What line of work is it?
Don't feel bad; I ran into the same situation 50 years ago. Fresh out of college, after four years as a Hospital Corpsman before that, and all I was offered was a job as a glorified bedpan chaser. When in the service, I could- and had- given shots, started IVs, done minor surgery, stitched up wounds, and , because I was on independent duty, had to do diagnoses and treatments. But, back in the civilian world, I was told "that didn't count" as experience. It didn't help that veterans weren't looked on with favor back then. Eventually though, I did get a job; not in the field I wanted, but what I could get, and spent the next 40 years doing it. I just learned to adapt.
After my brief stint as a Navy Hospital Corpsman. I applied to a hospital in Omaha whom was offering a OJT program for Operating Room Tech. Since I hadn't had that prior training on active duty. I was denied admission to the program. Not happy with the Navy job prospects. I chose to switch jobs and employers.
"That doesn't count" is another way of saying "you're more qualified than we are and we don't want to be demoted or lose our jobs." Sad. Their loss IMO.
It might have been that, or the anti-veteran situation of the times; at this point it no longer matters. I was gainfully employed for more than 40 years, and have been retired for 7, going on 8 years now. I just hope that the later groups of vets have it better than mine did.
I did interview for a CAD drafting position with a facto; but I’m kind of glad that didn’t work out. I do wonder if it would have led me to different places though. (0% surprised. I had to scold her earlier to wait for my stepdad to go investigate their crawl space because she found it open while we were on the phone. My aunt would have been in there before I finished speaking. 
)
I don't know if you ever had sea duty or not; I did, on a DDG, where the 'medical department' consisted of an E-7 chief......and me. We had a couple attempted suicides, some episodes of guys having 'Nam flashbacks and basically going nuts, a couple of appendicitis cases while at sea, and a bunch of- ahem- social diseases after port calls. I applied to area hospitals after my discharge, but before going to school on the GI Bill, and the one that even responded was for an orderly. The same pattern occurred after graduation; they looked at my experience, they looked at my 3.79 GPA, and offered me jobs as an orderly, or as a coroner's assistant. That is, if they even offered a job at all.
My active Navy stint was at Naval Hospital Annapolis . There I worked several different jobs. From Ward Corpsman, General Services to Supply. I then spent 11 months as a weekend warrior at a Naval & Marine Corps Reserve Center Omaha. Before jumping ship so to speak and entering the U.S. Coast Guard.
Stories like yours are all to familiar and quite frankly,sickening. Y'all should've had the red carpet treatment and be the first pick for ANY position based on your experience ALONE and if you didn't have the paper credentials then do everything in their power to help you acquire them( programs,grants,continuing Ed etc) encouraging the guys who served to do so- with support
Different times; different times.We came back- at least most of us- and made a life for ourselves- again, most of us did. Michele's brother, a year my junior, never really came all the way back, and had to deal with exposure to Agent Orange, to boot. Still, he made a life for himself, complete with wife and kids, and he is retired as well. You cope and survive, or you don't. I coped, so don't feel sorry for me, because I don't feel sorry for myself.
I look at life a little differently now then back when when I made the decision to leave the Navy behind. Had I extended my active duty as a Navy Hospital Corpsman would I have had the same opportunities on seeing the World ? Who can say? Life throws many curve balls. Some we can dodge others we can't. Making the best of the situation at hand is all we can do.
From things I've heard; they have reduced the benefits of staying active duty. Most of our friends from DH's active duty days are no longer enlisted and/or went ahead and retired at 20. One friend said it wasn't worth it anymore. And she's a military brat like I am. We met on a base school. It could depend on the career field too though. I'm not completely sure what all of them are doing post-military. One is working in some kind of veteran employment service near his hometown; which makes me think there is still a need to make sure veterans are transitioning into things ok.
But it does sound like when you finish it isn't as easy for everyone. I think it just depends. But then a plenty of people are looking for better jobs all around; so that will also affect things.One of my best doctors was a medic in Vietnam. He had seen a lot, been through H... and actually knew what he was talking about and how to treat it. He retired a few years back and man do I miss him.
My sentiments exactly and you're 100%right- " thank you" hardly seems enough
Industrial Design
