What do you believe is/are barriers for soldiers succeeding during their transition?

2016-03-01T17:27:34-05:00

Good Day. I am on a quest to do good for my fellow veterans. Can you please name or list what you believe is/are barriers for soldiers succeeding in the transitioning from the military to civilian life?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 5:30 PM

2016-03-01T17:30:47-05:00

I am about to make the transition my self. I look forward to everyone comments and experiences.

Response by SFC Thomas Howes made Mar 1 at 2016 5:54 PM

2016-03-01T17:54:19-05:00

Well when I retired back in 2000 it was the back stabbing that the civilians did and the lack of ethics some had

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Mar 1 at 2016 6:08 PM

2016-03-01T18:08:49-05:00

The process isn't streamlined. There's the SFL-TAP program and then there's the Transition requirements. There's no checklist, which you can base the process on. Every time I go to a transition class I find out about 3 more appointments I need to schedule. There's also a lack of understanding from the soldier's chain of command on how difficult the transition process is. I was put on the duty roster for the week that I'm supposed to start clearing...

Then you have the issue with assumptions. All the instructors/transition counselors assume you are going back to your hometown to live near mommy and daddy, going back to school near your family, or are getting job in your current career field. My experience, and the experience I've gathered from the other soldiers transitioning is that this often not the case. They don't go over how much you'll have to pay to get your HHG shipped to somewhere other than your HOR (which no longer exists for some of us), or the difference in your flight, etc. Personally, I think soldiers should be allowed to ship anywhere in CONUS or their HOR (for Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico). The cost difference will be minimal and it would help soldiers out tremendously. I imagine my shipment from Hawaii to East Coast would be offset by someone in Germany shipping to the West coast.

There's a Higher Education track for those going back to school, but this typically applies to Undergraduate/Graduate level school. They do not provide any resources if you plan on attending a professional school (law, medicine, etc.), or information on scholarships if you run out of GI Bill benefits (or give yours away).

There's also a requirement for you to see a Reserve Career Counselor, but these counselors aren't interested in doing ANY legwork to ensure that you are in a position that will correspond with your professional goals. They just want you to blindly sign a contract if the position fits your rank and MOS.

Class sizes are too big, non-specific, and the instructors blow through the material due to time constraints. You are stuck in that class whether it has any relevant material to you or not. It's frustrating, and while I imagine it's helpful to junior soldiers completing their initial term, they need to have a 'grown up' version for the rest of us.

Response by MAJ Michael Pauling made Mar 1 at 2016 6:50 PM

2016-03-01T18:50:53-05:00

A major barrier I have seen, in my fellow Soldiers, is a realistic approach to what your skills/training/experience translate into for a Civilian Job Market. The Army may have given you several courses and certifications/experiences but in Real World, what do they end up being worth? Soldiers best attributes are usually those intangibles that define character, honor trustworthiness and diligence. The departing Service Member would best be prepared for the harsh reality that what you think are worth is not the same value as those who have never served in many instances. Also, try not to take rejection for a job too personal. Many applicants get rejected again and again. I saw service members take these situations too much to heart and it scars you and your outlook.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Mar 1 at 2016 7:08 PM

2016-03-01T19:08:46-05:00

SPC Makissa Lewis - Everyone transitions at different paces. The biggest obstacle is usually the (former) service-member themselves. There are a lot of new things to learn about being a civilian --especially after living within the structured life of the military. We give a lot of lip-service to "adapting and overcome" but, fail to execute when we don't have someone drafting OpOrders and POD's for us to follow.

Response by SPC Makissa Lewis made Mar 1 at 2016 7:23 PM

2016-03-01T19:23:29-05:00

For me one of the biggest obstacles was not knowing what to ask to get what I need to know. I have been medically retired since 2010 and I am still finding information about my benefits. And, when asked why I never sought it out before I had to reply I didn't know it existed.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 7:44 PM

2016-03-01T19:44:11-05:00

Job wise, themselves. Many vets seem to think employers react to their resumes like a child would for a Willy Wonka golden ticket. Vets need to get through their head that they aren't this big prize to hire. The private sector is a beast. Drop mic.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 7:52 PM

2016-03-01T19:52:15-05:00

And I'll say this. Transitioning in almost any aspect should start after initial entry training. How will you be relevant when you get out is a question that needs to be asked routinely.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Mar 2 at 2016 8:23 AM

2016-03-02T08:23:25-05:00

as i prepare to transition the biggest issue i have come across so far is outside influences. Mostly my wife's family but others as well attempting to scare my wife into making me stay past 20. The biggest scare tactic they use is, "He will never get a job."

Response by CW3 Ian Mains made Mar 2 at 2016 8:48 AM

2016-03-02T08:48:39-05:00

1. Failing to use your whole network to help you out.
2. Waiting too late to start to build your network.
3. Not being on LinkedIn (let's be honest nobody is hiring from RallyPoint).
4. As others have stated, not having realistic expectations.
5. Not using all the resources out there such as nonprofits and Veteran's Service Organizations to their full capacity.
6. Skipping out on mandatory transition classes by doing the JKO version. I kid you not, I saw it at Fort Gordon. I can't fathom why someone wouldn't want to go through it. While not everything was as good as it could have been, I could tell that they truly did try to make it as good as possible, and I did learn A LOT.

I feel this is enough for most people to get a good start. Feel free to sharpshoot.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2016 9:20 AM

2016-03-02T09:20:09-05:00

You have to be realistic. Most will not leave the Military and go straight into a high paying, career building job. You have to work just as hard as you did in the Military to get that good job, but you WILL have to start out in a job that isn't your DREAM job. Work hard, appreciate all that you have and never settle!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 2 at 2016 2:51 PM

2016-03-02T14:51:25-05:00

Their constitution.