Posted on Jun 7, 2016
SFC Michael Woody
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I would like to know how the transition process can help to better selection of new careers, education, and civilian transition. What should the process look like? How were you treated? This is important because I believe the military unemployment rate is decreasing, but the UNDEREMPLOYMENT rate is increasing. There is a disconnect and the advocacy Veterans need is lacking.
Edited 9 y ago
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D. Cree Crawford
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A friend in the Texas AG office shared there are many open positions.
If you or have friends/family members who are interested. Shoot me a PM at: [login to see]
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SMSgt Diana Pasterchick
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I have seen a couple responses that touch on mentorship. Most of us know what our individual responsibilities are when transitioning however, no matter how prepared we feel there is a good chance we may miss something important. There are FREE services out there for transitioning military to obtain a mentor who is already working as a civilian. Organizations like America Corporate Partners (ACP) will assign a mentor to a military member for a year, again FOR FREE. These mentors are veterans who are already established business leaders. At the time of my transition I was getting random advice, just bits and pieces, it would have helped to have one dedicated person to mentor me through it.
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SSG Delanda Hunt
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Save as much money as possible and get a budget and stick with it. Know what you want to do when you get out and have an operation plan to get it done.
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SFC Chad Sowash
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Great question and thanks for bringing this into the conversation Michael. Unfortunately after leaving the military veterans don't know how to properly sell themselves and their experiences to the corporate world - because it's entirely foreign. Yes, they might have a polished resume although when getting into the interview many have issues translating their experience into the specific requisition?

On the corporate side of the equation, companies truly want to hire veterans but have NO CLUE what they are looking for and are even worse at understanding your experience, knowledge, skills and abilities - because it's entirely foreign. This leads companies and frustrated veterans to the nearly entry-level position, instead of a position which is more suitable.

So what can veterans do? The can seek companies who are more experienced in hiring military. Review job descriptions and look for military equivalencies, meaning the employer has demonstrated they know what they are looking for - from a military aspect - to fill the job.

What can employers do? They can focus on defining what those equivalencies look like at the requisition level. They will need someone with a military background or a consultant to help them peel back the proverbial onion because it's more than just what MOS, AFSE or Rating you held.

The answer is simple Michael, unfortunately employers have no clue that they have NO CLUE and believe only entry-level or near entry-level are the answer.

I find it amazing we can split the atom, cure disease, and land a man on the moon but cannot apply the appropriate expertise to this issue.
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Cpl Justin Goolsby
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Here's my biggest issue with transition. It needs to be discussed upon ENTERING the Fleet and not upon LEAVING the Fleet. We're required to take a separation class in order to separate from military service. That's great and all, but it doesn't help everyone. When I took my class, I was 6 months from my EAS, so a lot of the stuff I learned was of great value to me. But there was other stuff I learned which I learned a lot earlier so I could better utilize it. For instance, they had a budgeting class. Despite me being fairly good with money, they showed me how much better I could be with money.

Another issue I had with the class. There were Marines in it who were getting kicked out. What benefit are they receiving from a class about separation when they will be given the boot within the next week.

Then there was the class on VA benefits. I didn't enlist for the benefits. I didn't even know all the benefits that veterans were eligible for. If we learned about that before we're about to separate, I believe that would be a significant deterrent of service members getting in trouble.

This is just some of the issues I observed with my transition. If we were instructed upon entering the fleet about the transition process, I believe we would be better prepared.
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