Posted on Jan 30, 2017
What's been the hardest part about transitioning from the Military to Civilian employment?
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Dealing with shitvillions who have no idea what core values are, other that tag marks on a company letterhead. Ethics, leadership, seam to be foriegn in the civilian world its dog eat dog with team work serving as a catch phrase. I just struggle with the mentality of most civilians.
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As a mechanic, gaining a steady income so that my family and I can settle. I've never been paid by the job/car before. I can't guarantee my income so my family and I still aren't settled, over six months later. My household goods are in storage with the movers, and that storage has now converted to our expense, because we had NO idea the amount of problems we'd have settling, and I'm not going to allow the movers to just drop shipment into a storage unit so that we can't file a claim for anything broken when we do get our own place.
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Taylor Driesell I have not transitioned out of the military yet, but for the transition from full-time civilian employment to full-time military it is a matter of change of lifestyle and getting used to the new process. I am assuming that it will be more difficult after doing 20 years to go to another profession that does not have the same "language" and different norms and structure.
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Cultural stuff mostly.
1. Learning to "approach from curious." Instead of simply pointing out how something won't work, "Can you help me understand..." Civilian sensibilities are too fragile for a fighter pilot style debrief. One must learn to temper direct feedback.
2. Relationships matter more than performance. Not that connections couldn't help in the military, but if you were good it counted. Plenty of jerks got promoted because they were extremely effective. Network network network.
3. Get used to people overlooking your past experience or not realizing how concepts learned in the military can apply to many civilian situations. Learn to speak in concepts they can understand without using the military jargon.
And that's just to start...
1. Learning to "approach from curious." Instead of simply pointing out how something won't work, "Can you help me understand..." Civilian sensibilities are too fragile for a fighter pilot style debrief. One must learn to temper direct feedback.
2. Relationships matter more than performance. Not that connections couldn't help in the military, but if you were good it counted. Plenty of jerks got promoted because they were extremely effective. Network network network.
3. Get used to people overlooking your past experience or not realizing how concepts learned in the military can apply to many civilian situations. Learn to speak in concepts they can understand without using the military jargon.
And that's just to start...
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PO1 Robin Edwards
After 20yrs, aircraft mech., ret. 2007, I thought I was all set-up, applying before my ret. date (hoping to double dip)...got my degree in Aeronautics and Six Sigma while I was still in. I had 5 resumes that could be tailored to any position. It's hard to write good resumes after years in the military. Hire someone or ask for help (I hired someone, then plagiarized). I asked my neighbor, who is a very successful business man, worth millions, owning multiple companies in different fields, to take a look at my resumes and give me feedback. He told me to "dumb down" my resume, stating that it was intimidating. Even though I thought my resumes were great (all 5). It was Six-Sigma that got me in the door with Black & Decker, management position. I did not get the job, lack of up-to-date computerize operations management. At the same time, I applied w/ the USMC, I had previously worked with the USMC multiple times. Here's the shocker: I got the job, starting as GS-11 only bcos I had my degree, my degree DID NOT even come close to the job I applied for, they did not care what my degree was in, just that I had one. Had I not had it, I would have started as a GS-9. I'm not saying civil service is for everyone. Transition was VERY hard for me. In the military, I was extremely knowledgeable in my field, assertive (abrasive) and always put my guys first. I was actually perceived as a threat to my new boss and others. It is extremely difficult for me, when you've been groomed to be 150% mission-ready at all times. I struggled with being abrasive, anger issues and civilians pissed me off bcos of laziness. 3yrs later I quit bcos I was still to "motivated" and did not play well with others. My suggestion to those you can relate to my post, take time out for yourself, learn to relax and get help if you need it, it does work. Hope this helped!
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