What is the one thing a Veteran needs when transitioning to the civilian world that we don’t have enough of?

SSG Shawn Dodd — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 01:09:34 -0400

Transitioning Veterans find out there is a different world out there from the military. Some need to learn how to covert their military skills to comparable job skills, some need sensitivity training, some need to learn where to live, some need to learn how to write a resume. What is it that we don't have enough of that you would want to see more?

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Jun 17 at 2014 1:25 AM

MSG Floyd Williams — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 01:25:44 -0400

SSG Dodd......I believe more personal sponsorship is needed when you return to civilian life meaning someone you know who is a veteran, or Veteran Administration Organization assign someone to be your sponsor, or any Veteran Organization should be sufficient to point you in the right direction. My suggestion for starters make a couple of copies of your 201 File and Medical/Dental Records especially if you have any service connected medical issues, when you put in a claim at the Veterans Administration Office make sure they stamp the copy that you are giving them, and in return have them give back of the stamped copy for your record. I may have to go through my Congressman to initiate a congressional or breakdown and go through to one of the Veterans Organizations to represent that was told to me by several veterans, I wish you well on your transitioning.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jun 17 at 2014 7:16 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 07:16:02 -0400

My honest answer does not provide a simple solution and that is "a civilian mindset". Those who served for a full term or more have a very difficult time adapting to a civilian employer mindset. This ranges from everything to forms of address to acting in the absence of orders and it can be a great challenge to revert back. The only advise I can give on this is to try to be aware and act accordingly (not easy since the 'military way' has become second nature for most of us).

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jun 17 at 2014 8:52 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 08:52:48 -0400

Money, and lots of it.

If I had lots of money, the other answers would not matter.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Jun 17 at 2014 9:53 AM

SPC Christopher Smith — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 09:53:17 -0400

My opinion may not sit well with some but here it is. Many vets are caught up on their current rank, and roles. If they are in a supervisory role/position, and transition out they think they are more than qualified to do the same in the civilian workforce. Many vets fail to realize that they might have to drop a few pegs on the totem pole to work their way back up the ladder. Remember just like you didn't enter the military in a senior position, you might not in the civilian world either.

Response by MSgt Lancia Stewart made Jun 17 at 2014 11:11 AM

MSgt Lancia Stewart — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 11:11:18 -0400

A plan. As in, money saved, college or job, and if Plan A doesn't work have plans B, C, etc.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 17 at 2014 12:59 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:59:51 -0400

Vets need a good way to translate their experience and skills into a format that civilians can understand and fairly evaluate.

Response by Cpl Dalton Beck made Mar 7 at 2015 7:44 AM

Cpl Dalton Beck — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 07:44:36 -0500

I believe that vets should prepare for the lack of people that surround them. When you are a member of the armed forces you are surrounded by countless people every day you always have someone to turn to If you are in a pinch but in the civilian world I have found and had trouble with the fact that I was not surrounded by all those other members

Response by PFC Kyle Belk made Mar 8 at 2015 12:33 AM

PFC Kyle Belk — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 00:33:22 -0500

I think financial education should be implemented. We are not taught able the basic concepts of finance and then get sent to the world to learn. Basic concepts like compound interest, rule of 72, investing and life insurance would be a great 45 minute class most military minds would retain to become successful.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 8 at 2015 12:36 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 00:36:41 -0500

Help and education negotiating the retirement physical and VA disability process... very confusing, quirky and most of us are not prepared for this adventure.

Response by SP5 Andy G. made Mar 8 at 2015 12:50 AM

SP5 Andy G. — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 00:50:45 -0500

Mentors. They need mentors!

The real-deal, been there - done-that veterans who will spend quality one-on-one time to get them up so speed on creating a solid financial future for them and their families.

Non-profits are self-serving, "profit" taking organizations more focused more on their next donation than putting $millions to work for the masses of veterans, and the VA is smothered in bureaucracy.

But that's my OPINION not supported by facts since I have not audited their books - but I'm happy to do so if any want to challenge that opinion.

That leaves it to the old vets to help new vets make the transition.

But even there, most older vets are too immersed in their everyday lives to give a rat's a#% - when the rubber really meets the road.

For me, "helping our own" is not a slogan of the month - it's a commitment to young vets.

NEW VETS: If you want to build a small business future - holler, I'll give you my time, expertise, and tough-love guidance.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 3:00 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 03:00:27 -0400

I'd like to add that the civilian sector needs to start acknowledging our training and certifications better. A lot of our skills very well could meet or even exceed civilian standards, but because we didn't get certified through IBM or Microsoft, we are treated like we don't know anything.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 11:38 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 11:38:44 -0400

If I had to do it over again, very first thing I would do is take my ACE transcripts, go over them with a fine tooth comb, go to the nearest accredited college and fight for every credit possible, even if you already have a degree. That puts your military training in terms civilians understand.
Next I'd join every veterans organisation I qualify for, If only to have people who understand the transition and a source of knowledge.
After that register at VA. Regardless of your desire for a rating register. Something you can live with today might behind an issue down the road, the process to take care of it is easier if you already registered and the VA knows. I hurt my knee while active, it was documented. I registered with VA, I have 0% non-compensable rating. If something changes I can ask for a reassessment. My father did twenty as an artillery man. Even before he retired we knew he had hearing problems and back issues. Now, as age is catching up, these are causing him problems. Since he didn't register when he retired, he has to do the process from scratch and, due to the length of time since his retirement, has to prove that these are service connected. Swallow your pride, register and document everything. Nothing says you have to take the money or medications, but that might change twenty years later.
States also have their own VAs. Some of them are better than others.
Some counties let you register your DD214, it makes it much easier if you lose your original than requesting one from VA. REMEMBER: CHECK YOUR STATES PRIVACY LAWS. If you do this you are making your 214 public record. If your state doesn't have a system in place to block your social and home address don't do it.
Make sure your awards and evaluations are somewhere you can find them. They really do help when working on resumes. Get a thesaurus. Supply is now logistics. A squad is an eight man team, 1SG was responsible for $100,000+ of equipment, another $200,000+ of facilities, managed over 100 personnel, directly supervised 4, planned training, while liasoning with 3 or 4 sister units and mentoring the units administrative head and grooming future leaders for more responsibility.
Sounds good doesn't it?
The only other thing to remember is the army wants a certain type of leader. That translates all the way down to the bottom, initiative is usually encouraged, to a certain extent creativity is rewarded, good soldiers reflect credit upon their leaders. That may not be the case in the civilian world. It's a dog eat dog world. You might be seen as competition for existing. Middle to large size organizations can be very cutthroat. I was in one that specifically hired me because I was military, but the second I deviated from the established system, they crucified me, they wanted a robot.
Don't get discouraged and don't settle for a job you don't want and don't give your loyalty lightly.

Response by Steve C. made Mar 21 at 2015 11:00 PM

Steve C. — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 23:00:34 -0400

I don't believe there's a common solution, unfortunately. Returning home to a family or friends that are prepared to be patient is vital, however (in my opinion). An environment in which he/she feels genuinely comfortable at the very least facilitates productive behavior, as opposed to one that potentially acts as a sort of "negative force multiplier". Analogous to an overloaded side on a Greek scale.

Response by SrA Johnathan Kropke made Jun 8 at 2015 10:57 AM

SrA Johnathan Kropke — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 10:57:46 -0400

I think the "skills" most enlisted are missing are not necessarily skills but degrees. I have seen it from retired and active military that they have all the skills of the job and experience but because they lack some form of a degree that seems to be what civilians deem military are missing and thus not getting the jobs they want and are very much qualified for. I think this is a big difference as well from officer and enlisted due to the fact that officer has to have that degree to be an officer. If people would just take the time and show enlisted why education is important, instead of telling them, that would be much more help.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 8 at 2015 10:57 AM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 10:57:47 -0400

It does seem to be enlisted over officers. It has been my experience that a lot of people simply don't know how to write their resumes in ways that civilians can understand.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 11:04 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 11:04:13 -0400

What most former service members are missing are degrees...and more importantly certified credentials. A job recruiter for a major corporation told me in an airport bar that he would love to hire more veterans but he simply can't. Even the ones with 4 year degree didn't have what they needed. He said he would rather have a guy with a 2 year degree and a certification as a Program Manager than a guy with a bachelors and nothing to go with it.

Response by Cpl Mario DiPasquale made Jun 9 at 2015 12:21 PM

Cpl Mario DiPasquale — Tue, 09 Jun 2015 12:21:54 -0400

Personally, I don't think it is a matter of what we don't have. I believe it comes down to what companies don't have. As veterans, we work hard trying to translate our skills and knowledge to the civilian sector and sometimes I think companies don't take the necessary steps to understand how they can transition.