Posted on Jun 5, 2016
TSgt Alex Benningfield
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I want to hear the best thing you did while you were transitioning (whether retiring or separating) from the military.
Posted in these groups: Military civilian 600x338 Transition
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Responses: 36
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Capt Chuck Ward
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Grew a beard
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SMSgt Diana Pasterchick
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Be prepared for your plans to be rerouted. I thought I had done everything right. As a single parent to a 6 yr old and unlike some of the other responses I knew that I would not be able to relax. However I was confident I would find a job--I had gotten my degree, taken my TAP classes, started networking and worked on my resume for almost a year to get it right. The result of my preparation was two years of unemployment and having to move my little family from DC to family in Upstate NY. The BEST thing I did was stay positive and motivated. While I was unemployed I enjoyed the extra time with my daughter but kept pressing. It has worked out--I have a great job now and my family is happy. Have a plan B and C and know that your life will end up as it should be.
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SMSgt Steve Neal
SMSgt Steve Neal
9 y
Yes, just as "every battle plan changes after the first shot fired", you have a perfect example of what can happen after years of planning for an immediate career and income transition.
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SMSgt James Yearsley
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Actually, after 20+ years of mission first, everything else second, teh best thing I did at retirement was to take nearly a year of not working to learn how to be a husband and dad first.
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SMSgt Steve Neal
SMSgt Steve Neal
9 y
Amen! Put your "home" mission up front and enjoy the OJT... Great plan if your finances can support that...
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Maj Mike Sciales
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I took a 300 mile hike up the length of Idaho. Walked 15 miles a day as I left behind all things military. I completed the journey as a long haired, bearded guy. It was great.
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Failed. I couldn't find a steady job that provided for my wife and I. I was not accepted to the first college I applied to. I burned through my savings. Failure showed me that success is not easy and being a veteran does not gurantee you anything. I had to hustle, work, and network to finally achieve my goals. It was incredibly hard, but worth it in the end.
COL Jon Thompson
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I would say keep your options open in terms of what you are looking to do. It may not be the position or pay you want but it can pay off. I left active duty in 1996 after not being selected for promotion. I went back to Illinois with no jobs in sight. A couple of months later, I started working as a manager for Hertz car rental at O'Hare. It was not what I envisioned doing but I stayed with them for 11 years and became the #2 person at the O'Hare location when I left to go work as a contractor for the Army.
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I took classes to become MS network and Workstation certified, and lined up a partime job just in case I didn't find something quickly. As it happens I found a job quickly and had to move up my retirement date.
PO1 Brian Austin
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Networked like crazy starting about a year out. Listened during the retirement class. Most seemed to treat it as the social hour. Cleared up almost all my debt, leaving a car payment and mortgage. Was fortunate to begin working 10 days after my retirement date.
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SSG Jeff Beltran
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Enjoying the full transition of going back as a private citizen and a civilian. Gradually making the transition by sleeping in, spending time with my wife and the pets, growing my hair and beard out and traveling.
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Sgt Tom Cunnally
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I went back to Boston College two days after separation from active duty at Camp Geiger NC but there were Korean War Veterans at BC who helped with the transition. Also the VA suggested working part time at the Post Office while going to college. Keeping such a busy schedule with classes and working at the Post Office made the transition rather easy.
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