What is your biggest fear when transitioning?

SGT Ben Keen — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 08:03:25 -0500

Had a great weekend getting out and talking to Veterans during Pittsburgh's Veterans Day Parade and activities held downtown. It is always great to get out and talk with Veterans from all eras which is why I love this time of year.

Anyways, I was speaking with a gentleman who served during the late 80s and early 90s. We quickly got talking about our individual transitions and this man's story was amazing and totally worth the time I spent talking with him. Part of our discussion was on transition and the fears we had as we looked at getting a new job and dealing with the civilian side of things. I told him my biggest fear was finding a job that would provide me with the wages needed to take care of my two kids. He said his fear was knowing what to say and how to say it when it came to interviews. I expressed my thoughts on that and we both agreed that the list can go on and on.

As a Veteran trying to help other Veterans with their post service employment, that discussion got me thinking. What else is on that list? Maybe people are fearful of deciding what to wear, or how to act or how to start the conversation with HR recruiters. Maybe others are fearful of writing that resume in an effective manner or not being able to shake the military jargon. So like always, when I have a question like this, I turn to RallyPoint and the awesome members we have here.

So what say you RallyPoint, what are/were some of your fears when transitioning into civilian employment?

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Nov 9 at 2015 8:15 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 08:15:42 -0500

SGT Ben Keen it was could I succeed in the civilian world with my current skills. With proper preparation e.g, degree and technical skills I succeeded. It's a mind blowing experience, but you have to take one day at a time.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Nov 9 at 2015 9:00 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 09:00:40 -0500

I would be interested to see if the civilian market (those that have NEVER been in the military) would have the same types of anxiety in changing jobs? I suspect that they would have much of the same angst..... is this the right move? Will I like my new job? what is the housing market?.....but the individual that has never been in the military does not have (generally speaking) a whole different subset within language, mannerisms, focus, and early development of leadership skills. I think that THIS is the crux of the issue. We are a part of the population, however, we are a subset of the same population....with our own subset of speaking, writing, and motivational objectives that we must overcome when leaving service.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2015 9:48 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 09:48:04 -0500

employment and marriage status

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2015 1:54 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 13:54:57 -0500

Transition for me will be retirement so the two primary areas of concern will be health care benefits and retirement pay. Transitioning to my wife's insurance augmented by VA care and depending on the retirement branch not to screw up my retirement pay will be an interesting challenge.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Nov 9 at 2015 2:06 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 14:06:03 -0500

My wife and I decided to build a house in Anchorage prior of involuntary retirement. The good thing is that we don't have to PCS and we can build the house, the challenge is making it work as we will be retired before the house is built.
Securing employment is very important as without it there will be no construction loan. No stress yet but it is on the risk register of the project.

Response by SGT Aaron Dumbrow made Nov 9 at 2015 11:13 PM

SGT Aaron Dumbrow — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 23:13:06 -0500

Finding a job was at the top of my list. I can tell you though it is not as bad as I thought and there are many of us just waiting to help transitioning vets. There are so many great opportunities both in and out of the military, it is up to us to make them happen just find the people who want to help you win either way.

Response by CPT John Panaccione made Nov 10 at 2015 7:34 AM

CPT John Panaccione — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 07:34:11 -0500

Great story Ben. I've learned that part of the challenge of transitioning from a military job to a civilian one is technical - how does experience as an airborne armor crewman in the 82nd translate into this job for instance - to cultural - can do attitude, get the job done at all costs, military humor, etc. We quickly find out the hard way that neither our technical skills nor our cultural fit is right for most jobs. Despite the slaps on our back thanking us for our service, we don't get the job. The problem is most of us realize these issues too late. It happened to me.

However, there's another way that too many of us don't explore earlier. Owning your own business or being an independent contractor are two alternatives to working for the man. These paths are quickly dismissed by many of us because we think you need a lot of money to start a job, don't know enough about business, or we don't understand the pros and cons enough to make an informed decision. Actually, military service - the ability to make decisions under pressure, get the job done with limited resources, lead others, etc. give us GREAT raw material to be successful on our own. In fact, 9% of the small businesses in this country are owned by veterans, even though only 1% of us serve. Check out VetToCEO.org (free) if you want to explore the idea for yourself. No gimmick - vets helping vets. If not VetToCEO there is a ton of resource out there to help vets explore entrepreneurship.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Nov 10 at 2015 2:24 PM

SPC Sheila Lewis — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:24:12 -0500

Always being alone and responsible for everything.

Response by SSG Karl Fowler made Nov 10 at 2015 2:59 PM

SSG Karl Fowler — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:59:59 -0500

the fear of the unknown , what lies in the future

Response by SGT Josheua Cooke made Nov 10 at 2015 8:55 PM

SGT Josheua Cooke — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 20:55:31 -0500

Biggest fear came once I realized my million dollar education, decorations, security clearance and achievements meant next to nothing to a civilian employer because I still didn't have a degree.

Response by MSG Anthony DiFondi made Nov 11 at 2015 6:15 PM

MSG Anthony DiFondi — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 18:15:01 -0500

My greatest fear was getting employed in a new career after 24 years in the service to make enough money to support my family. It was not easy. I spent over 6 months unemployed and applied for over 500 jobs during that time. I kept a spreadsheet of all the jobs I submitted for to keep track of them all. I got a job with a good corporation, but the pay was only $38,000 a year and that was not enough to support my family.

It took a while, but I finally got a interview with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and was able to land a GS 7/12 position. I had to work in the lower levels of service in my military career and climb up the ladder. I did the same thing with CMS.

I now am a GS 12, have a new career making good money, am settled down and do not plan to move again and am extremely happy. The road was rocky, but persistence led me to the smooth road.

Response by SPC Chelsea Fernandez made Nov 11 at 2015 10:43 PM

SPC Chelsea Fernandez — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 22:43:14 -0500

My bigger fear was not finding myself in the civilian world. I've been under the wing of Army so long I can't survive in the civilian world. Like a baby trying to survive outside the womb. Til today even though I'm in the Guard I still can't survive in the outside world. Everyday is a challenge.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2015 4:31 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 04:31:26 -0500

My only fear about transitioning is looking for employment. The process has seriously changed since I joined 20+ years ago. How early do I start: 1 year out or 6 months out? What happens if I get an offer right away but have 6-9 months left till retirement? I will have an MBA when I get out, how will that help/hurt my employment options? That's the only thing I'm concerned about when I leave the military.

Response by SSG(P) Claudett P Hillotero made Nov 12 at 2015 8:56 AM

SSG(P) Claudett P Hillotero — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 08:56:30 -0500

My biggest fear transitioning out of Active duty, was the fear of not being able to cope, and not getting into a job. Fear of not providing enough for my family, and being homeless.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2015 12:45 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 12:45:15 -0500

SGT Ben Keen I'm not too worried work wise but my biggest fear when I retire is losing the sense of camaraderie and closeness I share with my military family. I love my family but my husband is a civilian and there are some days where just trying to explain the mindset behind why it is a big issue or so important is exhausting. I could sit for hours with my military brethren and not get bored. Even though I am a yeoman, I tend to find my closest friends are rates so vastly different from mine. I have long been an honorary member of the "ole boys" club and I wouldn't trade all the friendships, memories, and hard won lessons I have made over the years for the world. I won't lie, the thought of not being surrounded by my military brothers and sisters is scary and I am afraid of being lonely after a lifetime of being a part of something bigger than myself. It is humbling and because of this I treasure every day I put on my uniform and get to do my job.

Response by SrA David Steyer made Nov 13 at 2015 11:02 PM

SrA David Steyer — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 23:02:52 -0500

Mine is getting a job. I have been very lucky to have five job interviews over the past two months but it hasn't gotten me anywhere. Better than nothing. I'd like to complain since I don't have a job yet, and there was one offer I had to refuse, because by time I was given an offer the company wasn't sure what they had and I can't deal with that instability. Very lucky to have a decent savings between me and my wife, and I have money I haven't touched from when I first started working when I was 16 and she has a similar savings too.

Currently, my wife is lucky to have a decent paying career. She complains she doesn't make a lot, and yes she is underpaid (teacher) but compared to many of the other teachers she works with of the same age and older, she in a way makes more because she has ZERO college debt and other bills her coworkers face. She is getting restless with some of the places out there, and I am letting her know that the wages they are paying, well they are gas money because we live too far away. Her family is local, and my family moved a couple hours north of where I am at now. We discussed me working there, living with my parents during the week and coming home on the weekend. Something to consider...

Response by D. Cree Crawford made Sep 15 at 2017 11:36 AM

D. Cree Crawford — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 11:36:14 -0400

A friend in the Texas AG office shared there are many open positions.
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