Posted on Apr 25, 2017
When transitioning from military to civilian life, what are some of the largest, or smallest, hardships that you struggled with personally?
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For me, one of the hardest parts was having to start from scratch in the IT field. I didn't have any certifications that most IT companies were looking for, nor did I have experience in ticketed work orders and operating in servers. I had a ton of experience in the IT field, just none of it relevant enough to land a job higher than entry level.
Transition
Civilian Career
Career Advice
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
That is one of the things that kind of irks me is we get no certifications that help in the civilian world. I work on diesel engines and work with electricity. You would think I had a journeyman or electrical certification but nope. It helps I came in late at 30, so I have experienced the civilian way of doing things. But for SM's who have been in the military their whole career, it is a lot hard to transition back to being a civilian.
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SFC Josh Billingsley
I've been working with a company in Florida and we set up a veteran transition program. if they have at least 4 years electrician experience in the military they can be hired as an unlicensed electrician working under minimal supervision of a journeyman. The company pays for their "apprenticeship" and licensing and gets them certified for the state so they can operate independently. It's difficult to find work without the appropriate certifications and licensing but we are working hard to close this gap.
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SGT Charles Napierala With proper planning and preparation there should be no hardships, but challenges that we all face. I knew that I need a degree for the job that I wanted, so when I was discharged in 1972, I found a good paying chemical plant job and started school. Five and a half years later, I had my degree, and began a 33 year career on the Space Shuttle program. My biggest challenge was while I was in school, and I had to deal with civilians that hated the military and veterans. Discipline and drive will take you where you want to go.
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Being over qualified. I got out in 1969 as a 20 year old sp/5. No one would hire me. Vet preference means nothing. Went to work as a carpenter for 9 months. Came back in the army since it was easier. I have briefed up to the 3 star level.
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