The Rules Don't Apply to Everyone

I retired from the USAF in Germany with a technical certification, instead of a two-year college degree, and boy, am I glad I did. That two-year associate degree offered on base is a great stepping stone to a four-year degree -- but otherwise worthless in my case.

In the States it may make the difference between you and some other person without one, but well-documented experience and a technical license are leaps and bounds ahead of my aircraft maintenance experience.

The transition assistance folks were correct in my case, "99 percent of all jobs are found through networking," Not online application and job-finder sites. I didn't get even one answer back from any online applications. My neighbor gave me a tip to find my current position.

I guess I looked in all the wrong places, because I didn't meet those employers looking for military experience either.

I didn't get the high-paying job I was promised six months before I retired, and made the mistake of not having a good back-up plan. I had to accept two different jobs way below my experience level just to make ends meet, AAFES and the base commissary.

Thankfully, I'm now fairly comfortable in my third job in three-years, in the field I'm trained and licensed to perform. But remember, the time to search for a new job is when you already have one....

The civilian world is not like the military:

-- Bosses don't have to be fair, there's nobody looking over their shoulder. By the way, I work for a medium- size private company.

-- The same rules don't always apply to everyone. Again, they don't have to be fair.

-- The "good 'ol boy," "play favorites" system is alive and well.

-- Rules are not written in a book, and they are often broken without explanation.

-- People do not have the same level of integrity we career military people have learned to take for granted and expect.

-- Most civilian supervisors haven't had any sort of formal supervisory training; it costs too much.

-- Be very careful what you say to your work colleagues. They are not always your friend and are not watching your back. They see you as a threat and most probably have nowhere else to go.

-- Expect your first supervisor to be a lot younger and much less professional than you are. Again, supervisory training costs too much in the civilian world.

-- The chain of command doesn't exist and if you go over your supervisor's head with a problem and he/she is proved wropng, you have just made an enemy for life. Again, they don't have to be fair.

-- Strange shifts, messed-up days off and working nights are the norm, not the exception.

All in all I'm happy to have retired, but what a culture shock!

(Submitted by Dan Granger)

Comments

[Andy]

Why did you retire from the USAF?

[Rex]

Which military did you retire from? Every single one of those things happened to me in the military. Especially crazy shifts. Ships have to run 24/7, and so most bases that I ever went to. And don't get me started on which rules applied to whom, and how often "leaders" were fair.

And as far as not needing a degree... I BARELY got a job in my field without one, and that's because the hiring manager was desperate to fill out a shift.

[Mark Bjorndal]

No kidding about not being fair, Japanese companies are even worse, especially with foreigners. I too retired from the Navy and have looked on line for jobs and have only been turned down for everyone of them. I am still looking as I have just turned in my resignation and will burn this bridge for good.

[Richard Baker]

Great posting by Dan, I too am an old crew dog and found the transition from Air Force to civilian life to be a culture shock. I have to agree with Dan, the overall lack of core values is the hardest obstacle to overcome in the transition process.
The positive spin regarding the lack of integrity, supervisory training and team cohesion in the civilian world is these are assets and qualities a military member can bring to the table by default of previous years of training. I think most will find leadership skills learned through military experience are just as needed and valuable in the civilian world.
There are many successful professionals in the civilian work force with military experience, possibly the largest fraternity on the planet. Most of the veterans I have worked with over years prefer working with other veterans. We share common experiences, core values and the same commitment to excellence that is rare in today’s market place.

[L Gonz]

This article is so accurate. I had to settle for a GS5, Step 1 position just to keep from ending up living on the streets (and I am retired from the AF with a 4 year degree.) Civilian bosses have no clue how to suprvise or lead. And, yes be careful your co-workers are not your frinds.

[Marilyn]

I totally agree with all that was said by D.Gergor/Rex/M.Bjorndal/R.Baker and L.Gonz. I'm a veteran and have served both in the Navy and the Air Force. When my contract with a former aircraft program on base ended, it took me 7 long and hard months to finally land a job! I'm thankful that I have a job now with a government contractor but I work with alot of people who don't have a military background and it's really frustrating as well as annoying. We have alot of pilots that whine and cry because we work extended hours and now we have to work weekends. There's this saying in the Navy, "Choose your rate, choose your fate". I've learned to adjust to any environment and am thankful to have gained such excellent interpersonal skills, and the discipline and responsibilities that I have learned from being in the military. I've learned alot about working with civilians and people who don't have military discipline. I prefer to work with veterans myself. I must admit, I miss the brotherhood and camaderie you get being in the military. You don't have that working with civilians. They don't understand what it means to live by Core values, have endurance and discipline to work long hours without complaining, what it means to have integrity, serve with excellence, be committed in all you do and have a trustworthy relationship with others.

For those who'll be transitioning soon, take heed to what's been posted! Do your research regarding resume and interview tips and continue to get feedback on your resume when you work on it. Continue to dress your best and speak with excellence because your first impression will be a lasting one. Even if there are other people who interview in jeans and aren't as dressed up, you should dress up in a suit anyway. I made sure I was dressed for my interview despite the casual atmosphere and attitude. Even today, I still dress my best (that means no t-shirts and sneakers even if I wear jeans). I always strive to live by the Air Force core values of: Integrity first, Service before self and Excellence in all I do and Navy core values of: Honor, Courage and Commitment. Also, one of the Army values I like to keep in mind - "Never leave a man behind". Regardless of how shady other people can be and that some co-workers are not friend-material, it's still considered to be an honorable thing to always stretch yourself and be the one to extend a helping hand. If no one says, "Thank you", atleast God is watching and He'll reward you for your acts of kindness. After all, you reap what you sow. :)