Which of these questions do you think resonates with your transition to civilian life/career?

Jordie Kern — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 14:42:26 -0400

Transitioning from a military career to civilian life can be both exciting and challenging.

One of the most crucial steps in this transition is finding a career that aligns with your skills, interests, and goals.

Which of these questions do you think resonates with your transition to civilian life/career?

1. What skills did I acquire during my military service?
2. What activities or subjects genuinely excite and engage me?
3. What values are important to me in a career?

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Oct 4 at 2023 3:42 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 15:42:36 -0400

#3. I learned discipline and the importance of giving everything I do my all.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Oct 4 at 2023 4:12 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:12:35 -0400

All of them.

When looking at the next career, we should not only be looking at what we CAN do, but what we WANT to do. Being happy with our job makes up for a multitude of other problems (like low pay or demanding work). On the flip side, no amount of money can make someone happy in a job they hate doing.
So, yes, #1 is SUPER important to land the job. But #2 is important to survive in the job. And #3 is important to THRIVE.

If you are looking for a job, #1 is all you need. But for a CAREER? All 3.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Oct 4 at 2023 4:17 PM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 16:17:06 -0400

For me it was #3 followed by #1
Had to be some sort of service/helping...I tried working with a defense contractor and was very unhappy.

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Oct 5 at 2023 11:31 PM

A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 23:31:51 -0400

I Had No Problems with Transitioning In Or Out Of The Service...
As For Myself, I Just Went From One Job To Another.
I Just Had Different Things To Learn And Do And A Different "Boss" As Such.
I MUST Say This However, Every Bit Of Valuable Education Was Give Me During My 4 Year Enlistment...Through The Univ. Of Arkansas ,University of California, Berkeley; But MOST Of All The United States Armed Forces Institute, Aka U.S.A.F.I. ..All Self Study Programs.
WITH Their Programs, I Had GREAT CAREERS... WITHOUT Them, I'd Have Been Fortunate To Have Been Hired At Micky D's, Mopping Floors...HOWEVER, Were In NOT For The Income At The Time
($173.00 Per MONTH), I'd Have Made The USAF My Chosen Career... I LOVED Every Moment Of My 4 Year Enlistment; And I ALWAYS Recommend Enlisting To Others...
I Enlisted On 06/29/1961 ~ My 17th Birthday.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Oct 6 at 2023 10:35 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Fri, 06 Oct 2023 10:35:57 -0400

The skills I learned working Law Enforcement in the Military led to a carrier in Full time Police service as a civilian. I also continued My education in Criminal Justice which also helped and added 20% to My weekly pay check from the civilian Police Department. I retired from both the USAF and also the civilian Police Department both of which I collect retired pay from. I also had worked armed Federal contracts and even management in a large Security Agency with 85 Security accounts and over 350 Security Officers and staff under my Management. I also keep busy with Veteran's Organizations such as the American Legion and AMVETS and organizing events such as Veteran's Day and Memorial Day, running meeting, planning events. I still Supervise in a contract Security account which keeps Me busy but then I'm not trying to build a career anymore, that all behind Me but not ready to push up daisy's either ! The value of teamwork that was instilled in Me by the Military has proved extremely valuable everywhere I've ever worked.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Oct 23 at 2023 2:43 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:43:45 -0400

THANKS FOR SHARING

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Oct 30 at 2023 12:37 PM

SSG Shawn Mcfadden — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 12:37:35 -0400

Questions 1 and 3. ! is important due to how your skills that you acquired in the Military CAN translate to what you CAN do inthe civilian world. 3. is important as well, because as a civilian who is prior military, you also desire to work for an organization that is reputable. I say these things because I 1, currently work for Military Sealift Command, where I'm able to use the skills I learned in the Army, plus I had to learn new skills that lean toward the Navy, and 2, Prior to joining MSC, I applied(against my better judgement) to apply for a job with KBR. I said against my better judgement because there was a documentary in 2005 that talked about how KBR was supplying water to bases in Iraq, and later sub-contracted that job to another company, and supplied water that was untreated. That didn't sit well with me.