Sgt Aaron Shaw1392928<div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-83539"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image">
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<a href="mailto:?subject=Check this out on RallyPoint!&body=Hi, I thought you would find this interesting:%0D%0AIf you could write a letter to you, what would you say?%0D%0A %0D%0AHere is the link: https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/if-you-could-write-a-letter-to-you-what-would-you-say"
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<a class="fancybox" rel="bb7312cc1e9757c0fc2f11ae1f9d64c4" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/083/539/for_gallery_v2/5b8c1688.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/083/539/large_v3/5b8c1688.jpg" alt="5b8c1688" /></a></div></div>Having recently transitioned back to the civilian life and currently in a position to assist others with their transition, I would like to hear from those that have also transitioned. If you could write a letter to yourself, knowing what you know now, what would say? What would you change about how you planned and executed your transition?If you could write a letter to you, what would you say?2016-03-21T10:20:56-04:00Sgt Aaron Shaw1392928<div class="images-v2-count-1"><div class="content-picture image-v2-number-1" id="image-83539"> <div class="social_icons social-buttons-on-image">
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<a class="fancybox" rel="39c2cb95bdea79de3d2e984f1372e6df" href="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/083/539/for_gallery_v2/5b8c1688.jpg"><img src="https://d1ndsj6b8hkqu9.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/083/539/large_v3/5b8c1688.jpg" alt="5b8c1688" /></a></div></div>Having recently transitioned back to the civilian life and currently in a position to assist others with their transition, I would like to hear from those that have also transitioned. If you could write a letter to yourself, knowing what you know now, what would say? What would you change about how you planned and executed your transition?If you could write a letter to you, what would you say?2016-03-21T10:20:56-04:002016-03-21T10:20:56-04:00SFC Josh Billingsley1392939<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I would let myself know that the experience would not be as easy or smooth as I assumed, that I should have began preparing almost a year out, not a couple of months. I would tell myself to spend more time networking and less time crafting resumes that would never receive a response. I would also let myself know that although it is not going to be easy, everything will be OK. It just takes perseverance and patience.Response by SFC Josh Billingsley made Mar 21 at 2016 10:23 AM2016-03-21T10:23:27-04:002016-03-21T10:23:27-04:00PO2 Mark Saffell1392941<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Accept the offer to the US Naval Academy or at the very least stay in the Navy till retirementResponse by PO2 Mark Saffell made Mar 21 at 2016 10:23 AM2016-03-21T10:23:38-04:002016-03-21T10:23:38-04:00SFC Private RallyPoint Member1392943<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I would have told myself that it wasn't going to last forever and to put some money back. Civilian life comes with a lot of different responsibilities.Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2016 10:24 AM2016-03-21T10:24:20-04:002016-03-21T10:24:20-04:00SrA Edward Vong1392954<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Finish school before you leave the military. It makes the transition 10x easier.Response by SrA Edward Vong made Mar 21 at 2016 10:27 AM2016-03-21T10:27:30-04:002016-03-21T10:27:30-04:00Cpl Jeff N.1393000<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Even though there was no GI BILL (1980's) money to speak of I would have told myself to get into school right after leaving active duty. I have ended up in a really good spot for the last 28 years but have had to do it the hard way. <br /><br />At least I was able to pass this insight on to my oldest son who is now using the GI Bill after leaving active duty about a year ago and working full time getting his legs under him. I was able to help him find a decent position that is flexible with his schooling and active reserve status.Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Mar 21 at 2016 10:41 AM2016-03-21T10:41:25-04:002016-03-21T10:41:25-04:00CAPT Kevin B.1393205<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Make sure you pick the same wife.Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 21 at 2016 12:10 PM2016-03-21T12:10:28-04:002016-03-21T12:10:28-04:00SSG Keith Cashion1393245<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Remember, that everything you are going to do has consequences that affect your Wife and Children. Bring them into the planning and preparation for the transition. Your biggest supporters are your family.Response by SSG Keith Cashion made Mar 21 at 2016 12:30 PM2016-03-21T12:30:02-04:002016-03-21T12:30:02-04:00SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member1393322<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Should have accepted the direct commission for Signal in the Reserves back in 2005...Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2016 12:53 PM2016-03-21T12:53:24-04:002016-03-21T12:53:24-04:00MAJ Ken Landgren1393565<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>There will be times when you don't celebrate victory and you lament loss. Sometimes you just exist for the whims of the world.Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 21 at 2016 3:10 PM2016-03-21T15:10:12-04:002016-03-21T15:10:12-04:00MAJ Michael Pauling1394814<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Don't buy a bunch of crap or a fancy car thinking I earned it, buy an el cheapo car and put as much $ in Investments/REtirement as I can. ...also skip the six pack of Bud Lite and Pepperoni Pizza the night before a PT Test.............Response by MAJ Michael Pauling made Mar 22 at 2016 7:49 AM2016-03-22T07:49:40-04:002016-03-22T07:49:40-04:002016-03-21T10:20:56-04:00