Posted on Nov 2, 2014
Officers: Are you networking for your former enlisted comrades?
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As enlisted members leave service and turn towards college or going straight into the job market they lack a lot of connections in the civilian sector. Officers, having made many connections as a young person in college, can probably expect to have a larger pool of people to reach out to when transitioning.
I would like to ask the officers here on Rallypoint if they are using that network to help out their enlisted counterparts they served with.
Thank you ahead of time for your responses.
I would like to ask the officers here on Rallypoint if they are using that network to help out their enlisted counterparts they served with.
Thank you ahead of time for your responses.
Posted in these groups: 
Transition
Transition
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 7
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The recession in '08-09 hit me hard and I wasn't networked so it took a long time to find a new job and all of my savings. Being in the Reserve Component has its goods and bads. The bad is that your vulnerable to the market. It was through networking with another LT that turned things back around. Definitely a wake up call to get schooled and pay it forward.
So I created a cloud file for my old platoon with resources to connect them to JCEP, ESGR laws that protect them from hostile employers, veteran job portals, and encouraged them to all create LinkedIn profiles. I'll be damned if they have to go through the same mess I went through.
Sidebar- I'm in a position now where I'm trying to network more in the Seattle and Portland area. I'm currently in Japan as a headhunter for pharma/med device companies while still serving on IMA status. ESGR laws don't protect me here. I've come close to losing my job due to military obligations so I'm considering head to the NW Coast. Anyone in the area feel free to connect.
So I created a cloud file for my old platoon with resources to connect them to JCEP, ESGR laws that protect them from hostile employers, veteran job portals, and encouraged them to all create LinkedIn profiles. I'll be damned if they have to go through the same mess I went through.
Sidebar- I'm in a position now where I'm trying to network more in the Seattle and Portland area. I'm currently in Japan as a headhunter for pharma/med device companies while still serving on IMA status. ESGR laws don't protect me here. I've come close to losing my job due to military obligations so I'm considering head to the NW Coast. Anyone in the area feel free to connect.
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This is a great topic actually. While Soldiers are on active duty, I would imagine it would be difficult for leaders to network for their enlisted Soldiers. The exception to this would be a letter of recommendation. I would suggest, as a junior enlisted Soldier, to seek them out and ask if they can write a LOR. Sometimes, junior Soldiers are nervous to go and seek them out.
Once we are no longer AD, I think it is vital for us to network for ourselves and other Veterans. Meaning, if you are working, make sure that your company understands how beneficial hiring Vets can be. A lot of civilian companies only know what they see on TV or in the mainstream media. We are the ones that can show companies the value in hiring Vets. Get in work your ass off and show them that they should hire more of us...
Once we are no longer AD, I think it is vital for us to network for ourselves and other Veterans. Meaning, if you are working, make sure that your company understands how beneficial hiring Vets can be. A lot of civilian companies only know what they see on TV or in the mainstream media. We are the ones that can show companies the value in hiring Vets. Get in work your ass off and show them that they should hire more of us...
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I will help any enlisted I've served with (who did their job) to the end. That goes for civilians I've employed/worked with as well. I can't even count how many college/grad school rec letters I've written at this point.
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