Your Attitude is the Key to Success

I separated from active service after eight years, 11 months and 14 days back in 1989, then joined the ANG in 1990, and still serve part time.

Transition was very difficult. My list of positions after separation cover the gamet, bread delivery driver, security, construction, Systems Analyst, BioMed, etc. 

I couldn't understand the corporate cultures of the civilian world, the selfishness, and backstabbing. There was not "higher cause or greater good" mentality motivating the mission, so I struggled. 

Additionally, I hadn't finished my education, though I have now MBA, it hasn't really helped. 

Recently, I retained the service of a professional career coach, expensive, no ROI yet, but ultimately it was not until I became a member of a professional mentorship organization that things began to really change.

I've found that no government provided service helped in anyway. In fact, it wasted time, effort and money --whether it federal or state. 

So, unless someone has something to gain by mentoring and helping you succeed, there is no real committment or heart in thier efforts of helping you. 

It has only been through the mentorship organization, URA, that I learned the secret to succeed in real world: attitude. 

"Your attitude is the one thing that plays a role in every single aspect of your life. It either works for you or against you, and you determine which" ~Sam Glenn.

(Submitted by Robert Brotten)

I Wish Employers Had Standards Like the Military

To each and all of you that have served in the military, I personally thank you for your comments. 

I also have and still have problems with the standards of these cilivians and how they operate on their jobs. Some call us " A threat to the workforce." 

These types of people like to play mind games and undermine your personal working standards by trying to suck up to the company. 

My working standards reflect me and me only, since there's no working standards within the company peers. I  served in the Army from 1981 to 1991 after the Desert Storm Conflict. I tried to return back in but Bush Sr. was cutting down all of our military forces at that time, so I went to the National Guards for another 11 years to retire from there as a E-6.

Even the guard treated me as a "know it all" because I had the updated on the rules and regulations. They used me for everything and I out-shined everyone, but didn't receive anything but more responsibilities.

It's true that the majority just don't care. It's about a paycheck, fame, being someone special to the boss, etc. Instead of working together in unity they would rather you do it for them while they collect and do barely nothing. 

No matter where I go and work it's the same. But, I have to keep busy doing something to improve or help those in need.

I wish I knew of employment that has standards and a sense of purpose like the military. I just have standards, which have always worked for me.

(Submitted by P. Thompson)

Maybe It's Me, Not the Civilians

After six years I ETS'd and immediately got into university, completing my degree in three years at DeVry. They have good programs for undergraduate degrees, and are fairly reasonably priced (considering residency issues). That led to jobs that quickly rocketed me up the pay scale and provided access to specialization in the big enterprise applications such as  SAP and Oracle. 

At the time my perception of non-veterans was a bit low. Had a hard time figuring out why my roomates were so lazy and couldn't be counted on to follow through on agreements (cleaning up after themselves, not eating my food, etc). 

Then it struck me after I met a young lady who had a profound impact on my life, that not only was I generalizing about people being lazy and irresponsible but I was also projecting my own need for order onto others. 

It took me several years to get myself in check, and I still fight myself from time to time over the sense of superiority still I hold near and dear. We did more by 8 a.m. than most people do all day, if I recall the cadence correctly. It has become part of who we are. 

So my re-integration into civil society had a few rough patches, but by focusing on serving others and giving more than I get I'm able to get my head in the right place. And of course my wife has been my anchor and my bridge. She has held me close when I needed it and pushed me out the front door when I wanted to crawl back into bed for the day. I owe everything I'm and have today to her love and patience and tenderness. 

After being out for 18 years, looking back I'm comfortable saying that the six years I spent on active duty between Korea, Ft. Devens and Germany were clearly the most formative of my life. Everything else has come as a result. In retrospect, I'm also comfortable saying that I wish I had spent more time working a second job bartending at the O-Club or taking extra classes toward my degree before I got out because time is a factor that works against us. Before you know it five and 10 years are gone. 

My advice to anyone in transition or getting ready to transition is as follows:

1) Don't take yourself or others too seriously, especially in the beginning.

2) Laugh as much as you can, and look for opportunities to make other laugh along with you.

3) Be kind to yourself and the people around you, they will be all you have left in the end.

4) Make sure you do what makes you happy, but also keep in mind that being broke all the time is not a pleasant way to live so pick a skillset that will let you earn at least $60,000 a year.

5) Find peace by bringing it to others who are less fortunate than you, so volunteer at one of the thousands of non-profits in your area.

6) Take advantage of everything the VA and other departments offer, that's what we pay taxes for. 

Best of luck to all of you! In all things be safe!

(Submitted by A.B.)