Hiring Preference Didn't Work for Me

Prior to being retired as a result of service-connected disability TDRL in 1987, I must have submitted 60 resumes to various federal employers and agencies. Although significantly qualified, I was not selected, believed to be because I was a disabled veteran. 

I have proof of the timeline of the announcements, closing dates and certification lists that I followed when applying for various positions in federal service. 

If I did get on top of a list, the agency always cancelled or closed the announcement before selection. Apparently, they had someone within they wanted to place. 

Afterward, I changed my strategy and stopped using my 10-point preference eligibility, just applied as an outsider. I found better success and actually was selected for a police officer position. 

I lost faith in the supposed OPM hiring system after my bad experience and moved on without preference hiring and became more successful in my transition. These hiring authorities may be better controlled by law now in 2009 as I understand it.

(Submitted by Ken Hudgens)

Am I Expecting Too Much From Civilians?

I spent 10 years on active duty, and now at nine years in reserves. I'm running my own business, doing consulting, and working full time...type A, no, not me?

Since separating from AD in 2000, I've had problems getting along in nearly every position I've been in. I blamed it on working for attorneys for the first six or seven years and then landed a supervisory job, which I loved! I felt like I had finally landed where I needed to be, but things soon changed.

I moved on to another job, another state and another start with the same result. 

The same problems I had when I got out are the same issues I find even now. The work ethic, personal integrity and values in the civilian world are just not the same. They don't give a flip that you served your country or continue to do so...that's just a "hardship" while you're away doing drills. 

I'm emotionally exhausted from trying to "lead by example" and to try to hold people accountable while the "cat's away"...it's not my job to do that anymore, but then whose doing it?

My frustration is that I'm being compared side-by-side to people who have no honor and who would never do the same for me as I'm willing to do for them.

Every day I leave my job with an ache in my stomach and a swimming head wondering what the hell I'm doing and why?

I'd quit, but I need that small amount of income to sustain my business until it gets off the ground.

I did ask one of my co-workers whose brother is AD Army. She told me that when something goes amiss, I react and everyone can see my reaction. I stiffen up, I walk a different way and my tone changes. I guess the way I look at it is that if they were doing their jobs, I wouldn't feel so anxious. 

I suppose that comes from knowing that in the military, you are all trained the same way and that the person next to you has your back and you can count on them and while this isn't life or death here in "civi land," I can't even count on people (including our manager) to show up on time for a meeting. 

Any suggestions or are my expecatations just too high?

(Submitted by Laura Simas)

An Open Mind Led to a New Opportunity

Well, where do I begin. I joined the Air Force in 1985 and had a very good 22 years of service. I finished my final years begrudgingly  moving from the United Kingdom to Minot, N.D.  

Upon receiving my orders to Minot I started my job search. I started my job search using the Internet, and spent countless hours on USA Jobs, Monster and several other job boards  trying to find an aviation maintenance position.

My goal was to head south to warmer weather. I wasn't having much luck with the aviation opportunities, the pay wasn't what I was looking for. I was fed up with Minot and getting desperate to get out of town so I looked for a government job of some sort. I researched Homeland Security to see what jobs they had available, took the TSA test and stumbled upon information about U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

I was curious but had no law enforcement experience. However, my timing was perfect. The Border Patrol was doing a briefing in Minot, so I decided to go. They seemed desperate to hire for the southern border, a little too desperate for me, so I asked questions about Customs. 

They didn't seem too eager to provide information about Customs and Border Protection, so I researched more on the Internet and made a couple of phone calls to the Minneapolis hiring center. It turns out they were coming to my region for testing. 

I scheduled a test date, downloaded the testing study guides and had two weeks to prep. I passed the test and got an offer for Savannah or Atlanta, Georgia -- I chose Savannah. The money is outstanding as an Officer and just increased to GS-12. 

In short, don't limit your search. I received all the training from CBP during 16 weeks at FLETC. The opportunity is there for everyone from all AFSC's. They have an open period for hiring two times a year. If you want any more information call the Minneapolis hiring center or keep your eye on USA Jobs for Customs and Border Protection openings, they got me on the right path. 

(Submitted by Earl Robinson)

BRAC Puts Job in Jeopardy -- Now What?

Here is a tough one. I’m currently an YC02 (GS13), working at and Army installation which has been effected by BRAC and moved my position to another state. Due to the family situation I wasn’t able to move with my current job.

My position is currently going into a RIF status, which will keep me in place until July 2010. I’m applying like crazy for positions within my current installation and surrounding areas to stay in government service. 

I currently have seven years of federal service under my belt -- I retired from the Army in 1994 as a CW2. I also worked for eight years in local economy and established great business connections during that time.

As I stated before, I’m applying for government positions, and getting some interviews and interest from Army leadership, but nothing firm has came up. At the same time local businesses and organizations know that I’m on the market and want me to return to the private sector -- making the same or the possibility of making more money with more growth potential. 

Here's my dilema: Do I have too much time vested already in the government toward another retirement? Or, do I jump and make up the difference on the outside working for private industry?

(Mr. Jorge Rio)

Job Leads from a Vietnam Vet

Transition to the private sector can be daunting, but with the new Health Information Technology (HIT) being pushed by the White House, there are tremendous opportunities for those who have interest in health care and IT. 

The American Society of Health Informatics Managers (www.ASHIM.ORG) has a great website that can provide information for those interested. The most important aspect of HIT in the private sector is that you have experienced Electronic Health Records (HER) while in the military. According to experts the major obstacle to completing HIT nationwide is the lack of capable professionals to implement the system. 

Check it out!

(Submitted by Tom Criser, Vietnam, C Troop 1/9 Cav)

You Have What Employers Need

I had perhaps one of the best transition periods of any Soldier. 

When I left the Army in April 1999 I went right into a position that had been offered to me in my hometown six months prior to my retirement. 

During my interview, I was told that I was just what the agency was looking for and that the intelligence job was mine at the salary I requested. I've been here 10 years now and things couldn't be better.

(Submitted by Carter Hickman)