AAR - Transition; 3 up, 3 down and 3 solutions to the transition process.

SSG Ricardo Marcial — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 18:23:44 -0400

I'm looking for feedback, I'm looking for input I can apply to help those veterans I make contact with in my area and maybe someone else can use this as well.

Just a brief on why I'm looking for feedback. I spent 3 1/2 years unemployed. I completed my 4th tour and came home to my civilian job to be laid off on my first day back. I had made the decision to retire from the Guard and trust when I say it was painful to walk away, not because I wanted to walk away, but because the circumstances that lead to my decision. Dealing with that, losing my job, finding plenty of resources but none of which worked, losing my family, I'm currently in a homeless veteran transition home, and been at my new job for 5 weeks. But I have a support network that keep me on track the whole time.

I want to help my fellow veterans, I'm in a position to do that. I'm not strictly looking for veterans at my company but if I can put a veteran in a spot, it's one less unemployed or underemployed veteran. So your feedback just like I an AAR is something to build on, to use so it is not repeated "check fire" I thank you for your input and for your service.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Aug 1 at 2015 7:34 PM

LTC John Shaw — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 19:34:28 -0400

SSG Ricardo Marcial I see from your profile you are in Chicago and work for TalentRise.
There are more than a few folks from the MW that may be interested in connecting.
It will be helpful to define what you are looking to do with your posting...

Are you offering jobs or transition advice?
If so what skills are you targeting or is it all skills...
Are you looking for other RP members experiences in transition?

Thanks for telling us a little about your story.
We are all working back from some challenge, you have had more than your fair share, TY for reaching out.

From an AAR standpoint on my redeployments, three so far:
Positive:
1) Employer welcomed me back, Verizon
2) Family, wife and four kids stuck with me
3) We used all the help we could get, Church friends, Extended family, etc.

Improvements:
1) Use all the re-integration programs the Army has and request the use of them.
2) File for VA benefits before coming off duty and get with VA counselor who is actually helpful, this is much harder than it sounds. I mean in OIF/OEF and Mental Health
3) I could have spent time more wisely writing notes and personally thanking people who assisted.
4) Encourage others to use the h2h.jobs and many other recruiting resources listed in RP and many other places
5) Highlight the good employers and do our best to SHAME the bad ones.
6) Highlight ways we can lift each other up as Service members and veterans.
7) Become a mentor, I have mentored three young officers through the http://www.acp-usa.org program.
If anyone needs assistance in Central Ohio, I am offering to assist as well.

Veteran Mentoring Program | American Corporate Partners (ACP)

Connecting US Veterans to business leaders through our two free programs: an online network offering business advice, and a nationwide mentoring program.