What advice would you give to an active duty soldier transitioning into the civilian work force?

SFC Ronald Manners — Thu, 26 May 2016 15:09:14 -0400

Response by SFC Ronald Manners made May 26 at 2016 3:13 PM

SFC Ronald Manners — Thu, 26 May 2016 15:13:15 -0400

in the military sometimes we have to yell to get our point across. Have you had a situation where you've lost your temper as a civilian employee?

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made May 26 at 2016 3:24 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Thu, 26 May 2016 15:24:48 -0400

Try to restrain from screaming "Attention" when your boss enters the room! Anyone with a cardiac condition will appreciate that!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 3:49 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 15:49:49 -0400

The best thing you could do is make sure that your resume is tight and then send it to someone who is great at looking at them, then fix your mistakes and start working on your interview skills. Your resume will get you the interview, your interview technique will land the job.

Response by SFC Terri Will made May 26 at 2016 3:53 PM

SFC Terri Will — Thu, 26 May 2016 15:53:13 -0400

As soon as you know when you're getting out, start saving your money. Rule of thumb (per Dave Ramsey & Suzie Orman) is to have at least 6 months contingency at all times. Also, take full advantage of any and all job search options/services that your post offers in addition to the required ACAP. I processed through the education center at West Point & in addition to the ACAP, they offered a 2 day program on education and getting into colleges which was great for me and they had other programs for people interested in entrepreneurship and other stuff. If there are free programs, take full advantage of them. If your unit tries to tell you no, if you're within 6 months of your ETS/retirement transition leave, they can't. I forget the regulation, but you're supposed to be focusing on your transition. Also, if you schedule your VA rating appointment within 6 months of your ETS/retirement date, it can be expedited, whereas if you wait until you're out, it will take up to a year.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 26 at 2016 5:12 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Thu, 26 May 2016 17:12:05 -0400

Take time to learn about the prospective company you want to work at.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 5:16 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 17:16:13 -0400

This biggest issue of have seen is that Soldiers get out and they don't have a tight support network like you do when on active duty. This is particularly the case with under 30 Soldiers. They don't realize target employees don't get together and party and share war stories. They get depressed and bad things happen. So join the local vfw, and get involved in community you are going to reside in prior to getting out. This will help on the career front and just make the transition a little easier.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made May 26 at 2016 5:54 PM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Thu, 26 May 2016 17:54:44 -0400

run....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 6:32 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 18:32:04 -0400

I just recently transitioned i.e. Retired. Here's some observations I've seen (so far):
1. Civilian life is not as fast paced as we are used to. Biggest "culture shock" I've run into so far.
2. Resume resume resume and interview skills. Ive done 1 interviews so far. The first one I had just stopped into fill out application and drop off resume. After I filled everything out and went to turn into HR person she looked at everything and asked if I would be available for a interview in about a week. I am in the middle of moving to my new home(which is 600 miles away, and was up there for a week to house hunt/job hunt). I explained this to her and told her I wouldn't be back up in that area for good until a month from now. I just wanted to start getting my resume and apps out there. She asked me if I would be willing to interview now. Of course I said yes. She called 1 of the managers and explained the situation. We had a 30 minute interview, he then took me on tour of the facility. At the end he said he would be in touch. 45 minutes later I received a call from him saying he had talked to his General Manager and they wanted to offer me a position in their Management Training Program!! That was my first location I stopped at. I went to 3 other locations that day and have received calls back wanting interviews etc. after I explained everything (from above). They were very receptive on working with my schedule to set up interviews when I move to where I'm going for good.

Sooooo 1 day "on the streets" filling out 4 applications, 1 interview. Results. 1 lucrative job offer, and 3 more interviews set up. I'd call that fairly successful so far.

3. Depending on where you are moving to what kind of support do you have? Me. I'm moving back to my hometown so my family/friends have been very helpful with jobs(who's hiring, who's not, housing etc). That in itself is worth it's weight in gold.

Overall it's been a good transition (so far). I'm sure Mr Murphy will make a appearance sooner or later, but I'm ready for him...lol.

Response by SPC Dawn Appelberg (Johnson) made May 26 at 2016 7:02 PM

SPC Dawn Appelberg (Johnson) — Thu, 26 May 2016 19:02:07 -0400

DECOMPRESS first. Look the hardest thing to deal with is the transition itself You are going from an arena where Top says FIX IT DAMMIT and you move to deal with it, to having to ask about the wife, the kids, the new car and suggesting there may be a challenge that needs to be addressed - and even then having an EEO complaint because you are too harsh..oh and hand holding them through it as they are not really used to having to think about it without someone stroking their ego! Those who have transitioned tell me I am wrong!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 9:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 21:16:47 -0400

Have all your military records medical, personnel and education get copies. There is an online tool to convert your MOS to civilian sector jobs, prepare separate resume's for different job's descriptions. If yours is an MOS that doesn't apply to civilian employment, there are still qualities that you posses that employers look for; Leadership, Management skills, Supervision, Planning, Time Management. So your still in the big GAME.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2016 9:43 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 May 2016 21:43:22 -0400

Do the things you have always done. But, remember it will not be the military anymore. Watch and evaluate the culture before getting too involved.

Go slow until you understand the new environment.

Response by Lt Col Brian Niswander made May 26 at 2016 10:04 PM

Lt Col Brian Niswander — Thu, 26 May 2016 22:04:47 -0400

You might look at the interactive transition intel dashboard at the following website: http://www.military-transition.org/results.html

Results from the Military Transition Study

We're releasing the first Transition Intelligence Dashboard which allows users to filter and view survey results to date.

Response by MSG William Wold made May 26 at 2016 10:45 PM

MSG William Wold — Thu, 26 May 2016 22:45:30 -0400

I can't add anything that hasn't already been said.
I didn't have the leisure of working after retirement. I received a divorce decree that stated that I had to pay my ex spouse 50% of any and all money earned from employment until any and all retirements programs participated in during the marriage were paying out. Darn liberal female judge.. But I've caught a bunch of fish and have a decent roof over my head.. Challenge is ex spouse gets a portion of those also, but I could go to work now and earn money from employment all mine as all the retirements are paying out, but why? The fishing is still too good.

Response by SFC Jim Mergott made May 27 at 2016 7:29 AM

SFC Jim Mergott — Fri, 27 May 2016 07:29:00 -0400

I'm going to keep it real. Do not use your veteran status as a crutch. Be humble and accept the fact that your chances of starting at the same pay level and responsibility level are slim to none. Understand and embrace the fact that when it comes down to it,the upper management types really don't care if you served or not. Having said this you will find that civilian lifestyle is significantly easier than military ONLY if you are proactive. GOODLUCK.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made May 27 at 2016 12:05 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 27 May 2016 12:05:59 -0400

In the Civilian World:
1. Avoid acronyms and jargon. It will only frighten and confuse them.
2. Understand many will automatically assume (and thus prejudge) you to be a victim of TBI and/or PTSD, whether you are or not, because that's all they hear about.
3. Many think that trivial issues such as putting the right cover sheets on your TPS Reports (Bonus points if you know that reference!) is a matter of life and death...never mind the fact you were military and may have a slightly better perspective on what constitutes matters of life and death.
4. Many employers--people in general really--are genuinely grateful that you served. Many pretend to be, knowing it's the right thing to say. Many are simply ambivalent. A few look down on you for it. Understand those are the 4 kinds of people you'll meet in the civilian world.
4.(A) Remember your military service is yours and yours alone; to remember or celebrate or move on from. No one else defines you as a veteran. Certainly not your employer.
5. Unless you're retiring, you were a civilian longer that a SM. It may help to tap into that mindset when dealing with one who never served.
6. Translate your military experience into civilian understanding. An example might be you were a fire team leader, but the civilian world may better understand that you were in charge of a small specialized team that coordinated with other groups to accomplish goals both immediate and long term, often under time constrains in stressful situations.
7. As one would recon the enemy, study the company you are looking to join. Know who they are, what they do, who their customers are, how your skills can benefit them (employers are most interested in what you can do for them after all!).

Off the top of my head, that's all I got.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2016 2:39 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 May 2016 02:39:01 -0400

Make sure you got an associate degree or higher. Always have several plan, because plan A-C might not be enough. Finally, market yourself like a product. Why do I want to work here and what do I bring to the table?

Response by CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR made May 29 at 2016 1:10 AM

CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR — Sun, 29 May 2016 01:10:19 -0400

Start early before your transition date,be serious and put in the work be consistent, be visible and deliver results. Also start networing

Response by SrA Steve Susumu Monas made May 29 at 2016 2:46 AM

SrA Steve Susumu Monas — Sun, 29 May 2016 02:46:02 -0400

Go to the va. Then school...

Response by PO3 Jade Crowsmeadow made May 31 at 2016 11:07 AM

PO3 Jade Crowsmeadow — Tue, 31 May 2016 11:07:46 -0400

Try not to say the first thing that pops into your head. Civilians don't think the same. Try not to show how irritated you are with the lack of a work ethic. Remember your training and who you have become as a soldier. Look into trade schools or colleges and use every bit of the programs that are uniquely available to you. Fine the local DAV and ask them whatever yiu need or want assistance with. They are a wealth of experience and assistance. Hold tight, and ride the wave of change. It's a big one.

Response by SPC John Lebiecki made Aug 2 at 2016 11:59 AM

SPC John Lebiecki — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 11:59:37 -0400

Sit back and watch. Use those observation skills and be willing to LEARN. If you dont, you wont last.