Did you know about Lies They Tell Transitioning Veterans, Part 1: Your MOS is Your Destiny?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:23:11 -0400

RP Members this is just one author's opinion - what feedback to you have with regard to Transition Programs in your various branches? (See Complete article below)

Did you know about Lies They Tell Transitioning Veterans, Part 1: Your MOS is Your Destiny?

By Peter Gudmundsson
CEO & President at RecruitMilitary

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lies-tell-transitioning-veterans-part-1-your-mos-peter-gudmundsson?trk=pulse-det-nav_art

For some years, all transitioning military personnel have been required to complete career planning classes before they leave active service. Known by acronyms like TAPS, ACAPS or GPS, these courses aim to confer to the soon-to-be veteran the skills, attitude and contacts he or she will need to conduct an effective job search. During those precious hours, well intentioned contract instructors labor to convey the best-practices experiences of the thousands of personnel who have transitioned before. Much of the content is good, like how to write a resume, but many of the learning points are unhelpful at best and damaging at worst. While teachers struggle to hold the attention of daydreaming of home men and women of all ranks, the service members learn lessons that will be damaging to their transitions. Veteran job seekers who are ambitious and driven will do well to beware of these counterproductive messages and in many cases do the opposite of what is taught.

This is the first in a series entitled “Lies They Tell Transitioning Veterans.” The title is not intended to be incendiary but it should grab the attention of the veteran reader. The cumulative effect of these transition class errors is to derail the job search of many and to diminish the effectiveness of the others.

First, we look at the pernicious message that one’s assigned Military Occupational Specialty (“MOS”) will dictate one’s civilian career options. In subsequent installments we will review other assumptions and errors.

In the past few years, “experts” have explained partially the apparent disconnect between the demand for effective workers and the supply of high quality veteran talent as a matter of the former simply not understanding the latter. In this view, if the hiring company or the job candidate veteran were to simply insert her Military Occupational Specialty code into a software box, an algorithm could “translate” the job experience into a civilian job title that would make sense. Most MOS translation software is either humorously obvious (e.g. an Army truck driver can drive civilian trucks) or discouragingly limited (an infantry sergeant should be a security guard). For most veterans these software programs are an exercise in limiting their options rather than expanding them.

Veterans spend an inordinate amount of time focused on the superficial terminology of their resumes and become restricted in what they think they are qualified to do. Instead, job seekers should think of their MOS like a college major. If an MOS is directly applicable to a civilian job that the veteran wants to continue (e.g. medical technician, pilot or electrician), he should use it to demonstrate his fit and qualification. If not, as with those who served in the combat arms, it should be seen as an opportunity to demonstrate intangible characteristics rather than specific job skills. For example, a former Army Ranger should have no trouble communicating that he is tough, team oriented and doggedly determined to accomplish his quota in a sales job. This is much like the fact that no one who understands the value of a quality liberal arts education should ever suggest that a History or English major is good for nothing but teaching.

Who you are is much more important that what you were classified to do in the military. Know how your military experience might be valuable in the civilian market on a conceptual level if the literal aspects are not compelling. For example, there is little demand for computing artillery firing data in the civilian world but there is tremendous need for people who can work with numbers on team with very tight deadlines and lots of pressure. Concentrate on communicating those benefits rather than apologizing that you don’t fit exactly the enumerated job skills of the civilian position.

Your military experience is in high demand in the civilian world. It is the reason why veteran unemployment is lower than civilian employment. Veterans make great employees. Have confidence in who you are and what you are capable of accomplishing. Tell your story and don’t let any piece of software or a misguided classification of your experience hold you back.

Peter A. Gudmundsson is a former US Marine artillery officer and is the CEO of RecruitMilitary, the nation’s leading provider of veteran hiring solutions. He may be reached at @PAGudmundsson or on Linkedin.

lies-tell-transitioning-veterans-part-1-your-mos-peter-gudmundsson

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 4:24 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:24:45 -0400

Yeah I did not get much out of TAPS

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 8 at 2015 4:36 PM

SGT Scott Bell — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:36:52 -0400

Response by SSG Ricardo Marcial made Sep 8 at 2015 8:17 PM

SSG Ricardo Marcial — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 20:17:23 -0400

I recently attended a veteran event held by a major company. They had a key speaker that was still active and he went on about how the transitioning men and women get to attend TAPS before they leave, and they could attend it several times if needed and if command allowed. So if you got no real help the first time you could go back for even less information the second time.

Sorry TAPS is a joke. My last 2 tours, the whole Yellow Ribbon / TAPS was a waste of resources and family time. I walked out of TAP with a binder full of flyers and papers with website and names, and everything they could think to print. Nothing was useful.

There were about 20+ soldiers from other states including myself there, no information was provided to soldiers from outside of MN. We were told to talk to our units when we go back. Well, our units were in MN, but we lived in Iowa, N and S Dakota, IL, WI, but no resources for those states. Like I said useless.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Sep 8 at 2015 11:18 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 23:18:10 -0400

I didn't get a lot out of TAPS either. My issue was other service members who spent the class jerking around and being disruptive. Also, class size was way to high. I also found a lot of contradictory information between classes, esp. my resume class. I left TAP without a current squared away resume and more questions that I had before I went to class...

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 8:18 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 08:18:12 -0400

I think TAPS, like any military program, is stymied by the need for "results" that can be tracked. You have contract, pseudo-governmental employees answering to someone pretty high up on the "GS" scale...likely with an O-6 riding shotgun...who have to report on the effectiveness of a program that drops the service member as soon as the ink is dry on their DD214. In an effort to provide a "concrete" assessment, I'm sure it's tempting to tell infantry personnel their future lies in law enforcement, or supply officers that they would be a great fit for WalMart. As an aviation officer with a degree in history, I ended up working as a sales manager for an engineering firm...just goes to show, you never can tell.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Sep 9 at 2015 9:42 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 09:42:20 -0400

I do agree with the "military skills translation software" is somewhat of a joke. The transitioning program only guides you, but one should also take it among them self to look into their overall MOS/AFSC, etc and see how well it can translate.

For example, I used to be a 2W1 (Aircraft Armament Systems) and also worked special duty as a Functional Systems Administrator. I will use my Armament systems job as an example as my FSA position shows more opportunities. As a 2W1 poorly translated, it came out to warehouse worker, logistics, etc. While that may be true if someone briefly looks at a skillet, there is more that an armament technician does. We monitor, document, and maintain inventory, and databases. We do a lot of administrative work as well. This can all be translated into database management, and other administrative duties. While doing my daily AFSC, I also had programs under my belt, one was to make sure all aircraft configurations were correctly documented. Program management is something else military members under my AFSC can use. I have extended my experiences to working in the support section, which I became Haz manager, Unit Active Shooter Response Representative, etc. All this can translate into project management.

Again, this was all based on my experiences and I know many members here may have similar experiences in other MOS/AFSC, and skill sets.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Sep 9 at 2015 12:45 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 12:45:52 -0400

I was/am direct and to the point, I say what I mean and mean what I say . I am harsh in my ways and dont like change that much, I find the max usage for what little I have and find it peaceful to be out in the woods away from large masses of people. I always look to the sky for my weather report and never worry about where my next meal is coming from or if Ill have to sleep with no shelter over my head.People...Im an 11B... A ground pounder, a Grunt... I did what I did because no one else in other Mos's wanted to do what I did.

Response by MAJ Anthony Henderson made Sep 9 at 2015 1:16 PM

MAJ Anthony Henderson — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 13:16:20 -0400

I disagree with this article. As a person that has gone through the process a little over a year ago, the program doesn't focus on your MOS as being your destiny. It gives the individual the tools to choose what career they want to go in. The individual can choose to select a field totally different from their MOS or they can choose a field related to their MOS. Since a lot of people have not planned to leave the military some choose to select a field close to their MOS as a way to provide for their families. Another track they are given is the ability to go to college or a vocational school. This allows them to change careers but it normally requires that they be a fulltime student. Another track is to be a business owner. This track allows the person to develop a business plan and have it evaluated by current business owners to see if it is sustainable. There is a lot of information there for the person and they have access to it for the rest of their life. So they can go back at any time and retake a course or seek advice.

Response by SrA David Steyer made Sep 10 at 2015 12:34 PM

SrA David Steyer — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 12:34:01 -0400

I think there should be "tracks" for the VA briefings, much like vocational and/or college tracks.

Very little time was focused on education/GI Bill, and the majority was on medical. I am not going to be claiming any VA disability so it was a complete waste of time, but "mandatory" for me to attend. I know and understand many more people want to know about medical though. It has gotten better from what I was told. I was stationed in the DC area, and TAP was more focused on goverment employment than anything else in 2011 when my supervisor attended, and no he didn't go to the executive course. He was going back to SC and art school, so a waste for him.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Sep 11 at 2015 12:38 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 12:38:41 -0400

I went through TAPS in 2004 and it was 2 weeks wasted time. Like you hear from so many others you get a few folders full of sample resumes and key phrases along with some websites to go to for help.
Power point slides that tell you how great life will be after the military is a waste of time. For people retiring its not like we have a choice to stay in, myself I was at 24 years as an E-6, 2 waivers to stay longer because of 9/11 happening. For the guys who are deciding to get out at their 3, 4, 5, 6, plus years they are doing it for a reason and they need better information to be successful on the outside.
As a Culinary Specialist in the Navy I know I could easily have gone the restaurant route, I had been working part time in a few different local restaurants in Virginia Beach. I was tired of working every major holiday, I was tired of working weekends and nights, that's where the real money is made in most restaurants. I love cooking but not for a career any longer.
People who transition need up to date information from people who have a good grip on the civilian world, not some retired E-7 who is working at Family Service Center in a comfy job.
TAPS needs to get some real Human Resource people from various companies who can give you the straight information so that you can have that information to help you decide. Get some people who understand how the company operates and can talk about the environment of those companies.
And the VA briefing needs to be done by someone who really understands the process of submitting claims, deciding if VA medical, TRICARE (for those who can), or Private healthcare is the way to go. Again some retired senior enlisted in a cushy job pushing papers at the VA is not the person to come in and act like its fleet week reunion time.
TAPS can be a great tool for people exiting the service but it needs a major overhaul to make it effective.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 11:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 23:18:48 -0400

When leaving or retiring from the military all of the various classes from all services are only part of the opportunities afforded to service members. There is still some work the service member must do on their own. There are many tools, websites, and other resources that may be used to assist service members but may not be spoon fed to them. If a service member knows they are retiring or leaving military service soon it is imperative they begin looking into the various resources available to them earlier (at least 6-9 months out) than later. The market is wide open for military members whether retiring or ETSing but you have to be proactive.

Response by SGT Del Lavature made Sep 12 at 2015 9:54 AM

SGT Del Lavature — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 09:54:27 -0400

It definitely depends on your MOS but more important is the fact that many service members don't want to pursue a career in their related field. I was a 63j quartermaster chemical equip repair which was a dead end mos. when I got out after 8 years I had no idea what I wanted to do or was qualified to do. I transitioned to Swarovski Optik assembling riflescopes and was promoted within 2 years to customer service/west coast sales. You just got to find your own path.

Response by SFC Mario Rodriquez made Jun 23 at 2016 1:20 PM

SFC Mario Rodriquez — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 13:20:50 -0400

I don't know what TAP program you folks are attending, but it is very different from the one I witness at MacDill AFB. First, I will agree that TAP is for the masses and offers very little in the way of individual attention. Could it be better, of course, but we have to work with what we have. Second, when we talk about Veterans you would swear they all rode the short yellow bus. I retired in 2008 and the TAP program today is 200% better than what I had. What TAP did not teach I researched and found the answers. I sought answers from everyone I knew and what they could not answer I asked Mr. Google because he knows everything. I didn't sit around and whine about things. I made things happen. Veterans are used to someone always doing something for them while they are in the military. Someone will fix my equipment, feed me, entertain me, advise me, and take care of my administrative issues. GUESS WHAT! YOU have now become all of those people. You have to take care of yourself. The Veterans I knew would overcome the obstacles in their way and find a way to make things work. They would not wait for someone to come and do things for you. I work with transitioning veterans and I guess I am the chosen one that has to tell them like it is. Believe me I don't sugar coat anything! Don't complain that TAP was a waste of time, you got out of it what you put into it. Stop checking your emails from work, stop answering calls from work, stop worrying about how your unit will operate without you. The TAP program has to do with YOUR transition and believe me if you dropped dead your unit would keep moving without you. I have never heard any the TAP instructors tell a transitioning service member their MOS was their destiny. The MOS Crosswalk is conducted based on information provided by the DOL and the Bureau of Labor Statistics because, let's face it, some Veterans do want to stay in their field. Those that do not are called Career Changers because they want to change careers. It doesn't take a genius to recognize that. I can tell some of you were the ones that complained about being in TAP and away from your unit for a whole week. REALLY? Veteran unemployment is under 5% and I believe the new and improved TAP has contributed significantly to this. I work on MacDill AFB for the local workforce board and a direct source of employment leads, recruiters, and hiring mangers in the Tampa Bay area. So I do know what I am talking about. Thank you for allowing me to add to this whine fest you all are having. All you need now is some cheese to go with it.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 27 at 2016 11:11 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 11:11:53 -0400

I have taught both adults and children many different things over the span of my life and if nothing else, I've learned that no one can teach anyone anything. They have to learn. A teacher is merely someone to hold their hand while they are learning. Thus, everyone learns in their own way. Some can handle conflicting viewpoints. Personally, I love them. I want to be exposed to every point of view so that I can decide for myself. Others hate the confusion and want one consistent message. (A recent article about college students complaining that some professors were exposing them to alternate theories really surprised me but reinforced my view) I would hope that those who have served would be better able to handle contradictory views. After all, haven't we all learned what opinions are worth?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 27 at 2016 12:02 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 12:02:03 -0400

Your duty MOS is certainly a part of major training and experience COL Mikel J. Burroughs. For those veterans who only served in one duty MOS I would expect that the MOS is part of the destiny or more likely the foundation of future endeavors.
Many of us had multiple duty MOSs throughout our military careers. The training and experience gained within these specialties helps to shape us and make us more useful in the military and alter in a post-military career.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 27 at 2016 1:12 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:12:53 -0400

My civilian career has never had anything to do with my military AFSC. In fact, most of my military service was outside my AFSC, come to think of it.

OTOH, my military thinking and attitude has driven everything I did from separation to retirement.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jun 27 at 2016 1:25 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 13:25:45 -0400

Well I did get to work in my NEC for 5 more years after I retired in Telecommunications with Sprint. That was until the Tech Bubble Burst and I joined the group of 40 + year olds that are first to go in the Tech World turns south. Nobody wants a Old Techie.

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Jun 28 at 2016 12:12 PM

LCpl Cody Collins — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 12:12:14 -0400

You know what I found out ? You have to look at every aspect of your MOS, you would be surprised at the skills you have acquired. I knew there wasn't a civilian Ordnance tech field out there. But I had a lot of related skills that are in corporate with being an ordnance tech.
1. Working in a hanger preforming various inspections, which is an Industrial skill that many Companies like The Auto, Steel, and Food manufacturers look for. Think of the safety procedures you have to practice while dismantling a Aircraft, Tank, Humvee, ect, ect.
I could go on for hrs about this. I live in the NW Indiana/ Chicago area. If anyone is heading tissue way I can help point you in the right direction. General Motors is hiring at their HamTrack facility in Michigan.

Response by SGT David Emme made Jun 29 at 2016 12:49 AM

SGT David Emme — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 00:49:43 -0400

When I retired from Walter Reed as a medical retiree...I thought it was a joke and was cutting into my rack time so I did not go the rest of the time (about a week-week and a half). When I turned my paperwork into the platoon sgt...said I had to go again for not showing up-had but one signature block filled out. Told him I will square it away, took my check in sheet, and scribbled signatures and initials and gave it back to the platoon sgt. There is a lot you can get away with when your blown to hell in Iraq and being forcibly retired from the US Army. This happened in September 2006.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jun 29 at 2016 12:48 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 12:48:14 -0400

Never went through the program, but have used skills from at least two of my former MOS's.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jun 29 at 2016 1:26 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 13:26:53 -0400

Approach life changes like a missions, which requires good intel and always verify your information and above all make use of all.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Jun 30 at 2016 10:14 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 10:14:31 -0400

When I left active duty I had done my owns TAPS program. I was looking two years out. I have to send my returning deployers to Yellow Ribbon and we send our transitioning out people to TAPs. Eye wash program. Our Guard unit actually invites employers 2 or 3 times each year and hold hiring seminars. We have had some success. I don't see the civilian sector prepping employees to leave. As with any program that comes as a mandated push from above...take what you need and don't expect to be gainfully employed as you leave.

Response by Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM made Jun 30 at 2016 10:20 AM

Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 10:20:52 -0400

Thank you for posting this Colonel.

It is my understanding that these"CLASSES", have no use to the military member at the times they are provided. I understand that the DOD "thinks", they are helping, they are trying. They simply have "the wrong people in the wrong places teaching the wrong stuff".

At the times these "Time Teezers" are provided, the only thing in the Mils mind is "when the hell am I getting out of here?" "I am waiting to get on that fn plane", "I do not care, get me stateside". or "what are they talking about and why do I care right now."
I know I have not gone to these classes myself. would love to evaluate first hand, but these are just some of the issues that were raised to me by a few of mine.
It adds to their anxiety way to much, they are at a stage in their stress that they will not absorb any material until the core needs are met by that individual.

Response by PO1 Jack Howell made Jun 30 at 2016 10:40 AM

PO1 Jack Howell — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 10:40:51 -0400

The only lie I was told before I retired was that it would be six months to one year before California would taking out money for state income taxes. In reality, it started the first month that I received my retirement paycheck. I retired 31 January and received my first retirement paycheck in March.

Response by SGT Eric Flores made Jul 3 at 2016 11:15 AM

SGT Eric Flores — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 11:15:33 -0400

I have worked 3 MOS - in three different services. Today, I'm still working Marine MOS 6492 as a civil servant for the Navy in Coronado. I will say that my second service MOS was an unwanted destiny.