How has the military prepared you for your next career?

Toolbox.

We're all an empty toolbox when we start. The service gives us tools. Lots of great tools, which we toss in that box. Things like Leadership are our Hammers. Professional writing are our screwdrivers. Formal Education & PME are nutdrivers & wrenches. Each and everything thing we've done and learned is one more thing for the box.

Each person, whether it's a senior, subordinate or peer is a project, job, or accomplishment.

It's a giant puzzle. Like working on a house. I've had a varied career. But the skill sets have always helped in some way. The military helped me look at things as a mission, or a project that has to get done. Sometimes a huge overarching mission. Sometimes as just my section that has to be handed off to someone else (who may succeed or fail with their part of it).

If you gave me a month, I'd still be writing the different ways the military helped me prepare.

For me it was belief that anything is possible, that I dictate my own reality through my belief and actions.