Show That You Can Move on From Military

As a veteran who benefited from the jump start that the military gave my career, I too would advocate maximizing your service and experience for all it's worth.

That being said, I would also advise getting past your military background as soon as possible. Advance yourself with a college degree and private-sector experience -- because not only will a military background only get you so far, but it may also end up working against you.

What I mean by this is that the the higher you get on the corporate ladder, the more the progression of your career path becomes important. Employers look to see a steady advancement in job scope and responsibilities. Yes, starting in the military and advancing is good, but in order to show that you've moved on (to an extent that really makes you qualified for taking on a truly challenging role) you need to show that you've moved way past a stint in the military that likely came right after high school.

On a final note, as much nice as it is to think that veterans should get special status in the private sector, but the fact is, what truly makes a candidate qualified in the private sector is just that, qualifications. If you're no longer on active duty, you better start acting like it and move on.

(Submitted by Jim Krushnick)

Lack of Preparation Led to Living in a Garage

When I got out of the Marine Corps in 2005, I was heartbroken and lost. I had no idea what I was going to do. I had served 4 years -- two overseas -- and had done things I never thought I would in my modest life.

I felt that I was leaving "my family" to go back to the unfamiliar home I grew up in. I had no money when I got out. I spent it all during my time in and hadn't saved a dime. In addition, a screw up on my leave balance left me with an outstanding balance that came out of my last paycheck.

I didn't get a car until two months before I got out. I wasn't prepared at all. I went back to my native state of Ohio for  three months, and worked a few jobs that I hated. Then a friend of mine asked me to move back to North Carolina with her, where I stayed for six months in her garage with no heat.

I got a job on the base working at the convenience store almost immediately, making $5.15 an hour. Finally, after only searching for one month, I got a job with a government contractor with decent pay, and started going to school a year later.

Now, I'm halfway through my degree and still working. My advice to military personnel getting ready to transfer back to civilian life is be prepared.

Save as much as you can, get a car, get a computer, go to school while you're in, and don't waste time. Military life puts you on auto pilot, but in the real world you have to make your own decisions, and no one tells you what to do, where to go, or what to wear. Also, be yourself and remember who you're above what the military says you are, because one day you will not have the nametag to speak for you -- you'll have to speak for yourself.

God Bless all of you, active, reserve, veterans, etc....Thank You for all you have done to serve the United States.

Semper Fi,

(Submitted by Heather Williams; Corporal, USMC)

Disagree With Shelving Rank

I totally and respectfully disagree with the colonel about putting your rank away in a drawer. All veterans should use their status they earned while in the military.

Those who forget the veterans who made this country free should be ashamed of themselves. This country needs to hire veterans in all professions

.

The training and professionalism is the best in the world. The veteran should be hired before all other status, especially the disabled veterans. Our country would not be in this mess if we had a veteran at the helm.

I'm a former staff sergeant and I lead by example and pride. One last thought: The war stories I have told have helped some of my co-workers join the military. Never forget where you came from and use your service experience to build a better world.

(Submitted by Mr. Rickey Baugh)

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 )

Going from Fired to Hired

After rotating out in 1974, I walked into a photo retail store hoping to use the skills I learned at Photo School in Pensacola., Fla. 

I was hired on the spot and worked my way to management but was let go just before our store was sold. No job and a wife in college two days after Christmas in 1978, I walked into our competitor's main store and spoke with the owner. The owner knew who I was and I informed him that I was no longer working for my former employer. I told him that I would continue to work in the same field in our city and he had the first opportunity to hire me.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in a strategy session to ultimately place me in a management position in my own store within 90 days. Go from fired to hired in 60 minutes. Without the confidence gained from the Marine Corps I couldn't have done it.

(Submitted by Glenn Shay)

Starting My Own Business

I redeployed from Iraq in September 2007 and departed the military two months later.

I had a vision of what I wanted to do and that was business ownership. I put together a business plan that centered around assisting people into business ownership, with veterans being the main focus.

I now own and operate a company called NG Enterprises, LLC. 

Along with NG Enterprises, LLC I created an organization called Veterans 2 Business. If you visit http://www.veterans2business.com you can find out how thousands of veterans are being guided into business ownership.

(Submitted by Nicholas Gray)