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I am new to breaktime so please bear with me. I am in the military and have 3 years left. I have a fairly broad construction background from working before I joined the service and have did numerous home improvement projects for myself and others. I would like any advice and/or comments as what I can do now to prepare myself to reenter the construction trades and eventually become a general contractor. (i.e. books, courses, junior college, put a gun to my head?) Any ideas would be helpful.
Thanks MB
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Dear MB
Let's take an inventory here, you want to leave a job that gives you a regular paycheck, has full medical, full dental, a pension plan.....what did you want to know again?
Gabe
*Stick around for the 30 years and collect your 75% pension. Think officer school.Hoorah!Pete Draganic
**Wherever you're based they should offer either on or off-base night school classes. Consider getting into Biz 101 or some other basic class that may give you a few insights toward eventually running your own show. Also, any design classes, drawing classes, etc, may be of help.*Go to the base "whatever the office is named" to find out what classes are offered and see if there are any arrangements with a local University. Often times classes are also offered through the local high school as continuing education for adults. Fees are low, take advantage while you can still get a military discount and still have a paycheck. * If you're stateside (more difficult overseas), get back into the trades by volunteering with your local Habitat for Humanity chapter. You'll get to do a variety of tasks, and just as important, most sites are run by "real" contractors or "real" subs. If they're doing HFH work they can't be total toads, they may be good contacts for additional experience either through employment or picking their brains.*Know anyone that works in CE where you're stationed? You may be able to do a litle two week shuffle and work for them, depends on your position/training, etc. A long shot, but what the heck.*With three years to go, you'll probably not be transferred again. Take advantage of that by getting odd jobs NOW, developing contacts NOW, do what you can to get your name known so when you do separate you won't be starting your business cold turkey.*Every time you go TDY, stash a few extra MRE's in your duffle bag to bring home. They'll feed you in the lean times.*Learn to post your question just once. *If you're unfortunate enought to be a Marine, try to get someone to read and explain our posts to you. good luck
*Skip the practical knowledge, I've taken many a job I had no idea how I would finish, I did and they were fine or better. Worry about running a business. It isn't glamorous, and it doesn't make money necessarilly, but it really is what to worry about. You either have skills or are handy and can learn them, but skills or subs, business is KING.
*JD gives good advice here. I've seen many a talented carpenter who isn't making money because he doesn't have a lot of business skills. (The same thing applies to farming) I think you'll gain the most from focusing your effortsin that direction. When I was in the army, there was a college of some sort operating near just about every base. You could take classes at night realitively cheap. (The army picked up 75% of the tab then) That might get you started with some business classes.
*Buy tools.
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I am new to breaktime so please bear with me. I am in the military and have 3 years left. I have a fairly broad construction background from working before I joined the service and have did numerous home improvement projects for myself and others. I would like any advice and/or comments as what I can do now to prepare myself to reenter the construction trades and eventually become a general contractor. (i.e. books, courses, junior college, put a gun to my head?) Any ideas would be helpful.
Thanks MB