What Civilians Wish You Knew – Separating From Service

Neat read, even applied most of that since I have gotten out, but the fail point that I see with my own eyes that separates us in my eyes, based on my own experience, when you tell / ask a troop to get things done, that is the end of the discussion at least 3/4 of the time. Many times things get done before even needing to ask. yet straight civvies (that I have worked with) need to be hounded to get many things done at all, let alone a timely fashion. Places that I have worked, the Vets made up 10 - 15% of the work team, but they were getting 70 - 80% of the work ACTUALLY finished. Now, I know that this is only my personal experience, and what I can observe with my own 2 peepers, but I hear similar from other vets I interact with as I go through life. There are business owners that I have known that put a very high premium on looking for Vets because, as one told me long time ago, "with you guys, once I show you what I want, I get a consistent result which makes my life much easier, and costs me much less money in all respects. so I can pay more than the average to my guys"
We are not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, and yes, we could probably do a better job of reaching out to cross that divide, but it is difficult when the person asks (my experience, has happened) "did you ever kill anyone?" and then recoils in horror when they get the answer. most of us, in a professional setting (boss is asking in an interview is my example) will answer the question flatly, but honestly because of WHO is asking in this situation, because, to me, I drop into report mode for an AAR. (in a bar, I tend to just ignore the buffoon and move out). So, for my brothers and sisters here, keep your heads held high, please do TRY to reach out, and watch each others backs, and help educate the civvies by doing what we do best, teach and lead by example,

Creating an environment where we can begin to understand one another is important. I've been out of the military coming up on four years and I am still adjusting.

You have only the authority that is contained in your job description. No matter you were a Colonel or a Corporal, if you are the new guy at the bottom of the pecking order, shut up and listen before you try to change the world.

Our office is involved in competition with similiar businesses. We deal in strategy and ensuring our product has more value than our competitors. Mostly, we are evolutionary, not revolutionary unless something really unique comes up. A frontal attack is not always the answer and the world is rarely going to blow up this evening. Stand back and think before you expect everyone to be running behind you.

Just like in the military, change for changes sake is sometimes very expensive. Unless you were hired with the understanding that the boss wanted you to shake things up, it's a technique to be used with care.