How was your transition from service?

2018-05-01T15:52:18-04:00

What worked, what didn't? Looking for anything anyone wants to share.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2018 4:31 PM

2018-05-01T16:31:27-04:00

Expect multiple rejections in your job search and don't take it personal.

Response by SSgt Chris Loomis made May 1 at 2018 4:58 PM

2018-05-01T16:58:17-04:00

I was an 811x0 (USAF security police) for most of my career and my transition was fairly easy. I took terminal leave to just kick back for a while then got a job working for a hotel/casino in Reno, NV. It was run just like a mini police department

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2018 5:38 PM

2018-05-01T17:38:18-04:00

MSG Adam Martinez I transitioned in June of 1972. Before I transitioned I had a plan to move to the Houston area, find a good job, work on my degree, and then work for the Space Program. I found a good job as an operator at a chemical plant, and started school. There were two operator jobs at the chemical plant, and there were 100 applicants. I was interviewed by three managers, and one of them asked me if I was messed up from Vietnam. I answered his questions in a calm manner, and knew that the other two managers like my resume and what I had to say. In college, I did have discussions/disagreements with some of my hippie classmates. They were there to party, and I was there to obtain my degree. Five and a half years later, I had my degree, and started work on the Space Shuttle Program, where I stayed until after the last Space Shuttle Flight, Atlantis, July 2011. What helped me deal with my transition was staying so busy, that I had no time to dwell on negative things, instead I focused on the goals that I had set. If I was transitioning today, I would take advantage of all the transition services that are available.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2018 5:40 PM

2018-05-01T17:40:35-04:00

I waited way too long to finish a college degree. Nowadays, you can get a degree entirely online. I recommend doing that. I __REALLY__ wish that had been an option when I was in the Army. The corporate world is much easier to navigate with a degree. I don't approve of that mentality in the corporate world, but it is a fact and you'll make more money faster if you have a degree.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 1 at 2018 6:50 PM

2018-05-01T18:50:55-04:00

I was in a WTB and was treated poorly. I still have the bitter taste.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made May 1 at 2018 8:08 PM

2018-05-01T20:08:49-04:00

It definitely could have been better.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2018 8:54 PM

2018-05-01T20:54:29-04:00

I was working while on terminal leave. I drove from Raleigh to Camp Lejeune and picked up my retirement orders one Sunday before my actual retirement date. No big deal for me. The mandatory TAP classes were helpful though.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made May 2 at 2018 4:45 AM

2018-05-02T04:45:01-04:00

Network. Network. Network. It's how I found out about job openings in the area that eventually moved to.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2018 8:22 AM

2018-05-02T08:22:58-04:00

What didn't work was allowing friends and family to convince me to take a different path than the "plan" I had developed over my last couple of years. Our loved ones mean well, but may not understand that while "needs of the service", retirement...or even ineptitude, chaos and frustration may ultimately lead us out of uniform; it's unlikely we'll be as fulfilled in roles too distantly removed from the ethos and culture that attracted us to the Military in the first place.

What did work was recognizing my entrance into the private sector as a total "re-set", where I had to work hard to "catch up" with my peers...and nothing from my past really mattered to anyone.

Response by Sgt Jesus Rodriguez made May 2 at 2018 4:55 PM

2018-05-02T16:55:19-04:00

Develop 2-3 plans based on what you want to do and/or where you see yourself after leaving the service, don’t procrastinate! Consider that all negative outcomes could come from any/all decisions you’ll make, this will help you navigate through different situations you could find yourself in while trying to start/navigate your new civilian status. Have a budget at least 2-3 years before getting out.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2018 11:39 PM

2018-05-03T23:39:54-04:00

My departure from military service was not my choice – the powers that be decided that I had been in long enough and decided that I should retire. Right after all the paperwork was signed, higher rank positions opened up in multiple units – go figure. I used terminal leave for my last month in the service. For seven months I looked and applied to multitudes of employment opportunities – both CONUS and OCONUS. While there was a lot of talk about hiring veterans – most didn’t. In my case, I was 50, and retired out of the military (civilian world thinks for the most part, if you’re retired you don’t want to really work and you probably don’t have the best health, plus they think everyone in the military has PTSD). In my case though, my health was great (better than majority of civilians my age), I don’t have PTSD and I wanted to work (still have a mortgage and other bills).
Finally, when the savings were really running low – I found a job opening with AMTRAK in my home town. I applied, went through all the pre-employment and at the end there were 4 of us for 2 openings. The Road Foreman doing the hiring liked me and told the recruiters to find me a job with AMTRAK. About a month later an opening came up in St. Louis, MO. I went for the interview and got the job – then it was off to Delaware for 8 weeks of paid training. Then it was off to Chicago, IL for final signal and rules tests before heading to ST. Louis, MO. I had to get an apartment there (while my family stayed back in our home in Michigan). I worked as an Assistant Conductor on the Lincoln Service and the Texas Eagle (St. Louis to Chicago and back) and the Missouri River Runner (St. Louis to Kansas City and back). After my first year I moved up to Full Conductor. My family would come and visit when they could. It was a good job but I was always looking for something that would get me back home.
Towards the end of my 2nd year with AMTRAK, I saw an opening on USA JOBS for the Defense Logistics Agency back in my home town. I put in for the job and used some vacation to go to the interview. Just at my 2 year mark with AMTRAK – I got hired by the DLA. I used my remaining vacation time to move back home for my new job. The DLA has been and is a great place to work – I can even telework from home now too if I want.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 11 at 2018 7:22 PM

2018-05-11T19:22:19-04:00

Lousy. Even after "civilianizing" my resume and learning to speak "civilian-ese" companies made me feel like my military experience and leadership skills were inferior to others who had been in the civilian sect for the three years I was AD. I think they saw military on my resume and thought, "shoot'em up, bang-bang, PTSD" even before they interviewed me. A few years later I was going for a management position and I was told right out that leadership in an IT position supporting a retail banking business is quite different than military leadership. Yes very different - have to be ready to react 24/7, manage a staff 40 hrs a week and, brief your superiors on current status an future plans & how to depend on and train the talent in your section. I could see how I was so not qualified -my left a$$ cheek!! Needless to say I didn't get that position. Instead they hired someone who was a department store manager with limited technical experience. I $hit you not!