How difficult was it for you or is it for you to ask for help in your transition?

2014-09-10T23:06:01-04:00

What are your thoughts?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 10 at 2014 11:15 PM

2014-09-10T23:15:55-04:00

I was medically retired against my wishes. I went kicking and screaming!

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 11 at 2014 3:47 PM

2014-09-11T15:47:32-04:00

It wasn't difficult to ask for help at all...it was impossible (in my mind)

All good now, though.

Response by CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR made Sep 11 at 2014 3:54 PM

2014-09-11T15:54:28-04:00

I would be the first to say that it was difficult for me to ask for help. Shucks when I returned back from deployment to Iraq and ETS I got my first rude awakening. I am a E-8/MSG.....tell me what has to be done and I will get 'er done for you. So I apply for jobs and things just wasn't happening for me. I was asked what do I want to do? I said anything I just needed a job that did not work. I was first introduced to this thing called a resume I said a
res-a-what.

This is when I realized I did not know what I did not know humbled myself and found me a mentor(s) that helped me and gave me some direction. I was no longer leading troops so I had to take the chevrons off. and be a student again. I did and 4 months I landed a role in the oil and gas industry with no industry experience. I say all that to say it is okay to ask for help from people. There are a lot of people out there willing to help.

Dylan

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 11 at 2014 3:56 PM

2014-09-11T15:56:22-04:00

It is tough for anyone who has trained to be a resilient warrior to admit to themselves that they need help for any reason, transition is no different. It's a mindset that we all learned through service, and one we need to learn to control. There is a time to 'do it on your own' and a time to know when to ask for help. Learning the 'when' is a sign, not of weakness, but of wisdom.
Some of us, myself included, learned this lesson the hard way and we can only hope that others will learn from our mistakes.