Do you think Veterans have a hard time starting in entry-level or mid-level positions when transitioning to civilian careers?

2017-11-07T16:50:58-05:00

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2017 4:59 PM

2017-11-07T16:59:45-05:00

Of course they do.

Response by Susan Foster made Nov 7 at 2017 5:20 PM

2017-11-07T17:20:20-05:00

Just to clarify: Are you asking at which level they have a more difficult time?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2017 6:01 PM

2017-11-07T18:01:53-05:00

SSgt John Axtell II Having the right attitude is important. I interviewed with three managers and had a number of tests to pass before I was hired as an operator at a chemical plant. One of the interviewing managers did not like the military or veterans and asked me questions that he should not have. I kept my cool, and I was hired along with someone with a college degree out of 100 applicants. I worked and went to school, and once I had my degree, I started out on the bottom on the start of the Space Shuttle program. My military service provided me with discipline, drive, and a determination to overcome all obstacles, which helped me succeed in my civilian career.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Nov 7 at 2017 7:47 PM

2017-11-07T19:47:49-05:00

The rank you had at separation would be a prime indicator of ease of transition to a similar civilian grade... IMHO

Response by Sgt Diego Rodriguez made Nov 7 at 2017 10:34 PM

2017-11-07T22:34:40-05:00

Yes and no, yes because in my case i really didn't find anything related to my MOS that was open. No, because my brother who's MOS is more data found a job easily.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Nov 7 at 2017 11:00 PM

2017-11-07T23:00:51-05:00

If you have pay expectations, thinking you're going to find a job that will pay you at the same rank you left the military at, then I would have to say yes. So far, the two jobs that I've had since leaving the military have only paid me 40% of my last military rank...kind of sad, I would say.

Response by SGT David T. made Nov 8 at 2017 7:47 AM

2017-11-08T07:47:41-05:00

I see it all the time. Many think that the military entitles them to higher level positions from the start. In some cases this might happen but more often than not it doesn't happen. I see more issues from folks who were senior NCOs in this regard. They get used to being more or less important, and have a hard time just being a worker bee. This doesn't apply in every case, but I see it pretty regularly.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Nov 8 at 2017 8:41 AM

2017-11-08T08:41:22-05:00

Depends on the individual how prepared or unprepared they are; how ready or not ready to change and their desire for accomplishment. Understand, there are no civilian safety nets...You either swim or sink.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Nov 8 at 2017 9:41 AM

2017-11-08T09:41:09-05:00

In my time in industry, I've seen a lot great people with the "can do/will do "attitude" come out of the military. The universal truth of every one of those that have been leaders boils down to this: They've come out of structured environments that have standards and policies that govern their interactions. The civilian workforce is more "nebulous" and it takes awhile to get your bearings. The other is that when the former military member wants someone to do something and they don't do it right then, it colors their view of that person oftentimes unjustly. In my civilian career, I've only had one who could not cope. I think that this is a pretty good statement on the quality of people transitioning from the military.