Career advice needed (Military folks please read too)

[Giant Robot]

OK so as I have complained about many times here, my family and I are at best living from paycheck to paycheck. There are so many bills unpaid right now it is bad. I am a social worker and this is not a good time in Michigan to be one of those, if you depend on state or federal monies for your agency. I am actually making less now than I did last year and the year before because we are paying for our health insurance for the first time ever this year. I feel desperate everyday and try to find another job that pays better, but that is unlikely to come up in the area and when one does there are dozens of us fighting for it. So I am looking out of our area, maybe out of state for a new job if the pay is worth it.

Now here's the dilemma. I have been approached by headhunters for the Air Force looking for social workers. No salary has been mentioned yet, but a crap load of benefits would be thrown my way. It sounds like I would be working with vets needing counseling and connecting them with other services that exist. Very much up my alley. The problem is, it sounds like I would be subject to the whims of the Air Force and may be sent here there or anywhere. I admit I am very ignorant of what is going on and have not spoken much directly with the recruiter, as I am not sure how much I want to expose my interest to him just yet. Does anyone have experience in this area, or something similar where the military hires you in so to speak? Do I hold rank? What were others experiences? Was it worth it?

Any advice would be worth it.

[commander bunnypants]

1. Weelllllll

as a vet and social worker myself..

GO FOR IT

Not to bad here in Virginia pay wise.

Mental Health Case management myself

We have lost people to the Veteran Administartion

I academically burned out after grad school.. Still have not got my LCSW

Good luck myfriend. Let me know the ouitcome

CB

:patriot:

[Giant Robot]

2. Wow vet and social worker...I hit the jackpot here

I'm licensed up the wazoo here and it sounds like they want me to work downstate, probably in the Lansing area, which is a good 3 hours south of where I am at. I think I need to find out first if the pay is worth it. Thanks!

[democracyindanger]

3. Um

You been talking to headhunters or recruiters?

If you're being approached by corporate headhunters, that's one thing, because it would seem that they want you as a civilian employee.

But if you have to go through an Air Force recruiter...seems like they want you to actually join the Air Force.

[Giant Robot]

4. Sorry I used the words interchangeably

I didn't think about the difference. His title says Air Force recruiter. Thats what bothers me the most, besides the 200 mile move away from home basically. I don't want to be in the Air Force (no offense to DU vets out there...I am just far too lazy and cowardly to make it in the military). Civilian employee would be fine, but not the full blown Air Force rank and all.