Aviate, Navigate, Communicate

Aviate, navigate, communicate...those three verbs are drilled into every new pilot's head during navy flight training. First you have to fly the plane and keep it safe, then figure out where the plane is heading and finally, talk to external controllers.

When I left the service I was both excited and terrified. I grew up as the daughter of a career Marine officer, had gone right into NROTC, and then straight into the navy. I had never been a civilian. As I prepared to transition to the civilian world, the "aviate, navigate, communicate" mantra continued to guide my path.

Aviate: stay in control of the airplane. For my transition, this meant having an idea of what I might like to do when I left the navy. While I loved flying off the aircraft carrier, I knew that experience would not be easily replicated elsewhere. I had really enjoyed being a division officer and I liked starting ventures. I knew that I didn't want to be an airline pilot, although that would have been an easy transition for me. Instead, I chose to apply to business schools so I could learn the tools that would help me in the business world.

Navigate: know where you're going. I spent a great deal of time researching which schools I'd like to attend so I could make an informed selection. I applied to a range of schools that appealed to me and my business goals.

Communicate: For those transitioning out of the military, this means networking! Most of the other pilots I worked with left the Navy to go to the airlines, and they had a strong network, sharing all the "gouge" on the various airlines. I realized that I would need to create my own network and get the gouge on the business world myself. Networking was uncomfortable for me because I had never had to really do it in the Navy, but it is essential in the business world where your connections can help guide you in your career. I started by speaking with other pilots I knew who had left the military and entered the business world. I asked them for advice and talked with them about the differences they'd found between the civilian and military worlds. Most non-veteran civilians I've spoken with are very interested in hearing more about military experience, as it's a world that they've only seen on television; so really think about how to explain what you do to someone who has no clue about the military.

Aviate, navigate, communicate: once you know what type of job you're interested in, you can navigate your way there by doing your research and talking with others who have made the transition.

(Submitted by Loree Hirschman)