I work supply chain for a defense contractor...gotta love budget cuts!

So it’s been awhile since I logged in last, why I stopped on this thread I don’t know. A lot of interesting careers out there. I for one did the follow your dream path, can’t always say that’s a good thing to do either… though I’ve been at it for 32 years now. In the early 70’s did 6 and half in the Navy and picked up some interesting skills. Took an offer from another faction and have playing in this field ever since. When you’re young they stick you in operations if you survive it they figure you’re smart enough to do acceptance testing of new toys. After a while you find you find yourself saying why did they do it like that “that was stupid” Bad move… before you know it you’re working with a D&D team (design & development) after ten or so years of that you find that talking to yourself yields better answers than what you get from management. They call this “Burnout” I call it sucked out. Anyway next you find yourself back out on the road teaching noobies (that’s short for new boobs) how to operate the toys that you helped create without doing themselves in. I’m finding this to be a challenge, sometimes getting a body part mangled can be a good teacher. Especially for the guy standing next to the mangleee… But I have been told by management that corporal training methods are frowned upon. They’re just taking all the fun out of it anymore, 15 months to eligibility we shall see if I can make it…
Who do I work for, good question, the world’s largest non-profit. What do we do, I dunno,(it’s not allowed) but it can be fun from time to time.
:bs:

10mm...when it absolutely has to be dropped!
 

I work on Security Systems at various locations around the state.

I'm an almost retired Health Actuary.

During the workweek, I'm the Department instructor for my PD. On those rare occassions, I work the road as either an FTO or Patrol officer.

During the riding season, on alternating weekends, I'm a RiderCoach for the MSF and HD Rider's Edge.

Underpaid electrician, struggling through life! Haha no seriously.

Paper pusher; lots a paper; and still pushing!

1. Retired US Army
2. Retired LE SWAT CDR (+NRA LE Firearms and Patrol Rifle Instr.)
3. Retired RV Resort Manager
4. Quit retail selling guns when I got my VA Disability
5. Fulltime NETFLIX watcher :) Forgot...Beer tester.

Well for 40 years I was a professional photographer but for the last 20 I have been running a digital color print department for a direct mail outfit.

Electrifying Experience
 

I started out in '86 being an Electrician's apprentice. After my 4 years of apprenticeship was over I got my journeyman's card and started going out on jobs with an apprentice of my own.
I've had some hard times in the past, like in 2001. When we had no work coming in. But this last one. (started in 2006 for us) When I had to make my house payment with a credit card, that's when I had to try something else.
Talking with one of my customers (http://camco.net/) about my situation, they offered me a job. I thought there's no way I could stay in one place and be happy, let alone the fact I would work myself out of a job in a few years.
Never did I think after 6 years I would still have a job and be so happy. Now I have 2 other Electricians working for me as well as overseeing electrical projects in our other plants.
I am truly blessed.

Greg

That's a great story, and I'm real glad that things turned out so well!

Never give up, never surrender!

Thanks for sharing.

Boats

Thanks Boats, I'm happy to share.

But not when it comes to the buckles. Send me a check.:D

Greg

Oops! Writing check now...

Boats

A long career...
 

Hi,

I worked most of my career in computer technology. Now I work in broadcast television as a technician for an affiliate of the PBS Television Network in the USA.

I'm also a NRA Instructor, and in process of launching a company to teach handgun and rifle safety and the North Carolina Concealed Carry Handgun course.

Marc

After 37 years as a carpenter and construction superintendent I retired in July of this year. I spend my time working in my shop and on my bicycle in between trips to the range. I may even try making some grips.

I own my own business, wholesale /retail fruit and produce. Also own and operate a commercial tree fruit orchard. Long hours, unpredictable seasons due to weather, but very recession resistant. People need to eat frequently it seems and the product has a way of turning to crap once used so needs to be replaced often :)

"Louie, I married you for better or worse but not for lunch! Find something to do." One of my customers to her husband on his retirement.

I work on "things" and "stuff" at a nuclear powerplant, actually the largest boing-water-reator in the country... I really shouldn't talk about them online but I get to see some neat stuff for sure!

Got my first journeyman (Indiana) in 78, Masters(Indiana) in 88. Along the way got a journeyman in Texas and Florida. Electrical work is a good life, Ron

A good friend of mine works on 'things and stuff' at TMI. Interesting work from what I've heard. He likes PWR work better than BWR since your turbines are 'hot'.

Yes sir, I've heard that from many people who work on PWR's... Our turbines definitely throw dose as they do run 'Hot' but are well shielded. I have seen things that only a few handful of people in the world get to see, working in a nuclear reactor is like walking around in the biggest engine I've ever seen, if you're into science and engineering it is fascinating :-)

I work as an Operating Room Nurse. Currently serving in the USPHS and stationed in Anchorage, AK. Have been a nurse for 15+ years, OR nurse for 12, and did a six year hitch as an OR nurse in USAF. Did one four month deployment to Balad AF Theater Hospital, Balad, Iraq in 2005-2006. Figured I was getting too old to play the young mans game in the Armed Services so obtained a commission in USPHS 2008. Now a LCDR/04 and just 5 1/2 years to having my 20 in. My four + years in PHS have been working in IHS facilities. It has been a long road considering I was doing push ups for President Reagan in 1983 during my four years of Army Infantry followed by seven years in the National Guard, Infantry.

The medical field/nursing has been interesting and good for me, but I must admit it is the way I make a living and not my passion. Enjoyed my eight years of factory work and four years of construction work better, but economy changed my direction probably for the better.

What I did for a living:
 

I am retired now, after 45 years as an ironworker. I've been out of the field for the last 30, but I still love to be high on a building top or bridge tower.
I have worked all across the country and met a great many people along the way. The last 30 years I worked with quite a few general Contractors, engineers and architects. I knew what I was to do by the time I was 6. (My grandfather, who raised me after my father was killed in the air force). He had a full american bridge belt hanging in the garage waiting for me. I started working iron in the summers when I was 15 and finished school and wore my belt full time until I went into the navy as a Sea bee, where I did the same job in Viet Nam in 67-68.

I am a drug dealer.....I mean pharmacist........prior to that I was a LEO for 5 years and a MP in the Army

Welcome aboard and thanks for your service!

Boats

Thanks for your service, Smitty!

Boats

Thanks for your service, Bubba (God, do I really have to call you that?)!

We have lots of former Mil and LEO here. It's a good part of the reason why I find it so comfortable.

Boats

Former Army, now working as a Contracting Officer for DoD.

At least until they furlough me. :mad:

Edit: not a member, but answered anyway. I guess shutting up just isn't an option with me.

Ex-airborne infantry (Iraq, 2005), former commercial helicopter pilot and now a teacher working with troubled youth.

Also, like most of us, have done everything from carpentry to woodworking to sales and machinist....

Retired from law enforcement. I've been an insurance fraud investigator for almost 22 years, working for first a large company, and now a smaller one. There is no shortage of work.

Where do you want me to start?

Among other things, I have been a hospital orderly, high school teacher, packaging designer, quality control supervisor, assistant plant manager, computer programmer, college professor, computer consultant...and for the last 16 years, an IT director.

Still haven't decided what I want to be when I grow up :D

No need to hurry deciding :)

Boats

Never grow up. It leads to growing old.:D

It would appear that I am a whole lot of late coming to this party ... but what the heck, someone may actually read it :)

I graduated from high school determined to be a CPA. My advisor my first year of college was the Director of Computing Services. He talked me into taking Intro to Data Processing. That three hour course changed my life! I changed my major, graduated with a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Accounting. I spent the first half of my career in various software development capacities and the second half in Management.

In 2003 I was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure, two years later my Doctors retired me. For the last eight years I have been a stay at home dad, shuttling kids, helping with homework and cooking meals. This is NOT what I ever saw myself doing after I retired, but it affords me a lot of time to play with my toys when the girls are in school. In all, it isn't a bad gig if you can get it :D

I married a CPA most boring parties ever.....glad you got out, saved one soul that way. Your curse in the end was your blessing, your family is the best way to spend time....good gig!

I am a professional bum and a troll on FLOTEP.

I'm a consulting actuary at present. I've sold paint, taught school, worked with plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc. during my 66 years. For the last 35, I've been an actuary.

After many years in the restaurant indusrty and a couple "real jobs" in the corporate world, I started my dog training business in 2008. I'm very fortunate to have a wonderful wife that's a damn good attorney with a salary that allows me to do my own thing :D

We're in the home stretch of trying to have a baby and the outcome of that will determine what's next for me. I could end up being a F/T Dad and do the dog thing on the side or I might go in a different direction altogether if a family isn't meant to be. The way I see it, it's all in God's hands and I just need to have faith!

Hope the best for you bro, just keep on trying (thats the fun part anyways).

According to my neighbors I am a retired hitter from the northeast who they never saw work a day since they knew me. Rumor has it I am on the witness protection list, I retired from the mob(nobody retires from the mob), I leave periodically to take special hits(I really go to our SC house to shoot) and that I won the lottery.
The truth is I grew a great HVAC business and sold it in 1996, after fifteen years of delivering milk for a family business.
Now I play with our kids and beagles, plant vegetable gardens, shoot alot, chaperone school trips and am a fixture at Little League.

Will be 56 in a few weeks, almost time to start round two of work life as kids get bigger. I am thinking Beaufort, SC Deputy Sheriff.