. My wife would like to start her own business and if things don't work out for me, I would also like to do my own thing also.

[twodko]

CMSgt, as I would expect from an E-8, you have brought Derek's very good position to light in no uncertain terms.
Derek you're ONLY 22, give yourself a break. I had a Senior Chief Petty officer as my division chief before I got out. Shooting the breeze one day he told me, "Maintain an even strain, pull your own weight, believe in yourself and go to school when you get out". To say these were sage words is the mother of all understatements. Your future is what you make of it.........yeah I know it's a worn cliche, but true none the less. Take advantage of every educational opportunity the AF offers while you're in, take one JC course (general Ed stuff to get it out of the way) per semester or a weekend class per semester for transfer credits. As a vet you'll only pay resident tuition and the military will pay for books etc. Plus on going education you have initiated looks mighty good when your E5 opportunity rolls around.  You got the world by the ass Airman, don't let go!

CMSgt......permission to secure for the day?

[Inked_Ghandi]

Well if i planned on going back to school it was going to be in Texas. That is where I am still a resident. I guess my problem is I try to have everything planned out with a shaky back up plan. While I may live every day of my life care free I still like to know where my life is headed based on my decisions. Like I mentioned earlier I am also going to get out to give my wife the opportunity she wants/deserves to do something with her life too. And with me staying in the military past my 6 year enlistment won't allow that to happen.

[AKcharger]

CMSgt......permission to secure for the day?

"Carry on" 

Inked, making the wife/family happy is paramount. If your wife is seeking a separate career then staying in might be hard, I've seen the situation play out where wife has one career and hubby has another. Unless wife's career is mobile...it doesn't always end well. If you're intent on punching out, make sure you get as much school as you can in the time left, also credentials. There are MANY fracieses that love the military and you can get a small business loan for part of the cost. Good source is "G.I. Jobs" it's a magazine with lots of good info (I think subscriptions are...you guessed it...Free). If you go that route pick something with little to no employees to keep cost down. A friend (retired MSgt) did that after he got out. bought a "Mr. doughnut" or something to make extra money selling doughnuts at hockey games and events at the stadium here in Anchorage. Well, fast forward 10 years and he has a booth now and sells burritos, clears $250K+ a year and works about 30 days out of the year.

Couple of last thoughts:
- Don't believe that crap about Cannon, I've been hearing that since they had F-111's in the 80's, and plenty of fellow Chiefs were stationed there.
  The base you're at ALWAYS sucks...it's your last base and next base that are always the best 
- The cream ALWAYS rises to the top, do a good job and you'll excel no matter where you are.
- The end game is worth it. I know how you feel: "20 years is so far off, I gotta worry about now" While true, I can not express the freedom I
  have being able to do anything I want now and not worry about how much I make. And if I go to work and my card doesn't open the door, I'd just
  go home and pack for a vacation
- If you're not already, take advantage of the 9/11 G.I. bill, I'm pretty sure it ain't going to be around much longer
- You'll never have time to go to school after work...but make yourself go. You'll never have money left over to save...but make an allotment to a separate account and make yourself save. You want to make do with that small block in your Charger, but you have to make a big block fit! (go 400 stroker)

[Inked_Ghandi]

The car has the 440. I could not get myself to get a small block. Hell I felt I had to settle for an automatic. And thank you for that info about the magazine. I will let my wife know about it so she can get ideas.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Inked - what's your MOS?   

Everything AK said is true - My friend is in 10 years USMC as a E-7 currently on his way to O-1 via Annapolis. (Former Force Recon)
My other friend is E-6 USAF as a TACP (Former CCT)

They have both been approached by PMCs and offered $$$$

Another friend works for a PMC overseas - making $750 a day

It all depends on your skills and military training.       

Stop being so hard on yourself bro - you have your whole life to make and spend money.