to all current or former spec ops guys

[Plato]

Is there any way to find out what what kind of job opportunities, living conditions await special operations
people after they leave service? I am a young man considering a career in this, and am college educated.
My father is a type of guy that believes that special operations guys are freaks who can't adjust to society once they leave the
service, so I'd like to be able to prove him wrong. Do you find that guys in the Teams or Special Forces get "labeled" in this manner by employers or have trouble adjusting to civilian life once their time is up? Since I don't know anyone in the teams or anything,
I thought this was the best place to ask.

Thanks to all who reply.

[pid10771]

Most Specop people i know have major hook-ups with federal law enforcement agencies(DEA, FBI, ATF) and pretty much every law enforcement agency look for people in our field. but i f your not into being a police officer there are a world of things maybe something to do with your specific rate in the NAVY . SPECWAR is not just get in shoot and go there are so much involved intel,comms, planing,briefing the list could go on forever and if thats not upper level management i don't know what is.

[alohanick]

Hey partner, never fear! First of all, understand that you have to do what YOU want to do. I can tell you that what I have found is that operators from the Spec-ops community are highly motivated and tend to accomplish and be anything that put their minds to. I myself have had a BLAST! My father was a "Plank Owner" in Seal Team 2. I, wanting to have an adventure decided to go Army and became a Ranger (2nd Ranger Bn) I got out and became a Seattle Firefighter. I am now going to take a Leave of absence for 4 years and be a PJ. Why, cause I can! Dont ever look back and say, "you coulda'" or, "I was gonna". Spec-ops folks tend to be attracted to jobs that are different and not behind a desk. As previously stated, Public safety, and civil service type jobs have always been big for outgoing operators. Once you are inside the community, you get all the gossip, and get to talk to all the recruiters. Do right and fear not... Good Luck

[Jack Ryan]

I am not sure if you are into the investment field or not, but there was a study done on Military personnel in high risk occupation compared to that of traders on Wall St. The study showed that these prior service guys did very well. They were able to stay focused, stay cool calm and collective, and make good decisions under extreme market pressure. They had the right mind set that kept them from panicing and doing what needed to be done. I think coming from Spec Ops will open a lot of doors for employment in many different areas.

[This message has been edited by Jack Ryan (edited 11-18-1999).]

[mb]

It's not a "career" if you are getting in to get out and pursue something else.

[Plato]

To HB:

Listen I know it is not a lifelong thing so my bad if I called it a "career", or whatever your point was. I am just trying to find out some info and make a smart decision about it, so please spair me your sarcasm and answer the question. If not, don't even bother posting. Sorry to vent on you but it annoys me how many people are out there to try to downtalk wannabes like myself especially if they are serious about getting a chance to join the Teams. To all who have already replied: Thank you for offering your insight and not trying to rain on someone's parade.

[Ted]

Your father is wrong about special operations. My old roomate from 1st Ranger Bn is now in his 3rd year of law school and I am currently in my 1st year of medical school. The military special operations field will mentally and physically discipline you to the point that anything in civilian life is easy, especially college.

[mb]

Mr. Plato,

Did I hurt your feelings? That was not my intention.

Yes, I was being sarcastic, but the point I made was very valid.

Going into this, you had better understand your motivations, how deep they run, how much you are willing to sacrifice. That's being smart. If you don't have the proper motivation and you're not willing to sacrifice everything, you will find yourself washing out. Nobody wants that.

I know that posts are sometimes misinterpreted, so I will not judge you. You very well may have what it takes. It is certainly not for me to decide in any case.

I'm going to let you in on a little secret. The key to being successful is being confident and motivated. It doesn't matter what the game is- dating, moving up the corporate ladder, school, being a good spouse or parent, making it through BUD/S. If you have those two things in abundance, you can do whatever you want.

You don't even have to worry about what you can do when you get out because you know beyond any doubt that you can accomplish anything.

That is the greatest gift given by Naval Special Warfare and other SpecOps programs. They take guys who are already confident and motivated, and make them even more so.

Not to mention that the individuals I have had the pleasure of working with are some of the most understanding, level-headed, patient, generous people on the face of the earth. Your father's image certainly does not accurately describe the typical SEAL.

Hope this helps a little more.

mb

ps. Try not to let the little things rattle you.

[Plato]

MB-

Thanks for the words of wisdom. I did not mean to come across like I did, so I'm sorry. It just seems that a lot of young guys who come across this message board and say they want to be in the Teams etc are put under a lot of scrutiny because they may seem like they just want to have cool gear or get to blow stuff up. That is not my intention and I think not only is it kind of immature but I also think that people doing it for that reason will probably not make it. The reason I want to do it is for the personal challenge. I don't think many people I know would question my motivation, perseverance, or dedication, from any standpoint. Being a soldier has been a lifelong ambition for me, and I want to make that come true for myself. For better or worse, but hopefully I can say I tried. I don't want it to be a "could'a should'a would'a" thing. So I guess now is the time to go for it. Maybe it might mean estranging myself from my old man, but I guess I gotta do what I gotta do. I'm just trying to be smart about it that's all and look at it from all sides. So I guess that's my motivation.