What are some of the preconceived notions that Veterans face once leaving the military?

2015-05-26T11:19:10-04:00

Some of the things I have heard is that we had "tunnel vision" and are unable to adjust to change... Any others? Besides we all have PTSD or TBI.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 26 at 2015 11:21 AM

2015-05-26T11:21:50-04:00

What I have encountered is that many don't realize that they will likely be starting at, or near, the bottom. To be honest, I too was surprised by how little my years of service seemed to matter when I joined the civilian workforce. People may have appreciated my service, but they had been toiling away in their careers too and now it was time for me to "pay my dues" if I wanted to join their ranks.

Response by LTC John Shaw made May 26 at 2015 11:52 AM

2015-05-26T11:52:32-04:00

SGT Jamell Culbreath Life must be easy when you are in the military everyone must follow orders, which is back handed way of saying they don't trust your management techniques with a civilian work force.
On to the positive...
I reinforce/resell your experience with the concepts of: establishing a vision, acting with integrity and trusting all team members to do great work and work together to meet the organizational goal.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 26 at 2015 1:23 PM

2015-05-26T13:23:06-04:00

We're all crazy, foul-mouthed alcoholics.

Response by SPC Allison Joy Cumming made May 27 at 2015 12:55 PM

2015-05-27T12:55:06-04:00

Oh boy. Where to begin. Every civilian is different in my opinion. Some think of military as individuals that didn't have another option available. We are lucky to have a current generation of children that their parents are teaching them about patriotism and respect for service members and the sacrifices we make. For me the biggest thing is a lack of understanding of what we do/did that makes it hard for some to communicate effectively with us and for us a lack of desire to create comradeship with civilians.

I have found that I surround myself with fellow veterans or first responders, my comfort zone.

Response by SMSgt Todd Grebel made May 27 at 2015 1:30 PM

2015-05-27T13:30:44-04:00

Job interview six months ago got the statement "being in the military your just told what to do" as if there was no thought process involved on the path to a vision. I asked, "Don't you work for someone? Don't they tell you what to do?", and had to explain that we are all given objectives but how we get there is a matter of leadership and experience.

Response by SP5 Anita B. Lumpkin made May 27 at 2015 3:41 PM

2015-05-27T15:41:16-04:00

I work in a Veteran Student Services office at a university, and veterans need to remember that people really "tuned out" of the war a couple years after 9/11. I find myself having to constantly explain OIF/OEF as a decade long war. Many people forget all of that.

Response by MSgt Beth Bartlett made May 27 at 2015 6:59 PM

2015-05-27T18:59:14-04:00

A lot of the feedback you receive will depend on the agency or company and also how many others are prior service. Some preconceived notions that you may stumble across have been mentioned such as rigid or wait for someone to give you an order, others include liberal use of profanity, growing bored staying in one location, sarcastic, cocky, too direct, etc. However, more often I find that the notions run to the positive end of the spectrum of reliability, leadership skills, responsible, disciplined, quick learner, not afraid to get involved, able to multitask, confident, and all of the other attributes we truly bring to the table. It's up to you, and all of us, to reinforce the strengths that make each of us ideal candidates.

Response by 1SG Stephen Burgess made May 27 at 2015 7:36 PM

2015-05-27T19:36:44-04:00

I can't speak for the workplace because I still work for Uncle Sam. But, I still feel on the outside when it comes to the civilian populace. Fortunately, I live in a place that is heavily populated with military. Both active and retired. The non-military in our area tend to be from the upper middle class to the upper class and have no idea how to relate to us. They are polite and friendly, but will keep you at arms length which I personally believe stems from their fear of us. They probably think we are all dangerous...ticking time bombs...trained killers. They have no idea that many of us are technical nerds that have never fired a shot in combat.

Response by Pvt Brian York made May 27 at 2015 9:45 PM

2015-05-27T21:45:13-04:00

Your military service means nothing more than the fact that most of the civilians you encounter will be lerious or afraid of what could or may happen if you are unable to maintain your bearing and resolve of mind. While we all were in another country doing our duty fighting our wars, the United States moved on. We were forgotten. Now when we have returned we are the slow man or woman of the group and the rest of the group wont slow down for us to catch up.

Response by Maj Dov Kawamoto made May 27 at 2015 9:47 PM

2015-05-27T21:47:06-04:00

When interviewing for a leadership position with a nonprofit, I was asked if "coming out of the Marine Corps I could work with women? "

Response by PFC Aaron Knapp made May 27 at 2015 10:21 PM

2015-05-27T22:21:37-04:00

All you know how to do is Blow sh#t up..!?!

Response by PO1 Sean Reynolds made May 28 at 2015 7:05 AM

2015-05-28T07:05:33-04:00

One of the hardest things for me was slowing down to civilian pass. Still today it burns my ass waiting for people to get something completed so I can finish my work. Plus I've noticed there isn't a lot of accountability. I work in aviation and people can screw something up and they aren't held accountable it's just up to you/someone else to fix it.

Response by 2LT Darren Bradshaw made May 28 at 2015 9:30 AM

2015-05-28T09:30:32-04:00

I think GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad really hit on something there. As a Veterans Employment Representative, I was just speaking with an employer last week who saw it as a problem that Vets seem to want to enter companies at the same level they left the military.

What dawned on me at that point, was that in some ways, leaving the military is a career change like any other. Except in some very rare cases, you can't expect to change industries and have a 100% lateral move. You need to start lower on the totem pole. That said, your military experience should enable you to move up more quickly.

Of course, there is some discrimination and "every vet is the same" attitude among some employers, but I also see many companies very willing to give the RIGHT vet every chance.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 10:57 AM

2015-05-28T10:57:14-04:00

After returning home I have realized that the civilian work force does not truly understand that some of the biggest businesses out there that are thriving can directly relate their leadership techniques and company structure to that of the military. If you honestly take a look at it in a standard business and filter it with any rank structure start at the bottom. Mail room = PVT, Team members = SPC, Team Leaders = SGT, Supervisors = SSG, Assistant Managers = SFC, Managers = 1SG etc. Some places out there will appreciate at least the rank due to a better understanding of this and how our positions in the military will directly correlate to their business, and help them thrive. Yes we have the capability to step back and take orders and understand, but embrace the fact that that E-7 with 20 years of service has at least more than a basic knowledge of training techniques, and an understanding of how to task people, and manage them to successfully accomplish the task at hand in a timely manner.

Response by SGT Anthony Shore made May 28 at 2015 12:21 PM

2015-05-28T12:21:38-04:00

While it is true that many veterans have difficulty adjusting to civilian life, it is not the case for "all" former service members. I have found that the populace of civilians who have no military experience have very different notions about how military families work. An example would be, my own children were raised in the military environment from birth, moving from post to post takes it's toll on young children and the stresses of moving and having one or both parents deployed or TDY for months on end can be very confusing and stressful as well. This is what causes young children of service members to "act out". They are handling the stress as best as they can. The civilian population only sees them as "military brats" and in need of "more disciplining" when what they really need is 'more stability" .

Response by Carl Jones made Sep 25 at 2020 5:10 AM

2020-09-25T05:10:30-04:00

I don't think there are waivers for those health conditions when applying to the service.