Job skills AFTER the service?

2014-10-21T11:10:22-04:00

Many of us have served and left, or are serving and will be leaving in the next few years.

How are you planning for the future if you have a job skill that doesn't directly translate? Or, you have a skill but want to change directions.

Example, Intelligence = What job in the civilian world?

What have you done / are you doing to prepare for transition into civilian life?

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Oct 21 at 2014 11:19 AM

2014-10-21T11:19:28-04:00

I actually started working in the field I wanted before I got out. I then moved to LA and made the commute to Santa Ana until I got out.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2014 12:50 PM

2014-10-21T12:50:28-04:00

I believe that analytical skills and leadership are grate skills to transfer to the civilian life

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 2:49 PM

2014-10-31T14:49:58-04:00

Great question Sir!

I was one of those Soldiers who took to heart that no one would take care of me better then myself. After being in Airborne TOE units for the first 13 years of my military career my requests to take college classes were turned down by the Company Commander 100% of the time. When I applied for the Flight Medic Course the Battalion Commander turned my request down citing a shortage of Airborne qualified Combat Medics. I applied for Recruiting Duty being told I didn't have enough time in service and on my third attempt to be selected for Recruiting Duty ended up being selected for Drill Sergeant Duty by the Department of the Army a few years later watching those who had been Flight Medics get selected for MSG over many of us SFC's who were much more accomplished and qualified Senior NCO's. There were all kinds of excuses as to why my Commanders turned down taking college classes and other career enhancing courses while if it wasn't the shortage of Airborne qualified Combat Medics it was mission first and a fast paced OPTEMPO year after year when a unique little thing called online educational opportunities came to fruition.

It was at this time that even after being a Drill Sergeant and having outstanding records that I realized that in spite of many accomplishments I had made the chances that I would progress further into the Senior NCO ranks was slim to none. Not to mention that I fell extremely ill along with began to experience difficulties with disabilities resulting from previous deployments and Airborne Operations. So in 2007 I completed my Bachelor Degree in Health Care Management (Summa Cum Laude), and my Master Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management (Summa Cum Laude) in 2008 while assigned to the WTU and going through three MEB's with a few seniors hassling me the whole way who were shocked to find out the extent of my disabilities being awarded 100% PDRL and the same from the VA through the IDES retiring in 2012 after 20 years, 9 months, 6 days...

I realized through all this that just having an education was not enough gaining insight into the fact that experience and credentials were even more important than anything else. I decided put the same energy that once took me from SR/E-1 to SFC/E-7 on the fast track where for a time I was considered one of the best Senior NCO's in my MOS and aligned myself with a Senior Army officer COL John Collins who took me under his wing like a little brother mentoring me while putting me on my present track. Next year I will become a GS-13 in a career field that is totally opposite from what I did throughout my military career as a Combat Medic. I am looking to one day possibly being selected for the senior service executive development program offered by my present organization as I strive to become an SES.

There is life after the military service for everyone and my Inbox is always open to help a fellow service members. We must all look out for each other in an effort to derail the good old boys and girls network where our former GEN/COL and CSM/SGM Mafia along with the handful of long time civilian civil service leaders only look out for their own. There are those who refuse to let their previously held rank and position go and the ones still patronizing this toxic behavior. A new era of professionals who come from all walks of life is upon us who are going to expect us to have the skills for what ever we do where today I myself am a credentialed Acquisition professional.

The information I have imparted herein are that of my own opinion and not those of my employer or anyone else.

Response by Sgt Israel Zinns made Oct 31 at 2014 3:51 PM

2014-10-31T15:51:06-04:00

I think a big problem, depending on your MOS, for some people transitioning out of the military is finding companies that need your skills in your particular field. Take the intelligence sector as an example since you mentioned it and I happen to be from that field myself. Many of the jobs for civilians in that field are through government contractors and mostly located on the East Coast. I am from the Midwest and had contemplated moving out there to stay in that field, but ultimately met my lovely wife and decided to stay put. If your roots are already too deep it will be hard to transition directly into a career path similar to what you did in the military, unless your old stomping ground happens to be near a major hotspot for your particular industry.

Response by SFC Dave Joslin made Oct 31 at 2014 11:27 PM

2014-10-31T23:27:55-04:00

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!

Response by Elizabeth Malkin made Nov 7 at 2014 12:31 PM

2014-11-07T12:31:15-05:00

Maj Lacy C. RP is partnered with The Transition Center which is a FREE service to our members that helps them understand which jobs their military skills and experience will translate the best into in a civilian setting. Check out their page in the Career Corner: https://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/the-transition-center-the-transition-center-llc/overview

The Transition Center, LLC. | RallyPoint

The Transition Center, LLC.

Response by CMSgt Bill Campbell made Nov 7 at 2014 10:06 PM

2014-11-07T22:06:43-05:00

I spent 22 years in USAF Intel before retiring. A large part of my career was spent doing the best job I could in whatever positions I was assigned while positioning myself for the future. As I'm sure you know, education is priority one. In industry it's the difference between being hired as an exempt (salaried) or non-exempt employee (hourly). The difference in pay between the two is often substantial. About 4 years before I retired, I was fortunate in being able to take my billet anywhere within NSA. I chose a program office that managed budgets and requirements, and oversaw various acquisitions and O&M efforts. I took as many acquisition-related courses as possible. Before I retired, I ensured my clearances were up-to-date. Active clearances are highly marketable. There are many civilian Intel jobs (both Government and industry) depending upon your area of expertise. These include linguists, Intel analysts, collection managers, policy analysts, information assurance, etc. I was fortunate in that I could leverage my clearance, education, and recent acquisition experience to get a job as a Program Manager at a defense contractor.

Response by Maj Lacy C. made Dec 9 at 2014 10:30 AM

2014-12-09T10:30:20-05:00

Thanks all for your comments. This question was asked for my own enlightenment as well as others who might be nearing retirement/separation. Good luck to all!

Response by SrA Andrea West made Dec 9 at 2014 10:43 AM

2014-12-09T10:43:08-05:00

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.

Response by SSgt B Mac made Dec 9 at 2014 12:14 PM

2014-12-09T12:14:01-05:00

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.

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2017-02-26T17:22:10-05:00

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