1

Be prepared that if you are, attempting to work in a civilian organization that the people there very well may be intimidated by your experience level and leadership ability. People seem to quickly become fearful that we can our well try to take their position. When in truth, we often respect the managers and are simply anxious to learn what they know in order to improve ourselves. Creating friendly, respectful relationships often quells a lot of that stress.

2

Use all resources to write a resume that converts military experience into civilian business lingo. Practice interview strategies. Research the kind of "real jobs" you are interested in and take a course in that field.

3

Take advantage on getting educated,have to have some formal education to completed and assimilate in Corporate environment,after that while going to school plenty of first level jobs to get then hands on needed to be familiar,with basic systems knowledge,really I did not have the the support,our vets have now,but I have a lot of knowledge and assets love to share

4

Understanding how your service experience translates into the civilian world. Additionally understand where you are going in the next 5-10 years. IF you are not focused employers will not understand how you can help them and you wont either.

5

No one cares that you're a veteran.They care about your skills and abilities. When you're building your brand/selling yourself to potential employers, focus on what you bring to the table, not on the fact that you're a veteran. Emphasize accomplishments, not duties/responsibilities.

6

Joining the military is easier than getting out, DoD and your branch has to take care of you. Aside from a TAPS class, I didn't receive much else as far as information, just the "good luck" speech. I believe I learned more from brothers in arms who transitioned before me and I picked their brains. Important topics: financial safety net (probably around $5k to be safe), if you're able separate near the beginning of a university/college semester and be enrolled before you separate! Have a plan and don't be enticed by camp couch.

7

Career fairs are a waste of time, better to apply online.

8

Go to college and get a degree that is worth something, not an English or sociology degree.

9

1 Complete your VA claim prior to leaving the service; 2 Have a money set aside to get you through the first 4-6 months after your last paycheck from DOD; 3 Take advantage of the Post 9/11 GI bill; 4 Don't come out to the civilian sector thinking your are special because you served. Competition is for jobs out here is no joke; 4 Seek a veteran mentor who has completed his/her transition successfully.

10

Copy all service records, medical records, and remember the most important part, once you sign that DD 214. You have no more so-called friend’s in the military.

11

Employers more than 20 years ago did not care if you were a vet. Most even looked down on those that served as being free loaders that tax payers took care of. I had many where I applied still talking about "baby killers" and the losers that were in the military. Many times after my E.A.S. I wished that I would have completed my 20 and retired. Retired military members were looked at differently. Transitioning out then was, "sign here and you're done."

12

Never feel like you are owed something because you were in the service. That's the best advice in getting a job.

13

Be open to moving to a different location than your HOR.

14

Focus on your education and your financial situation. Always keep a side job or several; never rely on only one source of income. The education will ensure sufficient verifiable knowledge, skills, and abilities to be employable. The income can sustain the job search. The family will do what they do regardless of your efforts, so get your-self squared away first. Job searching can be a full-time effort void of income until the goal is reached. Until then, remember the job search is a marathon not a sprint, so pace yourself and your resources. You are the detailer now; so, get your details in order from past volunteer experiences, old personnel evaluation descriptions, supervisor names, the address and phone numbers you will use to fill out job applications, and even the salary history broken down by promotion including starting and ending dates, starting and ending salary, and significant accomplishments during each period. You need many references, as many as five personal and five professional, so update your addresses, phone numbers, length of time acquainted, and emails for each of these contacts. Salary histories also need to be available in hourly, monthly, and annual to fit different application forms.

15

That the mental part of the transition will be intense. Prepare to really discover who you are and expect that your plans may not always work out. Have a few back up plans, and make sure you find a mentor one that is a veteran and one that is not.

16

Be prepared! There are many things that need to be address prior to leaving active service. If yo wait until you get out you are already behind the curve and your transition will be much harder. Also, have your medical records reviewed and put in your claim if appropriate prior to leaving active duty.

17

While in service, enlisted should take correspondence courses which translate to college credits, take online classes, and/or complete professional certifications- Six Sigma and PMP. While in garrison and on free-time perform freelance or entreprenuerial work for nonprofits or small businesses to enhance skills and gain experience. Don't be afraid to volunteer to gain those resume bullet points. Search on sites such as PPH.com and Upwork.com. Begin exploring civilian jargon and discovering how to best articulate MOS skills to Job skills, NOTE civilian job titles and descriptions don't align or are structured like the military.

18

Connect with an outside organization to help with transition, TAPS is woefully out of touch with reality and what individuals will face on exit. Make sure to start VA claim early.

19

Planning, I planned my exit 2 years before my EAS. I started researching my job market a year out and started submitting resumes 6 months out.

20

Take advantage of tution assistance while still active. It will save you months on your GI Bill.

21

Advice. Go to college or trade school. It's a good way to transition. Be prepared to be disappointed in the way businesses are organized and run. You're employers will not be up to par with what you are used to. Professionalism is a few and far in between idea.

22

Prepare early

23

Your work itself my not provide sufficient meaning. I was on two consecutive deployments where it felt like I was doing something important. I EASed almost as soon as my unit got back to the States. My work certainly didn't feel as important as it had, but getting involved with volunteering helped. Veteran's non-profit groups are a great place to start because of the shared culture, but there are lots of other awesome opportunities out there.

24

Don't let your military service be the only thing that defines you. Let it be a part of what does. It isn't the only thing you will ever accomplish, or the greatest thing. Also, go to a good not-for-profit school.

25

1) The transition will take time, every transition, mental, physical and career, is different. 2) Be patient and be confident and assured you have something unique to offer.

26

Learn to interact with those around you whether it be students or other adults. Don't treat them like young privates, but realize the potential to be a mentor to some of the younger civilians.

27

Think about what it is exactly that you want to do when you are a civilian. If you decide to go to school, think about what you are interested in, but also what you will be able to get a job doing. And college may not be the right choice, there are a lot more vocational possibilities now than there were previously.

28

Start your job search at least 6 months out from separation. Try to have a job by EAS.

29

Ask all questions needed prior to and have good contact info regarding benefits, etc.

30

Do not give up...when I was ready to join the civilian sector I looked for jobs that fit my skills and criteria exactly. As soon as my unemployment benefits expired I had a job within a couple of days. I started looking for jobs 2 months prior and filled out at least 15-20 applications online daily. I had several interviews and felt confident but some offers were to low and some I just did not get. Until i was finally hired, it was a good start as far as transition was concerned and assisted me in getting a better paying job within 2 years.

31

Assume you will NOT get promoted or approved for reenlistment. Research what YOUR benefits will be upon separation or retirement well before you take off the uniform for the last time! Even if you're not sure what you're going to do focus on on where you might like to do it. You need to know what's available and where to find it either at your home of record or future location.

32

Jobs are not abundant no matter how many years you served or how qualified you are.

33

Ensure that you have your benefits correct prior to separation, work with local veterans on your transition, ASK FOR HELP. Do not be afraid to ask someone for guidance, you just spent the last 4+ years taking orders and beign told what to do, when to do it and how to do it. You are on your own now, but there are fellow veterans here to help, please ask for our help

34

Learn how to effectively translate (onto a resume) ALL you have done and earned in your particular military career, into words that a civilian employer understand and can comprehend.

35

Get all certifications for your job prior to separation.

36

Begin Networking as soon as you know you are leaving the service, minimum the final year before. Have your Resume completed and if able, have it professionally reviewed. Ensure you are accurately translating your skills from military to civilian. It can make all the difference in getting the job or not. Practice Skype interviews and prepare accordingly. I was hired by the first company I submitted my resume to and was hired in my opinion quickly, however I did not start until a month after the interview process began. So, plan and prepare for setbacks in your timeline and have multiple options in finding a new job if you can't plan to be unemployed that long. You can expect and anticipate being warmly welcomed by an employer. Companies love the leadership that is instilled within us during our Military Careers.

37

1) Take the advice and have a solid plan for getting out, stick to it. 2) A good job goes a long way. 3) Dont be discouraged by leadership that doesn't understand your mentality, most of us have a very different train of thought

38

Start researching a career path early and see how your military skills translate to the civilian world.

39

Military service is not preparatory in nature. Skill conversions are difficult and training opportunities are nearly nonexistent.

40

To use your leadership skills and MOS to your advantage. Seek employment that can best use your skill sets. Display a command presence, squared away appearence and highly motivated toward meeting and exceeding goals and objectives.

41

Start applying for jobs about six months out, even if you think you have a friend that will hook you up. It takes time for the whole process from applying to interview and if lucky to hiring. If you are going to college start applying early also and if you are not going to college in your home of record be aware of the cost difference between resident and non resident fees. If you are retiring from the military after 15 -20 years, be prepared for a culture shock, you might think you are ready but you are not.

42

Have a support system, get a dog. Despite having a clear plan after being honorably discharged, at times I felt lost, alone, and frustrated. Having an animal being loyal and dependent on me gave me the sense of stability that I had a hard time letting go when leaving the service.

43

A top secret clearance and a wealth of knowledge, training, and real-world experience (to put it frankly) do not mean shxx. The biggest setback I faced as an enlisted member leaving active duty was a college degree. Without that credential, if you want to do something aside from contracting or taking orders (figuratively and literally), saying you are limited in options would be an understatement. Go to college! And do it BEFORE you get out, even if that means doing 8 years.

44

Spend as much time as you can preparing your finances and researching career opportunities post military career.

45

Put your past life (Marine Corps) completely behind and embrace the new life in front of you.

46

Get your education.

47

businesses that will hire upon transition. I have been retired since May of 2016 on terminal leave but officially retired July 2017, I have been applying everywhere within law enforcement for various job opportunities and cant get hired either know my civilian background is in law enforcement, it is very depressing to say the least and feel worthless at times because of all the constant rejection. This is no way to treat service members. I have applied for entry level jobs within ballistic forensics (Part time), Police officer, telecommunications dispatch, meter readers.....nobody within law enforcement will touch me. I was discharged with an honorable discharge but now it might as well have been a bad conduct discharge, its very disheartening I was forced to leave the military in which I loved so much only to face this type of BS.