What's the career transition of a retired Sergeant Major; Chief Master Sergeant; Master Chief Petty Officer?

2015-07-15T18:58:36-04:00

For those that decide to stay enlisted and reach to top rank of Sergeant Major; Chief Master Sergeant; Master Chief Petty Officer, what is there to do upon retirement?

As the top senior enlisted leader and advisor, I'm curious to know if there are any great opportunities that lie ahead in the private sector that will utilize those great leadership skills.

I can easily search retired officers and they're probably in an executive role in the private sector. However, when I search for retired enlisted leaders, not much comes up (unfortunately).

I just want to know if the same civilian leadership roles available to retired officers are also available to retired senior enlisted personnel.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 7:00 PM

2015-07-15T19:00:42-04:00

There are a lot of government and civilian management opportunities.

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 15 at 2015 7:37 PM

2015-07-15T19:37:02-04:00

Honestly, it's about effectively branding yourself as you transition into the civilian sector. I know plenty of senior NCOs who became executives in private corporations. Plus let's face it, most senior NCOs exit with college credits and often with degrees. The problem with most TAP programs is that they do a horrible job of working on personal branding and carting truly good resumes for the civilian side. They are good at working with you for Federal jobs. Also, most folks try to match a civilian job to their MOS. However, the soft skills not included in your MOS can be some of your most valuable. I actually did an article on this for Every Veteran Hired - http://www.hangar30.com/2015/03/25/you-are-more-than-your-mos/ - and quite a few accomplishments can be pulled out of NCOERs. One thing I will say is that expectations need to be managed. For example, O-6s are not CEOs. CEOs have to actually raised money through investors or selling things. O-6s do not. As an E-9 (or O-6), you have management and leadership experience and you can draw on this and find a great position.

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Response by CMSgt James Porta made Jul 15 at 2015 9:13 PM

2015-07-15T21:13:58-04:00

I WS able to transition to HHS immediately from retirement and am working on number 2

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jul 15 at 2015 9:24 PM

2015-07-15T21:24:37-04:00

I got my own business, so guess I'm the CEO!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2015 11:35 PM

2015-07-15T23:35:57-04:00

I found jobs that matched my skill set. Not the technical side (not a lot transfers on the technical side as a combat engineer) but from the managing and leadership skills. During two interviews this past week I have realized that a lot of companies want this experience. Because of this I have two job offers pending.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2015 1:02 AM

2015-07-16T01:02:09-04:00

A lot will depend on what other skills are bringing to the table. Does the senior enlisted member have a degree or experience working in the civilian sector? What was the expertise of the senior enlisted member? Operations intelligence etc. these will all have an impact on jobs in the civilian sector. If you take a look at my linkedin profile (James Riley Blackhart) you will see that I have a mix of my military experience and civilian experience. Many tactical products companies like to hire senior NCOs in their sales departments. Pelican, sure fire , 511 and others have a good mix of senior NCOs on their books for sales.

Response by SGM (R) Antonio Brown made Jul 16 at 2015 9:40 AM

2015-07-16T09:40:26-04:00

I feel that the job options a leader has is based on experience, education, and how they market themselves. For the past 10+ years I have been planning for retirement and surfing various job sites including those at the state and local level. I discovered that I, being a Senior Chemical NCO/74D, qualify for several jobs based on my experience alone. There are other jobs that require a BA/experience. None of the jobs are at the CEO level and none were entry level positions either. Upon retirement what is it that the individual wants to do is a factor as well. Myself, for example, do not wish to be in charge of anyone or anything. By the time I retire I will have 30 years in uniform with over 20 of those years being in charge. After retirement I am not looking for a second career but for something to keep me busy. I have grandkids and I want to spend as much time as I can with them.
I know of some retired Senior NCOs who have worked hard and made it to the CEO level but they were driven and wanted a second career. A kid joins at 18-19yrs old + 20-22yrs in uniform = 38 to 40yrs old upon retirement. Some people feel that they are still young enough to seek out that second career.
As a leader I have told every individual I have ever served with, regardless of rank, that the day they join the Army is the day they must prepare to get out. Because tomorrow is promised to know one and if they were to get hurt and are unable to remain in uniform they must have a plan to survive.

Response by SGM Matthew West made Jul 16 at 2015 3:23 PM

2015-07-16T15:23:12-04:00

When i first retired, I got a job as a contractor with MPRI, working as the Program Manager for the Counter IED team at JRTC and Fort Polk. I originally just wanted to be one of the instructors, but the guy who hired me said, "not so much". He hired me as the PM for the team and I did that for about 18 months, at which time I was applying for a GS job. Then got hired as the Chief of Operations for the Post. So there are some good moves based on background and experience.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Jul 16 at 2015 7:24 PM

2015-07-16T19:24:34-04:00

It's an interesting question. I was in Pensacola Beach last week and the guy taking money in the toll both was a retired Navy Master Chief. My first thought was 'what a waste,' but then maybe he wanted a less stressful job in retirement. I have known several master chiefs and senior chiefs that have pretty much started from scratch with a new career close to the bottom rung in civilian jobs after retiring. On the other hand, I have seen master chiefs and W4s go very high up in government related fields after retiring. (Government contractors, Federal agencies, and international agencies such as the OSCE.)

Response by SGM Barry Kindred made Jul 19 at 2015 10:38 PM

2015-07-19T22:38:29-04:00

Nope. It is RARE!

Response by SGT Fredrick Ramm made Jul 27 at 2015 2:52 PM

2015-07-27T14:52:36-04:00

My Two Mentors: CSM Henry Brandt, retired and worked for Meyer's Department Store, Paterson, NJ. CSM Edward Lennon, a military legend, WWII British Commando, and U.S. Army: Korea & Vietnam, retired to Rhode Island and was "retrained!" as a security guard

Response by CMSgt David Wedington made Jul 31 at 2015 5:11 AM

2015-07-31T05:11:30-04:00

After 30 years of active duty service, I did not need nor did I want a job. But I did want to continue to make a difference in the lives of the very people I/we went to war to protect. I found that opportunity in LegalShield. If you would like an opportunity to make a difference and even earn residual income while doing so, take a look at this link and message me. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwmTrqeo4jKxZThmSWRmMFVpRlU/view
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Response by CMSgt Donald Felch made Jan 14 at 2016 3:15 PM

2016-01-14T15:15:37-05:00

The short answer is: Yes, But.

Specifically--There are not class differentiations outside the military so in order to compete at the same level as senior officers do when they retire, you must develop yourself by obtaining off-duty, civilian education, seeking out certifications, and finally, by crafting and shaping your transition message to ensure you are giving yourself credit for the scope and range of responsibility you had.

I've read a significant number of resumes from retiring senior enlisted leaders that contained words like, "advised, assisted, recommended, warned, etc." These words clearly tell a story of someone who has always "helped" the boss, but hasn't BEEN the boss. Post-retirement resumes for senior enlisted leaders should read, "managed, oversaw, led, directed, guided, shaped, etc."

If you (1) get educated and (2) bill yourself as a senior leader, civilian jobs are available.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Sep 14 at 2016 1:00 PM

2016-09-14T13:00:47-04:00

I found that having reached the rank of a SMSgt that That worked well in private sector job applications. One I applied for had 850 applications, mine was picked out above all the others. The Manager there tried to get Me a larger pay rate than they wanted to pay but they didn't come around. ( that person was a former Captain in the USMC and knew that it took to arrive at that Military rank) , I turned the job down. I took another job for the pay level I sought in Management and i n short order rose from that point to Operations Manager for Central MA, Southern NH and ME. My original hire was by a Retired Air Force Officer. I have also worked later on a Federal Contract but the disadvantage is they can disappear through no fault of Your own. (that effected all 46 of us on that contract) Your status as a Retired Senior NCO can open the door then You are the salesman to help sell the skills You already have.

Response by SGM Enrique Nater made Oct 28 at 2016 2:48 PM

2016-10-28T14:48:04-04:00

It all depends on your skill set. Many military specialties are much the same as in civilian jobs. Also your grade/ rank is an indicator of your leadership abilities. Employers like balance leadership traits. Make sure your resume describe/ represent you well.

Response by CMSgt Gary Fichman made Oct 29 at 2016 3:54 PM

2016-10-29T15:54:10-04:00

Wow the answer is a different as each individual. Some folks position themselves to take the same job as a gov employee. Others, hit the civilian sector in the same career--read that as contractor. A big factor is education--my experience is that's how you get your foot in the door. Civilian employers don't care what you did (they don't understand it), but they get education. I was hired in about a second because my small town hospital administrator saw my masters degree and I had worked for years in healthcare. When I started solving problems and contributing to the organization I was advanced and given more higher paying positions.

Response by CMSgt Darrell Lamme made Nov 10 at 2016 11:51 PM

2016-11-10T23:51:08-05:00

You skill set and education have a good bearing on civilian employment. I have friends that retired and their Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) allowed them to work for Homeland Security and other Federal agencies. I have also had members retire and get into civil service to obtain a second retirement pension.

Response by CMDCM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2017 5:48 PM

2017-08-16T17:48:02-04:00

I retired as an E-9 and began working for a Company in San Diego, CA delivering and setting up Personal Computers (PC's) for the City of San Diego, CA Government. I did the same work young men were doing but I quickly moved up in the Company and when I left that same Company I was a Microsoft System Engineer and worked in the IT Field until I retired from the private Sector. If one has the will they can succeed in the private sector. However most of those we have met that retired after more than 20 years in the military do not go out and bust their butts in the private sector; they just sit back and live a meager life off of their military retirement paycheck. Two each his own but we cannot sit back and do nothing.

Response by CMSgt John Reeves made May 29 at 2018 9:35 PM

2018-05-29T21:35:53-04:00

Depends on your qualifications (education, experience etc). More than anything else what do you want to do with the rest of your life. Networking is the way to go. Also depends on your location. Not all communities have high level leadership jobs. Good luck in whatever you decide.

Response by 1SG Brewer Leggett made Jun 1 at 2022 8:53 AM

2022-06-01T08:53:12-04:00

Keep an open mind. What you do to keep self and family cared for is more important than your job title or responsibilities. Professionalism and continued technical excellence result in <rapid> advancement in any endeavor. You cannot equate your military experiences and responsibilities adequately to any civilian, so other than resume reference don't try.

You observed attention to detail to job performance, acquired technical skills and leadership in terms of mentoring peers and subordinates will set you apart when considered for advancement. Seek responsibility, accept responsibility to become a valued employee. Generally there is little in the way of chain of command. No one wants to make a decision or lead a project - things that should be second nature to us, but foreign to our new civilian counterparts.

While there are few references for retiring senior enlisted personnel, competence always rises.