I hear people say they are going to transition out of the military in a year. My question is, - Shouldn't we be transitioning all the time?

2016-01-28T09:39:05-05:00

Response by SGT Larry Prentice made Jan 28 at 2016 9:41 AM

2016-01-28T09:41:15-05:00

That is a very good question. One should be looking at the end game before the game is over. Doing so sets you up for success once you hang up the boots.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 9:43 AM

2016-01-28T09:43:37-05:00

What a cool way of re-looking at the whole process, Sir. Transition disruption!

Response by COL Lowell Yarbrough made Jan 28 at 2016 10:00 AM

2016-01-28T10:00:13-05:00

The question you asked may not be the correct approach to what you are referring to. As to your question, the answer is "yes"; transition is a constant state in people's lives. Every action taken or not taken creates a transitional point for the individual. In the military, transition is standard operating procedure; whether it is training, promotion, role change, change of station, mobilization, deployment, redeployment or separation. Each of these transitional activities must be accompanied with tasks and goals to accomplish/complete. Returning back to your original comment/question regarding transitioning out of the military in a year - that is a significant transition and a complex one depending on your separation; especially, if a family is involved. Planning for that final transition, and potentially more so than the other transitional activities created by military service, takes detailed planning, assessment of goals and plans, execution, and reassessment of goals and plans to make sure it is done right, allowing the transitioning servicemember to achieve his/her and/or family objectives for the final transition from military service, returning to the civilian life and work.

Response by SCPO Charles Thomas "Tom" Canterbury made Jan 28 at 2016 10:00 AM

2016-01-28T10:00:46-05:00

Yes! Always be working on ways you will be marketable on the outside. It gets more difficult when you're a 20+ year war horse and cannot articulate yourself in the civilian world.

Response by Col Kevin J. Gaudette made Jan 28 at 2016 10:18 AM

2016-01-28T10:18:57-05:00

Transition is definitely a long-term science project...particularly the resume/LI profile and building a non-military network (give yourself a couple of years for these two, at least). The one-year out mark is when you start focusing on the tactical aspects of the move, but you've gotta build a solid foundation much earlier than that. To your point Tyler, your career moves in the military should always take the long game into consideration (although you'll always be focused on your military service, correctly...part of why it's typically such a difficult transition...we typically put our service in front of our long-term personal goals).

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2016 10:28 AM

2016-01-28T10:28:42-05:00

Reserves always do.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Jan 28 at 2016 11:15 AM

2016-01-28T11:15:47-05:00

There's a necessary balance that is dependent upon your personal goals. Would you like to make the military your first career? If so, your first transition is establishing your reputation as an individual worthy of retention. That requires you accept situations that are important in the military, but are Ho Humm to civilians. I have seen people in the military so concentrated on end of tour transition that they limit their value to the service.
If you know "civlant" is your ultimate goal, there is nothing wrong with taking advantage of those opportunities the military offers (schools, etc). You just have to remember you will probably need a few references and the ones a prospective employer are going to look at are those you accrue during your service.
I suppose my core opinion is you've got to plan you long term goals and work toward them, but if you are concentrating so much on the future you are mediocre in the present, you're not doing yourself any favors.

Response by Doug Macdonald made Jan 28 at 2016 12:23 PM

2016-01-28T12:23:44-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member If you were a civilian longer than a veteran, you are just returning to the life you know best. Transitioning is an over used word.

Response by SGT Ronald Bacon made Jan 28 at 2016 12:36 PM

2016-01-28T12:36:44-05:00

While we are in the military we should look to the future but not at the cost of the current moment. If I only did training or cared about things that would help in transitioning then I would hurt my military service. I served 13 years I was prepping to leave in my 10th year when I made up my mind I was no longer cut out service. I gave my 100% and even picked up a deployment in my last 2 years but the whole time working on post military life.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Jan 28 at 2016 4:41 PM

2016-01-28T16:41:48-05:00

Oftimes your actual job in the military is preparing you for a post military career. You should have a plan or framework for something when you get out. There is a balance though. Your job in the military takes priority and you should expect to be given allowances to prepare youself for outside work at the expense of your unit.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 28 at 2016 5:28 PM

2016-01-28T17:28:26-05:00

I must be stoopid because I don't understand the question 100%.

Response by SPC Dee Bartlett made Jan 28 at 2016 8:11 PM

2016-01-28T20:11:26-05:00

I don't know. I probably did it wrong. Twelve years later, I'm still trying to navigate and have no idea where I fit. I've just gotten comfortable being uncomfortable. Apparently confusion is a sign of change?

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Jan 29 at 2016 11:52 AM

2016-01-29T11:52:48-05:00

If you mean staying flexible to handle change, then yes. But planning for your next career needs to be done on your own time. I've seen too many retired-while-on active-duty personnel (and I think officers are often more guilty of this than enlisted) spend their entire last year of service trolling LinkedIn, writing resumes, and "building connections" during duty hours instead of doing their job. Yes, build your network, go to TAP, write your resumes, all good things, but don't stop meeting the responsibilities of your current position.

Response by CPO Curtiss Hill made Jan 30 at 2016 12:41 PM

2016-01-30T12:41:58-05:00

Before transitioning out, I think that it is important to develop networks in the industry that you want to work in. Developing networks should an ongoing effort in order to land that job you really want.