Career Guidance for Recent Veterans

Here is some advice I wish I had implemented about a year before I retired from the United States Marine Corps. I know you think you have plenty of time before you transition. You have told yourself; I will deal with that when the time comes. I know, we have all been there and felt that exact same way before. Unfortunately, it's not until you find yourself on the other side that you wish you could have done a few things differently. These things are easy, and some you may already be doing. I personally believe it will only make you more effective in your current role. 1. Join a professional civilian organization in your military occupation specialty (MOS) or the specific industry sector you want to enter after the military. You will learn the language, create connections, and build rapport with people outside DOD. 2. Support a Nonprofit. I'm not saying to drop off a check. That would be nice, but show up and support the mission personally. Please make a point to attend the events and help them carry the message. Again, you will connect with like-minded people who support causes you believe in and build relationships with people outside DOD. (If you really want to donate, USMC MEMORIAL FOUNDATION is a good one to donate too. 😀) 3. Make intentional connections within the community you want to work. If you are a year from transition, try to set an obtainable goal of once a week to have coffee or go to dinner with someone new. You can always start with Veterans in the roles you want to be in. They will always say yes and they will have great advice about things you should be doing or certificates you need (and, more importantly, the ones you don't need). Listen, we (Veterans) are decades behind on building a civilian network that we can tap into for help. These three actions will help you grow your network so it is in place when you transition out of the military. These connections will help you build credibility and trust. It takes time to build the rapport you need to get a job. You can not hold up your retirement certificate and think you will get the job. Genuine connections are how people get jobs, from the referrals of people they know. It is not by uploading your resume into a portal and hoping you hear back. It's from relationships and authentic interactions. These are only a few of the ways you can expand your network into the civilian world before Retirement +1 day. I hope this helps. What are other ways transitioning service members can expand their professional network? What practices did you use to grow your network when you left the military? #marinecorps #navy #army #airforce #coastguard Concierge on Call (COC)  

I've been retired from the military for just about a year now, here are my observations (you may or may not already know): - Skillbridge is not guaranteed job placement. If you're able to make it work, awesome! If not, it's a tremendous learning experience. Use it as an opportunity to acclimatize yourself to the civilian world. - Your resume is probably the most important thing about you. Starting on it a month or two before separating or retiring won't do you any favors. Start early and share it! Get as many eyes on it as possible. Don't forget to complete a federal resume, too. You may not be looking for that type of work, but it's not a bad idea to have it in your back pocket. Brock Young is your go-to for any questions regarding federal resumes. - You don't have to keep doing what you were doing while you served. If you want to pursue something new, do it! You don't have to ask permission anymore! - Using LinkedIn, even if you don't understand it at first, is paramount. Network with fellow servicemembers and compare notes. - Your service equivalent transition program (TAPS, TGPS, ABCD, whatever the acronym at your installation is) does not even come close to answering all your questions. Write them down and ask any recently separated veteran what they did. Chances are, they had a completely different experience, but ask those questions! - Attend as many virtual networking events as possible. You'll run into people transitioning at the same time as you and those who have been out for a while. Don't be afraid to make new friends. Network, network, network! Events like 50strong, American Corporate Partners (ACP), and VETS2INDUSTRY are just a few. There's also Veterati, where you can schedule a call with someone who has separated or is in a particular field you're interested in. These are FREE resources. USE THEM! - Your VA claim will likely take a little while to process. Make sure you have a rep you can talk to about the process if you have any questions. Don't rely on hearsay. - The job market will likely be a little hectic at first. Start at the shallow end and gradually work your way into the deeper water. - Certifications trump education in most cases but understand that a lot of jobs are looking for an educational level of at least a bachelor's degree. If you have time to complete your degree, do it. If you have time to complete some certifications or your degree on the military's dime, do it. - Not everyone needs to be a project manager. If that's your thing and you want to do it, cool. PMP and Agile certifications are where it's at. Again, if you can get them completed on the military's dime, do it! Connect with Matt Quick 🏆PM Champion🏆if you have questions. Don't stress over anything. If anything, feel free and connect with me and if I can't help you, I can for sure connect you with someone that can grab the baton and keep you moving forward. #transitioningmilitary #veteranshelpingveterans #veteransupport

Celebrating nearly four years post-retirement from the US ARMY 🎉, I felt compelled to share my journey to help fellow veterans in transition. Even though I prepared myself, I felt an immediate void in my life as I conducted my Change of Command. See photo below. In the past 4 years, I have co-founded 2 companies and served as a W2 in 4 startup companies. It has been ANYTHING but EASY, but the JOURNEY of GROWTH has been AMAZING. I hope the tips below can help anyone who is currently in transition. * Strategize your path two years in advance. Immerse yourself in learning skills aligned with your aspirations in an attempt to find purpose and fulfillment in your post-military career. Embrace this phase as an opportunity for self-discovery. 🛤️🚀. Invest in yourself ! * Harness your network. Initially distancing myself from my military roots was a misstep. Leverage your military community and connect with those who have successfully transitioned; the support and opportunities are invaluable. 🤝🌐. And it felt so good to reconnect with like minded individuals that love to help others. * Prioritize execution. Drawing from my experience at the US ARMY Officer Candidate School, the motto "No Excuse, Execute" served me well. Swift pivots and a commitment to action will propel you toward your goals, especially amid unforeseen challenges like a pandemic. Who knows when the next “issue/opportunity” will arise. Embrace execution above all things. ⚙️🚀 * Dedicate time to self-development. Whether mandatory or not in your new career, consistently hone your skills. Adapt the disciplined approach to training from your military service, ensuring relevance in the role you currently hold or want to hold. Seek consultants and masterminds to accelerate your learning curve. I have hired nearly 500 contractors in various roles to help me breakthrough obstacles. There are so many remote sources to find talent that you can pay hourly to train you. Invest in yourself! It will be better than ANY college course you can take. 📚💪💻 * Seek financial guidance. Learn from my mistakes here—I navigated selling homes I owned, launched a business, and worked in a W2 job, all within my first year of retirement and completely overlooked tax implications which led to me paying a hefty 45% in taxes 🙈😖. Engage with a financial planner at least six months from transition to safeguard your current and projected future earnings. 💰📊🚫 !! Most of all remember, that NOTHING comes EASY! Choose which HARD you will EMBRACE and CRUSH it. Whatever is hard today will not be hard forever as long as you remain committed to overcoming YOUR HARD. Embrace the journey and enjoy every step of the way both GOOD and BAD. *If you are a transitioning veteran and looking for an opportunity to serve as an intern or have sales experience in Tech Sales let’s connect. I would love to discuss opportunities to collaborate, and provide other insights that I think can help you transition. #Soldier4Life

🌟 Navigating the Transition: Essential Tips for Military Personnel Entering Civilian Life(6 months Post-Military Retirement) 👋 Hello, LinkedIn Community & Fellow Service Members nearing transition! As someone who meticulously planned my shift from military to civilian life, I want to share comprehensive tips to ease your journey. This pivotal change, while challenging, can be immensely rewarding with the right strategy. Here's a detailed guide based on my experience: 1. VA Disability Preparation - Leverage the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program. Begin 90-180 days before discharge. Gather and organize medical documents, especially for any overlooked conditions. Submissions should be chronological and in PDF format.📂 2. Career Path Exploration - Start exploring potential careers 1-2 years before retirement. Tap into Transition Assistance Programs (TAP) early for valuable insights. Michael Quinn's team at HireMilitary can help! Translate military roles into civilian lingo. If you need guidance, I’m here to assist. 🧭 3. Financial Strategy - Develop a robust financial plan for the transition period. Aim for a debt-free retirement if possible. Remember, there may be a delay in receiving retirement and disability checks. Plan accordingly to avoid financial strain. 💵 4. Resume Crafting - Convert military experience into civilian terms. Resumes in the civilian sector require clarity and relevance. It took me 12 versions to perfect mine. Don't hesitate to ask for feedback; I'm available to offer my perspective. 📜 5. Home Buying Insights - If purchasing a home, factor in hidden costs and the mental impact of moving. A solid financial and mental plan is key. Consider the benefits and requirements of VA Home loans and other options like FHA loans. 🏠 6. Healthcare Planning for Family - Prepare for changes in medical coverage, especially if not fully covered by P&T. Understand the implications for family healthcare, including Tricare premiums and copays. 🩺 7. Additional Income Avenues - Explore opportunities for additional income. Whether it's part-time work, freelancing, or starting a small business, there are many paths to explore. I ventured into firearms/e-commerce but also recommend driving services like Lyft/Uber as flexible options. Follow your passion like Noel DeJesus and write a book(or several)!! 💼 8. Life Insurance - Obtain your life insurance before you get out of the military and before you get your rating. I was able to lock in a 30yr/$1million policy through Merle Jones and his team! Transitioning from military to civilian life is a journey of transformation and growth. Start early, plan and for the love of god, please don’t wait til the last minute. I have friends that have retired, have no job and have been waiting for 9 months for their VA Rating. 😱 What are your thoughts? Any Questions? Anything you would like to add? (Photo is AI Generated by DALL-E 3) #militarytransition #PostsByLB #planahead #careeradvice

I am convinced I know why more than half of veterans leave their first post-military job the first year. Follow my thought process here. When you join the military, you are handed a new identity. I'm not saying "you" fully disappear. But you are now part of the "we." It's always about we and us. It's about the team. You'll move from job to job over your career, but let's be honest. That wish list you fill out on what job you want next is usually just that. Most of the time, your career manager is going to put you where they need you. The military tells you where you'll be going. When you get there, you'll fall into the same overall structure. You're "given" your new peer group whether you like it or not. Nobody sits around asking you what will make you happy. Like, what? Happy? I guess not working the weekend would be great. When you get out, it might have been years since anyone asked what you want to do. The question alone can be uncomfortable. When transition time comes, it comes. If you haven't asked yourself certain questions, you're going to take what looks good. What pays well. Or what comes your way first. So it's no surprise that 10 months later you're sitting in your workplace thinking "this stinks. I want out." Do you know: - Who YOU are? Like, YOU, the me and not the we? - Do you know what makes you happy? - Do you know what kind of decisions you need to make professionally and personally to bring you fulfillment? It's why when I left the military four years ago I participated in the Leader Transition Institute's course called "Changing Focus: Moving from We to Me." This military transition course is like no other. It'll help you figure out those answers. And armed with them, you'll make much better decisions on everything from where to live to what job you think will bring you fulfillment. In four days, they gave me the tools and expert guidance to figure out the things I needed to figure out. Those answers, along with the long-term support of an incredible community, and the professional network which comes with being part of the program's alumni made all the difference. It starts with a couple of hours on a Thursday evening, a full day Friday and Saturday, and a half day on Sunday. Let's be real. If you don't have two days and two half days to invest in yourself now, then don't be surprised when things don't go well later. Changing Focus is free and open to service members within 24 months of transition, military spouses at any point in their service member's career, and veterans of any era with any type of discharge. Registration for the May cohort ends this Friday the 19th. The class runs the 2nd through the 5th. Please, give yourself this gift. I promise you it'll be worth it. Register now before you give yourself excuses on why you can't go. Registration link in the comments. #zigszagsandpivots #leadertransitioninstitute #militarytransition #jvknows