What's the most important piece of advice you could give someone that's about to ETS/Retire/Separate from the military?

2017-08-18T13:51:51-04:00

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2017 1:58 PM

2017-08-18T13:58:37-04:00

As much like anything we've learned in the military, is to have a plan. Plan your resources, plan your pre-checks, plan your execution. Have copies of your medical records for the future. Have your ducks in a row for what you're planning to do after, whether you continue to work a civilian job, go into business for yourself, or just go fishing every day. I'll add more later perhaps, but that's always my best advice. Set some short term (6 months to a year), mid term (2-3 years), and long term (4-5 year) goals, and have a plan.

Response by SGT Jim Arnold made Aug 18 at 2017 2:00 PM

2017-08-18T14:00:16-04:00

don't count on your military experience to set you apart from others, at least in the tele-communications field.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2017 2:13 PM

2017-08-18T14:13:54-04:00

Learn where to get reputable support for different situations and plans -
Here to ask questions
SVA for school help
DAV/VFW for other help
JKO for transition training

Just to name a few.

Gotta become resourceful.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2017 2:26 PM

2017-08-18T14:26:18-04:00

SSG Kenneth Lanning Be up to speed on saving and investing for retirement. We only have so many years to work, save and invest, so we need to make the most of them.

https://investor.gov/

https://investor.vanguard.com/home/?WT.srch=1&cmpgn=PS:RE

Investor.gov

The SEC’s Investor.gov: Tools to check your investment professional, compound interest calculators, and other objective resources for the average investor.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 18 at 2017 2:26 PM

2017-08-18T14:26:29-04:00

Your retirement rank/rate means little, unless work within the DOD, and even then, your status is the determining factor.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Aug 18 at 2017 2:51 PM

2017-08-18T14:51:57-04:00

Stay busy!!

Response by GySgt Jonathan Everhardt made Aug 18 at 2017 3:32 PM

2017-08-18T15:32:26-04:00

If you are planning to transition into a corporate job soon after your separation here is what I always suggest based off my experience.
1. Determine what job field/market you want to get into. In the military we do many jobs but there are no jobs titled "Master of Everything". Narrowing down your job search will make it easier.
2. Network. I attended a military transition seminar in the DC area and it was mentioned that less than 5% of jobs were filled from cold online applicants. That's where networking comes in.
3. Be confident. When you talk to employers, recruiters, be proud, stand tall and look them in the eye. Act like you know what you are talking about.
4. Stay Positive. Keep your head up. It can be quite frustrating and stressful finding what you want. Don't get frustrated and let it affect your attitude. Learn and keep adjusting your plan until you get what you want.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2017 3:56 PM

2017-08-18T15:56:02-04:00

Start your disability physicals with specialists (as in specific clinics) six months before your exit date. Tell them EVERY little pain and make them take x-rays. I found out after ETS just how much was misdiagnosed/undiagnosed, and now I need to take more steps to prove that it was service related. On the positive side, I received ratings for injuries that I didn't know qualified.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2017 4:12 PM

2017-08-18T16:12:43-04:00

For retirees, plan some time off before diving into the next chapter of life. You deserve it for the sacrifices and selfless service of over 20 years.

For those separating in 3-4 years, if you don't have a bachelors degree get working on one while on active duty. Use your TA benefits to pay for part of your degree and transition into the GI Bill to finish your bachelors degree and maybe start a Masters program.

For those averse to higher education, look into apprenticeship and paid internships to get work experience and training.

Bottom line, before you consider leaving, optimally at least 2 years out, do a self assessment to Determine what you want to do to do next and then design a plan to achieve your next career goals. There is a great book called, "What are you waiting for?" by Shelley Brunskill-Matson that was a great guide as I planned out my exit from the Marine Corps.

And for those too tired or uninterested in a full time job, check out ways to run your own small business through e-commerce, consulting, franchises, personal trainer, etc.

Response by SSG Kenneth Lanning made Aug 18 at 2017 4:23 PM

2017-08-18T16:23:08-04:00

I appreciate the advice from everyone; I have about a year left before my trans leave starts and have a lot of this handled or in the works. I've ETS'd once (break in service) and fell flat on my face shortly after - hence my coming back in. I meant this post not only for me, but everyone getting ready to get out to check on...anyone have any horror stories or hard lessons learned (leaving without school, with no plan, limited experience...all of which I did before)?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2017 4:37 PM

2017-08-18T16:37:47-04:00

Learn how to communicate in the civilian world. As much as possible translate what you do and what you have done to civilian language. Use military talk and jargon VERY sparingly.

Response by Donna Brickey made Aug 18 at 2017 4:52 PM

2017-08-18T16:52:51-04:00

I would take advantage of your communication systems expertise for sure. You can look for jobs that require technical expertise right here on RallyPoint. My own company may even have a suitable role. Please follow our Allergan page at https://www.rallypoint.com/organizations/allergan. All of our open positions are listed there and new ones come into play every week. Best wishes as you move to the civilian career world.

RallyPoint

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2017 5:47 PM

2017-08-18T17:47:22-04:00

1. Start early. Transition is hard and extremely stressful...more so if you wait until the last minute. Start early... And make sure your subordinates do the same.
2. Take ownership of the outcome. The people that succeed work hard at all aspects of transition; they take every class seriously and don't assume anything is going be given to them. I see and hear about too many Service Members that sleep thru TAP, leave at the earliest possible moment and think finding a job will be easy, just because they are a Veteran. These are the folks that usually find themselves in trouble six weeks after separation.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Aug 18 at 2017 7:16 PM

2017-08-18T19:16:36-04:00

Anyone who tells you that THIS is how THE civilian world works.... doesn't know that of which they speak. For instance "civilian employers care about....." Nope, at best, "SOME civilian employers MAY care about...." The same for evaluations, etc.

Response by LT Charles Baird made Aug 18 at 2017 8:03 PM

2017-08-18T20:03:27-04:00

If your retiring - learn to live on the lowest income in your household; even if you get another job after your retirement continue to live on the lowest income as you may end up losing the new position as their are no guarantees out here except for death and taxes.

Response by LCpl Kim Kroeger made Aug 18 at 2017 8:46 PM

2017-08-18T20:46:43-04:00

My advice is to not jump into just anything. Look around, network at a business networking group. I think the most important thing to really understand is this" What is it you want to do and why? " Clarifying that is a key to so many but very few actually understand what it means. Why go to a job, if it isn't what you want. What are your hot buttons outside of military, maybe even before you enlisted. Going back to civilian life is an adjustment for each serviceman and woman. Changes have to be made about many things, language might be the first to change.
Have fun, chase your dreams, look around, its out there for each and everyone of us.

Response by SGM Herman Whitley made Aug 19 at 2017 6:45 PM

2017-08-19T18:45:33-04:00

Have a bonafide workable plan especially if you have a family.

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Aug 20 at 2017 10:04 AM

2017-08-20T10:04:15-04:00

I am a dinosaur, having retired in 1990 after 23 years of service. But, back in the day when I retired I was not looking for a job...The Job found me 3 months into my retirement. It WAS my rank, and military experience that was the biggest factor for me getting into Law Enforcement. I was scooped up by my county Sheriff's Department and became it's Chief Deputy (#2 to the Sheriff), which, many years latter led to me being elected Sheriff. I now enjoy two pensions, Navy and State. I doubt if any of that would have happened had I not had a great Military resume! Your military record means a lot!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 20 at 2017 10:33 AM

2017-08-20T10:33:16-04:00

You need to network with people outside the military. Your resume is not important until you find the doorman who can get it inside the company.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 20 at 2017 2:51 PM

2017-08-20T14:51:23-04:00

Ensure that your D-214 is accurate and complete. Ensure that your medical records accurately reflect all of your medical issues and complete your Physical prior to leaving active duty. Begin to apply for jobs now. Look for support mechanisms in the area you have selected for retirement, such as VA facilities and Veterans support groups.

Response by AA Joseph Moody made Aug 20 at 2017 3:03 PM

2017-08-20T15:03:29-04:00

Honestly, start your job search now and something to look into is federal service, but even outside of that there are positions that can take advantage of any security clearance you may have. From the online side I would look into linkedin and see what shows up for people with similar backgrounds as you.
You may also, if it comes down to it look into contacting a head hunter (dirty I know), but right now is the time to do your networking, look around to see if there is any names of civilian contractors in related fields to yours being dropped and if so send out some feelers.

Response by CDR Kenneth Kaiser made Aug 20 at 2017 6:52 PM

2017-08-20T18:52:54-04:00

THere is a set of common things to consider whether you are retiring or separating. One is to have a plan and plan as early as you can. If you have a specialty (e.g. IT, Intelligence etc) and like working in that area then look for firms who would use it (e.g. DoD contractors, Govt or other firms) Make a list of candidate firms and prioritize them. Gain information on the firms what they do, how they are doing, how many others are doing the same thing (e.g are they on the cutting edge or followers) ,what their turnover is that sort of thing. Once you have prioritized them start at the bottom of the list. It takes a few interviews to get comfortable (if you know someone you can practice with that is better) but by starting at the bottom of your list you essentially get to make your mistakes with firms that are not you hot ones.) You also get to know what is going on in industry by doing this that is you know company A is working on this or that) When you go in for your interviews look around at the environment. A lot of you folks and a lot of older individuals might mean that there is a high turnover in middle management. If the individual interviewing you has to borrow an office it might indicate they are not senior management. (not critical but nice to know what level you would be starting . It is also important from the standpoint of salary. If you start low (a mistake I made on my first job) then your raises are all based upon your starting salary and evaluations are made upon your present position. So if you go in at x and everyone else with the same experience is making z it will be a harder climb. THey may offer you a 15% raise after a year which is really great but not if it brings you up to what you should have been making) Read a few books or articles on salary negotiation before you start. If they ask you what you want you can always counter with " I am just starting in the civilian sector. You firm has been through this and I am sure they have established a salary range that is reasonable. What range did you have in mind. It may surprise you and be much more than you were going to ask. This all ties back to be careful where you enter because all your advances or raises will be based upon that. Anyhow I digress, as you move up your chain there are some other issues.
Some questions folks forget to ask. Toward the end of an interview they may ask "Do you have any questions for us? Most folks are not prepared for this. One key question to ask is "Based upon what we discussed is there anything in my qualifications that might cause you concern. Any weakness or that sort of thing? This gives you a chance to counter any concerns that you might have sensed or missed. It gives you a chance to re emphasize or counter their concerns. As you move up your chain this gets easier because you learn what works and what doesn't.
During the interview and this gets easier as you move up your list, don't be afraid to share what you have learned > Company X was experiencing a problem with this are you experiencing the same thing? or if they are discussing a challenge they are having do not be afraid to offer what you have learned in similar situations in the service or from other interviews or education.
If the interview is not going well and they you are clearly not a fit do not be afraid to ask "It would appear that I am not what you are looking for however now that we have talked do you know of anyone I could talk to that might need a person of my capabilities. It gives them a chance to really decide if they want to loose you and also makes them feel good if they can help. Get a number and a name though do not let them make the contact for you because it might slip in their priority list.

If you are separating vice retiring do give consideration to some form of reserve duty. First it is a source of income, secondly you will advance, third, the folks you meet are likely to be in your area of expertise and be able to offer you tips on openings etc and fourth you will earn a retirement eventually a guaranteed income stream with medical care attached that is rare in today's environment.
Finally, depending upon what you want to do find out if there are professional organizations in the area if you are on shore duty (sorry Navy term) if you are in the area where you want to work and attend. This could include a reserve center and visiting a potential unit because again you can network even if you don't affiliate.
I realize this is a lot of material. I have been down this path a few times in the past . I always wished that I had thought of a lot of these things myself . Too late smart is better than not knowing . Best of luck to all of you . Hope this helped

Response by SGT William Brown made Sep 3 at 2017 10:24 PM

2017-09-03T22:24:06-04:00

Remember the good times and bad times because as a whole they made you who you are, but don't let those experiences control you.

Response by LTC James McElreath made Jul 10 at 2018 8:40 AM

2018-07-10T08:40:41-04:00

Never loose site of what it was that pushed you enough to get out, or retire etc. Try to not reflect on " I would have been this or that by now if I had stayed in.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Jul 10 at 2018 9:40 AM

2018-07-10T09:40:30-04:00

SSG Lanning,
First and foremost, don't count on your retirement/disability too much, if you fall on those categories. They help, but don't rely on them too much. The one I can say is that you need to start planning a year out, maybe more...depending what your intent is. I started around the six months mark and I fell I was behind even though I got lucky by obtaining a job months before I was due to retire. A year sounds like a long time, but anyone that has retired will tell you, it will go fast because so much to do on top of whatever you have pending at your unit...awards, NCOERs/counselings, hand receipts, etc. Hopefully you have a supervisor who is very understanding like the one I had...the last six months he pretty much left me alone. I got really lucky on that aspect.
Probably not the most important, but planning ahead will save you headaches once you start getting closer to the end.
Good luck brother!

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Sep 10 at 2018 10:42 AM

2018-09-10T10:42:11-04:00

Make sure you have a plan once you made the decision to exit the service. Network is really important believe it or not which is one of the reasons why I decided to stay in the Maryland/DC area. Even though I'm doing something totally different from what I did in the Army, I can always go to that if something ever happens. Also, to make sure your DD214 is on point as well as your medical records. Other than that, have a plan, have a plan, have a plan! Because time will be against you, trust me.