Design Your Exit Strategy Before You Submit Your Resignation from the Military

CPT Endre Barath — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:26:36 -0400

Design your exit strategy, or should I say your transition strategy, from the military to the civilian world. This is advice from someone who has discovered that the transition from the military to entrepreneurship is one of the most challenging and difficult journeys one can take, especially if there is lack of research, lack of knowledge and just a misplaced cocky attitude.

An exit plan should be addressed as early as possible, because transitioning from a military career to the civilian world is not as easy as most people imagine. For example, I left the military in 1983 as a young Airborne Ranger Infantry Captain and thought that I would be welcomed with open arms and have the civilian world in the palm of my hands.

There were many opportunities that I chose not to take. One of which was to enter the shadow world of the State Department and some of its subsidiary companies, i.e. their semi-civilian corporations. I did not reach out to the Military Industrial Sector, nor did I choose to go back home to become a fireman or a police officer. These were all good choices and opportunities that I did not pursue. Keep in mind that once you close these doors, there are no second chances.

Instead I went to a high-powered New York City recruiter for one of the largest head hunter companies of the time. He, in turn, looked at my resume and said that Infantry Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Acting Company Commander, and Brigade Headquarters’ Commandant for an Infantry Brigade were all very impressive milestones that I had achieved. Then he suggested that I join one of the high-powered companies in the medical, biotech, or financial fields and become a sales trainee. He had high hopes that with my drive, I would succeed. I, on the other hand, was hoping to be a Senior Manager or a Company CEO. He smiled and said, “You are not a retiring General with connections. You need to start at the bottom and work your way up.”

The military taught me to set goals, design a road map and work at it until it was achieved. The road has been colorful at best. I left behind a steady paycheck, retirement options, potential retirement benefits, health care benefits, etc. Just to keep it simple: there are no vacations or sick days and you are working 24/7 if you want to succeed.

I, instead, took the road less traveled. The road lead me to Contract Security Management and ultimately real estate for the past 20+ years in the Boston, MA and the Greater Los Angeles, CA real estate market. The competition is high and the opportunities are higher, but you can never take your eye off the goal.

This is universal to all businesses and particularly to the sales field. With true passion, perseverance, and focus, you will succeed. When you interview for a position, make sure that you get this point across and at the same time remember the interview is a two way street. Get to know the organization’s climate and see if it is a good fit for you. Do not focus on just getting the job, but rather focus on whether or not you can stay the course for years to come.

If this idea is too challenging, then you might consider staying the course and serving until retirement. Enjoy the camaraderie that is not as prevalent in the civilian world as it is in the military. Either way, best wishes for success in all your endeavors!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2015 11:59 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:59:39 -0400

Very well written and good information for all no matter where they are in the transition

Response by LTC Henry Barber made Sep 24 at 2015 1:39 PM

LTC Henry Barber — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 13:39:29 -0400

Great info!

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2015 10:33 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 22:33:04 -0400

My question is how do you keep up the motivation and positive attitude necessary to finish out your contract? I decided while on deployment last year that I was going to transition into a civilian career after my ETS, I now have about a year and a half left, and I have about a year and a half left to finish my BA then complete my Masters. I have already taken a volunteer internship opportunity in the field I plan to get into. I am trying to focus all of my attention on producing the best results I can muster in my education, plus in the internship, but in doing so, I find it very difficult to muster the drive to pack up and make the 200 mile one-way trip to drill once a month. Not to mention, with my overloaded schedule, the Drill Weekends inevitably lead to extension requests, which put me behind in class. Also, knowing that I am phasing out, and will be done before the next deployment, its hard not to think of my being there as a complete waste of tax-dollars.

I am amped to move on, and there are many times where I wonder if it wouldn't have been easier to wait until I was out to start the transition...

Response by SSgt David M. made Aug 3 at 2023 9:01 AM

SSgt David M. — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 09:01:57 -0400

Hi All My Fellow Veterans
I understand your frustration. It is not all that easy to walk away from the Military as that is a known Good, Bad, or Indifferent situation that you have become comfy with over the prior year(s). The bottom line is you decide what your priorities are and go with it. Part of your issue is you are already committed to the Military for another year and a half, that should come first as you volunteered to that first. You are in the minority when it comes to having the luxury of being able to take/finish college degrees while serving. We were given that ability when I served (1973-1981) but field duty cut into class time as we did not have on-line courses back in the day. I wish everyone all the best of luck making the transition as it is not an easy road ahead. I grabbed as many college credits as I could after I ETS'd and that gave me a pathway to a great future profession, but with only a limited number of college credits it could only take me so far. If I had been able to do on-line college courses my profession could have taken me higher. Yes I could have taken a lot more college courses after work but I decided that my family came first. I was working 4 ten hour days and college was too expensive. Buying a home and raising a family came first for me. The expense of college just was not in my budget and I did not want to invest the time required to obtain a degree that would only help me so far. Once I could see retirement coming I just decided it just would not pay to go through all the time and effort to maybe get one more promotion prior to hanging up my work and enjoying retirement. I have been retired now since Jan 3, 2014. I wish all my fellow Veterans all the best as they make their decision of how to proceed into the great unknown called the Future! I Salute All My Fellow Veterans!!! GOD Bless America!!!