Officers: Are you networking for your former enlisted comrades?

Sgt Junyer Knight — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 22:54:21 -0500

As enlisted members leave service and turn towards college or going straight into the job market they lack a lot of connections in the civilian sector. Officers, having made many connections as a young person in college, can probably expect to have a larger pool of people to reach out to when transitioning.

I would like to ask the officers here on Rallypoint if they are using that network to help out their enlisted counterparts they served with.

Thank you ahead of time for your responses.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Nov 3 at 2014 12:30 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 00:30:32 -0500

Having never been a "networker" before, it is one of those things I am finding difficult to really get behind in the job quest. Not that I don't understand it's value and am doing my damnedest to correct that particular personality flaw. To be up front, I don't like asking for help, and "asking" for a job from friends or family seems like "help", and getting past that is difficult.
Still, I write letters of recommendations when I can since most of my Soldiers live in places where the personal connections wouldn't exist anyway. But I also do what I can locally through volunteer organizations, networking that occurs through simply attending college courses, attending the job fairs, and passing on good information whenever I stumble across it.

Response by Sgt Junyer Knight made Nov 3 at 2014 1:36 AM

Sgt Junyer Knight — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 01:36:09 -0500

I know where you are coming from Joseph. This week I accepted my first "big boy" offer and it was through a very unlikely networking scenario. My best friend from home had worked with a guy from Yahoo, who had moved over to a company here in Los Angeles. The guy ended up being a Marine Corps veteran who was more than happy to pass my resume along.

I was told that had I not been recommended my resume would not have even gotten looked at. Considering I got hired instead of the first 22 people that actually did get looked at I know I need to look at my resume write skills for the future.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2014 4:45 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 04:45:19 -0500

The recession in '08-09 hit me hard and I wasn't networked so it took a long time to find a new job and all of my savings. Being in the Reserve Component has its goods and bads. The bad is that your vulnerable to the market. It was through networking with another LT that turned things back around. Definitely a wake up call to get schooled and pay it forward.

So I created a cloud file for my old platoon with resources to connect them to JCEP, ESGR laws that protect them from hostile employers, veteran job portals, and encouraged them to all create LinkedIn profiles. I'll be damned if they have to go through the same mess I went through.

Sidebar- I'm in a position now where I'm trying to network more in the Seattle and Portland area. I'm currently in Japan as a headhunter for pharma/med device companies while still serving on IMA status. ESGR laws don't protect me here. I've come close to losing my job due to military obligations so I'm considering head to the NW Coast. Anyone in the area feel free to connect.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2014 10:24 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 22:24:28 -0500

I don't know if I ever used a "network" to help out the enlisted Soldiers (and now Marines) I have served with, but I have shared my experiences with respect to college and what they can expect if they choose to attend. I have also shared, from my experiences, what it is like to be an officer and what they can expect (more staff time, less time with Soldiers, the privledge of commanding, etc). Becuase I entered active duty upon completing college, I really can't help with civilian experience, only what I know about College.

Response by SFC Dave Joslin made Nov 22 at 2014 2:18 PM

SFC Dave Joslin — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 14:18:12 -0500

In my situation, since I was able to secure a Senior Management position with a national healthcare organization, I have been receiving networking requests from my former officers. What's important to realize is after the rodeo is over, no matter what we wore on our uniform, we all become Mister or Misses. At that point we should all be there to support each other regardless of previous rank or position! I have been used as a background reference for former comrades in ranks of PFC to LTC!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2014 5:51 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 17:51:39 -0500

I will help any enlisted I've served with (who did their job) to the end. That goes for civilians I've employed/worked with as well. I can't even count how many college/grad school rec letters I've written at this point.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Nov 22 at 2014 6:02 PM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 18:02:06 -0500

This is a great topic actually. While Soldiers are on active duty, I would imagine it would be difficult for leaders to network for their enlisted Soldiers. The exception to this would be a letter of recommendation. I would suggest, as a junior enlisted Soldier, to seek them out and ask if they can write a LOR. Sometimes, junior Soldiers are nervous to go and seek them out.

Once we are no longer AD, I think it is vital for us to network for ourselves and other Veterans. Meaning, if you are working, make sure that your company understands how beneficial hiring Vets can be. A lot of civilian companies only know what they see on TV or in the mainstream media. We are the ones that can show companies the value in hiring Vets. Get in work your ass off and show them that they should hire more of us...