Don't Act Like You're Active Duty, Because You're Not

I was shocked when I found a recruiting company using veterans for candidates. The NCO's with TS's wanted to go home, not stay in the DC area -- the colonels wanted to start with companies at the VP or higher level.

I expanded our candidate pool to include job seekers from all sources.

Advice: Put your rank in the drawer and realize you not in the Army now -- it's a whole new world. You have attributes that companies need and want. But about 90 percent of what you have picked up culturally needs to be forgotten. Don't show up for meetings 30 minutes early. Don't come in at 0600. Don't share war stories around the coffee pot. Don't PT at noon time. Don't meet your carpool at 4 p.m. Watch your boss and your peers -- find out what works and emulate it.

You have loyalty and a good work ethic, max it out, but do not continue to act you're still on active duty, cause you aren't.

(Submitted by Col. James Hodges )

Comments

[Jim Johnson]

I agree with some of these comments, but others (ie "picked up culturally") smack of a disdain for enlisted personnel...90 percent? I would say its about 30 percent. You think former enlisted can be annoying? Try millennials with no military experience expecting a promotion after filling a seat for a year... I will take a GWOT vet ANY DAY over some of the schmucks that are currently leaving universities. But if that's who you're hiring - best of luck, buddy.

[James Hodges, Sr.]

Funny.. maybey the Col. should of left his rank off his comment. Having just completed a little over a few decades of sevice and about 18 years in the civilian sector I can tell you every one here appreciates my service background and welcomes my frank and open Military Demeanor. I have a feeling Col. James Hodges never acted like he was on active duty.

[DAN]

Awesome comment James!