I see Veterans changing jobs a lot more than their civilian counter-parts. Why do you think this is, and is this a good thing?

2015-11-05T19:01:17-05:00

I have friends that have changed their jobs every 9-15 months since leaving the service. In some ways, I get the same itch as well, and I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on if this is a positive trend or not? Or, if you have any pertinent thoughts on the topic of job changing in general?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 7:06 PM

2015-11-05T19:06:57-05:00

Veterans, especially those that have served on active duty, are used to moving around a lot. Therefore, they have no qualms about changing jobs like they changed units when they PCSd or ISTd. Conversely, I had a recruit in Oregon that had 26 years with the sheriff's office whose job was cut. Rather than drive a few miles over to the next county where they would take him in a heartbeat, he opted to take a position at the jail (under the same sheriff's office). Deep roots...

Response by CDR Kenneth Kaiser made Nov 5 at 2015 7:10 PM

2015-11-05T19:10:51-05:00

I cannot say with surety, but one potential reason is that when you first get out you may have trouble translating your skills to the civilian equivalent and potentially not sure what you are worth in the open market. Further you might take the first job offered. If any of these cases is true then as you work that position you begin to realize that you may have undervalued yourself, or not realized your full potential. Given the new knowledge you may then move to another position with better pay or one that better suits your skill set now that you have had some experience and can better translate your skills. On the other hand it may be the company. I know I worked for one that had such bad management style that I couldn't stand to drive by it on my off hours. I left as soon as I found a better position.

Response by MSgt John Taylor made Nov 5 at 2015 7:25 PM

2015-11-05T19:25:08-05:00

While on active duty, I had to endure bad supervisors, policies, changes etc. Since I've retired, I feel that I now have more say in what I'm willing to endure. I know that not all can, for a variety of reasons, but I can, and will

Response by PO3 Michael James made Nov 5 at 2015 7:40 PM

2015-11-05T19:40:16-05:00

SPC Heath.. Starting out after Active Duty, I changed jobs too .. WE change.. We are regimented, We seldom question, we follow and do what is asked.. This sometimes irritates fellow workers (I think) all I wanted to do was to " FIT " in and become part of that workforce.. Others realized that our work ethics were Driven.. So I shopped around until I found a place where I felt comfortable.. and I stayed with That Job..

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Nov 5 at 2015 8:45 PM

2015-11-05T20:45:26-05:00

I know I've change job and states where I've lived at allot. I think it's because I know I can do better and with the military I would change duty station every four or five years. I always like to try new things and live in new places. I've lived in ten different stats in my life as and adult and I just don't know where I wanted to settle.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Nov 5 at 2015 9:30 PM

2015-11-05T21:30:01-05:00

From what I've heard, that's not uncommon at all in the civilian world these days, where loyalty doesn't exist in either direction any more - unless you are an A level shareholder or a CEO/COO/etc...

Response by LTC Jeffrey Strickland made Nov 5 at 2015 11:58 PM

2015-11-05T23:58:16-05:00

I think we have a difficult time finding our niche. I changed employers five times between 2005and 2012 until I found mine. People say that their companies are veteran friendly. Then they hire you and treat you as if you are entry level or expect too much of you. As for me, I felt like I was working with substandard people and kept looking to find a place with higher standards.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 6 at 2015 12:43 AM

2015-11-06T00:43:19-05:00

Part of it is habit as your job got changed for you every 2-3 years. That encourages a restless behavior which can carry over to your CIV life. I had to redefine myself every few years and morph the job I was doing to keep it interesting and challenging. A big move was to get out of construction entirely and into environmental. Then I finished off on the Operations side. Keep an eye out for challenges that make things better and step forward.

BTW, do a sidebar on the outside that's something you'd never dreamed you'd do. Turns out my wife "steered" me into refereeing soccer. Started at 49. The places I've been and things I've had a chance to do have been amazing.

Response by SGT William Howell made Nov 6 at 2015 8:15 AM

2015-11-06T08:15:54-05:00

I have been there. Getting out and then trying to find as job that is not entry level is difficult. I like to eat and have a roof over my head so I took the first job that came along. It was not what I wanted, but it paid the bills. As I networked I was able to move companies to a better paying job that was a better fit. I just did it again 6 months ago. The job I currently am in seems to be a keeper. I have went from a first line supervisor to a assistant regional manger in just 6 months. The reason I was promoted, "We like what you bring to the table as a vet and we want you to instill those work ethics into our workforce."

In saying that, I am always looking to move up, wither it is within the company I work for or somebody else. Company loyalty has went the way of the dodo bird and I am going to take care of myself and my family over the company any day.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 10:21 AM

2015-11-06T10:21:16-05:00

If they are retired, they have more flexibility because they have Uncle Sugar's check every month to give it to them.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Nov 6 at 2015 10:33 AM

2015-11-06T10:33:16-05:00

I see a big cause being the nature of active military service (reserves are different, due to the static geographic nature of assignments and continual contact with the civilian world). With few exceptions, the military encourages and rewards generalists. Even within a given specialty, most people change actual jobs in the military fairly quickly - every 2 to 3 years at most. It is a built-in feature of the up or out promotion system.

At the moment, I won't argue that it's good or bad (it's bad, just for the record), just that it is. On the one hand, military are very good at figuring out a new job - lots of experience doing it. But they are probably less good at maintaining interest once an acceptable level of competence has been built - It's just about time to PCS. As such, doing the same job for more than a year or two probably feels odd.

Just my two cents.

Response by SCPO Edward Westerdahl made Nov 6 at 2015 11:00 AM

2015-11-06T11:00:38-05:00

I think it is because they get used to changing jobs every three or four years, and just continue that pattern.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2015 2:26 PM

2015-11-10T14:26:05-05:00

no its not a good thing , i believe that many employers don't seem to meet our expectations. we got that military mentality encoded in us that we are picky now when it comes to a satisfying employment.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 25 at 2016 7:18 PM

2016-03-25T19:18:34-04:00

Most service members change duties every 12 to 24 months and when they do not change duties they change duty stations every 36 months or so. It becomes a norm in their lives and that of their families.

Response by CDR Kenneth Kaiser made Mar 31 at 2016 1:22 PM

2016-03-31T13:22:15-04:00

While veterans are accustomed to changing jobs in the military and this may have an influence, I think that there are a couple of other considerations. It is obvious from reading other posts in other areas of Rally Point, that many have difficulty with the transition into the civilian workforce and often take the first job offered. The job offer may not be what was expected or the pay might be less than the going rate or the individual may not be content with the position or growth opportunities. Whatever the condition as they adjust they may decide to move to improve. As pointed out elsewhere this is not necessarily a condition common just to veterans. The civilian workforce has been doing the same thing particularly in defense where you job may be contract to contract. In short I would say this is not alarming

Response by SGT Alejandro Sarandrea made Aug 1 at 2016 1:51 PM

2016-08-01T13:51:43-04:00

I think there are many reasons for this, but will pick two to keep it simple. 1) purpose and fulfillment; SM need this to feel good Civilians just need a check. 2) lack of structure and individual integrity; civilian work forces are chaotic for any real SM. People shit on eachother without regard, there is no rank structure, and people don't speak their mind so I would guess SM change jobs because their looking for a place where they can consider their peers at least trustworthy and compitent

Response by PO1 Gery Bastiani made Apr 14 at 2018 12:07 AM

2018-04-14T00:07:57-04:00

Well being from the Navy we would transfer every 2 to 3 yrs, especial for E4-E5/ E6 is 3yr rotation