What are some of the main problems you see with veterans leaving the service?

2016-07-03T02:47:47-04:00

Earlier today me and my mom had a conversation about people leaving the service. We talked about the main issues surrounding veterans that are leaving. She said that some veterans don't get jobs in the military they relate to jobs in the civilian world. She also said some veterans don't take certain jobs because it's below them. Also how some veterans refuse to start at the bottom. any thoughts?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2016 2:55 AM

2016-07-03T02:55:09-04:00

You're asking two completely different questions here.
Many Veterans leave Active Duty (stated because you didn't specify) still lacking key skills and solid understanding of important resources (VA, GI Bill, resume, translation to civilian workforce info).
/*Break*/
Some do refuse to take jobs that they feel are "below them", and those may miss out on respect of being humble and knowledge of the specific ways that an organization handles such tasks.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jul 3 at 2016 2:55 AM

2016-07-03T02:55:22-04:00

1. TAP/ SFL/ ACAP is usually run by a Veteran that has only held that job as a civilian. He/She knows nothing about the civilian world, and is disinclined to learn and implement that knowledge because they have a very comfortable job. This causes an unrealistic approach to transitioning.
2. Veterans have more experience than their education can support. It makes our resumes look wonky, and makes a potential employer wonder if the experience can be trusted.
3. Veterans do think they should be hired in at higher levels than their education/experience deserves.
4. Civilian employers make little effort to understand the culture of mission focus and motivation that causes experience/education mismatched resumes and they are unwilling take a gamble on the unknown.
5. Our civilian leadership has betrayed us by paining a public picture of the "broken" Veteran. This causes a deeper concern about the gamble mentioned in #4.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2016 2:58 AM

2016-07-03T02:58:05-04:00

the most common problem i've seen vets dealing with is the acceptance of terrible work ethic in the workplace. it's hard to rebuild your tolerance when you've always been taught to seek out and eliminate mediocrity.

Response by SFC Jim Mergott made Jul 3 at 2016 3:00 AM

2016-07-03T03:00:01-04:00

She makes valid points.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 3 at 2016 3:34 AM

2016-07-03T03:34:11-04:00

On the flip side there are veterans who don't mind starting at the bottom and apply for "entry level" positions only to get turned down and told straight up "You're over-qualified and I don't want to have to be looking for another person to fill this position in 6 months when you find a better job." True story, happened to me.

Response by LTC James Bozeman made Jul 3 at 2016 7:15 AM

2016-07-03T07:15:47-04:00

There are great transition stories and bad ones. My experience is that most military members have poor transition stories because they expect the military to help them transition. Many of the people I entered service with in the early 80s had a goal of 20+ years of service and so never planned for the transition (always assuming it could wait). I have seen several military drawdowns (right-sizing), friends who have gotten out with no plan, and others who are ending their careers with kids in high school, spouses who are used to a certain life style, and no real plan. The Military does a decent job of on-boarding new personnel, but a rather lack-luster job of helping you when you leave. I now work for the VA and see Veterans who constantly say I wish I had done .... Here are few recommendations that I have been sharing with friends who are or who have transitioned out.

1. Start planning 3-5 years out, earlier if you can. We always have a goal in the Military (CSM, COL, GEN, etc) - but sometimes life interferes. Remember the Military is not a growth organization - there are more junior spots than senior spots (it is like a pyramid) You may not make the 20 - you may get injured, have a bad NCOER/OER or situation develop that forces you to leave earlier than you expected. You should always have a solid 3-5 year plan, complete with the following:
a) Resume, constantly updated with new experiences (it is easier to build a resume, tinker with it and develop it over time than it is to whip it up when you are in the midst of transition)
b) Self Assessment on strengths, skills, and interests. (SFL and the Ed Centers offer these for free - your interests and skills change over time)
c) Savings/Insurance/Investment strategy/Healthcare strategy (The old adage of at least 6 months savings is still valid)
d) Transition/retirement location identified. (Many people don't think about where they would like to retire. Our plans changed over the years as we moved to new locations - continue to refine your plan - might even think about changing residency to ensure you are properly aligned. Currently we are going to retire to a location we never dreamed of in our early years)
e) Refining educational experiences (if possible link your education with your job experiences) - don't overlook the value of certifications that the Military may pay for during your service.
f) Networking - join LinkedIn and RallyPoint and other sites. Contribute now to discussions, ask insightful questions. Continue to develop your sphere of influence. As you build that sphere - reach out to local companies and do "informational" interviews - see what the civilian sphere is looking for in people and work to tailor your skill sets to support those needs.
g) Look at the needs of your family. Where do children and spouse figure into the transition plan? What can you do to ease their transition?
h) Read- there are lots of self-help transition guides out there from financial institutions to planning organizations and sites. Do your own research and tailor a plan for yourself and your family situation. Everyone's is different and therefore unique.
i) Don't be too proud. Personal lesson - I started my Military Career as a PFC, made it to SGT, transitioned to the Army Officer Corps and made it to LTC before being medically retired. I have taken minimum wage jobs and low GS jobs to get into the system - nothing is below you when you have a family to support. I know others who have been security guards, janitors, and fast food workers after holding senior Military positions. Take a lesson from Actors - do what it takes till you make your big break...and keep working and looking for better opportunities.

Last thought - this is your life - you need to take charge. Best of luck and Drive on! Hope this helps.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 3 at 2016 9:10 AM

2016-07-03T09:10:51-04:00

All of the above and then some. One thing seldom mentioned about transition is a generally poor writing skill set with transitioning SMs. Along with poor writing comes poor language skills (narrowly defined). So I recommend getting some English Lit, Technical Writing, etc. type coursework in during the AD period so the SM isn't caught short. This issue is why we've passed over many Vets during the resume screening or interview process for entry GS-9 to GS-12 positions. Good writing means you ditch the military lingo. Firms generally don't want to spend a lot of time deprogramming you.

Response by SGT Tracey "Tra" Cooper-Harris made Jul 3 at 2016 12:26 PM

2016-07-03T12:26:22-04:00

Here are some problems I witnessed through transition from my own experience & from the veterans I worked with while at the VA:

1. Not being able to translate their military experience into "civilianese" so employers can understand what they're bringing to the table. It needs to be broken down by the value of what you had control over, the number of people you led/supervised, how much material you were responsible for, how you worked both within and outside of your section/unit/branch of service to gt the job done.
2. Some folks believing they should not take entry-level positions because of their military experience OR, employers not giving veterans an opportunity at an entry-level position because the veteran is "overqualified". If I'm applying for a job, don't think that I'll up & leave because my experience is above the means of the job. I need to work. And a job is better than NO JOB.
3. For those who have a job where there's a civilian equivalent, providing those veterans who want it the ability to test for state certification to be able to work that job without going back to school to relearn what they've spent 4 or more years doing in the military. I had a job that directly translated into the private sector. The only way I could sit for the licensing exam was to go to school for 2-4yrs to learn what I had been doing for 12yrs. Didn't make any sense. This is especially hard with medical personnel transitioning out.
4. The VA. Specifically, what veterans are eligible for, how to apply for services, claims, GI Bill, VA Loan, medical care. The information provided at TAPS may be getting better, but it's still has a ways to go on benefits & services provided.
5. Leaving the service bitter & believing that you are "owed" something. Look. Unless you were drafted, we all volunteered to join. Get as much education, knowledge, training, mentorship, traveling, cultural interaction that you can. Be informed of what benefits you are eligible for AND entitled to from your service for you & your family. You have to be your biggest advocate.
6. Not continuing to serve after leaving the military. We as veterans WANT to continue to serve our fellow veterans & our communities. Volunteer with other organizations. Stay involved with something you are passionate about, be it animals, gardening, energy conservation, disaster relief, or working out.
7. Not seeking help when you start to get into dark places. I don't care if you were SOF, REMF, 11B or a vet tech like me. You start thinking about your experiences and end up in a dark place? It is NOT a sign of weakness to get help. Even if you don't want to use the VA Hospital, there are Vet Centers, Give An Hour, veterans organizations you can connect & reach out to. You don't have to "Suck it up & drive on" anymore. The ripple effect to suicides is far reaching. I lost a CPT in my unit & a Marine friend who was a BIG advocate for getting the help needed & encouraging others to do so. We lost these men too soon.

Response by SPC James Harsh made Jul 3 at 2016 1:20 PM

2016-07-03T13:20:55-04:00

I was working at a landscape place and we had picked up a large granite tread by hand to put on a trailer. Guy said, did you lift big things like that in the army. I said forget that thing, if i was in the army i would of blasted it to bits with a machine gun. At least i thouvht it was funny.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jul 3 at 2016 2:30 PM

2016-07-03T14:30:28-04:00

The biggest problem I've seen with people leaving the military is the absence of a transition plan. If you are getting out, have a job lined up, be enrolled in a college, attend some job training program, etc. Getting out just to "Do anything other than this military stuff" (which I heard quite often) is a recipe for disaster in the private sector.

Response by SFC Clifford Brewer made Jul 21 at 2021 6:37 AM

2021-07-21T06:37:02-04:00

I see lost of benefits, (if living in Germany) denied medical appointments on military post because not enough doctors available..
No va benefits offer living Germany