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

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.

And get out quick.

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.

SGM (Join to see) 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.

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

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.

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/

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

Do it yourself

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.