Job skills AFTER the service?

I made no preparations whatsoever when I left the service, and things, while they turned out okay for me, could have been so much better if I had sat down, made some sort of plan, and a few phone calls. If I had it to do over I would have either made contacts in government or applied to Tier 2 schools (Ivy League being out of my price range). Nowadays I think you need a good LinkedIn profile, a corresponding network, and a clear idea of where you are going. Don't just wing it like I did - your life will run you instead of the other way around.

I began preparing for transition years before I retired....not that I had my foot half way out the door, but we all know that the running and gunning will come to end at some point. As a Medic, I took advantage of positions on active duty that coorelated well to jobs in the private sector. And when I had the opportunity to go to school-I did! I paid attention in my transition briefings (ACAP) and did what they advised-and guess what...it worked! In my opinion the Army did a great job of providing me with the tools for success, bit it was up to me to put those tools to use and build a post military career!

NETWORK, NETWORK and NETWORK.
RESEARCH, RESEARCH and Re-Search.
Two years before separating I didn't know if I would get out or stay in. I prepared for both. Staying in the service is easy, the service will guide you with a smile every step of the way. Getting out, I felt like I was on my own. I think I had more check lists and running around for signatures to get out than getting in or reenlisting.
Preparing to separate, I spoke with my prior service peers that got out at our 6 year mark while I stayed for 10. I kept in touch with many and gauged their transitions to the other side. They gave a lot of advice and insight. Admit I was scared but they gave me confidence I would be okay.
I kept in touch with contractors and civilians I had worked with throughout my career. Even if it was once or twice a year, I reached out to them if only to remind them I still existed. This turned out to work in my favor. I was picked up to manage a contract project that I worked with as a service member.
Volunteer for training and extra duties, especially the ones no one wants to do. This is part of being well rounded. I did this and it opened more doors. Some positions are short manned because people dislike doing them. Sometimes these jobs pay very well because it's difficult to find some willing to do them.