During your transition from military to civilian industry, what professional habits or traits were useful or a hinderance?

MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 20:08:27 -0500

Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 16 at 2017 8:12 PM

SFC George Smith — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 20:12:25 -0500

Stance ... Conduct ... speech... Formalities...

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Feb 16 at 2017 8:12 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 20:12:53 -0500

I thnk the best habit I use is my ability to maintain eye contact when talking with people. I am not always super successful at doing it, but it's a trait that gives people a warm fuzzy.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2017 8:32 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 20:32:04 -0500

Habits that have served me well: Reliability, accountability, adaptability, professionalism, integrity, honesty.

Habits that have hindered me: expecting others to value and try to live up to what I listed above.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2017 8:41 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 20:41:43 -0500

MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy Discipline, determination, and hard work helped me in transition. I was working full time and going to school full time which kept me very busy and focused on my goals. I had short hair and was obviously a veteran, so I did not see eye to eye with some of the other students who did not like veterans or the military. I had the last laugh as most of them dropped out of college.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Feb 17 at 2017 12:38 AM

SSG Mark Franzen — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 00:38:10 -0500

I had No Problems got a job within month after I was out my 16.5 years helped me become a First Line supervisor in a service station.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Feb 17 at 2017 2:34 AM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 02:34:23 -0500

I was accustomed to talking on military radios which meant, say what you need to say and then get off. When I was hired to work for a sheriff's office in the jail and going through training I would talk on the radio like I did in the Army. To me, I was talking normal, but to others, every time I keyed up and starting talking their adrenalin start pumping because they thought there was a problem. My trainer, several deputies, and an LT spoke to me about my "problem" when talking on the radio. I've had to force myself to change the way I talk.

Response by SSG Michael LeGrand made Feb 17 at 2017 6:14 AM

SSG Michael LeGrand — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 06:14:28 -0500

I think the biggest thing that I take away from the military is PLANNING and RISK ASSESSMENT. I always take many things into consideration prior to doing something... job, trips,etc.

Response by CPL Rick Oncale made Feb 17 at 2017 7:54 AM

CPL Rick Oncale — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 07:54:52 -0500

Organization, discipline and focus. Problem i find is the focus. When you're in mission/ work mode and serious. Civilians think you're grumpy or unfriendly. I also find civilians "play" socially at work and don't works as hard.

Response by SGT Scott Henderson made Feb 17 at 2017 9:26 AM

SGT Scott Henderson — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 09:26:20 -0500

My balls out work ethic. It's a plus because I generally get all of my work done but it's also a negative because it is largely unique to me. For example, I generally get to work 30min before I'm supposed to. One day the girl that was supposed to open the pharmacy cane in and said "I'm going to be straight up with you, I've got the shits." and disappeared. It's 8:23 and we open at 8:30. I opened fire her and then hit bitched at by my boss for not getting permission to clock in early; (I wasn't scheduled until 9:00)

Response by PFC Alexander Oliveira made Feb 17 at 2017 10:49 AM

PFC Alexander Oliveira — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 10:49:13 -0500

bullshitting. I always had to explain how my system was working as a signal soldier and if I wasn't sure I made like a politician and ran around the answer. I can nail any interview now that im out.

Response by PO1 Bill O made Feb 17 at 2017 10:29 PM

PO1 Bill O — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 22:29:15 -0500

All of my military training was a trait I carry with me and live by to this day! The only downside was my language, but after all I was a sailor!

Response by SMSgt Tim Echard made Feb 23 at 2017 12:59 PM

SMSgt Tim Echard — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 12:59:47 -0500

Responsiveness and sense of urgency along with the idea of "completed staff work" helped me greatly. Expecting someone to show you the ropes, as what typically happens once you PCS to a new duty assignment, won't happen in the defense industry or commercial work.

Response by PO3 Daniel Stone made Feb 24 at 2017 5:45 AM

PO3 Daniel Stone — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 05:45:03 -0500

The use of "sir" and "maam" was a hindrance in more than one occasion when I was living and working outside of the South. I also was told to not "stand so stiff" on more than one occasion. While using proper etiquette to address supervisors and not walking around loose and slack is appreciated in the military, it can rub civilians the wrong way. It really comes down on the culture of the civilian organization.

Response by TSgt Brian Herman made Feb 26 at 2017 9:53 AM

TSgt Brian Herman — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 09:53:02 -0500

Sadly, I found almost every good military trait to be a hindrance. Other than coming to work on time, almost everything the military teaches you is a waste, or rather wasted in civilian life. Pro active, forward leaning, get it done is too much! In my time on earth, I have had many jobs, under many different political climates, for many companies. All had some good traits, non paid worth a shit. Or, their business model, and my military experience, (integrity in all we do) didn't "agree" on the way forward. Today's young veterans are so over qualified to do so many different tasks, that are under utilized, it is amazing. I now have a good union job, with the post office, and even though much of it feels very much like being in the military, it is still so very different! I am grateful for the new chance to get ahead, and very grateful for the semi 'can't fire me I'm a disabled vet' almost government job.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2017 6:56 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Mar 2017 18:56:28 -0500

I have been able to use all my Prof Military schooling, it was a great help. The supervisors that read my skill sets and my background, were impressed. Along with the training from my parents ,I was raised in the old SCHOOL way. My dad was a LTC in WWI working for General Perusing, my mother was a good Christian woman and also taught me the values of the Bible. So throughout my career in the military and civil service, I have lead my crews by what I felt was correct and just for all. Only had one rebuttal in all that time. So I say most of the habits and traits I have acquired throughout my years were all a positive guidance for me. Thank you, Perry

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Mar 3 at 2017 7:46 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 07:46:29 -0500

Being able to see the big picture (mission), discipline and being able to adapt when things don't go as planned. It always amazed me how people who have only worked civilian jobs were often clueless in those areas. Most know only heir little piece of the puzzle, do that for eight hours and go home.

Response by SSG Jess Peters made Sep 17 at 2018 4:37 AM

SSG Jess Peters — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 04:37:22 -0400

None that I ever experience were negative. Employers like a worker that show up for work every day and on time. Being reasonably well groomed is a plus for many jobs. My last employer was amazed when I was late. After more than 3 years of perfect attendance, people were worried. You develop superb work habits that employers don't see often anymore.