Be Prepared

I spent 20 years as a Medic in the Army. I was one of those NCOs that always pushed my troops to get their education and never took care of myself. In my last four years of service I was a 1SG and many of you understand the demands of the diamond. Regardless of the demands, I understood the importance of education.

We all do. I pushed to complete my BA. Thank God that I did...you have to have that diploma to make yourself marketable. I started my transitional prep about one year out with writing and rewriting my resumes. I attended the ACAP program and began my networking. That had to be the most important part...NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK! I attended a few interviews and I was a HOT MESS! Understand that Soldiers have a totally different language and civilians will look at you like you have a third eye if you talk military to them. You need to practice talking civilian talk. It's hard, but doable.

I'm now a Director of Outpatient Sevices at a medical facility. I can give credit to the Army for instilling a work ethic that stands out. When Soldiers go to work in the civilian world you shine above most. The key to a successful transition is preparing for the event. Don't wait until the last minute and remember that your interviews can take place anywhere. I met my Executive VP while coaching youth football. After four interviews with the other exectuives...I got the job. Also, remember to NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK! I miss the military, but being retired and successfully transitioned is very nice.

(Submited by Alfred Rodriguez)

'Interviews are Fun'

I retired from the Army in 1983 and for a while it looked as if no one wanted to hire a 38 year old without a degree. I'd been a ham operator since age 16, served in the U.S., Vietnam and Germany, been an Avionics tech, NCO and instructor, gone through NCO Academy, worked in aircraft maintenance, been a Brigade training NCO, MARS station chief, a Platoon Sergeant, Area Comms Chief and a temporary telephone systems engineer. Not in that order.

One electronics school was interested -- at less than I'd gotten on active duty.

My lack of a degree was getting resumes bounced left and right. But a funny thing happened on the way to civilian life; I became an engineer despite all of that . It happened like this:

My brother's neighbor had a manager that needed someone with radio expertise to be an FCC compliance and TEMPEST test engineer. My brother gave him my resume, and it was smuggled to the manager who needed help. In due course, I received an invitation to an interview. So I went.

My experience has been that a suitcoat , clean slacks and a tie is enough, but my work has always been in technology, where perhaps vests and power ties are less important. I wore a coat, tie and clean slacks. Polished my shoes. The interviewer was retired from the Navy and had as a civilian worked on the Polaris and Poseidon programs. I had never done what he wanted someone to do. I didn't even know what he wanted me to do.

But, I got the job.

Interviews are fun. You learn about the company. You get to see if they are really interested in things that may be new. And you get to sell yourself.

So after we finished the "where did you go and who did you do it to" part, he took me to the lab. I knew what anechoic chambers were, but I had never actually seen one. The concept was clear. I was... having fun. "Mind if I look at the receivers?"

"Sure!" He said. (It is actually hard to get most candidates to show what they can do.) I went into the control room, turned on the receiver, turned some knobs and mentioned there were signals around 35 MHz.

"The chamber door is open." Of course.

I started at more than I asked for, and in three years had doubled that. Two weeks after I started, I got a letter from Human Relations. It was a reply to a resume I'd sent in previously. "We have no openings at this time for person with your qualifications." Heh!

Ten years later I was eating in a restaurant near Fort Worth and talking to a waitress. Her Army husband had just retired and was looking for work. "What as?" I asked. "

"A security guard." What had he done in the Army? He'd been first sergeant of an infantry company.

If I'd been good enough, I might have been a first sergeant. First Soldier, they call 'em. The Primus Pilum "First Spear" of the Roman legions. So I about exploded. A security guard?! The man ran a $50 million operation, knew everyone in it, their birthdays and their families, and was looking for work as a security guard?

I hope she took the message. I hope he got the job, and good luck wherever he is.

I walked into Wang Laboratories in 1983. I've worked in minicomputers, microcomputers and consumer electronics, telecom, medical electronics and aerospace. It is all exciting, difficult, frustrating, rewarding work and I love it.

A few years ago I was shivering unemployed in an wood-heated 400 square foot cabin on a mountain ranch near Santa Rosa, Calif. when the 'phone range. Interview? In Michigan? I'd never worked in Aerospace. Come anyway, said the voice on the other end.

I got the job.

(Submitted by Cortland Richmond)

' I was in the Navy Briefly ... for 20 Years'

Five-year years prior to my retirement, my wife and I sat down and looked at our current financial state and where we wanted to be when I retired. We just called it the our five-year plan to a successful transition. The plan is simple: have no credit card bills, car payments or a mortgage by the time retirement day rolled around.

I thought the hardest part of this plan would be to sell our house and rent for a year. This actually proved to be easier than previously thought. Our house went on the market and in seven days sold for the listed price (this was well before the current mortgage crisis).

This part of the plan was executed at the one-year mark before retirement. The credit cards and car payments were actually quite easy to pay off, as well. We made double car payments and paid off credit cards and just didn't use the cards for about two years prior to the retirement date. If we couldn't pay cash for it, we didn't buy it. The money from t he car payment went right back to our savings account, so now instead of paying the bank we were paying ourselves.

In the meantime, I had been doing on call vendor work on the side for a company that operates executive aircraft on a large scale, so capitalizing on my FAA Airframe and Powerplant license proved to be useful. I got this job through networking with a friend who was working for that company at the time. Additionally, I spent my spare time finishing college getting two Associate Degrees in the aviation field under the Navy's tuition assistance program. Even during deployments and scheduled flights, I managed to graduate -- so it can be done. My only regret was not starting college sooner and aquiring a Bachelor's Degree.

Remember that company that I mentioned I was doing on call vendor maintenance for? I was called to interview for them and was hired with two months of terminal leave left to go. Yes networking does work. Our plan was simple and easy to execute with some discipline and creativity, and it paid off. Since retiring, I haven't looked back. My time was well spent in the Navy, but that chapter is done and I am moving on. My daughter even jokes with me "Dad you were in the Navy once" I reply with a smile, "Briefly, for 20 years."

(Submitted by Davie Gibson, Jr.)

Me, Nervous About the Transition? No.

Nervous? No, I was ready to move on. After 20 years it was time. With the desicion made I put togather my reseme and began sending it out just two months prior to leaving the Air Force.

I felt that after having my experience as a Pharmacy Tech my chances were very good that I would find a job in the civilian world. In preperation for my transition I completed the requirements to get my Pharmacy Technician License and worked part time in town. Preparing for my retirement also included saving up leave time and this allowed for a cushion while settling into civilian life.

It did not take long for responses to start coming in. Not all of them had that job offer attatched. When I returned from lunch one day a co-worker came up to me all excited and said, "You got a call from a hospital in Portland and they have a job offer for you." After a brief conversation I was indeed going to start my new job in just three an d a half weeks. Many of my friends to this day still bring up how easy it was for me to find work and for that I am greatful.

(Submitted by James Steward BA, MEd)

The VA Can Help You

The best advice I have for someone transitioning out with a disability... Take all of the help and assistance that the VA will offer you.

I'm 28 and became disabled while in the Air Force. It is very difficult when you are enjoying your time in and it ends suddenly. It can be difficult to let it go.

Find other veterans, use them for support. Young and old, we're all in the same boat no matter what our disability. Go to your local veterans hospital or clinic and find a veterans representative and use all of the benefits available to you. That is what they are there for. Also copy your medical records! Once you're out, its hard to get copies.

(Submitted by Mrs. Heather Vandenberg)

Do Not Give Up

I served 11 years in the U.S. Air Force and got out nearly 20 years ago. While I was in, I went to school at night and earned an AA degree, an AAS from the Community College of the Air Force and a BA through St. Leo College (now University). I am currently an attorney in Miami.

I think the most difficult part of transitioning is putting military experience into civilian terms. Civilians don't understand what a NCOIC is or how important it is to manage a squadron munitions account. Moreover, transitioning to the civilian work force oftentimes requires making a profit. We all know that military units don't have to do that, they simply have to stay within their budgets.

Having earned my BA, I thought it would be easy to get a job upon separation. I was very wrong about that. I had to take a job as a sandblasting apprentice, which was horrible. I worked retail for a while in order to have a check come in while I tried to decide on long-term goals.

I tried to stick to basic, conservative interviewing suits. Navy or gray with white shirts and usually a bold red tie. I decided to get my hair cut shorter and take off my mustache. Clean cut hair cuts and no facial hair helped my interviewing. I then began highlighting my experience with preparing budgets, managing people and supplies. These are the same skills used in civilian jobs. I was doing well in retail, but was not happy doing it. So, I applied to law school, took out student loans and have been practicing in Miami since graduation.

The best advice I can give is to not give up. Clean cut works best. If you can network with friends to get an interview or introduction, that goes a long way. Every single job I have had since getting out has been as a result of a personal contact.

(Submitted by Mr. Franklin Cosmen, Jr.)

'We're Trained to Think We're All That'

The best advice I received while still in the military was ...

1. Don't get out of the service until you have a bachelor's degree. Your security clearance is not enough to land you a contractor position. I accomplished getting the bachelor's degree and was subsequently hired by a large defense/aerospace company. As I moved up in the company, one of the senior manager/engineers told me to never introduce a person's resume that did not have at least a bachelor's degree because that is the minimum standard for our industry (if you want a "good" job/high pay).

2. The second piece of advice that someone told me is to start preparing your civilian wardrobe at least 12 months prior to retirement. Buy quality clothing and have at least a week's worth of combinations. My wardrobe cost about $3,500 to put together.

3. Network. Every position or job that I had post-military was a result of networking.

4. Make copies of your milit ary medical records. I recommend that if you've had surgeries, or medical issues while in the military, go through your records and highlight these illnesses. Submit VA claims for everything when you outprocess the military. You can easily prove service-connected within the first year of discharge, but after that, it could be more difficult.

5. Yes, we served in the military and we are brainwashed to think "we're all that and a bag of chips," but you're probably not all that. When I compare college interns to retired military, I often find that we're a little more complacent and arogant, whereas, they don't have a retirement check and are a little more hungry.... They are trying to get to the top in a hurry. Don't be surprised that some of the younger employees run circles around you. Yes, your military experience counts, but in this environment, the question remains; "What have you done for us lately?"

6. Get out of debt before you leave the military. It could be awhile before you land a decent job. It's humbling when think you're worth XYZ and find out your civilian counterparts are only making ABC. Believe it when I say that the military actually pays a fair salary when you consider medical, dental, clothing, retirement and VA benefits, relocation, housing, etc. I was surprised that very few people knew how much they actually made while in the military. Civilian medical insurance can cost a family of four a thousand dollars per month. Know these numbers before you decide to get out of the military.

7.Lastly, I chased the high salary jobs at first knowing that I had a medical issue that would eventually cripple my ability to make a decent living. That day has come and now I'm needing a backup plan to my first six recommendations above. I didn't have a "backup" plan and am now trying to figure out my alternatives. Have a backup plan in-case your first plan doesn't work out.

(Submitted by Mr. Tom Arnott)

Class Taught Lessons of the Real World

I retired in 1991 in the Washington, D.C. area. At that time there was a transition class offered by a private contractor, which spanned four weeks, two evenings a week, with each session lasting approximately three to four hours. The cost was $500, but three psychological/suitability tests (and the corresponding evaluations) were provided at no additional cost.

The first night was the "shocker," and provided the class with an assessment of how raw the outside world could be. He covered corporate ethics and provided several examples of the situations that corporations had found themselves in and how they dealt with it.

The rest of the classes dealt with how to create effective resumes, how to prepare for interviews by researching the companies; how to dress for interviews, and many others. A lot of the material was based on common sense, but he provided many subtle tips, such as where to sit while waiting for your interview to start, and what reading material to pick up while waiting (e.g., if it's a tech company, don't pick up an issue of Motor Trend if an issue of Information Week is also available).

The battery of psychological tests were the most revealing for all of us, because it gave us some real insight as to what we may be best suited for. In retrospect, the information provided to me was accurate and useful.

The last week was devoted to the conduct of mock interviews -- all of us went through at least one. There were about 60 of us going through the transition class, so it was hectic to say the least. The other good thing about this class was that the instructor and his staff reviewed every resume prior to it being sent out by a student, and he had us keep in touch after the class and still submit resumes for review.

The class was pricey at the time, but well worth it from my experience. Sadly, the instructor passed away about a year after our class finished, and I do not know if that particular company is still in business.

(Submitted by Art Strong)

Keep the Resume Simple and to the Point

The transition seminar I attended was not very helpful because the people presenting were not transitioning and didn't have their heart in it. I had a good job lined up that disappeared three months before I became a civilian.

I was under employed as a college adjunct and substitute school teacher for about a year during my job search. With a master's degree and the Marine Corps behind me I held high hopes for re-employment but quickly learned that most civilian employers did not care about what you did in the military and often tried to hire you for less than market rate.

I learned a great deal about resumes and interviews. I wanted to work in local governments and learned that once you are in the system it is easier to move up.

My advice: Keep the resume simple and to the point. Do not try to impress with military service, stress what you can offer the employer and do your homework about the employer. Ask questions at the interview, be politely aggressive, discover the employer's challenges and show how you can contribute.

Be proud of your military service but don't live in the past.

Best of luck!

(Submitted by Rober Halfhill)

Missing the Military but Grateful for Skills Learned

I entered active duty with the U.S. Army in 1991 and trained as an airborne artilleyman, and later as a tank crewman. After nearly 10 years of service, I seperated after I was diagnosed with an acute medical conditon.

Within six months of seperation I began study at the College of Oceaneering in Wilmington, Calif. While attended courses, I worked as a diver and performed in-water service on boats in the port of Los Angeles. After 18 onths of study, I graduated with certifications in commercial air diving, non-destructive testing, and wet-welding.

I was employed by several inspection firms in Colorado and Minnesota while gaining industry certifications in industrial x-ray, magnetic particle testing, and penetrant inspection. Entry level is exactly that, entry level. Within two and a half years, my income doubled, and I found myself being approached for employment by a Fortune 500 aerospace firm.

Now seven years af ter seperation, my income level is in the top 20 percent of wage earners. My job involves the inspection of criticle aerospace companants for civil and militay aircraft. If you've flown, chances are my name is on the airplane in some shape or form.

The military helped me by instilling a work ethic, showing me discipline, and giving me management skills. I make my monthly base pay in a week now, yet I miss the military desperately. But, I'm grateful for the skills provided to me. I've made it. I'm happy, I have a great job.

(Submitted by Mr. Patrick Gaebelein)