Retiring military - what the heck am I qualified to do?

[DaveD]

I'm retiring next year after 20 years as an Air Force Security Specialist, working primarily nuclear security. I'm interested in electronic security surveillance. I'd like to get involved in consulting or managing a consulting team, but most of my experience is physical security. I've worked with a half dozen CCTV/alarm systems, but I don't have a lot of in-depth technical or systems deployment knowledge.

Any guidance/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have a B.S. in Communications, an Associates in Criminal Justice, Secret clearance and I'm working on my A+ computer certification.

Thanks!

[SgtUSMC8541]

Not knowing your neck of the woods, I can only comment on what I would do in my area. Not having time to Google it, do you have any Nuke plants in your area? Either check with the security company that provides their service or perhaps the company that does consulting in that area for them. Next best I would think would be look at any large pharmaceutical companies. They generally have good access control systems with biometrics and CCTV systems. Or with larger financial intuitions. Ie: Hedge fund, bank headquarters, etc.

Good luck.

[jimmyhat]

DaveD, welcome to the show.

Is your Security Clearance still active? If so, your private security options are almost unlimited. I'll send you (Private Message) some good places to start.

Check the back pages in "Air Force Times" You'll find all kinds of job postings.

If you want to stay with Nuke Security, get over to Wachenhut's web/employment sites. If you post a resume, someone will probably call you back before you log-off your computer

[Bill Warnock]

Welcome to the forum. A long time ago I had an AFSC of 81191. My understanding is AFSCs have changed to conform to the other uniformed services.
You will get a pre-retirement series of lectures, employment counseling and/or placement or a chance to work with civilian law enforcement if you so desire. VA officers pre-employtesting and counseling as well.
You are seasoned and therefore an asset to any enforcement or security organization.
Remember you have veteran's preference with the federal government. DoE and NRC look to the military for employment, security background, clearance and a college degree. Good start.
The previous posts offer sage advice.
Enjoy the day,
Bill

[N. A. Corbier]

Lets see...

+5 Vet Pref
+5 Documented Physical Security Experience
+5 Military Law Enforcement Experience
+5 Physically Fit (DoD Standard)

I would hire this person 20 times more than I would hire the average canidate.

[mdb]

DaveD,

Congratualtions on your retirement. I retired from the Army two years ago and found the job hunting process both very challenging and frustrating. I landed a job in Corporate Security after a 22-year law enforcement career.

Take full advantage of the work shops your career transition program offers at your base. If you do not have it; get your bachelors degree. If you do have your degree; great. You will need it for most professional level positions.

The best advice I can offer you is to begin networking now! I do not advocate one approach, but join a professional orgainization such as ASIS. There should be a local chapter where you are stationed or where you plan to relocate too. Get to know the local security job market through those chapter members. Internet job sites like Securityjobs.net are great and have many jobs posted from around the U.S. and abroad.

I think you will find that locating a job vacancy in Security to be challenging. The jobs are there, they are part of the 'hidden job market.' Many of the professional security jobs are filled word of mouth, and you will find very few posted on the big job boards or in local want adds. I hope this helps. Good luck.

[DaveD]

Thanks to everyone!

My gratitude to all of you for making me feel so welcome. We're looking to settle in the Raleigh/Durham area; I found a linked listing to a company called SMC there, although whether they'll have openings when I'm looking to get hired (next May) is anyone's guess. I'm originally from the Oak Ridge area, so of course Wackenhut's there. I'm currently working two part time jobs - one with Best Buy's Geek Squad and the other as night security at a local hotel. Worse comes to worse, I can find work doing something like that until something better comes along.

Thanks again for all the great advice. It's good to be a part of this community.

[DaveD]

Forgot something

Jimmyhat: Yes, my clearance is still active through 2007 for nuclear security and 2012 for everything else.

[N. A. Corbier]

DaveD,

Congratualtions on your retirement. I retired from the Army two years ago and found the job hunting process both very challenging and frustrating. I landed a job in Corporate Security after a 22-year law enforcement career.

Take full advantage of the work shops your career transition program offers at your base. If you do not have it; get your bachelors degree. If you do have your degree; great. You will need it for most professional level positions.

The best advice I can offer you is to begin networking now! I do not advocate one approach, but join a professional orgainization such as ASIS. There should be a local chapter where you are stationed or where you plan to relocate too. Get to know the local security job market through those chapter members. Internet job sites like Securityjobs.net are great and have many jobs posted from around the U.S. and abroad.

I think you will find that locating a job vacancy in Security to be challenging. The jobs are there, they are part of the 'hidden job market.' Many of the professional security jobs are filled word of mouth, and you will find very few posted on the big job boards or in local want adds. I hope this helps. Good luck.

Getting CPP certified through ASIS is also a good professional resume builder, as well. Part of the CPP process, of course, will entail networking with your local ASIS chapter.

[robvancamp]

In this field you are SUPREMELY qualified

My boss is a twenty-five year Army Special Forces veteran (Major). Having spoken to the people that hired him, they couldn't wait to get him on board, and start him off at a supervisory position.Another of my bosses (now retired), whose position I assumed was a 20 year Army vet also.

Most security companies prefer vets to 'off-the-street' types because they are accustom to a chain of command, they are trained to defend themselves and others, and they generally follow orders with little or no supervision.

Just FYI - The Nuclear Regulatory Commision is always looking for security personnel.

[SIW Editor]

a perhaps obvious tip

Our local chapter of ASIS (American Society of Industrial Security) here in Atlanta does fairly regular job postings. I would suggest you become involved in the local chapter. While many of the position listings are "security director" type positions, there may often be "director of surveillance" or "access control administrator" type positions. Like another forum user indicated, these jobs aren't exactly publically posted.

Also check the "careers" link at the top of this page for our listings (a partnership with CareerBuilder.com).

Good luck out there,

Geoff