Take it One Step at a Time

At the age of 19 years old, I signed up for the United States Air Force. I served as a cryogenics and fuel specialist for a two-year tour in Germany (Rhein Main AFB) during Operation Desert Storm followed by another two year tour at Norton AFB.

While stationed in Germany, I developed an expanded passion for knowledge in many fields I had not previously had interest in (e.g. self-development, spirituality, world issues, politics, religion, philosophy, and surprisingly fitness and longevity).

Having gone through boot camp, I was forced to toughen up and get in shape. Later, while serving at Rhien Main AB in Germany, I also found a passion for health and fitness. My commanders took note of my passion and offered me my first opportunity to share this new passion of mine, when Lt. Col. Lefevers asked me to be Chairman for the 63rd Squadron's Wellness Committee.

After serving a full four-year term in the USAF, I had to decide if I wanted an honorable discharge, to re-enlist in same field, or to cross-train into a new field. And once I found out they had an opening in the area of my new passion, I chose to cross-train, but this time I enlisted for active reserve duty. Within a month, I was in USAF Technical School at Lowry AFB and later Sheppard AFB studying to become a eietitian with a secondary duty as a combat medic. I completed my training and was stationed as a USAF Reservist at Travis AFB.

Around June of 2004, just months after completing my training, I was offered a fantastic job opportunity, so I requested permanent release from my military duties and got it.

The job I was offered was a position as the Central U.S. fitness director for Gold's Gym and the Nutrionalysis franchise. Unfortunately, the position dissovled within a year. But, it had positioned me for great success in the fitness industry. And, throughout the following full decade (1994-2004), I earned an abundance of fitness certifications and received lots of recognition in the fitness industry for helping many clients, fitness trainers, and fitness companies achieve success.

During this process, I was also exposed to many wealthy clients, which led me to ask one question: "Do I deserve to be wealthy and was I willing to work for it?"

The answer was, "yes." So, I traveled all over the U.S. and spent more than $200,000 on private coaches, seminars, home study audio/video products, and other material in the relentless pursuit of learning proven methods of success.

And as I reached my 30s, I met my wife, Gina. Securing her future was on my mind. Supporting future kids was on my mind. Providing a retirement income for my parents was on my mind. Planning for our own retirement was on my mind. And, having a very comfortable life with abundance was on my mind.

Begining around 2001, I gradually began putting more of my time towards achieving wealth. I was still working in the fitness industry, but only part time.

By 2002 and until late 2004, I was earning more than $200,000 a year, but I made some big mistakes and in no time at all I ended up flat broke by the end of 2004.

It took me until the summer of 2005 to reinvent myself and make some bold moves in new directions, which led me to earn $300,000 a year.

In 2006, I decided I wanted to lean more. So, I spent almost $200,000 on all sorts of good and bad "learning" investments. I earned very little in 2006, because I was learning -- not earning yet.

In 2007, I opened a gym franchise, rented out half a million dollars in investment properties, obtained my Real Estate license and took an excellent job in sales with a large firm.

Now, as I approach 40, I reflect on my blessings. I have a loving, supportive, and beautiful wife, Gina. We live in a large home on a hill in Orange County, Calif. We have a dog, Ginger, and two cats Alex and Charles who love us. I am surrounded by supporting family and friends who love us...and we love our careers.

I wish you my kind of success.

(Submitted by Chris Paschane)

The 13-Year Transition

I think I could write a book of lessons learned during my transition, but where to start? I’ll just jot down a few thoughts that come to mind.

Lesson 1. Prepare Early

My official retirement date was January 1995. Some would say I am 13 years into the transition but it started much earlier than my separation date.

Like any good operation, preparation is clearly an exercise worth the effort. I took advantage of the Tuition Assistance program, the GIBill, and what little discretionary income I had and invested in an education. Going to night school between deployments meant it took me a while, but it was well worth the effort.

Deciding what to do was not an easy task for me. Some people know what passions they have and how to satisfy them. I needed to do things like “interest inventory” tests. I also read as many books as I could get my hands on. I decided I liked business, but wasn’t sure what industry I wanted to work in, or in what capacity.

The transition is fraught with many false starts. At least I hope I'm not the only one that experienced them. I learned that privately owned businesses, no matter how big, were not consistent with my desired work environment. I learned that I'm more successful in a large publicly held organization. I find that I am able to get more accomplished, probably because I like and understand structure. I believe it was the military training that prepared me for that environment.

I also subscribed to periodicals that I felt would keep me up to date in the latest news and technology in my area of interest. This also provided me with topics of interest that helped me with conversation with persons of interest for my network.

Lesson 2. Learn to network

Getting accepted into your target industry or company is not an easy task. I think the next most important task is networking with others who are already where you want to be -- not an endeavor that most military members are trained to accomplish. That means researching community organizations that will allow you to meet others outside of the military community. Talk about stretching a comfort zone! Online communities can now help you with that effort. Sites like www.Linkedin.com can help. My first two jobs post military, were from a newspaper advertisements. Every other opportunity since has been from networking.

Lesson 3. Learn to be flexible

With more than 20 years military experience and a graduate degree, I had to learn to start over at the bottom of the ladder. A humbling, yet necessary step in where I wanted to go. After gaining a couple year’s experience the rapid rise up the ladder began. Sometimes it meant changing organizations. Sometimes that change was thrust upon me through mergers and restructures. So far, each time I was confronted by organizational change, it has worked out for the best.

Lesson 4. Remember the past, but move forward

Logically, I knew it was time for the transition. I wanted a different lifestyle for me and my family. The emotional separation was a whole other story. I kept second guessing my decision. I was leaving a comfort zone and heading into the unknown. Particularly when confronted with challenges and frustration, the urge to go back to the good ‘ol days is overwhelming. I overcame those urges by reestablishing my goals, continuing my research, re-evaluating results, and taking action. It doesn’t really matter what action as long as it was headed forward towards the goal.

The transition is a journey not a destination. But then, isn’t all of life. Have a great journey! Feel free to visit my military profile on www.Togetherweserved.com

Semper Fi

(Submitted by 1st Sgt. Randy Roffers, Vice President of Finance, Icore Healthcare/Magellan Health Services)

Editor's note: You can also find more than 400,000 veterans to network with in various industries on Military.com's Veterans Career Network.

'Businesses Admire Honorably Discharged Veterans'

I have been out for some time, I seperated 1994 from the USS Belleau Wood (LHA-3), which is now a man- made reef. I was very unsure of what I wanted to do for a career but realized very quickly that businesses admire honorably discharged veterans!

I utilized my family to network and to get my first position as an administrative assistant for a life insurance / investments company.

For my very first interview I dressed in the nicest clothes I had, which consisted of a pair of slacks, dress shirt, dress shoes, tie and sport coat (I got the job). The tie and sport coat were borrowed from a friend.

My point is that I didn't spend much to look professional. After all, we all had to pass inspection on a regular basis, so we know how to be squared away!

I stayed in the financial services industry and now have more than 13 years experience and a wealth of knowledge. The most important thing for me was making sure I made the most of my military experience and ensuring that potential employers knew how my past military experience would help their company.

Work ethic, discipline and commitment are three of the most sought after characteristics employers look for, and those are core values in any branch of the military. I'm now a first vice president of business development for a nationally recognized investment firm and I truely believe I owe it all to my Naval experience.

Fair winds and following seas!

(Submitted by Steve Prew)

Top Secret Clearance in ... Retail?

I transitioned into a field I never thought about...retail. My employer highly values the traits with which I left the military.

Pay was a lot higher than expected, this employer does not take retirement pay into consideration when offering base pay and the benefits are terrific. Please feel free to contact me at oriebe@hotmail.com if I can offer assistance during your transition.

The biggest surprise for me was that I thought it necessary to pursue employment that would make use of my Top Secret clearance. I never needed it. If you want to find out more, contact me, I'll give you the straight skinny on what to expect.

( Submitted by Mr. Oliver Riebe)

You'll Change Jobs at Least Six Times

I departed the military from Ft. Rucker Alabama, home of the 229th Attack Helicopter Battalion. My last position was a 52F20 and I was assigned as the Company Tranining NCO. I did not have a college degree, but an assortment of course related material concerning computer programming. I was told by the military that I would not be able to get a job in the civilian sector based on my credentials.

Sure enough, I returned home and could not get a job in the computer field. I started working with an electrician as a helper but put in my resume's at the local job banks, temporary services. One day the temp agency called me and stated that they had a job that paid about $6.50 an hour, working with Lotus 123. I went on the job interview, and, yes, they had a spreadsheet that needed data entry work and the job would only last for about three weeks.

The job was with United Technologies Automotive, a company that made wiring harnesses for Chrysler and Ford. I explained to them if they let me do it my way I could have it done in less than a week. I needed to learn a circuit and splice and the componenets necessary to build a harness. Well, the rest of the day I spent walking around the plant looking at the processes. I came in the next day and completed the job. They took note and recognized my abilities and decided to give me more work programming different processes. I worked in Engineering, Production Control, Maintenance, Accounting etc, writing and streamling processes for the company. I also negotiated a higher salary of $13.50 per hour.

One day the plant had to lay off all the temporary workers and I was the last temporary worker employed, and all the different departments stated that they needed me to continue the work, so they created a slot and hired me full time as the Novell Network Administrator.

During this period I did not stop working on different processes, I took over the AS400 system s, AT&T Definity G3 Telephone systems and they sent me to Texas and Atlanta and trained me on Telephone Administration and Voice Mail. I worked for this company for three years and decided to advance my career. I took a Job as a Network Engineer and worked on Hilton Head Island for a short time, but advanced my knowledge to a higher level.

The hours were long and the number of miles driven daily were too much for my family so I changed jobs again, but this time I went into the medical field and worked as the Network Administrator for more than seven different Novell Networks. The hospital hired me to convert these systems from Novell to Microsoft networks. I thought to myself, if they convert these to Microsoft, then what will be my job? One day they asked for a volunteer and I raised my hand and they wanted someone to take over Cable Plant Management for the entire hospital as well as the remote sites.

I started learning about EIA/TIA standards and horizontal cable distribution for l arge facilities and received more training on the right way to install cabling systems for hospitals based on codes and regulations. I managed contractors and vendors. Additionally, they saw I was doing an outstanding job and they asked me to take over the Help Desk duties as well. In addition to that I also took over the PC Technician workers, so all in all I had more than 14 people reporting to me on a daily basis. T

Then one day the hospital decided to expand part of the hospital and being in the position I was in they "my boss" decided that I should head up a 1 million dollar project installing the electronics routers, switches and coordinate the move for the departments throughtout the hospital that were to move into the new building. Long story short I managed the project and one of the sub-contractors hired me as the Network Manager for an Interconnect company and after about four years of employment they promoted me to vice president of Network Integration. I worked for this company for six years and now I work for my present employer who originally I hired at my other job.

Currently, I am working in Research and Development working in the arena of Voice Over IP and video streaming technologies. I will say the Army has been very beneficial in reaching my goals in life. My last Battalion commander, a very smart man said "Son you will change jobs at least six times in your career after you leave service," I thought, "Yeah, right." But yes it was true.

The military gives you foundation and core beliefs that you cannot get anywhere else in life and you may think the challenges the military presents to you are disconcerting but the fact remains, if I had not went in the military, I would not be as far in life as I am now. "Be all you can be" and more ... I hope this story has inspired others the realize their goals and don't stop until you have "taken the hill."

(Submitted by Mr. Layne Wentz)

'I'm Happy as a Civilian'

I worked hard while I was active duty to finish my Associate and bachelor's degrees so I would be ready and competitive with the job market when I finally separated after 11 1/2 years of active-duty service.

I saved up to 60 days of terminal leave so I could look for a job and interview, and still have a pay check while I searched for work.

I researched military-friendly companies and found a completely unlikely match for my experience. I thought outside of the box, and didn't keep my search limited to my military experience, which had been almost my entire adult work history.

I love the philosophy of and being a member of USAA. When I applied, I wasn't sure where it would lead. It ended up being my first official interview midway through my terminal leave. I separated on a Friday of a holiday weekend and accepted the job first thing Tuesday morning.

I was so excited and I am truly happy as a civilian, still having the opportunity to work with members that serve our country everyday. Best advice: Treat searching for your new job like a personal goal and even though you may be on leave, spend the same amount of time working on your job search as you would be spending at work. Marketing yourself and utilizing veterans workshops to help with resumes, etc...it's definitely worth the time and energy. Keep your military professionalism and future employers will recognize you have a unique edge over the competition.

(Submitted by Ms. M. Muir)

It's Sink or Swim Out Here

I have gone through and read the stories of people transitioning, and I think the reason it's so hard for former military to come out and work in the civilian world is due to not enough planning, and, really, a lack of life experience on one's own.

A lot of people join the military right out of high school. So, they go from being in the safety net of their parents to being in the safety net of the military -- never having to learn how to really survive in the real world where there is no one to tell you what to do every minute of your day.

It's almost like a handicap. I have been in the Coast Guard for two years and have another four to go. I didnt get in until after I was 21, so by that time I had lived on my own since high school and learned how to truly survive on my own. Coming to the military for me wasn't like an extension of my parents' security.

I have already started to p lan my future out of the military. I will have my degree at the end of my last year and I will apply to be a teacher in Atlanta before I even leave the Coast Guard. I want to have a job and a home waiting for me as soon as I get out. I believe the one thing anyone coming out of the military should know is how to be prepared, but I guess they don't really set it up were you have to think for yourself. No one is telling you what to do when you get out, it's basically like sink or swim.

(Submitted by Ms. Danielle Stewart)

The Long Road to a Good Job

It’s difficult to tell a transition story without first explaining what actions I took to prepare myself for the transition. A little background about my career field, I enlisted in the Air Force in 2002 as a 2E2X1, computer, networking, switching, and crypotgraphic technician. Two years into my career field, I lost the drive and passion for networking. An opportunity opened-up to perform personnel evaluations for Network Certifications.

The important thing is I knew I wanted to do something other than networking which required me to either pursue a degree in a related field, or seek certifications in the field of my interest. I chose to seek a degree in a field related to personnel evaluations; the closest I could get was a management degree, through distant learning. Two years later I was stationed in Korea. I completed my CCAF and was working on my management degree. I was also fortunate enough to land a position in the Plans and Progra m office as a Quality Assurance Specialist.

In this capacity, I was able to immediately apply my degree education to the challenges of everyday work. I completed my degree while in Korea, from the University of Phoenix (UoP). I also extended an extra year to attain a completed re-investigation on my security clearance, a sacrifice which produced much heartache with my family, but would pay off later. Before I left Korea in February 2008, I completed my management degree, retained adjudication of my clearance, and completed six classes toward my graduate degree in Management. Yes, I was a very busy Airman. But I felt the Air Force would want me to prepare myself, and use my time wisely. I felt I was keeping with the high Air Force standards, by maximizing my time and the investment they placed in me through programs like tuition assistance (TA). What better way to give back to your particular branch of service than to take advantage of all the offerings, so that, you a re prepared to transition to civilian life as an extension and representative of all that the military hopes and wishes you to become.

Next, the mental challenge. School was tough, my assignment to Korea was tough and rewarding, but now I had the responsibilities of being the sole bread winner and a family to support. I was extremely attentive during the week long Transition Assistance Program (TAP) class, but nothing could prepare me for the humbling experience of seeking a new career as a federal civilian employee. I learned the hard way to be modest. Most government agencies do not need a superman or superwoman, but instead they are looking for those people who have shown there weight-in-gold through experience, education, certifications, and a lot of perseverance. In other words, the federal civil service sector is looking for a sober minded person who is willing to adapt, be open minded enough to collaborate with other, foster creativity, and be the type of person that can produce documented outcomes of synergetic effort. They’re looking for integrity.
I was seeking a career as a contract specialist. The problem was, I did not have the two year certification training that most job descriptions/announcements required I posses. In my case, education was meeting only the basic requirements. This is what I had to do:

1). I had to humbly seek openings that were developmental, entry level, or Internships. Yes, the pay would be lower, but I could get the experience, training, and certification necessary for this career field.

2) I had to develop my resume to display, through my learning and experience rhetoric, I possessed the related experience they required.

3). I had to talk with my spouse about continuing on the path to seek federal employment, or move on to another market or job arena. We both agreed that the federal civilian career field is what WE wanted, so WE decided as a union to stick it out.

4) I had to learn all about the language and definitions that I read in the USAJOBS’ announcements; e.g., “status candidate.” I had no idea what a status candidate was. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has an extensive overview of everything federal. I practically made there website my federal bible.

5) Do not apply for positions on a whim and a prayer. Be realistic about what you know describes your background, comprehensively. The screening process by OPM is very accurate, and you MUST have the specialized experience and education to match. Do Not waste your time or OPM’s time by applying for positions that are above you Skills, Knowledge, and Ability level (SKA).

6) Know where you want to live and work. I did not qualify for many of the positions because I did not reside in the required geographical/metro area (deemed as commutable travel). Most agencies will not pay relocation. Your chances for being highly considered increases if you are geographical ly near the location you’re applying for, or at least in the same state.

7) Last but not least, see the job search world through a wide lens. Try not to narrow your focus. You might miss out on a great opportunity for growth and development if you narrow your focus. Read each announcement like it was your last; be thorough, because each announcement will have a different set of rules for submitting your resume and supplemental documents.

My current status:
After six long, tiring months of applying for federal career positions through USAJOBS, I finally received an offer from the Department of the Navy (DON) as an Intern in the field of Acquisitions, job title-Contract Specialist. It’s a three year internship, that develops you from inter to journeymen. They structure the program around acquisition courses and on-the-job- training to receive certification. I got my, below average, size nine, foot in the door. My wife is happy, my daughter is elated , and I can continue to serve my country, which I so dearly love, in a capacity that allows me to give back a portion of what the Air Force has instilled and invested in my family and me.

(Submitted by Aaron Knowles)

I'm not Wealthy, But I'm Happy

During the six years I served, I met some great people, some that I am still life long friends with today. When I was in the Navy, I was a Psychiatric Technician. As a specialty of the Hospital Corpsman, my training and job dealt with caring for members and their families that were having psychiatric or emotional issues. It was an exciting job that I wanted to continue once I was out of the military. When I began the process of getting out, I was shocked to find out that, at the time, I wouldn't make enough money to support my family. My dreams of supporting my family and going to school to become a full fledged Psychiatrist or Psychologist were dashed. I had to remake myself.

As I transitioned into the civilian world, I realized that I had a few other marketable skills that I could use to help me become gainfully employed. I was a BLS instructor. I taught classes in Basic Life Support as a change of pace to my regular job while I was in the Navy. In a way, I was teacher. Admittedly, not a very good one, but it was a skill. On the ward, I helped with the computers that had recently come into use. I helped some of the nursing staff learn how to use them and it was a hobby of mine. I had also had taken many Navy classes on customer service.

After I got out of the military, I wasn't able to get a job for two months. Those two months were full of despair as I fretted about getting a job and the future of my family. But eventually I got a few call backs, and found a job at a small company doing computer repair. My first bosses were all prior Navy, and I dare say that they hired me specifically because I was in the Navy. I worked hard for that company but after a few years left because I couldn't go any further. I began to search for work again, and for a while I had work at jobs that paid considerable less. I moved to a small ISP and then onto a support position with a small software company. In all o f these circumstances, I would say a key factor in my employment has been my military experience. It definitely got my foot in the door.

Now, almost a decade after getting out of the military, I have come full circle and I can't go much further in my pay without a degree. The economy is rough so I am working full time and going to school full time. My plans have changed and I want to get a bachelors in Computer Science. Even in this environment, my skills from military continue to help me succeed. In school, I am focused and experienced. I know why I am going to school. I don't give up easily. I know what the stakes are. Within two more years, I expect to have my CS degree from a local university.

I am not wealthy, but I can tell you that I believe I have successfully transitioned to civilian life. It was a difficult chapter of my life, but worth it. Here are my words of wisdom that I learned through those trying times:

1)Get a professional resume do ne. Hire someone to help you with your resume. It's the first thing your prospective employer will see. It should be generic for the work you want to do, but don't feel trapped by it. For each possible job you will want to tweak it for that job.

2)Join a professional/charitable organization. It looks good on your resume and helps you network.

3)Get good at talking about yourself. You need to sell yourself. In the real world you have to sell your experience. Go places and meet new people. Come up with an elevator pitch about your story.

4)If you can, go to school when you are able to. When I was in, some guys were maniacs, working 12 hour shifts, going to school for eight hours, sleeping for four hours some days. They are very successful now. Now with a family, I work eight hours, go to school for four, and am exhausted. Do it while you are young, able, and not a parent. After the military, you can even live on a friend's couch, go to school and survive on pitt ance that comes from the current GI Bill.

5)Semper Gumby: Always be flexible. I learned this in the military, but in civilian life, it always seems to be applicable. Every role is new and never the same. I feel like I have to constantly change to continue to be gainfully employed.

6)Exercise regiments that you learned in the military keep you mentally and physically fit throughout your life. Exercise will help you through those inevitably depressing times and being in shape lends itself to helping you get employed.

(Submitted by Mr. Jason Laprade)

Plan Ahead for Seperation

Plan ahead for separation. When I joined the AF right out of high school, I didn't give any thought to what was "down the road." Fours years ended up turning into twenty one years.

During the time I was in, I watched a lot of guys get out. Some had planned their separation, others had not, thinking "I'll go to school when I get out or I'll look for a job when I get back home." Some of these guys made it, some came back in.

As for my situation, at 12 years, I retrained for a job that was marketable in the civil sector. I finished my bachelor's degree while I was still in because I knew when I got out, I would have to hit the ground running. A point to remember, your military training may/may not help you outside the gate. If your job transfers to the civil sector, make sure you get certifications, licenses that show you know what you know. I became licensed in the state I live before getting out. I went through the T AP Program twice. The second time was when I had decided to retire but had not submitted my papers.

Before I got out, I did contract work for the outfit that hired me (try before you buy). Once the contract was done, I was hired. I negotiated my salary, work hours etc. My license, degree and added credentialing were all bargaining chips to get a higher wage. I got out on a Thursday and started the following Monday. In retrospect, this was not a good move. I should have taken some time off between jobs to unwind. Make sure you take a couple weeks to "decompress."

Bottom line: Make sure you have your education, licenses, certifications, credentials or whatever you need to land a job before you get out. You'll be more competitive, able to land a decent job and you can negotiate a better wage.

(Submitted by Mike Mikulski)

Military Experience Should Count for Something, Right?

I would like to start by saying that I think this is an excellent idea. A little more than three years ago, I retired from the Navy after 20 years of service, and I was searching for answers. The Transition Assistance Program helped answer many of those questions. Yet, I felt like I didn't know how to market myself for the civilian world.

Opon leaving the military I asked people for advice. I had my first resume professionally drafted. I then altered the resume for various positions I applied for online. I did a lot of networking with people in the industries I was interested in. I talked to family and friends and let them know I was looking for employment.

I spoke to one gentlemen who worked in the Hazardous Materials Industry and asked him his advice on obtaining a job. He replied with "What you did in the military doesn't matter a bit to me, you need the degree. Go back to college and get a degree." You may know how to do the job but we need the degree."

In my opinion college is a good option but if you have experience it should account for something. Correct?

I ended up taking a job as an inventory control specialist for Cost Plus World Market. I was one of five people they hired. Within five months I was the only person out of those five people still working for the company. It was a temp position and very low pay.

I was a hospital corpsman in the Navy, first class petty officer, so naturally I applied to Health Departments. I had experience in hazardous materials handling while assigned to 3rd Medical Battallion in Okinawa Japan. All of the interviews ended with the same response. "Do we think you could do the job? Yes, but what certifies you to do the job?"

I started to think the old guy who worked for the DoD in the Hazardous Materials field was right. Maybe I needed to go back to college and finish my degree.

Then I sat down and really assessed my skills I had learned in the Navy. I was good with computer programs and especially data managment. So I began building my resume for inventory control positions.

Several weeks later I received notice that I had an interview with a very large company as an Inventory Control Specialist for a Vendor Managed Inventory facility.

I went to the interview prepared, followed the advice given during the TAMP program. I improved my interviewing skills as a result of going to 13 interviews within 5 months time.

I was offered the position along with benefits, 401K, and a salary that matched my income I received on active duty.

I am happy to report that within three years I have almost doubled my salary and I am now the companies corporate trainer for all inventory control specialists.

In conclusion, I would like to suggest that if you think college will help you get a good paying job then by all means go back t o college. But, before you do, ask yourself what is it that companies want. What skills did you learn that are needed.

My skills were not what I had thought they were. Organized, methodical and process-oriented procedures were my strong points. Think about this, how many of you have written an S.O.P. Manual while on active duty? How are you at communicating with varied groups of people? How are your customer service skills? The list continues....

Here is a quote from Former President John Calvin Coolidge that I believe sums up my transition from the Navy. Persistence and determination....

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

(Submitted by Don Conklin)

Be Flexible

After reading several transition stories, I’d like to add another twist.

I spent eight years active-duty Navy in a job with no civilian counterpart. Knowing this and thinking ahead, I used educational funding while onactive duty to get a degree in business. The GI bill actually funded the better part of an MBA.

While civilian jobs may not match those in the military, the discipline and work ethic gained from the military makes a prior service candidate highly desirable. I landed a job in pharmaceutical sales one month after leaving the Navy in '82. I am a State Director currently in health care insurance.

I was in Aviation Launch and Recovery, obviously working well outside of my Navy vocation as a civilian. When I look to hire personnel, I prefer to hire a vet! I know that I will get a level of work ethic and discipline lacking in many not having served.

Be flexible and play to your strengths.

(Submitted by Mr. Dixon Keller)

The Only Thing Holding You Back is You

When I retired from the Air Force in January of 2001, I guess I was fairly well prepared, even though I had done a lot of the prep work kind of “last minute.”

I received my CCAF degree – an AAS in Electronic Systems, finally, in July of 2000. Better late than never. That was a lot easier for me than I thought it would have been. After preparing my resume with the help of the base career center, I was able to pursue my second career. With a lot of helpful advice from the base transition assistance program I was able to interview effectively, and had a job very soon. In fact, I was still on terminal leave for the first couple of months on the job.

If not for the CCAF degree, I wouldn’t have got that first job after retirement (technician for General Electric Lighting), because an associate degree was a job requirement. I guess more than anything though, getting the CCAF degree started me thinking how much time I let go by withou t pursuing my education further and I began to regret not taking more classes while still on active duty.

About a year and a half after retirement, my second chance for a college education came. I had applied to the V.A. for their Vocational Rehabilitation program right around the time I was in the process of retiring, and after several months, I found out that I was eligible for a 48-month full ride scholarship at a college of my choice. It didn’t take me long to decide to take them up on it. It was tough, but, after 4 1/2 years of going to school full time, I got my Electrical Engineering degree.

Now I’m enjoying a second career as an engineer at an electric utility – during my last semester, after a few months of interviewing at various companies, an opening came up with my first choice employer and I actually landed the job. Looking back, I wish I had taken more classes while I was on active duty and finished the CCAF many years earlier. Another thing I learned was that you can do anything you put your mind to. The only thing holding you back from achieving your dreams is your own fears and doubts, so think positively.

(Submitted by Mr. Brian Scheer)

The Good and Bad About Transitioning

My experience might not be fully typical. I left the Air Force with advanced degrees in engineering and skills then in demand for the civilian job market. However, I applied principles that can help just about everyone.

I left the Air Force in 1987 as a LTC (COL-Select) with 21 years service -- at the time Chief of Integration for the B-52 Modernization Program. A recruiter contacted me on the recommendation of a colleague. I had been passed over by my first O-6 board, then selected by a special board after correction of a records error, a year later. It was nice to have options in making the decision. The needs of my family played a big part in my choice to decline promotion.

Among the steps I took to prepare for this move, was a 10-week course in "Strategies for Career Transition." It was the best $450 I ever spent. Though I disagreed with some of the attitudes communicated in the course, it helped me prepare for the new environment of civilian employment.

The course covered a lot of ground that all of us must address during transition: job research, resume writing, salary negotiation, interview techniques and role playing, among other topics. I also learned to dress and present myself for interviews. The workplace of today is less formal than 20 years ago. But, you still need to at least three suits and two sports coat/slacks outfits, at prices twice the levels you think are reasonable. First impressions matter. Don't run away from $500-plus per suit. It's an investment.

Likewise, plan to invest at least two full working weeks -- 100 hours -- writing and refining your resume. It may be the toughest writing you ever do. Things you were "responsible for" don't matter. Concrete outcomes expressed in numbers and active voice do. Twenty years must fit on two pages or less. The first paragraph must grab the reader by the throat and hang on -- or the whole thing may go into a circular file 10 seconds later.

You will refine and target your resume for each place it is sent. If you don't know enough about a company to tailor your paper, then you shouldn't be applying there. The best jobs are filled by networking, not ads or online. Most of us don't have much of a civilian network so we have to break in the hard way, by serious company research.

Another rule of job search is also correct: never send mail to "Director of Human Resources." Do your homework first and locate someone by name who can send your resume to HR with a note "bring this candidate in." Plan to spend a full day or more researching each company you want to interview. Would you leap off a chopper into a fire zone without a terrain map or a mission brief? It's possible to know the corporate terrain better than the people who interview you. Knowledge gives you an edge over the 200 others who want "your" job.

I found both bad news and good news during transition -- and others might find the same. The bad news is partly that sexism, ageism and an anti-military bias are still alive and kicking in the job market. Candidates over 45 are definitely at a disadvantage, perceived as both "too expensive" and "military strap hangers". Racism is more subtle in places where it occurs, but also much less prevalent than a generation ago.

This year we're also in a raging economic recession. It's a lousy and anxious time to look for a job. You'll have to work harder to find one. Prepare yourself for periodic emotional depression. Engage your family support net and tell them what you are going through. Get professional help if you need it.

The good news for military veterans is that we are better trained, often more highly qualified and have better attitudes toward work than a large fraction of those who have never served. We are trained to think, speak, and write with precision -- and to pac kage our work for the needs of decision makers whose time is in demand. Not many civilians can compete favorably with such a background, when it is communicated well. Likewise, we practice high standards of professionalism, ethical behavior and personal dedication to mission above personalities or empire building. If you take this attitude into your job research and interviews, than there is a job waiting for you. Possibly, it is one that you will create from scratch.

(Submitted by Dr. Richard Lawhern)

Finding Former Military in the Civilian Workforce

After my enlistment in the Army ended I was fortunate enough to actually have quite a few employers look at me for employment a few months before I got out. I actually took a mileage pass back home three weeks prior to ETS for an interview process with a large company. I ended up with what I would call now, my dream job. However, as with all good things in life, it came to an end when the company went through a series of bankruptcy filings. I left the whole career field I was trained for in the Army and took two other jobs in a completely different and unknown field.

About two years ago, I had applied with a company in the career field I was trained in and after about eight months, received a call for an interview. Fortunately, my soon-to-be new manager was retired from the Air Force and hired me on the spot, largely because of my military background. It was about a year later when I learned that my director of operations an d many more mid-level and upper lever managers/directors were all prior service.

Because of what the military teaches you, both in MOS and how to conduct yourself in any type of situation, I am now a manager myself of the entire Los Angeles market area for my company with a large department and several employees.

I owe everything in my life to my service in the Army and often use my experience to speak to young adults, with no direction in their lives, on how the military can help them achieve so much.

Yes, transitioning can be difficult, however, if you have a good plan in place and know what you are looking for, it can be much easier. I recommend not making an uneducated decision to just leave the military. Know what is out there in the world, and if what you want seems too far out of reach, take a harder look at other options the military can give. I was fortunate with my situation, but I have regretted leaving the Army since the day I officially signed out.

(Submitted by Dan Webb)

TAP: The Sooner the Better

I am currently in transition. I have been on terminal leave for nearly a month, and have been job hunting since January when I was on permissive TDY. Doing the job hunt thing on your own is very hard. The first step is to go through TAP. Do it as soon as you feel like getting out. The sooner the better, like a year before you take that final walk.

There is so much info there, you may want to take it twice. That alone won't help get that job, but it's a start. My best bet was linking up with headhunters like Bradley-Morris. They have taken out all of the guess work from resumes to corporate America fits. I have had numerous interviews through them and now I'm just trying to pick the job that I like most. It is giving me the chance to have a say-so in my future where doing it on my own would have left me begging for any job by now.

Background:
I am separating after 10 years as a Logistics Plans Officer, now Logistics Readiness Officer. I have been working the job boards since six months prior to separation [in oreder to] "practice" interviewing. This helped out a great deal, even though I was too early to accept a great job offer. I was never able to network. Get in with your career field annual conference and professional organizations now so that when the time comes, the good 'ol boy system will help you get a job. The headhunters become critical to job hunting success if the good ol' boy network fails you. They will polish your resume and introduce you to great fits for transitioning military. Another tip about headhunters: Lucas Group, Orion, and Bradley Morris are FREE! The company that hires you pays the fee. The member never does. if you hook up with a headhunter that wants you to pay a fee, walk away.

Some tips I have:

1. Network now!

2. Do TAP at least one year out from leaving.

3. Hook up with a headhunter. I wasn't pleased with Lucas Group or Orion. I liked Bradley Morris, but to each their own.

4. Post your resume on Monster.com or Military.com.

5. Search the job boards daily. The more you get your resume out there the faster some recruiter will see you and make contact.

6. Use your benefits! Burn up all of your Tuition Assistance and start into your VA benefits. That degree will matter when you cross over.

7. Don't use your base pay at separation as a gauge for how much you are worth on the outside. Junior officers are worth $60-80k starting out. If that disappoints you, you can easilly prove yourself within a couple of years and the money will flow much more generously. Remember, you need to break a few eggs to make that omlet.

Best of luck to all transitioning folks, and I'll see you in the real world!

(Submitte by John Cantera, Jr.)

Wasn't Ready to Retire

After 21 years, I still wanted to stay. I love the Air Force and the many opportunities it afforded me. However, the signs were there that it was time to leave.

An aptitude test in high school once told me I should be a cosmetologist. As an 18-year-old male geek, I was more enamored with computers than with cutting hair. I ran to the recruiter's office who was more than happy to enlist me in a hard to fill spot that had computers in the description.

Now, I think a day hanging out with women would be a great job. When I retired, I wanted to make sure I found the right job for me (I took the TAP seminar twice). The problem was I had done so many things in the Air Force and really enjoyed the variety. How was I going to find ONE job that I would love to go to every morning?

There are several books out there that will help you including "Do What You Love, the Money Will Follow" or "I Could Do Anything if I Just Knew What It Was." I decided on Technical Writing and Training.

There was a trainer spot opening up in my last unit and I had been asked to fill it. My philosophy to not stand still precluded me from taking the job (which ended up taking over a year to get funded -- whew!). As it happened, my wife was offered a job in Houston. After following me around for 20+ years, it was my turn to follow her -- and I am glad I did. The cost of living in Houston is a lot lower than in California.

While I had a nice savings built up, because I was picky, it seemed to dwindle pretty quickly as the months passed. I ended up taking a part-time job for little more than minimum wage. This allowed me to continue my job search, kept me from being insulated, helped me to network, AND helped pay for Christmas.

The job I finally took came from a small business owner who worked in the oil industry. He hired me because I was a technical person doing writing work instead of a writer doing technical work. As I was told during the Transition Assistance seminar, "There is no job security, only skills security." and my skills transferred between industries I had not thought to look at. Don't limit yourself. Ask those closest to you what they think you would enjoy doing. Sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees.

(Submitted by Mr. William Gray, Jr.)

The Real Side of Transitioning

Is this the happy story? Everything went right, jumped right into a good paying job. No. This is a story of what really happened.

Was I really ready to retire after 23 years? Not really, I loved the Army. I pinned on CSM at 19 years, but in anger, I refused my follow on assignment from Korea (at the time it was a really dumb thing to), so it was retirement instead of Ft Rile, K.S.

I thought as an E-9 my retirement check would support me in the style I was used to. Unless you have planned and saved it will not. Was I ready? No. But I made the decision, signed the paperwork and worked until the day I left Korea. No transition time. Five days later after arrival at Ft. Carson to out process I was on terminal leave/permissive TDY.

I really didnt know how bad it was going to be because I had almost three months before I officially retired. Money was coming in, I was not worried.

Big mistake. (First the money in your TSP means nothing until you are 59). I am [saying] you need money in the bank to fund your life style until you are up and running in the civilian world. (I never had a TSP avaiable).

If you want to go to school you will need even more money in the bank. Paying to live and attend school is very expensive. The GI bill will help but won't pay you to go to school and live.

Take advaqntage of all that is offered and finish your degree while in the service. I made all the excuses, I am young I have plenty of time, I am a Tank Commander, I am the Platoon Sergeant, I am a First Sergeant, I am the CSM, I dont have time to go to school, I will do it when I retire. How many times did I say that. Too many!

First and foremost, make a two- to five-year plan and stick to it. Do not retire from an overseas assignment if you can help it. You need the time to network and plan for you transition.

Try your best to end up at the base closest to your expected retirement home for your terminal assignment. If not, buy your home there before you retire (previous assignment).

You need a year or more from ETS/retirement in many places to get approved for financing a home.
Having avaliable military hospitals close makes medical easier, Commasary, PX (no sales tax), think about this when you plan your retirement location.

Pay off those car payments. It means reduced insurance rates and more disposable income. I thought people would line up to hire me. Hey, I was a CSM everyone should want my experience. I learned quickly education (diplomas) meant a lot more than experience.

So what did I do?

First, I applied for my VA disability while I had a copy of my medical records and could remember the who, what , when, where, etc ... needed to back up my claim. The claim took almost two years before the final decision was made. I know it is faster now, but, do not put off filing your claim, do it as part of your outprocessing. Make at least two copies of your medical records before you retire. And, if there is something wrong with you go to the doctor, document it, don't gut it out. (It is kind of hard to tell the VA doctor doing your evaluation "I have had bad knees for 15 years" and you never went to the doctor and there in nothing in your medical records). You have no idea have quickly your body can degenerate after 40,50,60,70 years of pushing it. Everything, every little thing might be a permanent disabling condition in 20 years. (Were you exposed to something radioactive, DU, etc...?) It took 20 years after the Vietnam war to decide Agent Orange caused several disabilities. If you think it might cause problems in the future get it logged/recorded in your claim now. The VA is good, but if you dont tell them, or document it, they have a hard time helping you.

Then I went on the job hunt. I did it all, job fairs, networking, headhunters, calling the old guys who were my mentors, calling in the blue chips. I held several jobs in the first year. Decent pay but nothing to talk about. I just couldn't deal with the civilian world mentality. I wanted and needed disipline. It was missing and for some of us it is hard to do the 9 to 5 when you have done 24/7 since you were 17.

After a year of trying to decide on work or school I threw my hands up in the air. I decide I was going to go overseas and be a contractor.

I started with a 12-month contract in the former Yugoslavia (vs. another offer in Saudi Arabia) and ended up staying over there for five years. Then Kuwait for six months. Contracting, believe it or no it a small world. Never burn a bridge. Six months into Kuwait I was asked to do a 10-day, short-term fill in for someone in Germany. I took a scheduled break and went to Germany. That 10 days turned into three years in Germany, Turkey, and Kuwait.

Someone I worked for in that time bought a company and asked me to come to work for them. I have now been working for that company since Sept 2004. I am the Director of Overseas Operations and live in Egypt. (yes, there are accompanied overseas jobs in the contracting world) My family is with me. This wasn't always true but has been for the last five years.)

Is this what I had planned for my military retirement (I didnt have a plan)? No. But looking back I am financially secure, own several homes in the USA. Have a lot of money in my 401K. More money in the bank than I ever thought I would. I am going to finally retire in two years at the ripe old age of 55. I have it all planned out. The money is in the bank, the houses are paid off, and my daughters college education is already set aside in the bank.

Retirement from the military for me was the end of phase one of my life, phase two has been a great ride. In two years I will start phase three, retirement for real. Believe in yourself, be open to all ideas, and never give up.

Trust me, I am well off, but If I had it all to do again , I would have never refused my assignment to FT Riley. I think I would have done 35 years. Do not make a retirement or ETS decision when angry.

(Submitted by Ed Braese)

When Do Veterans Get a Hook Up?

Where's the system that monitors if you have military or military spouse affiliation?

I have been retired since 2005. I have had the hardest time finding employment. While on active duty we were limited to going to class -- even online classes. So a lot of us don't have degrees like the Air Force who makes it mandatory.

We defend the country and when we get back into the civilian world we are looked at like we know it all. That veteran preference thing only works if you know someone. I have seen people in these government jobs that say they knew someone who hooked them up. When do veterans get a hook up? There should be some type of system that monitors if you have military or military spouse affiliation before they can be hired into government positions, especially when it deals with DOD positions.

(Submitted by Mrs. Marilyn Allen)

Don't Get Intimidated by the Job Search Process

"The first interview, I was pretty scared, but I had dealt with senior officers while in the military and this was no different ..."

I retired in December 2004 with no clue as to what I was going to do. I highly recommend going through TAP [Transition Assistance Program] there is a lot of good information to be had even if you use it or not. I already knew where I was going to retire so finding a place to live was my first concern, family and friends helped here which made this part of my transition real easy.

The first thing that I did once I got settled in to our new home was to look at the area and see what jobs were available. At first I was going to sit down and write my own resume but after a couple of failed attempts I decided to have a company do one for me, it cost me about $250. It was probably the best thing that I did.

I finally decided to start putting my resume online and also went to a job fair at the local Americal Legion, plus I went to local businesses and dropped it off in person. During this time I went through some depression and really missed the military way of life.

I was so used to doing things a certain way for 22 years. Then, I heard of an opening at a local company, so I went in a dropped off a resume and talked to the receptionist and she said that they would contact me for an interview soon. The following week I was called for an interview, I had a total of 3 interviews before I was hired.

The first interview, I was pretty scared, but I had dealt with senior officers while in the military and this was no different, once I had that in mind the interviews went really well. Remember: Do not talk too much you may talk yourself out of a job. This is where I believe my resume worked well for me as most of the questions came directly from what was in the content.

I was hired on the third interview for a much higher position then I had applied for and at a much higher pay by twice what I had asked for. Going back through it all my resume was probably the number one thing that got me hired. One of the hardest things is the people out in th e Civilian job sector are not Military, and it gets hard dealing with them sometimes.

(Submitted by Mr. Simon Kettering, Jr.)

From Navy Boilers to Civilian Boilers

When I retired in 1996 i was ready for the change. I left Virginia and moved back to my home town in Kansas with no job or no home, just family. After 2 jobs and a little over 2 1/2 years i landed a job with the Electric Company. I have been employed with them for almost 9 years now and enjoy my work as a control room operator in a power plant. One thing that helped is my experience and training. Walking away from boilers onboard ship and operating the boiler, turbine and generator at a power plant has its good side.  Plus I had been operating chillers up to 1250 tons working in the other 2 jobs.

So put as much experience and training in your resume as you can and you will probably land that job you want soon.

(Submitted by Robert Sartin)

Find the Jobs for the Taking

I retired from the Marine Corps after 24 years and started working in what appeared to be a great job almost immediately that was more money than I made gross as an E-9. What a magnificent deal, I thought to myself; I'm living the dream. Then Miss Katrina showed up, and, long story short, we had no house left.

I picked my family up and started from scratch in Texas. The company I was working for offered me a new position in that area so I jumped on it. We moved to Dallas and my job was going great for the company, but something was missing for me. You see I was a consultant, and I learned that as a consultant you are always on the outside looking in. You never make it happen, you simply advise or facilitate others and never get to feel the exhilaration and even the frustration of taking an idea or a plan and then implementing it and seeing it through to competition and beyond.

I had always been the doer, the one that lived for the challenge...and it simply was not there for me. So I moved on to another position. A friend from active duty who retired a year before me was working for a small company and he told me there was an opportunity in the company he was working for. I met the owners of the company and was blown away -- two men in their 30s who were passionate, motivated, genuine, and appeared to have the integrity of those in the military.

We met, and when it was over I was offered a position. But there was one catch: 

“We don't have a job for you, but we'll figure one out.” The long and the short of it was they liked me and I liked them, but there was no opening there was no immediate plan to create a position so we were all in a bit of a quandary. I had a wife (stay at home) and three kids and I had to put groceries on the table. I prayed about it and ultimately took a leap of faith and accepted the job.

It was a small sales, service, and distribution company.  I spent the first two months on trucks with the men, and in the warehouses learning every job in the company. I was responsible for all sales, service and distribution of our product West of the Mississippi. I was also responsible to continue to grow our company further and further west, while leading, training and mentoring the eight district managers assigned to me, the entire sales force, and every person who worked for our company on the western flank.

I am now living the dream. The man (the other retired Marine Master Gunny) who introduced me to the owners now oversees all operations for the entire company, and I answer to him and the owners only. Many times as a career enlisted Marine you ask yourself “I wonder if I could do it better than the Colonel did.” Well I'm getting to find out.  It’s tough no doubt, but I have two main objectives: accomplishing the mission, and the welfare of the employees. I have the responsibility I could never have had as an enlisted Marine. I am in a position to truly affect our organization both good and bad.

We have been prepared for this our entire careers. We do have the leadership ability that is sought after; we simply have to make it known to the right people.

My final advice to you on your transition is trust your God, your heart and your family, there are great jobs out there for the taking. I used to always tell my buddies when I retire I will go to work at Taco Bell and within one year I will be at a corporate level. You have to believe in yourself like that . . . not arrogantly but confidently. God Bless all of you and thank you for your service.

(Submitted by P Cashion)

It's a Scary World Out There

After serving 26 years in the Army and loving every minute of it, it was time to hang up my boots. I had no idea what I wanted to do because I had never held a real civilian job.

I attended several job fairs and passed out resumes, but still felt like I was out there flapping. I went on my first interview, which went real well and received my first offer within an hour of completing the interview. I thought that I was on my way. I almost fell into the trap of taking the first position that I was offered but after careful consideration of everything that was being offered to me the figures just didn't seem to add up. Driving 90 miles round trip every day was not my idea of a good job. I didn't mind that travel that was going to be involved with the job itself, but I didn't like that kind of daily travel. I turned it down with nothing on the back burner.

I know that things happen for a reason just not always sure why they happen but that they do. I went on my second interview, which in my mind went better than the first.  I had to wait a couple of weeks to get an offer, which I accepted and will start work next Monday. I can't wait. As I keep telling my husband now I am somebody!

The hardest thing for me in my transistion was losing my identity. When I was a private I was at least a private. When I retired I was a nobody and nobody seemed to care. I can't wait to get my new CAC card and be somebody again.

Good Luck to all my fellow retirees that find themselves in this situation. Remember everything happens for a reason.

(Submitted by Rachelle Gamblin)

Tackling the Challenge

I am a former Marine who finished my first term in the air wing last June. I chose to get out, move home, and tackle a new set of challenges.

Like many of my fellow Marines, I thought that life on the outside would be cake, that employers would be lining up to have me, and I would sell my skills to the highest bidder.

Along the way I had to pay strict attention to the new set of rules in a game I haven't played in enough years to forget them. For 5 years, I wore a flight suit for Uncle Sam, jeans and t-shirts on the weekends. I had no clue how to dress for an interview. Sure, I knew I had to look good, but when it came time to actually pick out a shirt, pants etc.. I was totally lost. I took my wife shopping with me and she suggested I point out a gentleman I think is dressed appropriately for an interview. Once we agreed on a style, we simply mimicked it.

Dressing is one thing- actually getting an interview is a whole different animal. I started my search knowing exactly what goals I wanted to accomplish. I targeted employers that I wanted to work for, and I targeted the open jobs within. I spent many many hours perfecting my cover and resume. Probably the most important writing tool is showing your work to other people. We spend so much time trying to perfect our creation that to the casual reader it's conveying something different than what we want. We become blind to its imperfections. After a while, I only needed to change verbage on two or three sentences regardless of where my package was going.

I started my hunt around warehousing/logistics because that's what I did before the Marine Corps. While I was in, I was a helicopter crew chief. I didn't hold the necessary certifications to work on civilian planes so pursuing that avenue was out of the question for the time being. I got a few leads that I respectfully turned down before I wasted any more HR time than necessary. I simply wasn't finding anything close to my (what i thought was) realistic goal of $15 an hour.

I exhausted just about every online job bank on the internet and even resorted to just driving around, writing down companies names, to later go home, research them and their openings only to write more dead end letters. I opened the Sunday paper and sent a letter into a company advertising an open warehouse position. It was close to school, close to home- so I figured why not?

I got a call from a company and I participated in a phone interview. That went well and I proceeded to the face-to-face with my snazzy new outfit. I knew the interviewer would know my background and I used it to my advantage. My "gig" line was straight, my shoes laced left over right, and there wasn't a wrinkle on me anywhere. I knew they were expecting a certain appearance. It worked.

The interview was flawless and I expected an employment offer. A few days passed and I got a phone call from a woman told me I hadthe job if I wanted it, but they were interested in trying me out for something else. I proceeded with a few online screening tests, and another interview. All went well and I landed a job as a Technical Associate at an automation solutions company. This was a shock to me as this job had absolutely nothing to do with my work experience.

What it did have to do with was my proven ability to learn new things. I remember in my interview they asked how long it took for me to learn my helicopter, and if I had a background in aviation before the Marine Corps. There weren't interested in what I knew- they were interested in how well I could learn what they had to teach me. They started me at $39k a year, which more than matched my Sergeant pay, including BAH and all that extra stuff. No nights, no weekends, and very light travel. I'm actually going to the Twin Cities tomorrow for a day, and next month down to Florida for some training.

I've been there for almost 6 months, and it has had its ups and downs. At first I felt inadequate because all of my coworkers are mechanical or electrical engineers. My boss sat me down once and told me that I went to college, just not how the rest of these folks did- in reference to my time in the service.

Another road block was going from a flight suit in a hangar to civiies and a desk. Office life is totally different than anything I was used to before. I survive in that respect because of the fundamentals of professionalism. Sometimes I find it difficult not to drop f-bombs every sentence, but it gets easier with time.

I'm glad I found an employer that values veterans and their potential for success "on the outside." Some added perks for them is that I will never be late, I will never call in sick, and I will give 100 percent in everything I do. These are some core competencies that every employer knows a veteran will deliver.

Don't be afraid of transitioning out, but be warned: It's an entirely different game out here. But, keep true to your core values and you will be just fine. You'd be amazed with what can be accomplished with the most basic interpersonal skills learned in the military. Tact, respect, and bearing. Look people in the eye, give a firm handshake.

Good luck!

(Submitted by Pete Glowinski)

Getting Into the Transition Mindset

When I retired in 2001, I thought I was ready for the civilian work force, I was wrong. My first job (in charge of civilians at a school) was quite different, I had gone from one extreme to the other, from a well organized outfit to a disorganized one.

A fellow veteran told me that I would never would see the level of cooperation I saw in the military, and he was right.

I found work in law enforcement, more related to the military mindset. You may not realize that you have changed until you transition, but don't fear it.  Just understand that your former title will mean little to most employers. You may experience age descrimination.

I also recommend that you have retirement ceremony, to get you in the transition mindset.

There are certain jobs that are easier to transition into, for example organized labor like the brotherhood of electrical workers and police or fire departments.

But no matter what you decide on, there will be an adjustment.

(Submitted by Paul Cook)

Go for It!

You have to know what you want (or don't want) when you retire. The earlier you set your goals the better.
I wanted my last duty station to be shore duty, so I cut previous shore duties short and extended on sea tours. My last four years ended with shore duty.

Once on shore (last duty station) I was able to hit the books hard and concentrate on my civilian education. No more PQS, 3M, ESWS, AWS etc...

I was an HT (Welder) in the Navy for most of my naval career but I was always interested in computers. I didn't want to be a welder forever. I completed my AA degree and most credits for my BA on shore duty. After I retired I did odd welding jobs for about a year while I finished my education and looked for a job. I applied for (Computer Information Specialist) and accepted a Federal Position with the DEA.

We've heard this from day one... Set your goals, make your plans and go for it!

(Submitted by Rogelio Ortiz)

Stick with Your Gut

It's important to stick with your gut when choosing what you want to do with your life. I remember being told when I got to my Permanent Party unit at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts that the Apple II computers in the Education Center were for training only and not for games. Not too happy with that answer, I bought a computer instead of a car. At the time, it was a pretty big investment - $2500 for an original IBM PC with one floppy drive. I spent many evenings staying up late trying to write one game or another all the while driving my barrack mates crazy with my typing.

Soon after, my unit, the 10^th SFG, received new TEMPEST Certified Wang PCs and needed some help figuring them out. I made sure I was available, and after some time I found myself working in the Headquarters. I put in long hours and found programming tasks that would help the Group. All this work helped me learn about computers.

I enrolled at Sacramento State University in my hometown in California even before I was discharged. After I was discharged, I wasted no time traveling back across the country to arrive before the semester started. I packed my truck and headed off stopping only to go skiing in upper New York State with an old Army buddy.

I used my Veteran's Educational Assistance Program money to help pay my College expenses and get an apartment. After three years of waking up at O'dark-thirty, I slept-in late and didn't take any courses offered before 10 am in the morning. Also, I learned that I was suddenly eligible for Pell and other grants. Finally, I took summer school to keep the cash flowing.

Three years later, I had my degree in Computer Science and a job in San Francisco.

(Submitted by Brian McGlothlen)

Aviate, Navigate, Communicate

Aviate, navigate, communicate...those three verbs are drilled into every new pilot's head during navy flight training. First you have to fly the plane and keep it safe, then figure out where the plane is heading and finally, talk to external controllers.

When I left the service I was both excited and terrified. I grew up as the daughter of a career Marine officer, had gone right into NROTC, and then straight into the navy. I had never been a civilian. As I prepared to transition to the civilian world, the "aviate, navigate, communicate" mantra continued to guide my path.

Aviate: stay in control of the airplane. For my transition, this meant having an idea of what I might like to do when I left the navy. While I loved flying off the aircraft carrier, I knew that experience would not be easily replicated elsewhere. I had really enjoyed being a division officer and I liked starting ventures. I knew that I didn't want to be an airline pilot, although that would have been an easy transition for me. Instead, I chose to apply to business schools so I could learn the tools that would help me in the business world.

Navigate: know where you're going. I spent a great deal of time researching which schools I'd like to attend so I could make an informed selection. I applied to a range of schools that appealed to me and my business goals.

Communicate: For those transitioning out of the military, this means networking! Most of the other pilots I worked with left the Navy to go to the airlines, and they had a strong network, sharing all the "gouge" on the various airlines. I realized that I would need to create my own network and get the gouge on the business world myself. Networking was uncomfortable for me because I had never had to really do it in the Navy, but it is essential in the business world where your connections can help guide you in your career. I started by speaking with other pilots I knew who had left the military and entered the business world. I asked them for advice and talked with them about the differences they'd found between the civilian and military worlds. Most non-veteran civilians I've spoken with are very interested in hearing more about military experience, as it's a world that they've only seen on television; so really think about how to explain what you do to someone who has no clue about the military.

Aviate, navigate, communicate: once you know what type of job you're interested in, you can navigate your way there by doing your research and talking with others who have made the transition.

(Submitted by Loree Hirschman)

From Captain to Corporate

As opposed to telling you a long, drawn out story about my transition from an Army captain into Corporate America, I’ll share with you the lessons I learned in the hopes that you can learn from my mistakes and successes.  The backdrop was in 1997 as I decided to transition out of the military.

1.  The military forces you to not show all your cards, so be careful for you and your families’ sake.  When I put my paperwork in to decline the advanced course, I was one of 5 new captains that were immediately put on orders for Korea. It was just a former XO that pulled me up to brigade staff that gave me a reprieve from the hardship tour.

2.  Head Hunters are a good way to get in front of a lot of employers but you should never pay anything and you should never go exclusive.  I used a head hunter, and while I think some of these do a better job of branding, they are relatively equal.  They required me to be exclusive to them, and after the fact I realized that is not fair to the veteran.  You should not put all your eggs in one basket!

3.  So, Tom, what are the other baskets (ways to get a job)?  In addition to head hunters (which is one of the smaller ways), here are where I’ve seen most veterans get jobs:

• Networking – Via college alumni, via other veterans, friends, and family.
• Posting a resume online – Only bother keeping up the resumes on the job boards that are giving you the most offers.
• Search jobs online – Apply for the ones you want and don’t be bashful about it!
• Attend Career Fairs – A great way to get in front of a lot of employers in a short time.

4.  I was an Engineer in the Army, but that’s not why employers wanted to hire me.  It was real clear that my project management, leadership, problem solving, and people skills were much more valuable than an engineering degree.  I interviewed for sales, operations, manufacturing, and actually took the one marketing job I was offered. 

5.  Another watch-out is realizing that the head hunter is trying to meet their clients’ needs too.  On many occasions I was told by the head hunter that “You’re a great fit for Operations…Marketing is not the best use of your skills.”  They may steer you in a direction to make sure their clients’ needs are met.  Remember, they get paid on hires, so they want to maximize their number of hires.

6.  What was my biggest single thing that helped me get a job?  Preparation.  I spent a ton of time thinking through interview questions & answers.  I met with a group of officers twice a week for months to grill each other with interview questions.  This did two things:  It helped me learn a lot about myself and it gave me confidence to impress the recruiters – I honestly remember thinking to myself that the interviews were too easy.

(Submitted by Tom Aiello)

"Preparation Equals Performance"

The date, May 21, 1998 represented two important milestones in my life. This was the date that I participated in my 'Change of Watch' ceremony to formally be installed as the 8^th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard. This was also the date that I really started thinking about my transition to civilian life  — as I would be retiring from this position four years later.

In the position of becoming the senior-ranking enlisted member of the U. S. Coast Guard, one thing is for certain  — you know you have to retire when your tenure is over (usually in four years). So, it was during the ceremony, I'm sitting in my chair listening to the farewell speech of my predecessor, Rick Trent. Just minutes before the ceremony we were talking about what he was planning to do when he gave his final salute relinquishing his position over to me. At the time, he wasn't completely sure. He toyed with the idea of taking a position (which he did with USAA), or just become a full-fledge retiree and drive around the country for a few years in an RV (that's still his plan when he ultimately 'retires'). So, it caused me to think about it for quite awhile, including during the ceremony.

There's a Ben Franklin quote: "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes," that certainly paralleled with my dilemma on May 21, 1998, as it was certain that, given I fulfilled my role and responsibilities successfully as the Coast Guard's highest enlisted member, I was going to be handsomely rewarded four years later with a retirement certificate and a chance to move on to something else, whatever that might be.

So, during my tenure as Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG), I actually gave it a great deal of thought as to what was next for me, and how to be prepared for the transition when the time came, and when the 9^th MCPOCG would ask me the same question that I asked Rick Trent four years earlier.

As the MCPOCG under Admiral Jim Loy, who was the Commandant of the Coast Guard at the time, he had his own personal values statement he used since his time as a combat patrol boat skipper in Vietnam, "Preparation Equals Performance." It was a term he used to keep his crew ever vigilant and ready to deal with the stresses and strains of close-order combat situations in the Mekong Delta, and as the commanding officer, he made a personal commitment to ensure that he would bring his entire crew back home alive, which he was successful in doing so.

The phrase also became somewhat of a catchy statement for me too as I thought about what and how to transition when the time came for me to retire. It got me to thinking about just how was I going to prepare for the 'afterlife' of the Coast Guard, and make a