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Definitely start applying to a utility. REA ' S (Rural Electrification Associations). At REA 's management retire late in life. Guaranteed rate of return is part of their mission, not profit struggle in the quarter your in. REA' s are mostly union shops and have a smart workforce.
Alfred, I think that Patrick is correct that you should start by determining what you are passionate about and considering what aspects of your military career you found most rewarding and were good at. I left the Army in 2005, worked for a Fortune 50 company in logistics and was not satisfied, and then came to a natural gas utility company in 2007. I have found that working for a utility company is a perfect fit for a former Army officer because the organizational structure is so similar to the military and the mission is to serve and protect the public. I am now an operations manager and the job is very similar to being a company commander. Plus, the company is tightly integrated with the community so I get satisfaction from serving, just as I did in the military. Since I came into this job, I have hired 3 former JMO's as front line supervisors and each has found the job challenging, rewarding, and a good transition from the military.
I am sure there are many other careers that will also be a good fit for someone with your skill set. The key is that you need to find a position that allows you to leverage the leadership skills you have acquired during your military career and capitalize on the passion you have for service to your community and others.
Good luck to you.
Alfred, thank you for your service. This is a great time to self-assess your strengths, interests, aptitudes and passions. My April 2013 posting “What are best tools for veterans to self-assess their aptitude, capabilities, and interests?” contained a number of free/low cost tools for that purpose and others have expanded that list.
Good luck and best wishes, Bill Nobles
It depends where your passions lay.
I would highly recommend a career as an insurance agent. While there is a sales component, as an agency owner your actually a small business owner.
You will lead a team, drive results, and also push customer service.
Insurance takes discipline with working a business plan and setting goals/standards for operation.
It's an industry build on advising people on how to best protect themselves and their financial state from unforeseen incidents.
You can also work for a direct carrier as a W2 employee vs a 1099. With a w2 the initial business owner stress is reduced since you have benefits typically and support teams are paid for by the direct company.
I've seen military folks do very well based on goal setting and discipline.
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