What's our advice to NCOs making transition to civilian life?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 15:29:08 -0500

http://www.armymagazine.org/2014/12/16/ncos-point-the-way-to-post-army-success/#sthash.TkhBK1BV.SCtOjIy6.dpbs

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Dec 17 at 2014 3:31 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Wed, 17 Dec 2014 15:31:18 -0500

Stay away from Seattle VA Hospital !!!! West Virginia VA Hospital too!!!!

Response by SGT Brian Richardson made Dec 18 at 2014 11:50 AM

SGT Brian Richardson — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:50:03 -0500

PREPARE...way in advance if possible. Seek out as much advice and assistance as possible. It might not all be good advice, but sift through it and find what works for you.

Are you looking for a hobby, job or business to start? Big differences and all should be approached with the correct amount of due diligence.

Get as financially sound as possible. Of course that is good to do no matter where you are in life, but will make a transition that much easier.

http://vetlaunched.com/hobby-job-business/

hobby, job or business

How to know if you have a hobby, job or business

Response by MSG Douglas Tolliver made Dec 18 at 2014 12:27 PM

MSG Douglas Tolliver — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 12:27:12 -0500

Don't get out! Actually make sure you have a degree and any certification you can get from your MOS before you get out. Write a resume for a civilian job and for a DoD civilian job. Start sending them out a year before you retire.

I've been out almost two years and I still haven't found anything even close to adequate to be able to support my family on. I lost out on one job I was well qualified for because they asked for 3-5 years Logistics Experience and a BA degree and all I had was over 20 years of experience. The degree is important because employers want to see the paper and experience is secondary.

Response by 1stSgt Daryl Allen made Dec 18 at 2014 2:10 PM

1stSgt Daryl Allen — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:10:19 -0500

Like someone else pointed out please have your college degree completed when you walk out the door. Most employers now want you to have at least a Bachelor's Degree in the field you want to work in. Some will accept Associate Degrees, but want you to show you are working towards th Bachelor's or even Master's Degrees. If you can stay in do so. Jobs are available but you will be competing with younger guys or gals in the market place.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 18 at 2014 2:36 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:36:52 -0500

1. Plan this out.
2. Get educated (even if you already have one degree): they'll pay you to do it!

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 SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Dec 18 at 2014 3:00 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 15:00:41 -0500

SGM Private RallyPoint Member My advice is: take the education you have earned, the great habits you developed, the intrensic common sense which has been honed to a fine point, the values we all have as Service Members and move out with your head held high and the knowledge you are better prepared to succeed and exceed than 90% of the population.

Response by SFC Charles W. Robinson made Dec 18 at 2014 4:28 PM

SFC Charles W. Robinson — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:28:23 -0500

Wow, where to begin:

1. BA Degree is the new High School diploma. So many people are looking for work that many companies list a BA Degree as a requirement just to narrow the candidate list to a reasonable level (Even though the position is not one that really needs a degree to do).

2. Do not take time off after you retire. Use that transition leave to find that new career. A lot of companies are looking to hire local applicants. They are also looking to hire applicants that are still employed. It is a lot harder to find a position if you are unemployed.

3.

Response by SFC Charles W. Robinson made Dec 18 at 2014 4:41 PM

SFC Charles W. Robinson — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:41:53 -0500

3. Target your applications/resumes/cover letters to positions that you really want. Most companies check up on you to include doing a credit check. A lot of credit checks damages your credit rating and makes it harder to get employed. Make sure you find out your credit score before getting out to know were you stand.

4. You do not have to have a Master's to get a great career, but it is worth it. Don't be afraid of going back to school, I took the plunge in January 2014 and I am having a absolute ball! I am rocking a 4.0 and I am exploring a new career in digital marketing.

Response by SFC Charles W. Robinson made Dec 18 at 2014 5:02 PM

SFC Charles W. Robinson — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 17:02:56 -0500

5. If you are looking to get out before retirement, I highly recommend that you reconsider. Coming out with a retirement in hand is well worth it. That cushion reduces your stress so much. You will most likely make less take home pay when you get out. It is nice to be able to choose your next career as opposed to having to take a job. Tricare for your family is a huge benefit! I was able to resign from my civilian Director of Human Resources position and concentrate on college because of my retirement/disability and my GI Bill/Illinois Veterans Grant.

Response by SFC Charles W. Robinson made Dec 18 at 2014 5:17 PM

SFC Charles W. Robinson — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 17:17:31 -0500

6. There are jobs out here. I was able to find a great position quickly with a whole month of transition leave still to go. Make sure to tailor your resumes to the specific position. Pay just as much attention to your application as to your resume. It may be that application that is looked at first to reduce that pile of applicants to a reasonable amount (as such, they may never even see that great resume that you spent so many hours on). Once you get that interview, show off your experience by giving them real world examples. Remember, some will narrow you down to just your last Military Occupational Specialty and have a Vietnam era view of the Military. Use the interview to show them that there is a lot more to you than that and demonstrate how you can benefit their company. I initially applied for a county manager position, but was hired a Director of Human Resources position instead.

Response by SFC Charles W. Robinson made Dec 18 at 2014 5:43 PM

SFC Charles W. Robinson — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 17:43:35 -0500

7. Keep the position. Companies may not hire you if they think that you are a job hopper. Keep your first job at least a year. Just like the military, learn the position well, then learn the company, and then suggest changes based on measurable data. Make a difference, this is not a "retirement" job, this is your new career. Transitioning to a civilian career will be hard. The way they function may be very different to what you are used to. Use tact at all times, have patience, and try not to show your "shock" on some of the things they do or say. Be humble and willing to learn. Both you and the people you work with will learn from each other. They may not be used to this but it will help you tremendously; just like the military, do not talk crap about the people you work with, build your team, mentor your peers, and help your boss in being successful. Build your network and worth.

Response by SFC Charles W. Robinson made Dec 18 at 2014 6:35 PM

SFC Charles W. Robinson — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 18:35:31 -0500

8. Use LinkedIn. It is NOT just a place to find a new career. It is a great information hub for industry research. Explore options in different locations that you are interested in transitioning to. Connect with people who work in carreer fields that you are interested in and in companies you are interested in. You are not asking for jobs, you are researching, asking questions, and you are evaluating your different options. Look for mentors and help other people any way you can. The network you create now will be there for you when you find that new career. It is great to know that you have a core group of individuals that you can go to when you come across a new and unexpected challenge. Make sure you pass that along and help them in return. This professional network helped me tremendously when I started my first civilian job and this last semester, I got three job offers from people I networked with on LinkedIn; no applications, no resumes, and no cover letters.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jun 17 at 2019 4:55 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 04:55:21 -0400

Do it yourself

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jun 17 at 2019 4:55 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 04:55:53 -0400

And get out quick.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 17 at 2019 12:52 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 12:52:40 -0400

Network and research companies that you interview with.