Do you feel that you have received the needed support for your post military career?

CPT John M. O'Connor — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 09:13:59 -0500

I work with many people in career transition and I would like to know more about the support level people on Rally Point feel.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 21 at 2015 11:12 AM

SFC Pete Kain — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 11:12:07 -0500

I expected nothing, just what I got, expectations delivered.
Sir, the Vet has a responsibility too.

Response by CAPT Tom Bersson made Dec 21 at 2015 12:45 PM

CAPT Tom Bersson — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 12:45:48 -0500

mine was good.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Dec 21 at 2015 12:52 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 12:52:09 -0500

42 years ago there was no support beyond travel pay to your final destination. Nothing more was expected.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2015 1:51 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 13:51:20 -0500

Did not know what I could get, did not know about VHA or GI bill till it was too late to finish my damn BSN; only knew about the VA home loan from my brother. so, no I did not received the needed support post military career.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Dec 21 at 2015 2:06 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 14:06:40 -0500

When I retired in 2004 it was just a push through process or so it seemed to me. All of the E-7 and above seemed to get more attention and the officers more than the senior enlisted.
It seemed very typical of a mandatory "class" that had to be attended to get the box checked.
I know that as a separating or retiring service member we have to be accountable for ourselves but it would be nice if someone would take the time to actually help out. I mean from what they did in Norfolk I could have just taken the print outs home and not attended the reading of power point slides by the facilitator who spoke in a boring tone of voice.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2015 3:06 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:06:38 -0500

I felt the in-person class was far superior to the online class (I did both). You get out of it what you put into it. The 5-day class was boring but only because I didn't care about that portion until I looked at it from a different point of view. The education and small business class were both incredible and they do not get enough credit. I still have a bad attitude about what is required to "clear" the Air Force but I will do what is needed if it makes me a civilian again. I understand why they make you do the things they do, just don't like it.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 21 at 2015 3:52 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:52:00 -0500

It was a moot point for me as the systems told me I would not work again. I am glad as I don't think I would handle the stress of working well.

Response by SSG Kali Montero made Dec 22 at 2015 6:46 AM

SSG Kali Montero — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 06:46:02 -0500

Notable battles I participated: Tet and mini Tet (mini Tet 1,200 US KIA and 4,000 wounded in 3 wks) '68. ETS in '69. Numerous "atrocities"...Don't ask. Military no help or recognition. All discharge station said was "Next!". SFC outside said "Go out get a job and forget about it". Civilian hospital Psych ward for attempted suicide in '72. Doc had no name for my condition "attempted suicide" except many veterans from Nam coming home w/similar mental problems. Doc said didn't know of any help for veterans except veterans rap group at local park. Attended and found guys carrying guns and knives, smoking weed and talking about killing "gooks". Not my bag. Had enough killing. Took SFC's advice "Buried all memories of Vietnam" and never talked about it.
Fast forward to 2010 (43yrs)...Some guy at gym said he had a cold and had to go to VA??? He told me as long as I served time in military that we were eligible for medical. Went to a VA outpatient clinic Doc said I diagnosed w/PTSD. Referred me to VA PTSD clinic. 2 yrs later...Rated 100% PTSD & 80% Agent Orange. 2) Got caught in VA scandal: took from 2013 - 2015 to get needed operation 3) VA Choice program: Big communication problems w/local VA and Natl coordination center for appts. Both sides gave me the "runaround". Finally contacted Marco Rubio's (he was on VA committee before running for President) office and immediately got a call for an appointment with outpatient civilian doctor...He has always been a VA patient advocate and he has my vote for President. His office even called me to make certain I was being taken cared of in a timely manner.
One final recommendation: I strongly believe all vets in combat rated w/100% PTSD should receive Purple Heart. We fought. Our mental combat wounds CANNOT be healed. The meds cause many of us to become Unemployable.

Response by SFC Jerry Watson made Dec 22 at 2015 12:11 PM

SFC Jerry Watson — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 12:11:05 -0500

I feel that after my retirement I received absolutely no help from the Army, or any government agency, the V.A. help I get, I had to actively seek on my own, now the V.A. is almost to expensive for my family, what happened to all that free medical care we were promised for serving our country??

Response by CPT John M. O'Connor made Dec 22 at 2015 5:29 PM

CPT John M. O'Connor — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 17:29:41 -0500

I just wanted to thank folks for their excellent comments. This really helps me as I enter my third decade in assisting people in transition. In general my military friends do not realize how important their skills are to the feds and to the civilian world. Do not forget you are simply the best.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2015 8:17 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 08:17:34 -0500

If you one the short version - FUCK NO.

The long version? Some stupid class lecture about resume and cover letter isn't much. I wanted to be police officer after the service, and it would of not been the waste of time if they took 30 minutes (don't care if you call me entitled dick) to help me prepare for P.O.S.T. Test or the resume that is not "Blanket One Size Fits All" but the one specifically for LEO career.

Response by CW3 Susan Burkholder made Dec 23 at 2015 8:34 AM

CW3 Susan Burkholder — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 08:34:07 -0500

Not at all. The only help I received was advice to attend a job fair. Job fairs are useless. I attended a few anyway. The only jobs offered are minimum wage entry level which didn't help me pay my current mortgage or be able to help my kids pay for college. So unrealistic and somewhat rude to tell a transitioning vet with 15 to 20 years of service to go to a job fair. Once at the job fair, all employers simply said "go to our website and apply there" Then there's the virtual job fairs sponsored by some vet group. The times were never convenient - I was always working at some temporary job during those fairs. I do agree that vets should not be helpless about their transition and take responsibility for their planning and job search but sometimes those "non-retained" are still surprised and left little or no time to plan.

Response by LTC Larry Morris made Dec 23 at 2015 9:58 AM

LTC Larry Morris — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 09:58:00 -0500

While on active duty as a reserve officer, "No". As a retired USAR soldier "Somewhat". As a veteran "Yes" only because of personal circumstances and the reaching out and asking for help. The local Veteran Service Officer (county agency), in the county that I live in has been super helpful from a VA disability and services position. The local Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialist, Veterans’ Workforce Services (state agency), from the state has worked his butt off trying different things to assist me in obtainment of my next "forever" position, but still nothing. So as a overall I would have to say I have had a "somewhat" needed support for my post military career. Support has come from several different agencies and has been all from my actions and requests for help, and all from "after" active duty assignments.

Response by PO1 Aaron Baltosser made Dec 23 at 2015 10:48 AM

PO1 Aaron Baltosser — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 10:48:26 -0500

Little to none. The lady that processed my retirement paperwork did such an egregious job she was fired immediately afterward. I wish I could say that was the only poor outcome as a result of the transition. Large number of companies wanted to talk with me, preferably at my exclusive expense so they could string me along then tell me later "We've decided to go in another direction." 72 applications. Only 1 successful job offer. On my base at retirement which was dual service, the TAMP wasn't. It was geared up almost exclusively for the other service. No resume writing was built inthen. No job contacts. No solutions or even the suggestion of a direction toward success. The transition was something I wound up doing on my own learning as I went. Realizing that Veterans applying for a job in the civilianworkforce was seriously downgraded as a good candidate was a rude awakening. Still looking for someone that values my contribution.

Response by Cpl David E. Jenkins Jr. made Dec 23 at 2015 11:05 AM

Cpl David E. Jenkins Jr. — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 11:05:46 -0500

I am a Veterans Outreach Specialist in NYC and I help Veterans with Employment training and Placement. If you need assistance in transition you can contact me at [login to see] ex. 203. Happy Holidays!

Response by LTC Craig Amnott made Dec 23 at 2015 12:18 PM

LTC Craig Amnott — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 12:18:31 -0500

Have to agree with many of the posts here. I had no expectations. I planned for retirment / separation years in advance. My motto was, "I am prepared to retire/separate/be kicked out tomorrow. . . ". That way I was always prepared. There are a lot of good services offered to vets (medical care, disability pay, tax breaks, job assistance. . . . ), but it's up to the individual to do his/her homework to find the appicable services. The advent of the internet has made that so easy! Don't expect anyone to hold your hand. That's not what you were trained to do as a soldier, airman, sailor. . . . Take the initiative.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2015 2:03 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 14:03:14 -0500

Your on your own when you get out. It's that simple. Go to a veterans site and just look at all the jobs on them. It will make you laugh. My advice is get an education in any way shape or form. Get to networking and knowing people that can hook you up. It's dog eat dog out in the civilian world and there is NO honor. There are some companies that care for their employees but not many.

Response by SSgt Jamie Ritter LeBlanc made Dec 23 at 2015 6:57 PM

SSgt Jamie Ritter LeBlanc — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 18:57:58 -0500

Yes and no. With all my training as a medical technician we should have been Lvn licenses because I have the same skills. The training did help with college. Somethings are very easy because of it but nursing school is no joke. It all depends I think on your military job and how it translate to the civilian world.

Response by SGT James Hammons made Dec 23 at 2015 7:30 PM

SGT James Hammons — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 19:30:48 -0500

Here is the experience I had with transition, I saw the website with all the wonderful job training and guidance. The website showed happy people trining for new careers. The truth the office was small and crowded with boxes of files. The lady only told me what I could use my gi bill for.

Response by SFC Victor Serrano made Dec 23 at 2015 8:59 PM

SFC Victor Serrano — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 20:59:35 -0500

I honestly did not expect anything. I heard about the support and assistance available to retiring Soldiers. However, I quickly realized that I was on my own and there was nothing the military could do for me as I transitioned to civilian life. I successfully transitioned to civilian life and I'm doing okay. I thank the military for the benefits I received while I was on active duty.

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Dec 23 at 2015 11:03 PM

SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 23:03:16 -0500

I think it was a learning experience to say the least. My thoughts:

Good:
-Resume support
-VA Benefits Briefing
- Interview Training

Bad:
-Focus on salary expectations/negotiation of a salary
-Options for insurance after the Navy

Ugly:
-Support for divorced veterans & explanation of legalities
-Survivor Benefit Plan

I have done well and should be securing full-time employment shortly but there was growing pains. I started my planning about 18 months out and did only one round in TRS/TAPS/GTAP/TAP-GPS. I had a working resume which had been critiqued by 5-8 HR professionals before it hit the streets. That's the key.

Response by CW5 Mike Smith made Dec 24 at 2015 8:20 AM

CW5 Mike Smith — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 08:20:48 -0500

They were very helpful. If you sit back and wait to handed information you will be disappointed. Read, research and learn, then ask questions and more questions. Be proactive, its your future. Nobody takes care of yourself better than you.