What are some of your fears of getting out the military?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 11:43:21 -0500

I joined the military to fight for my country also to build a stable life for me and my children. Through out the years I have seen my peers being chaptered out the Army for numerous of reasons even for problems that was not self inflicted. Not to long ago I remember having fun conversations with a soldier at work, maybe a couple of months went by and I seen that same soldier working at Jack-in -a-Box. No matter how much I think about it, the paycheck I am getting helps out with the bills and the comfortable lifestyle that I having giving to my kids but I always think what if I get kicked out so soon to were I am not able to provide for them. I have some military training and a associates degree that I received online but I have no actual hands on training in that career which leaves me with the idea what if its not good enough. Above all, my thinking might be a little far fetched but my fear of getting out the military is not being able to get another job in a timely matter, bills aren't paid, credit is getting bad, cars get taken away, house foreclosed, standing on the corner with my kids begging for money (kids having a help me look on their face), hungry all of the time which leads me to steal for my kids, I receive jail time over stealing diapers or something small, kids get taking away by CPS, I get out of jail with a criminal record so now I can't get a good job and lastly my life is basically over.

Anyways, what are or was some of your fears of getting out the military?

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 11 at 2014 11:52 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 11:52:31 -0500

CPL Private RallyPoint Member I think many SMs transitioning have fears about their ability to find employment and provide for their families at or above the level they have as a SM. This is closely tied to the challenges SMs actually face in finding employment. The biggest one everyone always talks about is translating the significant experience you DO have into terms employers can understand. Explaining to them the ways you will bring value to their organization. A second significant fear, and common weakness is one you identified, compared to others in their age group members of the military are generally less educated in a traditional sense. Fortunately, the Post 9-11 GI bill benefit can assist with that. You might like this related topic:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/transition-what-do-you-wish-you-had-known-or-done-earlier

Transition: What do you wish you had known or done earlier? | RallyPoint

There are already a few good threads on this, but each are few months old, and most give advice either too specific (headhunting firms and programs) or too general (use transition assistance). Here's some of what I've learned so far (and I still have a long way to go-still being on the fence and all) As I've considered a transition I've learned the following points would have been helpful to know earlier: 1. Figure out what you want to do: A.)...

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2014 11:55 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 11:55:53 -0500

I think many have fears or concerns along the lines of what you wrote, CPL Private RallyPoint Member, but I have some advice for you. Don't think about those things so clearly and so much.

A wise man (Lou Tice of the Pacific Institute) always used to say, "We move toward and become like that which we think about." So, focus on how to succeed, how to advance, how to earn your bachelor's degree, how to save for the future, etc., and you will move in that direction. No guarantees, of course, but I always found that advice from LouTice to be rock solid.

I had concerns, worries, fears, but I kept soldiering on and doing my best, and it worked out in the end. It could be that I'm one of the lucky ones, but it could also be that I had a positive attitude, worked hard, and succeeded because I was moving toward and achieving those positive outcomes I envisioned for myself.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 11 at 2014 12:00 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 12:00:21 -0500

Perhaps focus more to what you can do to improve your current position, job..and less focus on "what if I get kicked out"

Concern for taking care of yourself and family is admirable but you will go where you look.
Look to success, that's where you will go.
Focus on the negative and that too is where you will head.
Simultaneous to improving your current position, be real.. plan for what comes next .. There is always LAA (Life after Army)

Response by SSG Genaro Negrete made Dec 11 at 2014 12:49 PM

SSG Genaro Negrete — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 12:49:11 -0500

I hear exactly where you're coming from. I will soon be separating from service and have had all these thoughts cross my mind. There is the practical fear of providing for the family, but I sometimes find myself a bit aimless. I don't know exactly where to focus my future and my next career. My wife often tells me to think about something that I enjoy doing, and find a way to get paid doing that. Easier said than done, but I'm working on it.

The Soldier for Life program has many many resources to help develop post serivce plans. The VA does it's part to ease the transition as well.

In terms of job hunting, the Transition Assitance Program seminars (mandatory when within about 12-18 months from separation and formerly known as ACAP) can be very enlightening when it comes to translating military service into a resume. Many of the things you would find on your monthly counseling statments or NCOER's can be effectively tranlsated into strong bullet points for a resume.

The Army teaches much more than what ever technical trade you signed up for. As you gain more and more responsibility, you'll find yourself learning valuable skills in personnel management, employee evaluations, project management, and supply chain management just to name a few. Back that up with a degree (especially if you qualify for the Post 9/11 GI Bill) and you will find the only obstacles are the ones you set yourself.

I won't get much more into the job hunting. It's an evolving skill for me and I am a constant sponge when it comes to employment search skills.