How are we really going to replace the vast number of military jobs?

[IDemo]

So I'm back in the job hunt again.

I've been an engineering electronics tech for most of 20 years, and for most of that time in the R&D departments of large well known companies. I left my most recent position a few weeks ago due to a work environment which had spiraled out of control. A visit with an HR representative to voice some of the issues resulted in precisely nothing happening.

I have been taking the opportunity to look for job openings in more friendly political regions; Washington and Oregon specifically, but have even sent resumes to Massachusetts and New Hampshire. What I see in the job listings is that an enormous number are for the military; either specifically for the Navy or National Guard or for companies and subcontractors supplying the technology. Many require a Secret or higher clearance to even be considered, along with specific experience working with military hardware.

What strikes me is that the perennial dream many of us share of replacing a vast chunk of those jobs with alternative energy, transportation and other green jobs simply isn't realistic. Even for a noticeable fraction to shift into non-military areas would take many years and a decided effort. And that's an effort we have seen little inclination towards, judging by America's massive military reach and the powerful companies that keep the political wheels greased to keep the dollars flowing their way.

It's discouraging, to say the least. I should include that I have seen more than one listing for hardware support of fracking and other energy extraction operations, so not to pin the blame entirely on the "war fighters".

[Flatpicker]

1. It's a very real concern

That you bring up.

I'm one of those people who would like to see our military cut down and see those more peace dividend jobs come to the front.

That being said, military spending is one of the drivers of technological advancement that brings about the peace dividend jobs. I'm not sure exactly how we should re-purpose the people with out losing the ability to have the tech advances still happening.

Ideally, I'd love to see the military aspects transition into a more of a space expeditionary force. That would allow for our tech advances to have some common direction while allowing for the expenditures to be offset by the potential to harvest or exploit resources from neighboring planets or space borne entities (perhaps cometary harvesting would be possible).

Humans have traditionally only advanced if there is something that we perceive as a threat. Either as an arms race or if we are threatened with resource scarcity.

Perhaps the idea of planetary defense and solar system resource collection could be used to build our new "Tall Ship" initiative. We just need the right leadership who sees that as our next goal.

It's a thought anyway...

[IDemo]

5. It would be great to see that happen

But without a JFK-like determination to establish a goal and redirect tax revenues to the effort, the immediate corporate bottom line will remain in the driver's seat. And perpetual war is keeping the gas tank full.

I think someone has actually seriously proposed to launch an asteroid mining venture. If they were to return a noticeable profit, that might grab the attention of some of the McDonnell Douglas's.

[Thinkingabout]

2. We have roads who has served a long time and needs to be replaced.

Our infrastructure is aged and needs replacing. Manufacturing should return to the US, we have a wealth of talent coming out of the military, let us put this good talent to work, reward our troops for jobs well done. Instead of impeding we us succeed in making this country great.

[Flatpicker]

11. Actually

I think you may be looking at the military staff in the wrong way.

Most of them are highly skilled in specialized fields.
While, what you are thinking about are very valid concerns, it would be a huge step downward in terms of their skillsets.

Many of them could engineer the infrastructure that we need, but they are more than just muscle.

We have to challenge them and give satisfaction in their work.

[cyberswede]

3. Something like the CCC or WPA would be good...

to fix up our infrastructure & clean up our parks and waterways, etc.

A New Civilian Conservation Corps
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/28/opinion/a-new-civilian-conservation-corps.html?_r=0

Time for a New Works Progress Administration?
http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/21282-time-for-a-new-works-progress-administration

[hack89]

4. The unions would oppose that

they would argue that there are companies that already build roads and infrastructure - companies that provide good union jobs.

[TBF]

6. Unions? Where?

In 1970 that might have been a viable argument. Alas the right-wingers have killed off the unions so that one isn't going to work for you.

[cyberswede]

7. The CCC jobs could be union jobs, couldn't they?

And if they pay well, private companies that build roads might have to increase their pay/.benefits.

[hack89]

9. Why not subsidize existing companies?

It would be wasteful to create a huge civil engineering organization from scratch. Where, for example, will all the managers and engineers come from?

[cyberswede]

13. Aren't there managers and engineers who need jobs?

Or maybe the US Army Corps of Engineers could be used? Or could the management and engineering portions be outsourced?

Marcy Kaptur's proposed 21st Century Civilian Conservation Corps Act addresses the establishment, operation, administration, etc., of a new CCC. Existing government agencies could be utilized.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.494:

[hack89]

14. But why duplicate the private sector?

just funnel the money through them with strict mandates on pay and benefits and with strict limits on profits. It would be a hell of a lot cheaper than creating the largest civil engineering organization in history.

[cyberswede]

16. Ok.

As long as the infrastructure gets repaired and people have jobs.

[LanternWaste]

10. as both the CCC and the WPA were meant to provide work-relief to the unemployed rather than replace

I believe that the CCC was headed by a Union president during the second half of the thirties, and as both the CCC and the WPA were meant to provide work-relief to the unemployed rather than replace existing union jobs, and further, as many current transportation infrastructure jobs are currently non-union, I really don't imagine too many current union chiefs or union workers getting rankled at the prospect of additional employment relief.

(Source: The Story of Labor in America, by Philip Dray)

[hack89]

12. Why not subsidize existing companies?

why create a huge government organization to do what thousands of companies do right now? Here is an excellent opportunity to strengthen woman and minority owned companies and provide good paying jobs.

[bobalew]

18. Because the existing infrastructure of corporate largess

Would instead of creating promised higher wages & Jobs, only prove to increase the "Boat Payments" to the corporate management of the contracted companies. Good Luck getting Minority or Woman owned businesses on that Program. Stepping outside of the corporate bubble is the only way to ensure that we actually accomplish this. Otherwise, we yet again are paying that "Corporation Tax" : extra money for the goods & services to the contracted companies to pay for highly inflated Executive salaries.... which we do already.
The Private sector is corrupt & entrenched in the Inequality Paradigm, and it doesn't look like that will change anytime soon. Please consider that when proposing that we engage the already corrupted Status Quo.

[hack89]

19. So impose strict mandates on wages and benefits and limit the amount of profit they can make.

we keep hearing that it is not capitalism that is the problem but rather unregulated capitalism. So lets regulate it more.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Maybe they could put to producing something useful.

Roads, bridges, libraries, museums, homeless shelters.

[L0oniX]

15. An economy dependent on killing and machines of death. Sad, pathetic and IMO unredeemable.

[redqueen]

17. The benefits of automation and increased productivity have to be shared with workers

and not hoarded by those at the top as they are now. Higher pay, shorter work hours.

That's really the only answer that isn't a band aid.