How to Compare Military to Civilian Employment

So you've reached a point in your military career where you are considering forfeiting reenlistment or accepting another commission. You might be wondering: is the grass really greener on the other side, or should I re-up and keep wearing the uniform? There are many things to consider if you have an opportunity become a civilian without retirement, especially when it comes to employment. It goes beyond the paycheck. This article will show you what you should explore when comparing civilian to military employment. Just grab a calculator and a spreadsheet to really crunch the numbers.

Things You'll Need

• internet access
• calculator
• spreadsheet program
• military facts and benefits statement sheet

Instructions

How To Compare Military to Civilian Employment

1. Examine your actual job satisfaction. Are you not satisfied with your job, or is it your boss? Are the deployments getting too long for you, or are you not deploying enough? Is it the military lifestyle or do you miss not putting on a uniform? In the civilian world you will still take orders and your uniform may be a suit instead of fatigues. And if you take a salary you may work some long hours anyway. And bad bosses can be found in all walks of life. Figure out what is truly driving you towards getting out of the military.

2. Compare your true military paycheck to your current civilian job equivalent. Be sure to include any money you receive for housing allowance and meal allowance. Remember that those allowances are tax-free. For example, if you live on base or post and make $3,000 a month as a commander's clerk and your civilian equivalent (CEO secretary) makes $6,000 a month you may see it as twice your pay. But if you factor in what you would get living off base tax free, the differences can become marginal.

3. Compare the cost of health care. Company X may offer you one heckuva paycheck for doing the same job you do with less stress, but the health care costs in Company X's plan may make you want to work overtime when compared to the military health care plan. If you or your family are generally healthy and have no serious conditions, this may work to your benefit. If not, you might want to consider the long-term benefit of a basically free health care plan that will be there when you retire from the military.

4. Compare the daily living expenses. If you live on post or on base, you basically have no commute which equals more gas in your tank. You can shop in the commissary which is tax free and only charges 5% overhead on top of your bill. You are encouraged to take classes on base, on line and even on company time at little or no cost, often getting college credit just from going to work. Weigh those against what working for Company X will get you.

5. Compare progression in responsibility. The good thing about the military is that there is always a chance to move up in the level of responsibility and paycheck you receive. The bad thing is that sometimes the people that make rank have no real idea how to lead but they study well and shine some really nice boots. The same can be said in the civilian world, but not to the same extent. You are expected to make rank in the military; in the civilian world, you are expected to work. Compare what leadership paths you want to take for yourself.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk to those who have recently made the transition. Although every experience is different, their experiences can give you some insight as to what can or cannot happen.

• Attend military transition courses on base. They usually have great professional guest speakers that offer wonderful tips on employment.