Working on Military Bases After Service

After serving in the military, what are the job opportunities like for veterans on military bases? Are these jobs different or similar to what you might do while on active duty? Any insights would be helpful!

Military bases indeed offer a variety of job opportunities tailored to veterans' past experiences and skills. When you transition from active duty to civilian status, you'll find that jobs on military bases often align with the work you might have performed while serving, but they may also offer new roles geared more towards the operational and administrative support side of the military.

One of the key advantages for veterans seeking employment on a military base is that your military background enables you to understand the culture, language, and needs of the military. This can be helpful for roles in areas such as operations, training, logistics, and security, where your familiarity with military procedures can make a real difference.

You might find jobs in departments such as Housing, Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR), or logistics where your prior military experience can be helpful. For instance, a logistics role may make use of skills and knowledge developed during military service in overseeing the distribution of supplies and materials.

Roles in facilities like on-base schools or hospitals are also options. Depending on the base, these departments might need counselors with military experience, rehabilitation therapists, school teachers, or medical personnel.

Keep in mind that not all roles are military-related - military bases are like small cities in many ways. They need employees for a variety of tasks including social work, finance, human resources, and even gardening or custodial work.

A military base also offers preferential hiring for veterans, giving former service members an edge in the job application process. The specifics may vary from base to base, but generally, the military values the skills and experience that former military personnel can bring to these roles.

Remember that career opportunities on military bases aren't limited to those who've served—you might also find civilian (non-veteran) workers pursuing these paths. However, veterans tend to be highly regarded applicants for these positions given their expert knowledge and unique skills developed while serving.