Life is full of transitions. From the day we were born, we have been in a constant state of transition as we age. Military transition is a process that must be navigated as well, but the process does not have to be navigated alone. As of June 30, 2016 it has been six years since my family and I transitioned from active duty into the private sector. I retired after 28 years of service, however, during my career, there were times when I seriously thought about leaving the military before becoming retirement eligible. Then (i.e., 1980s - 1990s), as a young enlisted member, if you were looking to leave the military, you had extensively researched a job opportunity that had job security, similar structure, and was partial to former military; mine was ambitions of working for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Either you had a plan, you personally knew someone that would guide and assist you, or, what I found out later, many members made emotionally charged decisions and outright lied about having a plan, which proved to be a very costly mistake. What I quickly realized back then was that the transitioning process was one that basically took me through some of the same processing steps that brought me into the military structure, with a few tips to help me find gainful employment—unlike now, as things have changed dramatically. With that said, successful transition is still a process that takes considerable strategic organization and you need to navigate the process while not letting your ego and emotions guide your decisions. What follows are five tips that I wanted to offer from the perspective of transitioning from the United States Marine Corps. However, these tips can be applied to any of the sister service members, though the processes might be slightly different culturally.
“…successful transition is still a process that takes considerable strategic organization and you need to navigate the process while not letting your ego and emotions guide your decisions…”
Tip 1: Have a Transition Plan and Set Goals
Having a transition plan is not just a resolution in your head, it is one that must be mapped out on paper (computer) and discussed with all whom will be affected (e.g., spouse/partner, parents, friends, etc.). If done correctly, a resolution can positively change your life! Start your plan, with the accomplishment of your goals being the final step, and then use a reverse planning method to formulate it. For example, if your goal is to become a police officer in your hometown or city, then research requirements for becoming a police officer (every step). Specifically, view the steps required for applying to their academy (e.g., education requirements, age restrictions, pay and benefits for you and your family, and hazards of the job, etc.). Also research life after graduation (e.g., required hours working, organizational culture, impacts on your family, standard of living, etc.) and implement that information into your transition plan. As you can see, planning now can save you considerable heartache and frustration later.
I have also been asked by many former service members, whom I have served with over the years, for a letter of recommendation or personal reference; something that I have been honored to do. However, many left it up to me to figure out just what direction and skills they were looking to exploit or even the job market they were looking to focus in. Therefore, I recommend formulating a list of important people that are willing to write you a glowing recommendation and willing to provide you a good verbal reference. Educate them on your goals and skills that you will highlight in your plan, so they too can correlate their provided information to you and in their discussions with perspective hiring managers, effectively sharing the information that you want to be known. Furthermore, your organized transition plan should also outline mentors that can help you along the way. Write down your trusted mentors contact information and discuss your plans in detail with them, as they can quite possibly provide you with additional leads, resources, information, and possible adjustments to your plan.
*Quick Tip: If you have children, consider using after school programs like the Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA), in the community you will look to live in. BGCA can provide and aid in mentoring your children with proven outcome driven support programs once you have transitioned!
*Quick Tip: If you have children, consider using after school programs like the Boys and Girls Club of America (BGCA), in the community you will look to live in. BGCA can provide and aid in mentoring your children with proven outcome driven support programs once you have transitioned!
Tip 2: Understand Government and Nonprofit Resources
and Use Them
There are a plethora of resources both within and outside the government available that can also help you with your transition plan. The Department of Defense (DoD) policy mandates your attendance in the transition assistance program (TAP). I recommend attending this program ASAP, as far out as your command will allow you to, and with your spouse if possible (yes, have them take vacation days if needed). TAP will expose you and your family to the most current information available, but some of the information you may not be able to take advantage of because of the time you may have remaining on your contract. Don’t lose out, start early and bring your transition plan with you to verify and or make any needed adjustments. Then, I would recommend attending TAP again, no later than six months prior to your transition (with or without your spouse this time). This time, you can ensure that all of the information you gleaned from the first time around is strategically part of your transition plans, and that you have set things in motion to take advantage of all that is available to you and your family. Think of it as a final check to ensure you have not missed anything and to learn about new opportunities. Lastly, learn about the Veterans Administration (VA) processes and resources ASAP. The VA has many faults, but they also have a plethora of resources and services that can save you and your family time and money. These are benefits that you have earned—don’t let your ego or the negative experiences of other veteran’s deter you. If possible, connect with a trusted veteran in the area in which you will be transferring to and ask for their mentorship, as their support and experiences can save you a lot of time; remember, most veterans are just like you, they want to help and serve those in need. The below websites are ones that I highly recommend you visit and get very acquainted with:
The Military OneSource (MOS): MOS is intended to be a “one stop” resource to go when service members or their families need assistance with any kind of issue. It has many resource links and information that can add to your transition plan.
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eBenefits: Create, if you have not done so already, an eBenefits account—Period! This is a VA online platform that will allow you to navigate VA related needs, without having to call and be placed on hold, or sit in lines awaiting VA services. Get used to using this resource and you will save yourself enormous headaches.
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Outside of the military there are nonprofit organizations that specialize in assisting you and your family as well. Again, don’t let the perceptions of others, the negative stereotyping by some veterans, or your ego to deter you from using these valuable resources. The below are just a couple of resources that you should look into:
The Mission Continues: This organization provides paid fellowships that allow veterans to work within nonprofits of their choosing for six months, while also receiving assistance with developing a transitional action plan.
The Wounded Warrior Project: This organization assists VA disabled veterans and their families with transitional and life needs. They can also assist you with your VA disability claim processing and navigation, resume writing, preparing for job interviews, as well as a plethora of other helpful services.
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“There are a plethora of resources both within and outside the government available that can also help you with your transition plan…”
Tip 3: Get Your Education ASAP!
If you have not started, do so now! The civilian workforce, in my experience, places a heavy emphasis on education and certifications that you can use to compliment your valuable military experience. Some are used to qualify you for jobs, others are used to get you past the gatekeepers of the organization. Use your transition plan to map out your educational needs and again, reverse plan to ensure that you will meet the needed requirements. I would also recommend that you go above the requirement if possible, as it only sets you above those who also meet the minimum (e.g., if the job requires a high school diploma, get at least your 2-year college degree completed, etc.), and your GPA is critically important, as it can open up other lucrative opportunities (e.g., graduate school, law school, etc.), so don’t be fooled and apply yourself. Furthermore, understand that in today’s workforce, continuous life-long learning is fast becoming the expected norm, so be prepared to stay educated. Research organizations that can provide you with continuing education opportunities in line with the education you have earned and that also complement your military experience(s); that is if you do not decide to attend a traditional college. In doing so, it allows perspective hiring organizations to view your commitment to life-long education.
Once again, contact your mentor or other veterans that have used their educational benefits, to include those who are on active duty with you. Visit or call colleges that you are interested in and connect with their military outreach departments. Veterans there can give you first hand experiences on what to expect of that institution and basic college life, and many times they are always keen on the latest VA, government, or private institution opportunities that look to aid veterans.
Lastly, another VA benefit is what is known as Vocational Rehabilitation or VOC Rehab. This program is for those that have a VA connected disability which prevents them from working in their field of expertise developed in the military, thus must be retrained in another field. I recommend that you apply (it doesn’t cost anything but time) and see if you qualify and then if you do, look to use this benefit first before utilizing any Post 9/11 education benefits. This way, once the VA provides you with the training and experience you need to become employable in your new field, you still have additional educational benefits that can be used to enhance your skills.
Lastly, another VA benefit is what is known as Vocational Rehabilitation or VOC Rehab. This program is for those that have a VA connected disability which prevents them from working in their field of expertise developed in the military, thus must be retrained in another field. I recommend that you apply (it doesn’t cost anything but time) and see if you qualify and then if you do, look to use this benefit first before utilizing any Post 9/11 education benefits. This way, once the VA provides you with the training and experience you need to become employable in your new field, you still have additional educational benefits that can be used to enhance your skills.
Tip 4: Consider Formulating a Skills-Based Résumé or Curriculum Vitae Versus the Traditional Chronological Type
Because you are a member of the finest fighting force known to the world, you have been exposed to incredible opportunities and have had enormous responsibilities. Many in the military are responsible for operating and maintaining multi-million dollar pieces of equipment and operations. Furthermore, veterans are also exposed, early on, to leadership and teamwork/teambuilding. Many have been also responsible for upwards of 10 to 100’s of troops (referred to as direct reports in the civilian world). However, for those military occupations that do not directly translate, and even for some that do, it is increasingly difficult to effectively communicate your worth to a perspective organization by simply articulating the jobs you have held within the military. This is why I recommend for those who are having difficulty, or as a fresh perspective outside of the traditional norm, to consider formulating a skills-based résumé, or if you’re interested in being a teacher or educational instructor, formulating and utilizing the curriculum vitae.
“…those military occupations that do not directly translate, and even for some that do, it is increasingly difficult to effectively communicate your worth to a perspective organization by simply articulating the jobs you have held within the military…”
A skills-based résumé is a document that lists a person’s job qualifications in skill categories, rather than the standard approach of using reverse chronological work experience categories. A skills-based résumé allows for you to effectively articulate the skills you cultivated and utilized while on active duty, and in a language that perspective organizations can readily understand and relate to. Think about it, the military requires for you to be multi-skilled not only in your particular specialty, but also competent in other military occupations as well—cross-trained. This is mostly due to leadership understanding that the unit is only as strong as its weakest link, and personal readiness is a top priority. What many military members tend to focus on, in my experience, are those primary skills learned and cultivated, completely leaving out the temporary assigned duties that required additional skills. Successful organizations recognize the need for multi-skilled personnel also, but you have to allow them to see what skills you have to offer; a skills-based résumé is one effective way of doing so!
The curriculum vitae (CV) is an overview of your life's achievements, more precisely, those successes that are applicable to the academic field. The CV is most times used exclusively when an individual is pursuing an academic or training profession type of job. The CV is a living document, which means that it will forever reflect the progresses in a scholar/trainer/instructors/teacher's career, and thus it should be updated frequently. For those interested in professional training/instructor or education, start this document after your first instructional achievement. This may be for many military members something that is available in their service record books or online education page (for Marines, it would be in the Marine Corps Training Information Management System).
Either way, these two options are my recommendations for effectively articulating those skills that you have cultivated, but may have forgotten that you have. It is these skills, however, that will allow you to be set apart from your civilian counterparts who have not had the distinct pleasure and honor of serving.
The curriculum vitae (CV) is an overview of your life's achievements, more precisely, those successes that are applicable to the academic field. The CV is most times used exclusively when an individual is pursuing an academic or training profession type of job. The CV is a living document, which means that it will forever reflect the progresses in a scholar/trainer/instructors/teacher's career, and thus it should be updated frequently. For those interested in professional training/instructor or education, start this document after your first instructional achievement. This may be for many military members something that is available in their service record books or online education page (for Marines, it would be in the Marine Corps Training Information Management System).
Either way, these two options are my recommendations for effectively articulating those skills that you have cultivated, but may have forgotten that you have. It is these skills, however, that will allow you to be set apart from your civilian counterparts who have not had the distinct pleasure and honor of serving.
*Quick Tip: Do you know that the expertise that you gained while serving could possibly qualify you as a consultant? Check out one resource I used to assist in correlating my military experience with the private sector of consulting.
Tip 5: Don’t Allow Other People’s Perceptions of You or Your Service Deter You from Your Goals
The world is full of opinions and perceptions of you and your service to your country. Don’t be defined by those perceptions and possible negative stereotypes. Instead, do what has made you successful during your military service—show this through action and implementing your transition plan! Prepare yourself for transition just as you prepared yourself for your promotion(s) and your physical fitness tests—without fear! Be relentless in your pursuit of your goals and apply those very skills that taught you to be prepared for contingencies (as things will happen). People will undoubtedly have an opinion of you one way or another—good, bad, or indifferent. However, express who you are through action while staying humbled in your achievements, just as you did while serving, as you undoubtedly remember there was never ever an “I” in TEAM! Finally, remember, no one resource is without its faults (to include the information I am providing you), as nothing and no one is perfect. Therefore, I recommend that you provide yourself with multiple sources, options, opportunities, and above all—do your research, formulate your transition plan, then—execute!
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Want to help spread the word?
What other tips can you offer our nations transitioning veterans and their families to assist them? Please share.
I bid Gods Speed to all, and to my Marine family—Semper Fidelis!
Organizing Resolutions with Starks
If you or a colleague you know are in need of ideas or motivations for getting organized, Organizing Resolutions with Starks can assist. We advise our clients, and small business, on how to create balance and control in their individual lives and organization. We do so through the formulation of uniquely tailored individual and organizational team strategies! To stay abreast of personal experiences, helpful tips, and discussions like this and others, please like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+. We, at Organizing Resolutions with Starks, wish you nothing but success in all you do!
Want to help spread the word?
What other tips can you offer our nations transitioning veterans and their families to assist them? Please share.
I bid Gods Speed to all, and to my Marine family—Semper Fidelis!
Organizing Resolutions with Starks
If you or a colleague you know are in need of ideas or motivations for getting organized, Organizing Resolutions with Starks can assist. We advise our clients, and small business, on how to create balance and control in their individual lives and organization. We do so through the formulation of uniquely tailored individual and organizational team strategies! To stay abreast of personal experiences, helpful tips, and discussions like this and others, please like and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google+. We, at Organizing Resolutions with Starks, wish you nothing but success in all you do!