Posted on Aug 20, 2014
Being honest with employer about service in the National Guard.
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"With the pending drawdown of the Army and the ending of the war, I have decided to leave the Army" That is what I would say every interview while I was looking for a job. They interview would inevitably ask, "According to your resume you were very sucessful, why are you not staying in"? First of all they were looking at my resume and if you are trying your resume will always paint you in the best light. Many times a comment would be added about all the other military applicants are the best too. What I said was this "I started in the National Guard as enlisted and joined Active Duty after 9-11. I am have alot of experience and accomplishments that do not fit on my resume and I am not going to waste them. I will remain avaliable to my country when needed. I will join the National Guard and I will not hunt for reasons to leave your company. However, if a big war errupts, I will jump." This is how declared my intention to serve in the National Guard and showed my investment is not being abandoned. I would often add "wouldn't you want people like me to protect this nation?" My intent was to get them to buy-off on my National Guard service while showing I was serious about what I had done according to my resume.
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That is absolutely bizarre to hear someone say as an interviewer. I would just be happy that I was getting a veteran with the guts to serve during a time of war. That sounds like one of those weirdos who starts with "Did you kill anybody?" Sir, I commend you for not losing your bearing and putting them in their place acting like that.
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For example, I made a Sales Call in Monroe, LA at a facility of a International Company my company has relationship. I was told they only buy local (their product ships globally). It was pointed out to me I was not from around there. As a southerner, I was pissed to see a stereo-type being validated. I informed them "I grew up in Texas, Arkansas and Missouri while my dad moved around with the Army". I would then say "I spent quit abit of time moving around while I served in the Army, unfortunately my career did not bring me to Louisiana but I got out and I live in Shreveport" I then said "oh I forgot did some time abroad, your welcome by the way".
Important I point out if you cross the river into West Monroe or drive out to the East the people are different. I now know why the Robertsons on DD pointed out they are not from Monroe, they are from West Monroe (there is a difference). Not everyone from Monroe is bad either but in the same plant I had 4 people in leadership postion say the same thing.
Important I point out if you cross the river into West Monroe or drive out to the East the people are different. I now know why the Robertsons on DD pointed out they are not from Monroe, they are from West Monroe (there is a difference). Not everyone from Monroe is bad either but in the same plant I had 4 people in leadership postion say the same thing.
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What the civilian employer hears you say is, "I love being in the military! But the war is over so now I need something to do until a new war starts."
You are basically telling an employer you have no interest in their business, or their job. You just need something to do while not at Drill. A lot of employers have had really bad experiences with National Guard members due to the high deployment rates. As a National Guard member I was gone for 18 months straight for a deployment. One calendar year we had 3 ATs. A civilian business wants to hire someone committed to their cause (their business) and wants someone that will consistently be reliable to show up at work. The national guard with 3 day drills (have to leave early from work on Fridays), Annual training (You aren't required to take vacation time which means that you'll be gone your paid vacation, plus an additional 2 weeks), MOS schools, Promotion schools, and unit needs like emergency orders or orders just to straighten out stuff, prepare for AT or mobilize.
A civilian business does not want to hear you would rather be protecting the county versus working for them. There are a hundred other people applying for the same job. If you are hiring would you rather the person committed to the business or the guy who is going to leave as soon as a war breaks out?
While you might be tempted to say, "Yeah, but the guy who is in the military is courageous. They have balls. They can be counted on." Sure, yeah ok. But the civilian world doesn't care. They hear you saying, " I like war. I want more war. I'm going to be high-strung, high-stress and leave the very first chance I get."
You are basically telling an employer you have no interest in their business, or their job. You just need something to do while not at Drill. A lot of employers have had really bad experiences with National Guard members due to the high deployment rates. As a National Guard member I was gone for 18 months straight for a deployment. One calendar year we had 3 ATs. A civilian business wants to hire someone committed to their cause (their business) and wants someone that will consistently be reliable to show up at work. The national guard with 3 day drills (have to leave early from work on Fridays), Annual training (You aren't required to take vacation time which means that you'll be gone your paid vacation, plus an additional 2 weeks), MOS schools, Promotion schools, and unit needs like emergency orders or orders just to straighten out stuff, prepare for AT or mobilize.
A civilian business does not want to hear you would rather be protecting the county versus working for them. There are a hundred other people applying for the same job. If you are hiring would you rather the person committed to the business or the guy who is going to leave as soon as a war breaks out?
While you might be tempted to say, "Yeah, but the guy who is in the military is courageous. They have balls. They can be counted on." Sure, yeah ok. But the civilian world doesn't care. They hear you saying, " I like war. I want more war. I'm going to be high-strung, high-stress and leave the very first chance I get."
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It has been my experience that national guard guys experience extreme predjudice. Even the national guard has discriminated against the national guard. There was a jag unit in my area looking for staff attorneys and one of them happened to be in the guard and they told him flat out, no go, you might get deployed.
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