1

Make sure you have a plan and backup options WELL BEFORE (1-1.5 years) before you actually retire

2

Remember that you are the oddball - you need to learn how to blend into the industrial and managerial marketplace.

3

Get your foot in the door on a first job. Expect it will just be to start, and that you will start looking again in a few months.

4

Learn to accept rejection. Many of the folks who interview you, may or may not view the military favorably. Learn to de-mil your vocabulary. Many who interview you have pre-conceived notions about veterans; you have to remake yourself, quit looking, speaking and acting like a veteran. Learn how to translate the skills you learned in the military into civilian terms. Instead of squad leader, you supervised____ of individuals.

5

Attitude. The attitude and can do spirit of the retiring individual is refreshing to the civilian workforce. But it can also be a ball and chain because your civilian counter parts do not have the same can do attitude. Be understanding and respectful of your civilian counter parts. Some of them have never been what you have been through and never will. So your attitude which has been establish from 20 plus years of battle tested fortitude may be a little much for the your new co-workers so tone it down till they get to know you.

6

Start preparing early and establish contact with vets who have already made the transition, especially folks in your area of specialization.

7

Get as much education as possible; College, technical training, certifications, etc...

8

The transition is a major one and is difficult to adjust to. Take full advantage of every transition training and programs that are offered. For a major lifestyle change such as retiring, you'll experience many emotions, but hang in there and take things one step at a time and day by day!

9

Focus on resumes when you are in ACAP, especially the Federal one. Do your VA Claim immediately after discharge. On your ETS Physical list EVERY ache and pain, both mental and physical.

10

Be prepared for the huge volume of information form the transition processing center. We do a very poor job of teaching troops what to expect during the process. The process is frustrating and not a good note to leave the service on. Finding a job on the outside is not as easy as one would expect. Employers are not interested in our service experience. They are interested in civilian education which many of us passed on to further our Military education.

11

The best advice would be: have a career goal, work towards your education goals. Don't get caught in the on and off orders. Now that you are civilian, focus on the civilian life. Find a mentor who can help you navigate this new arena.

12

1) Be Bold - go in if you can and ask to speak to HR or the hiring authority and drop off your resume. Don't just send it in and hope for a call. 2) Be Brave - low risk = low reward. Higher risk = higher reward. I know you are used to a steady paycheck. But commission work isn't all bad if you work at it. 3) Be Patient - Don't be afraid to accept an entry level position and then prove yourself. Your military skills will show through and propel you upwards. Besides - remember - It's a lot easier to find a job, if you have a job.

13

Start early

14

When you pick your retirement home make sure there are jobs in the area.

15

Start looking as soon as you make the decision to leave the military. Look at the job market and access your skill set to see what you can bring to a potential employer. There are organizations that are looking for vets and can assist you - if they are decent - They probably will be free because the employer will pay them a finder's fee. If you need to take a class to prepare for a job you want - now is the time.

16

1) Be prepared for drastic change in work ethics, 2) Prepare financially.

17

Take the time to prepare for separation . The military gives you the time but it is you that needs to aggressively prepare yourself