Transition & Entitlement

Cpl Mario DiPasquale — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:31:46 -0500

The transition from the military to civilian life can be a struggle. By the time my enlistment in the Marine Corps was over, I had earned my Collateral Duty Inspector stamp (Quality Assurance) and was the shop Desk Sergeant as a Corporal. I was running the daily operations of my squadron’s Airframe/Hydraulics shop. So when I got out, I expected to start back up where I left. That wasn’t the case. It can be a challenge to compete with individuals your age that have earned their four-year degrees. The wrong attitude won’t help either.

I was lucky enough to earn a position working as a contract employee for a company. I worked for the Aircraft Group, building and testing hardware that was used for the helicopter I worked on in the Marines. I went into this position thinking I had already earned my place and that becoming a permanent full-time employee was in the bag. I felt entitled; sure I came off that way too. I mean I had four years of experience and quality assurance support under my belt. Everytime a full-time position became available, I would bid, take the test and wait for the phone call that I was sure was coming. Every time I would find out another individual was hired over me, I would e-mail Management and Human Resources and question their judgment. I was lucky enough that I didn’t get fired. About two and a half years later, after being looked over, over and over again, I caught my break. The same company, Space and Defense Group, was hiring a Contamination Analyst. I got the job! Someone had finally recognized my potential!

It was 2012 - three years had gone by since my enlistment in the Marine Corps had ended. I had attended the local community college off and on since getting out, but I didn’t have anything to show for it. My G.I. Bill was wasting away. I knew I had to make a change if I wanted to move up at this company. I spent a few months weighing my options and decided to enroll at the University of Phoenix. I started my journey to earn my Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Software Engineering. About six months into that journey, a job posting caught my eye: “Engineering and Computer Science Co-op Opportunities.” This was it! I was going to move up! Well, I made a few phone calls, sent a couple e-mails, and found out it wasn’t going to work. I was told that I was more than welcome to apply, but I would lose my full-time position, benefits, and take a pay cut. This wasn’t a chance I could take because I have a mortgage. An individual in Employee Relations suggested contacting a few IT managers to see if they had any work I could help them with on a temporary basis.

Guess who showed his face again? “Entitled” Mario did. I e-mailed several IT managers the same long, drawn-out, entitled e-mail… not. one. response. back. So, I went to Human Resources. I was frustrated. Here I was again getting passed up. I earned my right to do something like this, I thought. That was when I met the woman who helped me realize I was only hurting myself and needed to make some changes on how I approached things. She showed me how my actions were really destroying my chances. We revised my e-mail and I sent it to those same managers. This time, they all responded back.

Fast forward to now, I am still in that entry-level position. But, due to the many connections I have made with my positive approach, I have worked on quite a few side projects that have helped me get to where I am today. I am one week away from finally earning my Bachelor's degree. The best part though - I just had an interview for a position that has the potential to fast track my career to Upper Management. This was only possible because I was able to change my attitude with the help from someone who was able to look past my entitled mindset and see the potential in me.

I don’t know if I will be chosen for this position. There are several candidates whose education lines up better for this position. But, it will be okay if I don’t. I have spoken with several executive level individuals in Human Resources and Employee Development and they have all said the same thing to me – “I see great things coming your way in the very near future. You are everything this company is looking for in an employee.”

Don’t make the same mistakes I made. Approach this next chapter in your life with a positive outlook and don’t expect anyone to give you anything because you think you deserve it. Prove it.

Response by GySgt Moses Lozano made Dec 9 at 2015 12:01 PM

GySgt Moses Lozano — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 12:01:19 -0500

Well said Mario. I too had that sense of entitlement as well when I retired. I thought I would land a job to my liking and with the pay I wanted quickly but to no avail. Before I joined the Corps, you used to be able to actually speak in person to people or mangers for jobs. Sure it didn't work all the time but 80 percent of the time it did. Now everybody only has two choices applying electronically or knowing somebody who can get you in.

It's pretty easy to get a job just to work but harder to find the job you want with the pay and benefits to go along. It's hard to face but all Military veterans have to realize that we are just civilians now regardless of what rank you were or what you did.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 12:39 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 12:39:02 -0500

very good advise!

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 9 at 2015 12:44 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 12:44:14 -0500

Cpl Mario DiPasquale Great post! So many of our problems are based between our ears! When you speak of that 'Mario' guy screwing you up, you are so right!

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Dec 9 at 2015 2:59 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 14:59:44 -0500

Cpl Mario DiPasquale great information for all, hence start at least two years out! Can't go wrong!

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 4:13 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 16:13:45 -0500

Thank you for your service, this article and most importantly your attitude!!! I've been a manager in Corporate America for the past 18 years and I can assure you that change does not come fast or easy. As much as we'd all like to believe that our brothers and sisters that served this country should get first dibs when it comes to hiring, most managers "talk the talk" much more than they "walk the walk". Now, with that being said, let me assure you, I would hire attitude over ANYTHING and EVERYTHING and most managers and executives I know agree. As soon as you let the system get the best of you, you lose!! Keep your chin up because great things will come to you!

Response by PO3 Brad Phlipot made Dec 9 at 2015 5:28 PM

PO3 Brad Phlipot — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 17:28:15 -0500

Awesome post with great insight to lessons learned. Glad you are doing well.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Dec 10 at 2015 12:09 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 12:09:38 -0500

Glad you are moving in the right direction, congratulations on your accomplishments and wishing you all the best in the future. I think that we all fall into the 'entitlement' trap from time to time, because we KNOW that, if just given the chance, could excel in almost any position we find ourselves. I have to say that after sending out some resumes, I found myself in that position just recently. Thank you for the push back into the correct path.

Response by Cpl David E. Jenkins Jr. made Dec 31 at 2015 10:58 AM

Cpl David E. Jenkins Jr. — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 10:58:29 -0500

Semper Fi I also have worked in the IT field but what make it easy for me was that I got a certification. Companies will accept you quicker when you have a certification.

Response by CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR made Jan 1 at 2016 12:33 AM

CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:33:41 -0500

Outstanding lesson learned. I see a lot of veterans with the mindset of entitlement and not competing like they did during active service and earning the role.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Jan 1 at 2016 9:55 PM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 21:55:25 -0500

Attitude has a lot to do with getting the job. I have seen where "Grumpy Grumperton's" are placed in the broom closet, with the same number of employees who are equally disgruntled. Maybe the dog defecated on the rug again, the wife is being snarky, or the kids are being their usual suspect selves; no matter, this behavior affects the workplace. And who would want to work under these type of circumstances. So, sending those demanding emails can be detrimental to one's career. Additionally, be careful how emails are answered. It is amazing how they are parsed to mean something not even close! Good luck.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jan 2 at 2016 4:08 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Sat, 02 Jan 2016 16:08:01 -0500

Thanks for your candid insights into the difficulty in transitioning from military to civilian sector. Not uncommon and often very difficult for SMs of any rank or time in service. SMs should read yr experience and that of others on this forum for a real-life example of the issues faced and avail themselves of y our experiences. Best wishes in the future.