CPT Treg Ogborn 39177 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>When I came home from deployment in 2011 I was struck with the realization that I would need to find a "real" job really quick.  Having done nothing but military or military college from 2003 to 2011, I found that I knew virtually nothing about the civilian world in terms of skill requirements, etiquette, social norms, or even professional clothing.<br><br>If you could have given me any advice upon my return, what would you have suggested?  How can we better prepare ourselves and our friends for the civilian world?<br> 2014-01-17T14:34:03-05:00 CPT Treg Ogborn 39177

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>When I came home from deployment in 2011 I was struck with the realization that I would need to find a "real" job really quick.  Having done nothing but military or military college from 2003 to 2011, I found that I knew virtually nothing about the civilian world in terms of skill requirements, etiquette, social norms, or even professional clothing.<br><br>If you could have given me any advice upon my return, what would you have suggested?  How can we better prepare ourselves and our friends for the civilian world?<br>

2014-01-17T14:34:03-05:00 2014-01-17T14:34:03-05:00 SGT Private RallyPoint Member 39196

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>There are three things that I would tell someone that is about to leave the military; stay motivated, be flexible, and learn the lingo.  I assist veterans in my community to gain employment and receive benefits, and these seem to be the biggest three hurtles for most.  The fact is that in the military there is a strong support chain that keeps the members focused and driven, and this can leave some ill prepared to deal with the reality that on the “outside” all you really have is you.  This can be very hard on some and a lot of veterans find it easier to give up than to keep driving on. Or even worse I have seen many veterans turn down opportunities that were not what they felt they should have been offered.  What veterans have to keep in mind is that the great things that they have done in the service are wonderful, but that does not exclude us from proving ourself in the corporate word. We have to be willing to take any opportunity offered and turn it into the opportunity that we want it to be.  And veterans do have a lot of skills and abilities that are in high demand in the corporate sector; I have found that they just don’t know how to market those skills and make themselves employable.  Learn the terms and what they mean and how it is applied in the workforce,  most are surprised to find out how much they already know.  Over the past two decades the military has been very intertwined with corporations and how they do business, corporations just use different terms.

2014-01-17T15:25:45-05:00 2014-01-17T15:25:45-05:00 SGT Ben Keen 39202

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The one thing I tell Veterans that I help out is stay focused!  Much like what Quentin said already, there are a lot of hurtles in your path as you transition but these can all be cross if you stay focused.  Understand that you are entering a world that understands little of what you just went through for the past 4, 10, 15, 20+ years.  Be honest with people and don't sale yourself short.  The skills that we picked up while in the service cannot be taught in the classroom.  Our ability to think on our feet, asset the situation quickly and resolve the problem in a timely manner are all skills regardless of your branch, number of deployments, medals, whatever that we all share.  <div><br></div><div>Lastly, make connections!  Use the Veterans around you as your support chain.  While not every situation is exactly the same between each Veteran, if you establish a good network of Veterans in your area, you will be able to learn from them and hopefully works towards a successful transition.  </div>

2014-01-17T15:47:02-05:00 2014-01-17T15:47:02-05:00 1SG Paul Hooker 40219

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Never understood how people can not accept direct facts.  This has been one of many concerns during and on going transition.  I seem to cause more harm than good.  I assume  the training and the facts going forward is too much for the society to cope with.  The best position thus far is being the lowest position but have all the knowledge so I can on my worst day out perform most.  Good luck team. 

2014-01-19T13:51:45-05:00 2014-01-19T13:51:45-05:00 SSgt Private RallyPoint Member 40647

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I do not think there is a gap in what has been learned but what is expected.  How many times have you seen a person do the job wrong or without consideration of safety and he judged you by that?   It happens we have all seen it.   The trick is to get those skills that employers may want and from there it is a roll of the dice.   Another thing is basic proficiency,  kind of a super GED.

2014-01-19T22:36:19-05:00 2014-01-19T22:36:19-05:00 SGT Dominic Giardina 72478

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Translating military duties into civilian equivalencies can be challenging, especially for those individuals with an MOS that doesn't have a directly transferable skill-set in to multiple industries and markets. Many combat arms specialties are like this. In these situations, it's important to focus on translating your leadership and managerial duties into civilian equivalents. Statistically, veterans change jobs 4 or 5 times within the first 3-5 years of seperation, and I am no acception. Where you land isn't necessarily where you will remain. For MOS' that have more directly transferable skills, such as signal corps, MI, vehicle/aircraft mechanics, HR, and the like, have to really focus on not only translating there skills and experience, but also on marketing in their particular industry of choice. I recommend doing job searches in your chosen industry often; Learn the phrases and terminology used, figure out how to market yourself using industry terminology; Make your resume searchable following this technique. Of course, you should also know and understand what credentials are required to advance in your chosen career field, focus on how to attain these credentials. Lastly, knowing how to sell your skills as a product, which comes through experience and growth. Make yourself in-demand.

2014-03-09T16:38:54-04:00 2014-03-09T16:38:54-04:00 PO1 Barbara Matthews 3263948

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>While everyone seems to support the troops, they really don&#39;t care how you did it in the military. Forget what you know and be willing to learn how it&#39;s done in the &quot;real&quot; world.<br /><br />Civilians want someone who is going to fit their mold and don&#39;t want to change to a militarized way of doing it.<br /><br />Many civilian workers work hard and have good work ethic yet they may seem undisaplined because their was is unconventional.<br /><br />Get used to a time clock! Don&#39;t clock in early or leave later than whatever you are scheduled. Overtime costs the company money. They may want you to finish tomorrow or work faster to get done on time.

2018-01-16T18:13:16-05:00 2018-01-16T18:13:16-05:00 2014-01-17T14:34:03-05:00