I will be retiring within a year, any advice on what to look for or expect?

1SG Johnny Carter — Tue, 27 May 2014 08:14:14 -0400

I will be retiring next June 2015. Have about 90 plus days of leave and am looking for sound advice on what to expect. This decision was a tough one for me and I have mixed emotions about it but I need a new challenge in life. 22 years this is all I have known since high school. It has been a great ride and I have met many life long battles who will always have a place to visit. So please if you have any advice feel free to let me know. I am ACAPing as we speak and have a job fair this fall. Thank you all in advance!

Response by SFC Rich Carey made May 27 at 2014 9:08 AM

SFC Rich Carey — Tue, 27 May 2014 09:08:24 -0400

Check out some Hiring Our Heroes events, they have training events.
Review the list of vendors attending the job fair. Look up the companies and do some background to see if the company is for you.
Checkout VA CareerScope - free for you, it will help you identify your interests and your aptitudes - very good resource.
Have a non-military friend look over your resume, to see if they understand it or is it too military.
Take some resumes to the job fair, if the recruiter has time ask them to look over your resume and ask for feedback. Take that feedback, make changes and now apply on-line.
Helpful hint, when applying on-line, fill out the application like your resume. What happens is the on-line application is read by an HR person, if you meet the qualifications then they will pass your resume onto the hiring manager. What happens (sometimes) the HR person doesn't look at the resume and just looks at the app.
Learn to network. approximately 85% of the jobs are found through networking.
Prepare your elevator speech. What would you say to a person that ask you "What type of employment are you looking for?" or other type questions

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made May 27 at 2014 11:14 AM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Tue, 27 May 2014 11:14:30 -0400

Have you chosen a place to settle in? If not, you might start, or you could do as many do, get an RV, and wander for a bit, consider various places and try them out before you sink serious money into a place to call home.
If you've already found a place, Mazeltov! Secondly, consider ways to be a part of the community, not just a resident, because that helps ease that inborn drive we all have to 'take care of the troops' that just never goes away!
Congrats on the upcoming event... enjoy it and relax a little!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2014 12:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 May 2014 12:03:28 -0400

MSG Edwards was hired on the spot at one of the job fairs at Fort Campbell. He gave all of the credit to the woman at the ACAP resume writing class. I would reach out to him as he is in the same process and has had a great deal of sucess in a short period of time.

Response by 1SG Alan Bailey made May 27 at 2014 1:16 PM

1SG Alan Bailey — Tue, 27 May 2014 13:16:04 -0400

Battle, I am in the same boat, I will retire JAN. 31 2016, have started ACAP and working the resime. I am with you on everything by the time I am retired I will have 26 years 16days, and the process and starting over has really put the stress on me and my wife, but we are preparing for it and I have started talking to alot of retired members on thier experiances and trying to apply them.

Response by SSG Jacob Daniels made May 28 at 2014 2:09 PM

SSG Jacob Daniels — Wed, 28 May 2014 14:09:16 -0400

First off congrats on the retirement. You was a real inspiration to me and I still use your lessons and quotes on a daily basis LOL. It took me 4 jobs to find 1 I felt like I was doing something. That is the hardest transition to make. You have woke up everyday pumped and ready and the feeling go's away when the uniform is off. I felt lost and without purpose. I am sure you will have far greater success than me just don't throat chop anyone LOL. Love ya battle

Response by COL William Johnson made May 28 at 2014 2:11 PM

COL William Johnson — Wed, 28 May 2014 14:11:58 -0400

Top I work the Army's Soldier For Life Program. Helping connect employers with the Army and our folks that are transitioning is what I do. Recommend and endorse the US Chamber of Commerce's Hiring our Heroes foundation. Not only their hiring summits but they web portal as it has some great tools not only for family members as well. Also the DoD, VA, Department of Labor have launched the government portal (kind of replaces the job bank). It pulls tens of thousands of job opportuinites. You can find it through ebenefits. Also remember that Department of Labor has programs that are Veteran specific. Finally while not perfect ACAP has come a long way. Make sure you take full advantage of it - make the time. Top Bailey (BLACK DRAGONS) same goes for you my friend.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2014 1:49 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 May 2014 13:49:25 -0400

1st Carter, I had the pleasure of serving along side you in 2/101 for a few years. You were a great mentor to me and a lot of young "Eagles". I wish you the best of luck in the future.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 20 at 2014 9:56 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 21:56:37 -0400

1SG, congrats on your retirement! But the mission FAR from over, in fact it's just begun. While in transition get your resume done. The Army has people that are able to do this, but the way I found to be better was through LinkedIn. There are LOADS of vets and vet mentors on there. You can connect there to people who are looking for the same careers as you and can see what went right and wrong so you can do better. I was told to make a profile as soon as I was transitioning. Also get ALL of your medical in order, and get your VA paperwork started while you're still in. It takes awhile to get percentages so it's never too early to get started there. Look into if TCRICARE is available where you want to be. That was a BIG determination for me. I wanted a major MTF nearby and in the Virginia area, I have three. If you're not sure about what you want to do, if you're over 30% disabled, look into VA's Vocational Rehab. They'll sit with you and see where you are vs. where you need to be and both of you will come up with a plan to move forward. This could be through college, vocational schooling, or complete career changes. One issue I had/am having is letting the Army go. When it's all you know it's a strong part of you, but the lingo, slang, rank, almost everything has to be released. Not telling you to forget who you are, but civilians don't understand 1SG anymore than SSG, and what is a MOS to them? But no matter what remember network, Network, NETWORK!! No one knows everything, but everyone knows something, and any good NCO will go the extra mile even when retired to see another brother get taken care of. If I can help Top I'm here, and willing to help.