How to Become a Government Contractor: Complete Veterans Guide to Defense Contracting

Bottom Line Up Front

Transitioning to government contracting is the easiest path for veterans. Defense contractors actively recruit military personnel—they need security clearances, understanding of military needs, and personnel they can trust. You can be hired in 6-12 months from ETS to first contractor job. Cost: $0 (firm pays). Salary: $70K-$100K starting (if cleared), $100K-$150K within 5 years, $150K-$250K+ as senior/specialist. Pension: Often more generous than private sector.

Your advantage: If you have security clearance, you're worth +$20K-$50K immediately. Military experience + clearance = gold in contracting.

Why Government Contractors Need Veterans

Simple economics: Federal government spends trillions on defense. Contractors bid to win contracts. They need people who understand:

Military operations and needs
Security compliance and clearance procedures
Military culture and language
High-security, high-stakes environments
Reliability and accountability

Veterans check all these boxes.

Specific advantages:

Security clearance: Worth $20K-$50K premium. Already vetted.
Military experience: You understand customer (DoD) needs intimately
Trustworthiness: Military background assumed reliable
Compliance: You understand regulations, procedures, rules
Stability: Not going to job-hop chasing money (contractors value stability)

Government Contractor Paths

Path 1: Technical Specialist / Engineer

Best for: Those with technical military background (IT, engineering, logistics, systems)

What you do: Work for contractor on government project. Provide technical expertise. Often on-site at military base or contractor facility.

Timeline: 6-12 months from ETS to hired

Clearance impact: If you have Secret/TS: +$20-30K salary. If no clearance: normal starting, but firm sponsors you for clearance (6-12 months process, they pay)

Salary:

Starting (no clearance): $65K-$80K
Starting (with clearance): $85K-$110K
5 years: $100K-$130K
10+ years: $130K-$180K+

Best backgrounds:

IT (25B, 17C, etc.)
Engineering (any engineering MOS)
Logistics (92A, 92Y, etc.)
Communications (25B, 25D, etc.)

Path 2: Program Manager / Project Manager

Best for: Those with leadership/management background

What you do: Manage contractor's programs for government customer. Oversee budgets, schedules, compliance. Mix of contractor side and government interaction.

Timeline: 6-12 months from ETS, though usually requires some contractor experience first (2-3 years)

Salary:

5 years experience: $100K-$130K
10 years: $130K-$170K
15+ years: $160K-$220K+

Path: Usually you start as technical specialist, move to PM role after proving yourself

Path 3: Operations / Logistics Support

Best for: Those with supply/logistics/operations background

What you do: Support government operations through contractor. Manage equipment, supplies, personnel, scheduling. Similar to military supply, but civilian side.

Timeline: 6 months to hired (no technical background needed, just understanding of military needs)

Salary:

Starting: $50K-$65K
5 years: $70K-$90K
10+ years: $90K-$130K

Best for: More junior roles but accessible, good growth potential

Path 4: Security / Compliance Specialist

Best for: Those with security background or IT security

What you do: Ensure government contracts meet security requirements. Manage security clearances, compliance, incident response. Growing field.

Timeline: 6-12 months

Salary:

Starting: $70K-$90K
5 years: $95K-$125K
10+ years: $125K-$180K

Growth: Very strong, increasing need, can lead to senior security leadership

Step-by-Step Plan to Get Government Contractor Job

Phase 1: Assess Your Background and Prepare (Month 1)

Evaluate:

Do you have security clearance? (Secret, TS, TS/SCI?) — Note it
Do you have technical background (IT, engineering, communications)?
Do you have management/leadership experience?
Do you have unique military experience (special ops, cyber, linguistics, etc.)?

Prepare resume:

Highlight military role in civilian language
Emphasize security clearance status
Use acronyms government understands (but explain if unclear)
Focus on projects, numbers, impact
If you have clearance, put it prominently

Example resume bullets:

"Managed IT infrastructure for 500+ user military installation, $2.3M annual budget"
"Held Secret Security Clearance for 6 years, eligible for TS with minimal processing"
"Led logistics operations for 200+ personnel, $15M equipment accountability"

Phase 2: Identify Target Contractors (Month 1-2)

Major government contractors (hire lots of veterans):

Large (Fortune 500, global reach):

Lockheed Martin
Raytheon Technologies
General Dynamics
Northrop Grumman
Boeing Defense
Booz Allen Hamilton
DynCorp
CACI International

Mid-size (strong government focus):

ManTech
Engility
Akima
SOS International
Teledyne

Smaller (specialized, sometimes better for individuals):

Contractor firms in your area (vary by location)
IT-focused contractors
Engineering-focused contractors
Search local "[city] government contractors"

Where to find them:

LinkedIn (search "defense contractor" or specific contractor names)
SAM.gov (System for Award Management) lists all government contractors
USAspending.gov shows contract winners (you can research who's winning contracts in your field)
Indeed, LinkedIn jobs (filter for contractor + government)

Phase 3: Apply (Month 2-4)

Application process:

Online applications:

Most contractors use online job boards (LinkedIn, Indeed, or company website)
Apply to 20-30 positions (target various companies and roles)
Customize resume slightly for each (match keywords from job posting)

What they want to see:

Military experience (stated clearly)
Clearance status (if applicable)
Relevant technical skills
Willingness to get clearance (if not already cleared)
Flexibility / willingness to work on government projects

Timeline: 2-4 weeks per application to phone screen

Networking:

LinkedIn message to recruiters at contractors
Message "I'm separating military [MOS], interested in contractor roles"
Many recruiters actively search LinkedIn for military separating

Phase 4: Interview (Month 3-5)

Phone screen (20-30 min):

Basic questions about experience
Why interested in government contracting
Clearance status / willingness to get cleared
Schedule flexibility

Technical interview (1-2 hours):

Questions about technical skills
Problem-solving scenarios
Technical depth varies by role

Manager interview (30 min):

Culture fit, reliability, attitude
Why contractor role appeals to you
Long-term goals

Offer typically comes 1-2 weeks after final interview

Phase 5: Onboarding and Clearance (Month 5-12 if no clearance, Month 5-7 if cleared)

If you already have clearance:

You're onboarded in 2-4 weeks
Minimal delay, can start immediately
Clearance transferred to contractor

If you don't have clearance:

Firm submits you for clearance (Secret or TS depending on role)
Security investigation takes 6-12 months
You might start working while clearance processes ("interim" work)
Once cleared, you transition to classified work

During clearance processing:

May do unclassified work
Pay adjusted upward once cleared
Get access to classified projects once cleared

Phase 6: First Government Contractor Job (Month 5+)

Your first role:

Technical specialist, operations coordinator, or junior PM
Location: Often at military base, contractor facility, or government office
Salary: Based on clearance and experience
Work: Government project supporting military customer

Growth within first company:

Year 1-2: Specialist role, learn contractor culture
Year 2-3: Mid-level role or PM track
Year 3-5: Senior specialist or PM
Year 5+: Leadership, contract management, or expert roles

Contractor-specific benefits:

Often better health insurance than military
401k with employer match (better than military TSP usually)
Paid training/education (many reimburse certifications)
Job security (government contracts are stable)
Growth potential (can move between contractors)

Salary and Career Progression

Technical Specialist Track

Experience	No Clearance	With Secret	With TS/SCI
Entry (0-1 year)	$65K	$80K	$95K
1-3 years	$75K	$95K	$110K
3-5 years	$90K	$110K	$130K
5-10 years	$110K	$130K	$155K
10+ years	$130K	$155K	$180K+

Additional:

Signing bonus: $5K-$15K (common for cleared people)
Location: +$5K-$15K if in expensive area (DC, SF, etc.)
Specialization: +$10K-$30K for rare skills (cyber, linguistics, special ops background)

Program Manager Track

Experience	Salary	Notes
3-5 years PM	$100K-$130K	Junior PM, managing small contracts
5-10 years	$130K-$170K	Senior PM, large contracts
10+ years	$160K-$220K	Director-level, multiple contracts
15+ years	$200K-$300K+	Senior management, strategic roles

Real Compensation Examples

Example 1: IT Specialist with TS Clearance

Base salary: $95K
Annual bonus: $8K
Stock options (if large contractor): $10K/year
Bonus and certifications paid: $5K/year
Total: $118K/year

Example 2: Program Manager, 10 Years

Base salary: $165K
Annual bonus: $25K
Signing bonus (year 1): $10K
Professional development: $3K/year
Total: $193K/year

Example 3: Senior Specialist / Expert

Base salary: $155K
Annual bonus: $15K
Consulting on multiple projects: +$20K
Training/certs: $5K/year
Total: $195K/year

Real Veteran Success Stories

Story 1: IT Specialist to Senior Security Architect

CPT David Wong (Air Force 17C Cyber Ops, 8 years, TS/SCI clearance)

Timeline: ETS age 30, had active TS/SCI, was pursuing contractor role
Path:
- Month 1: Started applying to contractors (LinkedIn, company sites)
- Month 2: Phone screen with Booz Allen, passed
- Month 3: Technical interview (cyber security knowledge), passed
- Month 4: Manager interview and offer
- Month 5: Onboarded as "Security Analyst", $95K (TS/SCI premium)
- Year 1: $95K + $8K bonus = $103K
- Year 2: Promoted to "Senior Analyst", $110K
- Year 3: Moved to program focus, "Security Architect", $135K
- Year 5: Senior architect, $165K + bonuses
- Year 8: Principle/Expert role, $200K+

Why successful: TS/SCI clearance made him immediately hireable. Cyber background in high demand. Progressed quickly.

Key lesson: "Security clearance was worth $20-30K immediately. First contractor role paid me $30K more than comparable private sector job. Cleared veterans are premium candidates."

Story 2: Supply Officer to Program Manager

Major Sarah Chen (Army Supply Officer, 12 years, Secret clearance)

Timeline: ETS age 38, wanted contractor PM role
Path:
- Year 1 (while still military): Applied to contractors, got job offer as "Operations Coordinator", $72K
- Month 1-12: Worked as Operations Coordinator, learned contractor culture
- Year 2: Internal move to "Associate Program Manager", $95K
- Year 3: Full "Program Manager", $130K (managing $15M contract)
- Year 5: Senior PM / Deputy Program Director, $165K
- Year 8: Program Director, $200K

Why successful: Military PM experience translated perfectly. Contractor valued her ability to manage schedules, budgets, compliance.

Key lesson: "Started in operations, moved to PM. Typical contractor path. Your military background accelerates everything."

Story 3: Combat Medic to Healthcare Contractor Specialist

SFC Marcus Johnson (Army 68W Combat Medic, 5 years)

Background: Military healthcare experience, no clearance, non-tech
Timeline: ETS age 27, not technical background
Path:
- Month 1-2: Applied to healthcare-focused contractors
- Month 3: Hired by Booz Allen as "Operations Assistant", $55K
- Started secret clearance paperwork (company paid/sponsored)
- Month 6-9: Interim clearance, did basic support work
- Month 12: Full Secret clearance approved, reclassified as "Healthcare Operations Specialist", $75K
- Year 3: Senior specialist, $95K
- Year 5: Lead for healthcare contracts, $125K

Why successful: Healthcare background unique. Contractor needed someone who understood military medical operations.

Key lesson: "Non-tech background is fine. Contractors value military experience in many fields, not just IT. You don't need to be technical to make good money."

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge #1: "I Don't Have a Security Clearance"

Reality: Not a problem. Contractor will sponsor you.

Timeline:

Secret clearance: 6-12 months to process
TS clearance: 12-18 months
You can work on unclassified projects while it processes
Pay adjusted upward once cleared

Salary impact: You start $15-20K lower, but jump up once cleared

Challenge #2: "I Don't Have Technical Background"

Reality: Many contractor roles aren't technical.

Options:

Operations/logistics support
Security roles
Program management
Training/administration
Personnel management

You can absolutely get contractor job without technical background.

Challenge #3: "Which Contractor Should I Work For?"

Reality: All major contractors are similar in pay, benefits, culture.

Differentiators:

Large contractors (Lockheed, Raytheon, Boeing): Stability, benefits, slower growth, bureaucracy
Mid-size (ManTech, CACI): Faster growth, more autonomy, bit less stability
Small (specialized): High growth potential, less stable, more interesting work

Recommendation: Start at mid-size or large. Stability is good when transitioning. Move to smaller/specialized once you understand contractor world.

Challenge #4: "Is Working for Contractors Patriotic?"

Reality: Yes. Contractors support military mission.

Why it's legitimate:

Contractors support military operations
Government explicitly contracts with private firms
You're enabling military capability
Better than leaving the mission entirely

Perspective: You're extending your service through different uniform. Still mission-focused.

Action Plan

Month 1: Research and Prepare

Identify 10-15 target contractors
Update resume with clearance status prominently
Set up LinkedIn, optimize for contractor keywords

Month 2: Apply

Apply to 20-30 positions (mix of roles, companies, locations)
Network on LinkedIn with contractor recruiters
Attend job fairs (many contractors recruit at military separation events)

Month 3-4: Interview

Phone screens (expect 5-10)
Technical interviews (expect 3-5)
Manager interviews (expect 2-3)
Negotiate offers

Month 4-5: Accept and Onboard

Accept job offer
Complete background check paperwork
Onboard to contractor
Start first government contractor job

FAQ

Q: Which contractor pays the most? A: All major contractors pay similarly (within $5K). Choose based on role, location, culture fit.

Q: Is job security good at contractors? A: Depends on contract. Government contracts are stable (unlikely to disappear), but can change personnel allocation. Overall: good job security.

Q: Can I transition between contractors? A: Yes, common. Clearance transfers. You take experience with you. Many people start at one, move to another for advancement.

Q: What if contract ends? A: Contractor usually finds you new assignment or layoff package. Government contracts are long (5-10 years typically), so not common. But be aware.

Q: Is contractor work better than government service? A: Different. Contractor: Better pay, more mobility, less bureaucracy. Government: Better benefits, more stability, clearer career path. Both are good.

Next Steps

This week: Set up LinkedIn, list military experience and clearance
This month: Identify 20 target contractors
Next month: Apply to 25-30 positions
2-3 months from now: Land interviews
4-5 months from now: Accept job offer
Month 5+: Start first government contractor role

Resources:

Job boards: LinkedIn, Indeed, ClearedJobs.net
Contractors: Lockheed, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Northrop, Boeing, Booz Allen, CACI, ManTech
SAM.gov (see who's winning contracts)
USAspending.gov (research contractor spending)
Clearance Jobs: clearancedeals.com

How to Become a Government Contractor: Complete Veterans Guide to Defense Contracting

Bottom Line Up Front

Your advantage: If you have security clearance, you're worth +$20K-$50K immediately. Military experience + clearance = gold in contracting.

Why Government Contractors Need Veterans

Simple economics: Federal government spends trillions on defense. Contractors bid to win contracts. They need people who understand:

Military operations and needs
Security compliance and clearance procedures
Military culture and language
High-security, high-stakes environments
Reliability and accountability

Veterans check all these boxes.

Specific advantages:

Security clearance: Worth $20K-$50K premium. Already vetted.
Military experience: You understand customer (DoD) needs intimately
Trustworthiness: Military background assumed reliable
Compliance: You understand regulations, procedures, rules
Stability: Not going to job-hop chasing money (contractors value stability)

Government Contractor Paths

Path 1: Technical Specialist / Engineer

Best for: Those with technical military background (IT, engineering, logistics, systems)

What you do: Work for contractor on government project. Provide technical expertise. Often on-site at military base or contractor facility.

Timeline: 6-12 months from ETS to hired

Clearance impact: If you have Secret/TS: +$20-30K salary. If no clearance: normal starting, but firm sponsors you for clearance (6-12 months process, they pay)

Salary:

Starting (no clearance): $65K-$80K
Starting (with clearance): $85K-$110K
5 years: $100K-$130K
10+ years: $130K-$180K+

Best backgrounds:

IT (25B, 17C, etc.)
Engineering (any engineering MOS)
Logistics (92A, 92Y, etc.)
Communications (25B, 25D, etc.)

Path 2: Program Manager / Project Manager

Best for: Those with leadership/management background

What you do: Manage contractor's programs for government customer. Oversee budgets, schedules, compliance. Mix of contractor side and government interaction.

Timeline: 6-12 months from ETS, though usually requires some contractor experience first (2-3 years)

Salary:

5 years experience: $100K-$130K
10 years: $130K-$170K
15+ years: $160K-$220K+

Path: Usually you start as technical specialist, move to PM role after proving yourself

Path 3: Operations / Logistics Support

Best for: Those with supply/logistics/operations background

What you do: Support government operations through contractor. Manage equipment, supplies, personnel, scheduling. Similar to military supply, but civilian side.

Timeline: 6 months to hired (no technical background needed, just understanding of military needs)

Salary:

Starting: $50K-$65K
5 years: $70K-$90K
10+ years: $90K-$130K

Best for: More junior roles but accessible, good growth potential

Path 4: Security / Compliance Specialist

Best for: Those with security background or IT security

What you do: Ensure government contracts meet security requirements. Manage security clearances, compliance, incident response. Growing field.

Timeline: 6-12 months

Salary:

Starting: $70K-$90K
5 years: $95K-$125K
10+ years: $125K-$180K

Growth: Very strong, increasing need, can lead to senior security leadership

Step-by-Step Plan to Get Government Contractor Job

Phase 1: Assess Your Background and Prepare (Month 1)

Evaluate:

Do you have security clearance? (Secret, TS, TS/SCI?) — Note it
Do you have technical background (IT, engineering, communications)?
Do you have management/leadership experience?
Do you have unique military experience (special ops, cyber, linguistics, etc.)?

Prepare resume:

Highlight military role in civilian language
Emphasize security clearance status
Use acronyms government understands (but explain if unclear)
Focus on projects, numbers, impact
If you have clearance, put it prominently

Example resume bullets:

"Managed IT infrastructure for 500+ user military installation, $2.3M annual budget"
"Held Secret Security Clearance for 6 years, eligible for TS with minimal processing"
"Led logistics operations for 200+ personnel, $15M equipment accountability"

Phase 2: Identify Target Contractors (Month 1-2)

Major government contractors (hire lots of veterans):

Large (Fortune 500, global reach):

Lockheed Martin
Raytheon Technologies
General Dynamics
Northrop Grumman
Boeing Defense
Booz Allen Hamilton
DynCorp
CACI International

Mid-size (strong government focus):

ManTech
Engility
Akima
SOS International
Teledyne

Smaller (specialized, sometimes better for individuals):

Contractor firms in your area (vary by location)
IT-focused contractors
Engineering-focused contractors
Search local "[city] government contractors"

Where to find them:

LinkedIn (search "defense contractor" or specific contractor names)
SAM.gov (System for Award Management) lists all government contractors
USAspending.gov shows contract winners (you can research who's winning contracts in your field)
Indeed, LinkedIn jobs (filter for contractor + government)

Phase 3: Apply (Month 2-4)

Application process:

Online applications:

Most contractors use online job boards (LinkedIn, Indeed, or company website)
Apply to 20-30 positions (target various companies and roles)
Customize resume slightly for each (match keywords from job posting)

What they want to see:

Military experience (stated clearly)
Clearance status (if applicable)
Relevant technical skills
Willingness to get clearance (if not already cleared)
Flexibility / willingness to work on government projects

Timeline: 2-4 weeks per application to phone screen

Networking:

LinkedIn message to recruiters at contractors
Message "I'm separating military [MOS], interested in contractor roles"
Many recruiters actively search LinkedIn for military separating

Phase 4: Interview (Month 3-5)

Phone screen (20-30 min):

Basic questions about experience
Why interested in government contracting
Clearance status / willingness to get cleared
Schedule flexibility

Technical interview (1-2 hours):

Questions about technical skills
Problem-solving scenarios
Technical depth varies by role

Manager interview (30 min):

Culture fit, reliability, attitude
Why contractor role appeals to you
Long-term goals

Offer typically comes 1-2 weeks after final interview

Phase 5: Onboarding and Clearance (Month 5-12 if no clearance, Month 5-7 if cleared)

If you already have clearance:

You're onboarded in 2-4 weeks
Minimal delay, can start immediately
Clearance transferred to contractor

If you don't have clearance:

Firm submits you for clearance (Secret or TS depending on role)
Security investigation takes 6-12 months
You might start working while clearance processes ("interim" work)
Once cleared, you transition to classified work

During clearance processing:

May do unclassified work
Pay adjusted upward once cleared
Get access to classified projects once cleared

Phase 6: First Government Contractor Job (Month 5+)

Your first role:

Technical specialist, operations coordinator, or junior PM
Location: Often at military base, contractor facility, or government office
Salary: Based on clearance and experience
Work: Government project supporting military customer

Growth within first company:

Year 1-2: Specialist role, learn contractor culture
Year 2-3: Mid-level role or PM track
Year 3-5: Senior specialist or PM
Year 5+: Leadership, contract management, or expert roles

Contractor-specific benefits:

Often better health insurance than military
401k with employer match (better than military TSP usually)
Paid training/education (many reimburse certifications)
Job security (government contracts are stable)
Growth potential (can move between contractors)

Salary and Career Progression

Technical Specialist Track

Experience	No Clearance	With Secret	With TS/SCI
Entry (0-1 year)	$65K	$80K	$95K
1-3 years	$75K	$95K	$110K
3-5 years	$90K	$110K	$130K
5-10 years	$110K	$130K	$155K
10+ years	$130K	$155K	$180K+

Additional:

Signing bonus: $5K-$15K (common for cleared people)
Location: +$5K-$15K if in expensive area (DC, SF, etc.)
Specialization: +$10K-$30K for rare skills (cyber, linguistics, special ops background)

Program Manager Track

Experience	Salary	Notes
3-5 years PM	$100K-$130K	Junior PM, managing small contracts
5-10 years	$130K-$170K	Senior PM, large contracts
10+ years	$160K-$220K	Director-level, multiple contracts
15+ years	$200K-$300K+	Senior management, strategic roles

Real Compensation Examples

Example 1: IT Specialist with TS Clearance

Base salary: $95K
Annual bonus: $8K
Stock options (if large contractor): $10K/year
Bonus and certifications paid: $5K/year
Total: $118K/year

Example 2: Program Manager, 10 Years

Base salary: $165K
Annual bonus: $25K
Signing bonus (year 1): $10K
Professional development: $3K/year
Total: $193K/year

Example 3: Senior Specialist / Expert

Base salary: $155K
Annual bonus: $15K
Consulting on multiple projects: +$20K
Training/certs: $5K/year
Total: $195K/year

Real Veteran Success Stories

Story 1: IT Specialist to Senior Security Architect

CPT David Wong (Air Force 17C Cyber Ops, 8 years, TS/SCI clearance)

Timeline: ETS age 30, had active TS/SCI, was pursuing contractor role
Path:
- Month 1: Started applying to contractors (LinkedIn, company sites)
- Month 2: Phone screen with Booz Allen, passed
- Month 3: Technical interview (cyber security knowledge), passed
- Month 4: Manager interview and offer
- Month 5: Onboarded as "Security Analyst", $95K (TS/SCI premium)
- Year 1: $95K + $8K bonus = $103K
- Year 2: Promoted to "Senior Analyst", $110K
- Year 3: Moved to program focus, "Security Architect", $135K
- Year 5: Senior architect, $165K + bonuses
- Year 8: Principle/Expert role, $200K+

Why successful: TS/SCI clearance made him immediately hireable. Cyber background in high demand. Progressed quickly.

Key lesson: "Security clearance was worth $20-30K immediately. First contractor role paid me $30K more than comparable private sector job. Cleared veterans are premium candidates."

Story 2: Supply Officer to Program Manager

Major Sarah Chen (Army Supply Officer, 12 years, Secret clearance)

Timeline: ETS age 38, wanted contractor PM role
Path:
- Year 1 (while still military): Applied to contractors, got job offer as "Operations Coordinator", $72K
- Month 1-12: Worked as Operations Coordinator, learned contractor culture
- Year 2: Internal move to "Associate Program Manager", $95K
- Year 3: Full "Program Manager", $130K (managing $15M contract)
- Year 5: Senior PM / Deputy Program Director, $165K
- Year 8: Program Director, $200K

Why successful: Military PM experience translated perfectly. Contractor valued her ability to manage schedules, budgets, compliance.

Key lesson: "Started in operations, moved to PM. Typical contractor path. Your military background accelerates everything."

Story 3: Combat Medic to Healthcare Contractor Specialist

SFC Marcus Johnson (Army 68W Combat Medic, 5 years)

Background: Military healthcare experience, no clearance, non-tech
Timeline: ETS age 27, not technical background
Path:
- Month 1-2: Applied to healthcare-focused contractors
- Month 3: Hired by Booz Allen as "Operations Assistant", $55K
- Started secret clearance paperwork (company paid/sponsored)
- Month 6-9: Interim clearance, did basic support work
- Month 12: Full Secret clearance approved, reclassified as "Healthcare Operations Specialist", $75K
- Year 3: Senior specialist, $95K
- Year 5: Lead for healthcare contracts, $125K

Why successful: Healthcare background unique. Contractor needed someone who understood military medical operations.

Key lesson: "Non-tech background is fine. Contractors value military experience in many fields, not just IT. You don't need to be technical to make good money."

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge #1: "I Don't Have a Security Clearance"

Reality: Not a problem. Contractor will sponsor you.

Timeline:

Secret clearance: 6-12 months to process
TS clearance: 12-18 months
You can work on unclassified projects while it processes
Pay adjusted upward once cleared

Salary impact: You start $15-20K lower, but jump up once cleared

Challenge #2: "I Don't Have Technical Background"

Reality: Many contractor roles aren't technical.

Options:

Operations/logistics support
Security roles
Program management
Training/administration
Personnel management

You can absolutely get contractor job without technical background.

Challenge #3: "Which Contractor Should I Work For?"

Reality: All major contractors are similar in pay, benefits, culture.

Differentiators:

Large contractors (Lockheed, Raytheon, Boeing): Stability, benefits, slower growth, bureaucracy
Mid-size (ManTech, CACI): Faster growth, more autonomy, bit less stability
Small (specialized): High growth potential, less stable, more interesting work

Recommendation: Start at mid-size or large. Stability is good when transitioning. Move to smaller/specialized once you understand contractor world.

Challenge #4: "Is Working for Contractors Patriotic?"

Reality: Yes. Contractors support military mission.

Why it's legitimate:

Contractors support military operations
Government explicitly contracts with private firms
You're enabling military capability
Better than leaving the mission entirely

Perspective: You're extending your service through different uniform. Still mission-focused.

Action Plan

Month 1: Research and Prepare

Identify 10-15 target contractors
Update resume with clearance status prominently
Set up LinkedIn, optimize for contractor keywords

Month 2: Apply

Apply to 20-30 positions (mix of roles, companies, locations)
Network on LinkedIn with contractor recruiters
Attend job fairs (many contractors recruit at military separation events)

Month 3-4: Interview

Phone screens (expect 5-10)
Technical interviews (expect 3-5)
Manager interviews (expect 2-3)
Negotiate offers

Month 4-5: Accept and Onboard

Accept job offer
Complete background check paperwork
Onboard to contractor
Start first government contractor job

FAQ

Q: Which contractor pays the most? A: All major contractors pay similarly (within $5K). Choose based on role, location, culture fit.

Q: Is job security good at contractors? A: Depends on contract. Government contracts are stable (unlikely to disappear), but can change personnel allocation. Overall: good job security.

Q: Can I transition between contractors? A: Yes, common. Clearance transfers. You take experience with you. Many people start at one, move to another for advancement.

Q: What if contract ends? A: Contractor usually finds you new assignment or layoff package. Government contracts are long (5-10 years typically), so not common. But be aware.

Next Steps

This week: Set up LinkedIn, list military experience and clearance
This month: Identify 20 target contractors
Next month: Apply to 25-30 positions
2-3 months from now: Land interviews
4-5 months from now: Accept job offer
Month 5+: Start first government contractor role

Resources:

Job boards: LinkedIn, Indeed, ClearedJobs.net
Contractors: Lockheed, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Northrop, Boeing, Booz Allen, CACI, ManTech
SAM.gov (see who's winning contracts)
USAspending.gov (research contractor spending)
Clearance Jobs: clearancedeals.com