Military Transition: Making the Move Successfully
Separation after a military career is a major life change and the transition process can be bumpy and prolonged or it can run its course with few stops and delays. Take the proper steps to make this adjustment to a new career in the civilian world as smoothly and as successfully as possible.
By Annabelle Reitman, Career Management Consultant
Leaving the military service means leaving behind all that is familiar, comfortable, and secure. On the other hand, it is the beginning of a new, uncharted, and uncertain career pathway. As soon as you put away your uniform and become a civilian, you will enter a work world with different rules, expectations, culture, and language. This move will be one of the biggest transitions of your life.
"My transition experience was a good one because I did a lot of research and planning before leaving the Army."
Tom Roberts, U.S. Army Retiree
How do you make this adjustment smoothly, efficiently, and successfully? If you plan ahead of time, this transition need not be very traumatic. One of your first steps is to take a good hard look at yourself and how and where you would like to be employed. You have many options available to you. Employers value highly your military experience, provided you have targeted the type of job you are seeking, what skills and expertise you want to use, as well as knowing how to market your strengths.
Tom Roberts retired from the Army with the objective of using his training and management experience to become a HR specialist in personal and organizational performance. Tom stated, "My transition experience was a good one because I did a lot of research and planning before leaving the Army. I got my Human Performance Improvement Certificate through an on-line education program and joined the local chapters of HR professional organizations for networking. Upon retiring took a month off to ease into civilian life. Within 3 months of job hunting was hired by Achieve Global Learning International to deliver their high performance assessment training programs to organizations. It's a great job and learning experience."
How can you manage your military transition so that your adjustment time is minimal and with the least amount of discomfort and strain? By undertaking the following activities before entering the civilian world:
- Begin preparation at least 18 months prior to separation date
- Develop career goals and an action plan
- Decide what skills, expertise, and experience you want to incorporate into your next career and/or are the most transferable
- Research jobs, potential employers, professional/community organizations to join
- Seek assistance in job search techniques including writing a resume in private-sector business language rather than military jargon, cover letters, and interviewing
- Work on presentation skills; particularly fine tune terminology to blend into the business world
- Buy some new business outfits
- Talk to other ex-military people who have experienced positive transitions
- Determine your need for further training or education and if it can be done while still in the military
To summarize, be realistic in your expectations, have a positive mindset, keep things in perspective, expect some surprises, and you will come through your transition feeling victorious.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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