How would he translate his skill set as a Scout Leader to civilian sector? He was a drill sergeant and is current a SFC.

2015-04-20T12:21:27-04:00

I have a friend getting medical discharge from Army (scout). He was a drill sergeant and is current a SFC. is current a platoon Sergeant with over 14 years experience in the military. I was thinking he could be a Recruiter, Training. Any other ideas?

Response by SPC James Harsh made Dec 29 at 2015 1:14 PM

2015-12-29T13:14:28-05:00

Depending what you do 'you have to be creative'. I'd think as a former DS and having leadership experience there would be many options.

Sometimes people don't get the job they want or should have. Such as having a similar role from the get go. As an example, it would be good (if not advancing education instead -prior) to have the mindset of acquiring a job and use the 'show me' approach first.

Be the follower, tactfully try to excel at your position compared to your coworkers and always give the respect the others that do or don't deserve credit. Accountability, is very absent in the civilian world and stacking the deck against yourself because of social relations at work is detrimental. However, it's best to have side bars with your superviser(s) or co-worker(s) for concernes about team members or questions ideas, insight about work.

In the military it's not ratting out when you address someones behavior in the platoon if a correction is needed because essentially there's the 'weakest link' philosophy. Usually, addressing concern is done in the hopes of having a 'learning experience', rather than done out of spite.

After you put in to practice your job, assist others. Develop or refine sops. Show that you can task out people and help uppers and lowers feel appreciated all the while. Hopefully, it works and if finding somewhere else to work is needed, at least knowing you've learned some more about the civilian sector and it will culminate with previous experience. It's a know your enemy thing, hahaha.

Still, in the civilian world 'production/produce vs lip service/talk is the key. There's faster turnover rates then in the military as well so people come and people go. Also, when you have a reputation for helping then can modify the goal and let the haters fall on there face. Or, help them anyways even though many times things you do will go unseen.

Lastly, in any job, the ability to do more is a heated topic vs salary however, someone that can do a range of things is always a 'keeper' vs people that can't (unless they're just hot at one thing). If someone talks a lot set them up with responsibility to expose there faults like you would have a private take on a squad leader role in training. Surprise people with training your peers, civilians hate training people that can do their job- THEY HATE THAT. I know if I teach someone it just makes me better at doing it and I can go on to do more, it shouldn't stop.

Response by CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR made Jan 1 at 2016 12:06 AM

2016-01-01T00:06:31-05:00

I was both a drill sergeant and recruiter. Your friend could certainly be a trainer, OPS manager. The key is he need to have a start point then you can give some further guidance

Response by SGT David Emme made Apr 17 at 2016 3:38 PM

2016-04-17T15:38:55-04:00

First I would recommend in looking up about "soft" skills. This is about team building, leadership skills, problem solving within a team. These are coveted skills. Am talking about leading x number of soldiers, responsible for training x number of personnel-"recruits". These are sought after in the civilian market. In essence, translating leadership and team building skills acquired in military setting to fit civilian speak so they can understand it. Besides this, a degree would help much!

Response by CW2 Christopher Esparza made Apr 21 at 2016 2:19 PM

2016-04-21T14:19:31-04:00

Check out http://themilitarywallet.com/translate-military-experience-to-civilian-terms/ http://veteranjobs.stripes.com and https://www.onetonline.org/crosswalk/MOC/ that should get you going

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