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

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.

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

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.

SFC Ronald Manners

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.