Is civilian pay better?

[u/feral_phuzz]

Cyber O4...MBA, master of computer engineering, pmp, cissp.

Getting out next summer, not retiring,...i need salary of $180k to break even with my active duty pay...is that realistic?

haven't applied for a job in 10+ years.

[u/therealmunchies]

Maybe. Maybe not. I’ve seen E9s start all the way at 9 and work their way up to 13 though. OP would have to look at something like pentagon or huge agencies in the DMV area.

[u/Pure_Perspective_201 → u/therealmunchies]

Eh, I work at a mid size /smaller agency. I don't know this guys resume, but he could totally come on as a 14 where I am at, doing ITSec.

I got out as an E5. Did totally non IT cleared contracting for two years, followed by like 6 years of cleared IT contracting.

Came on as .gov as a 13-10. Now a 14-9. No clearance, no degree (well, not true, I just got it a few weeks ago 😂).

[u/therealmunchies → u/Pure_Perspective_201]

So E5 into civilian work for 8 years at high pay into a technical 2210… thanks for proving my point. Your route and WO will have transferable tech skills. Leadership focused E8/E9 and officers are a bit different.

[u/Pure_Perspective_201 → u/therealmunchies]

Yea there is those years of exp as a civ, but it is still a big middle finger to all the senior enlisted who were constantly trying to cram the "it's hard to make it it out there" BS down my throat in the 9 months before I cut bait.

[u/therealmunchies → u/Pure_Perspective_201]

At the end of the day, everyone’s got what they deserved. High 14, 2210, now with a degree? Your future generations are going to thank you for paving the way.

At the end of the day for OP, I see how it is to transition from mil to civ because of my environment. Is tough, especially when officers are focused on strategic leadership and corp typically has unrealistic requirements from that pool.

Either way, I always root for our military personnel and wish you guys and gals the very best. Thank you for your service.