Are you having a tough time selling your leadership experience to civilian organizations?

This question is primarily directed at current/former NCOs and commissioned officers, but anyone else willing to chime in is welcome to do so. A little about my background: I served six years in the Marine Corps and left as a sergeant – with the last position I held being a S-4 Platoon Sergeant. I am now a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force Reserve, and while I haven’t learned all the ins and outs of my specific technical field yet my unit depends on me heavily to mentor troops in a variety of other subject matter. I have been selected to attend UPT (flight training) – but we all know these things go. It’s not real until I have orders in hand and I’m on my way to OTS. That said I’m planning a contingency route in the event my flight physical is denied, etc. I have been doing a lot of ‘soul-searching’ and I’m trying to figure out what else I might want to do with my life should I not be able to attend flight school and/or commission as an officer.

Since graduating college I have worked for several outstanding organizations, but I am beginning to notice a trend. Every time I apply for a promotion or ask for more responsibility – I’m politely told no. It has even been insinuated to me that being an NCO isn’t the same as (as in inferior, not to the same standard of) being a civilian supervisor or manager. My service as an NCO has been met with some skepticism when I explain to business leaders that I do in fact have managerial experience. During an interview I was asked ‘what experience I could bring to the table’. I explained at 23 years old the US Government entrusted me 14-16 Marines and 14 million dollars of hardware. (I helped manage its storage.) And yes, I was cautious about tone. I don’t brag. When people ask, I simply tell them. In any case, the interviewer just blatantly cut me off and said “doesn’t mean anything out here”.

I thought I blew it, but oddly enough, they offered me the job. In any case I don’t know where this perception stems from. We all know that military leadership has changed and continues to do so. The days of just ‘yelling’ at people to ‘get things done’ are over. Service members are better educated than ever before – they ask questions and often times, they’re good questions. As NCOs and officers, we’re not just managing drones or robots – why can’t the corporate world see this?

Have any of you experienced this before? If so, what strategies did you use to address it? Can anyone perhaps point to a list of companies that are known for hiring veterans and value their unique experience? I don’t mean to sound as if I am complaining, but I am honestly baffled by this phenomenon. I’m ambitious and I want to make a difference where I work. I’m not okay being a ‘cog’ especially considering the salaries I’m offered. I’m paid very well and I want to contribute more than what’s asked of me, but doing higher-level work. Not simply more of the same. Speaking frankly, if I stay in the private sector, I just don’t want to be stuck in a ‘specialist’ role my entire career. Any guidance is much appreciated.