I recently left the service and would like to figure out something I can do to make a living and enjoy it. I like working on cars and guns. I was a turbine engine mechanic in the service as well as basic cross training as a machinist/welder. I like to work with my hands as you can tell and I would probably go crazy sitting behind a desk. I don't think that working on cars is going to be an option because of recent injuries I have suffered from a motorcycle accident. Any ideas of what I could do that I might not have thought about?

I did have a plan to go to school for business management and then attend http://www.pagunsmith.edu/ which would eventually lead up to me opening a gunsmith business. I just feel like it would take too long and this takes away motivation for it. I also don't want it to ruin my hobby/love of guns.

Any input would be appreciated.

What about Boeing? With your turbine and machinist experience, + the fact you are a vet... Seems like a good fit?

Keep the gunsmith as a hobby. It takes time to perfect things. You'll never get rich from it. Boeing will pay your bills, give you a retirement and have money left over for toys.

The more I hear about Boeing is that it's getting hard to get a job there?

If you don't try, the answer is already, NO.

another problem with that is I'm in VA and will be until my wife finishes school (3yrs) and I have a contract with the reserve here.

Sounds like its time to do some school as well then. Do you have your 20 yrs in??? I would not count on gunsmithing to pay the bills, good skill to take with you wherever you go and maybe catch a little extra jingle, but not run a houseold. Unless of course your collecting that retirement check.

In my experience the Army training / skillz are not necessarily on par or sufficient to match requirements out in the real world. Go to school and get some welding certificates, again another skill to take anywhere. See what the local airports and aircraft maintenance companies have to offer if you still enjoy the aviation field.

What programs will your military benefits pay for?? take a look

Just a heads up, from the sounds of things, I can relate to your work style. If youre at all like me, most jobs Boeing would hire you for wont be fun. They wont challenge you. Otherwise, great place to collect check.
My .02 is find a machine shop and go to work. Hell, you could work in the shope gaining very valuable OTJ training and use your GI bill stuff to go to school. Will jever get rich machining, but lots and lots of jobs around and can/will make a good living.

I have a little over 5 years active duty, couldn't stand the BS(this is my opinion, it is based on my experience). I wasn't planning on it paying the bills, my wife is going to school for nursing so between the two of us we'd be fine. I just finished a semester at school trying to give computers a chance and it wasn't working out too well. I plan on continuing school I'm just not sure what for yet. I've been looking at an engineering program at my local community college which seems like it will be good and peek my interests.

Here is the program:

http://www.nvcc.edu/catalog/cat2013/aca ... =3&level=2

There isn't any tech schools around me that I can find. I do plan to take the welding program/degree at Clover Park Tech school when my wife and I move back to WA.