With the start of the new fiscal year, a Department of Defense Policy quietly went into effect. Not-so-affectionately called “deploy or go home,” the policy mandates that any service member who is non-deployable for more than 12 months must undergo evaluation to determine whether which one of two fates they are to meet. They will either be processed through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System for service-connected disabilities, or simply discharged.

The policy is designed primarily to prevent service members for “gaming the system,” to keep themselves non-deployable due to easily-corrected issues, yet remain in the service and continue to draw pay and benefits. Secretary of Defense James Mattis first announced this policy in February. According to the Pentagon, the number of non-deployable service members has decreased from 235,000 in January to 126,000 in August. That’s an awful lot of people who suddenly found the time to get their immunizations and dental checkups.

But unfortunately, not all the non-deployable service members’ issues are so easily fixed. For them, the end of their military careers are drawing near. But there is life after the military, and there are plenty of ways to continue serving your country after Uncle Sam says your tour is over. In fact, you’re reading this on a website full of opportunities.

You still have an incredibly valuable asset: a security clearance

Though not all, many service members will leave the military with an incredibly valuable and lucrative asset: a security clearance. Assuming that you weren’t due for your periodic reinvestigation, your security clearance remains valid for two years following your separation. At this very moment, there are more than 40,000 job openings listed here on ClearanceJobs waiting for people just like you (hint, hint).

Becoming a federal civilian employee is certainly one option, and veterans get a leg-up on their civilian counterparts who never served. Almost all veterans receive a five-point preference, and those with a disability rating of 30% or higher get a 10-point preference. In many cases, this is the only way to even qualify for a federal job if you’re not already a federal employee. But hiring a new federal employee can take six months or more, which is not exactly helpful when you need a job right now.

how to become a government contractor

Thankfully, becoming a government contractor is faster, easier, and often better-paying than going to work directly for the government. No matter what your field, there is likely a contract position available that fits your skills somewhere in the country, or even overseas. Contracting gives the government much more flexibility than it would have with only civil service employees. This isn’t always good for contractors and contracting companies, but it does mean that there will always be work.

But because of that flexibility, there are a few things to be aware of when deciding whether to become a Federal contractor. Contracts are typically awarded for one year, with three to five “option years.” This means if the government is unhappy with a contracting company’s performance, it doesn’t have to wait long to replace it. However, the long process of setting up a new contract solicitation means that it’s far more convenient for the government to stick with the incumbent.

the pros and cons of contracting

Contracts are also easy for the government to modify. If requirements change, so too can the number of people working on the contract. Agencies cannot expand and contract their civil service workforce this way. And while it’s not impossible to fire government employees, it is a long and difficult process. With a contractor, dismissing a poor performer is as simple as telling the program manager to have the person replaced.

Lastly, be aware that many contracting companies, particularly small ones, often don’t have the financial resources to keep you employed once a contract ends. Once the contract is over, so too, usually, is your employment. It’s just part of the lifestyle that you get used to. But it also makes the interview question “Why are you looking for a new position?” fairly straightforward to answer. It also means if you’re interviewing for another contract position, the recruiter probably already knows this.

Even with those uncertainties, contracting is a lucrative and rewarding career that gives you the opportunity to stay involved in the defense of the nation without staying in uniform. If you are among the 126,000 non-deployable service members who are about to be shown the door, don’t be discouraged. You may want to leave the military behind you and only reflect on your service when it’s time for the 10% discount at Home Depot and Ruby Tuesdays. That’s a perfectly acceptable route, and I wish you all the success in the world.

But for those who want to stay in the game, your security clearance gives you access to a world of opportunities.

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Tom McCuin is a strategic communication consultant and retired Army Reserve Civil Affairs and Public Affairs officer whose career includes serving with the Malaysian Battle Group in Bosnia, two tours in Afghanistan, and three years in the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs in the Pentagon. When he’s not devouring political news, he enjoys sailboat racing and umpiring Little League games (except the ones his son plays in) in Alexandria, Va. Follow him on Twitter at @tommccuin