Has anyone had barriers to employment for being "too military"?

CPL Deanna Green (Parkinson) — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 13:05:52 -0400

I have had some wonderful advice, and answers but let me clarify. I have been at the top of my game for many years in the civilian sector. My position was eliminated last winter. This is a new issue with a recent interview where I used my Veteran's Preference (with a 30% plus disability rating) to get the interview. In order to not totally frag myself with future opportunities, I am not going to reveal who the opportunity was with.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Aug 23 at 2016 1:16 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 13:16:37 -0400

Didn't have any problems along those lines being hired but did run into difficulties in being 'too military' once on the job where I tended to revert to some familiar behavior traits. I did get broken to the yoke and learned how to be a softer gentler person.

Response by SGT David T. made Aug 23 at 2016 1:29 PM

SGT David T. — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 13:29:27 -0400

Not in getting hired. Of course I displayed some traits when on the job that got me a talking to lol.

Response by CPT Tom Monahan made Aug 23 at 2016 1:40 PM

CPT Tom Monahan — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 13:40:46 -0400

The civilian sector is and odd duck for former military to enter. In the service it's all about mission accomplishment. It's about we not me. In the civilian sector it's about me and making my boss look good. It's hard to bridge the gap, but it can be done.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2016 3:01 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 15:01:05 -0400

I was told I was "too intense" at the first office-job I had when I got out of the USMC (:

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2016 3:26 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 15:26:19 -0400

For me the biggest problem was being too blunt and direct. In the military this is perfectly normal and acceptable. In the civilian world that seems to be misconstrued as rude. Not long after I got out my wife glanced at one of my emails and seem almost shocked that I was talking to someone that way. During my break in service I eventually learned to "soften up" my language so that I don't hurt anyone's feelings. Now that I'm back in I can go right back to being an @sshole.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2016 4:03 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 16:03:57 -0400

No, but I had a few co-workers confess to me later on after I was hired that they thought I was going to be some sort of stick in the mud a*shole. Boooooooooy were they wrong.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2016 4:14 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 16:14:43 -0400

Guess I was lucky. My last boss was a retired Army major and his boss was a member of the guard.

But, one department head did comment that we shouldn't get as much salary because we already had military retirement. Problem for me was I wasn't even drawing my Army retirement yet.

Response by PO3 Steven Stinnett made Aug 23 at 2016 7:15 PM

PO3 Steven Stinnett — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 19:15:30 -0400

Interesting question, I entered the Military two days after High School Graduation, (1964) first career out of Military, the California Prison System, retired when I was 38 years old. Two months later was the first time I worked with females as a Middle School Teacher. That was quite an adjustment for me due to language, demeanor, etc., I was used to all male colleagues. I managed to clear out the break/lunch room a few times with my male attitude. That career lasted 23 years, I guess they got used to me because 'I had to be me' as the song said. I had ZERO discipline problems in the classroom, the administrators left me alone, as Clinton said, 'don't ask don't tell'...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2016 7:28 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 19:28:56 -0400

How about just military- when I came off active duty when I was enlisted I was constantly asked if I had any experiences that would effect me at work and if I am coping. It's all a sham if you ask me- but many people do find their way so hang in there

Response by SFC Russell Shaw made Aug 23 at 2016 7:32 PM

SFC Russell Shaw — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 19:32:00 -0400

Probably the hardest part of transition is that people will follow because you influence them not because you outrank them. Even in the military remember the person you had influence with because you had built relationship and you encouraged them and helped them when they needed it. Now take that and spread it around to everyone. I will make it easy people are asking 3 things about you. 1. Do you care for me. 2. Can you help me. 3 Can I trust you. Work on those 3 and see what happens. Another thing is to see everyone as a 10 when you treat others as a 10 they will act more like 10. They may never be a 10 but they will try, because if you treat them like a 5 they will always be a 5.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Aug 24 at 2016 1:16 AM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 01:16:41 -0400

If you want to take a job in, lets say Italy, and you are too American, you wont get the job. If you are working there, you wont last long. I only use this to compare that going from military to civilian is like entering a different country. Different way of speaking, dressing, talking, behaving, and so on. Each company has its own culture too.

I can't change the situation but I can change my attitude. Adapting to civilian comes natural to some, and it is very difficult for others.

I will admit, I had a career coach help me refine a few areas in preparation for transition. That made a world of difference.

Response by SSG David Bennett made Aug 24 at 2016 3:05 PM

SSG David Bennett — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 15:05:52 -0400

Absolutely. Upon returning from Afghanistan in 2010, I filled out job apps and went to at least 15 interviews with companies supposedly military friendly. Well when they found out I was military, never heard back from them

Response by SGT Christopher Clarke made Aug 24 at 2016 8:03 PM

SGT Christopher Clarke — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 20:03:57 -0400

There can be some barriers to entry but you need to remember that the "civilian sector" is much different than a Military unit. You need to remember that as part of the team, you ultimately need to ensure that you provide the boss the appropriate amount of information needed so they can take it "up the ladder". Once you show them your ability to work well with others and be part of the team, leadership opportunities will be presented. Just be patient! HOOAH

Response by SGT Eric Knutson made Aug 25 at 2016 12:18 AM

SGT Eric Knutson — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 00:18:49 -0400

Part of the problem that I have seen and run into is also that, without meaning to, we scare the interviewer when they realize or think that we can do the job better than they can, and that it is highly probable that you will supplant them fairly quickly. Not saying that it applies in every situation, or that was even the intention, but after I got turned down at one place, a friend who worked there later told me that was what was going thru the mind of the interviewer, because they had talked about it.

Response by Susan Foster made Aug 25 at 2016 9:42 AM

Susan Foster — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 09:42:44 -0400

Deanna, does that mean they thought your application was too military, or that your interview was too military? Often, the company culture doesn't lend itself to understanding how a military background can be beneficial to them. Being able to articulate how it serves them when you hear that (what they thought was "criticism") can help you next time.

Response by SGT Sean Mansfield made Aug 25 at 2016 12:09 PM

SGT Sean Mansfield — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 12:09:29 -0400

I have only been able to find physical jobs like farming and logging. I have been turned down by employers just because I seemed to hardcore.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Jan 31 at 2018 7:14 PM

SFC Greg Bruorton — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 19:14:02 -0500

Years ago I lived in a small town northwest of Dallas, Texas, and had applied for an office position using my Veteran's preference and all that goes with it. Nevertheless, an old lady got the job without having Veteran's preference or even a Bronze Star. It was all about keeping the local populace contented.

But I got some serious guitar playing in with the local barber during my two-year stay in the town. Once, a back-up singer for Ray Price in his band came strolling in for a haircut. Two hours later, he got his haircut, but only after he sang every Ray Price song he remembered. That beat that office job in every way.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Jan 31 at 2018 7:31 PM

SFC Greg Bruorton — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 19:31:45 -0500

I had a few problems acclimating to civilian life after my retirement when I began studies at a community college in Fayetteville, NC. Most of the students couldn't understand why I was always 15 minutes early for class and still wore spit-shined cowboy boots.

But when I found employment with the Postal Service in Computer Forwarding, my military experiences in Signal and MI communications paid off greatly as I had become the unofficial source of military units and their list of massive abbreviations that civilians couldn't understand. Rather than placing a geographical location on a serviceman's address, I would explain that it was a confidential violation to do so and to only use the proper APO/FPO address. It was fun. Then I was transferred to Tucson, AZ, where only a smidgen of employees understood Air Force lingo as Davis-Monthan AFB was the local military installation. I retired as their military confidante and guitar-picker.