You also have to factor in a manager willing to hire you. You have been out of the workforce for a very long time. You do have a education above high school, and you have experience being in the military -- all pluses for a employer. Still, your 54 years old, and your age is getting closer to retirement age. With your educational level, does your employer only wants you for another 8 to 11 years. Second, you have the education, and it is locked in the past, and you would be looking at entry level positions with your educational level. Someone just out of college with the same educational level as yourself, their education is fresh and current to the values of today. Plus, he or she is going to be in the workforce for the next 40 years.


With the economy as it is right now, and if you have a college education, the unemployment rate is very low. If you get back into the labor market, you may have to take a job were you did not get a education for. Just saying, getting back into the labor market, could make you feel depressed.