Leaving Service

Transitioning Out of the Military

Overview

Transitioning out of the military involves understanding retirement processes and adapting to civilian employment. This guide simplifies these steps with structured resources and advice.

Worthy Quotes:

Don’t leave benefits you’ve earned on the table due to pride or neglect.

Also remember your salary does not correlate with your worth. Especially if you’ve been in for a long time, your first job out may be more junior than your ego thinks is right, and your salary lower. But I got some excellent career advice in my early 20s when agonizing over a decision. A mentor said — this is not for the rest of your life. And yeah, of course no kidding. But you lose that perspective when the emotions are running high and you get insecure about things and you just want the security of the job offer.

Many non-defense companies may feel intimidated. Leave your jargon, ego, profanity, and rank behind.

Transition Assistance

Military Transition Assistance

Military Side: Numerous programs help with retirement or ETS (Expiration Term of Service) processes. Civilian Side: Insights from professionals outside the military are crucial, especially if entering an unrelated field.

Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

Attend the “retiree” version of TAP if possible, focusing more on retiree benefits and less on the GI Bill. “First thing is to take it seriously. Show up, pay attention, take notes. Interview prep is a skill. You are competing for a job.” — Engage fully in TAP and prepare thoroughly for what’s ahead.

Professional Guidance

Classes and Seminars

MilBridge Consulting - Contact: Noel McCall (704-904-4835, [email protected]) - Noel, a former executive recruiter, assists with resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and understanding the civilian recruitment process.

JANUS 101/Donovan Bank Foundation - Contacts: Paul ([email protected]), Drew ([email protected]) - Offers seminars for retiring ARSOF members on transitioning, life insurance choices, and more.

The Honor Foundation - Foundation

Resume Writing

Creating an effective resume is crucial for making a strong impression on potential employers. Here are strategies tailored to different types of job applications:

Applying with Recommendations

Using recommendations can significantly boost your chances of getting noticed. Here’s how to approach this, divided by defense and non-defense sectors:

Defense Related - Leverage Military Connections: Utilize your military network for referrals. People who have transitioned from military to defense contractors can provide introductions that highlight your relevant military experience effectively. - “Reach out to former colleagues who are now in defense industries. Their endorsement can speak volumes about your operational and project management skills.”

Non-Defense Related - Expand Your Network: Attend industry networking events and participate in relevant forums online. Connections outside the military can introduce you to opportunities that you might not have considered. - “Use professional networking sites to connect with industry leaders. A recommendation from someone within the company can greatly enhance your resume’s credibility.”

Cold Applications

When you don’t have a direct referral, your approach needs to be more strategic to get through the automated and human screening processes:

Defense Related - Tailor Your Resume: Customize your resume to reflect the defense industry’s terminology and the specific skills listed in the job description. - “Incorporate industry-specific keywords and emphasize security clearances, technical skills, and leadership experience that are highly valued in defense roles.”

Non-Defense Related - Highlight Transferable Skills: Focus on how your military skills can benefit civilian roles. Leadership, management, discipline, and operational planning are all attractive to non-defense employers. - “Adapt your military accomplishments to showcase how they translate into corporate success—highlight soft skills like team leadership and project management.”

Each section aims to guide you in optimizing your resume for the best results, whether you’re leveraging your network for recommendations or applying directly to job listings in defense or non-defense sectors.

Networking and Skill Development

Utilize Non-Military Experts: Gain new perspectives and strategies from civilian professionals. “Prepare answers to likely questions, rehearse. Many non-defense companies may feel intimidated. Leave your jargon, ego, profanity, and rank behind.” — Adapt communication to make your military experience accessible in the civilian job market. “You don’t have to be an expert to get the job, just show that you have domain knowledge. They’re hiring you because you can read the book, not necessarily write the book. Mention projects you’ve started, even if not completed; own your experience.”

Entrepreneurship and Creative Ventures

Starting Your Own Business - Engage in projects like retrofitting a camper van or starting an online store to develop new skills and potentially generate income.

Area Specific Tips

Regional Resources: Seek out local veteran groups and employment resources specific to your area to get tailored advice and support.

MedBoarding

Understanding Medboarding: Navigating the medical boarding process can be complex. It’s important to get assessed for potential disabilities and understand the benefits you’ve earned. “Most counties have a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) who can help navigate the VA and state benefits. If you can’t find them on your county or state veterans affairs page, try your local American Legion or VFW post.” — Utilize VSOs to ensure you don’t miss out on benefits due to pride or neglect.

State Considerations for Disabled Veteran

States across the U.S. offer a variety of benefits for disabled veterans, which can include property tax exemptions, income tax waivers, educational benefits, and specialized support services:

Virginia honors its 100% disabled veterans with several benefits, including up to $15,000 of military basic pay exempt from state income tax

Additional Resources

Business Resources

Business Chat Archive

Education and Internships

Explore opportunities for further education and internships to bridge the gap between military and civilian careers.

Practical Tips

Practice Interviews: Apply for jobs at companies you’re less interested in to refine your interviewing and negotiation skills. This preparation makes you more competitive for the roles and companies you truly desire. Negotiating Civilian Jobs: Learn to anchor your salary expectations high. Calculate your expenses, savings, and taxes, then add 30%. Try to avoid giving the first number in salary discussions; let them make the first offer if possible. Use all available benefits, such as maxing out 401k contributions, especially if there is an employer match, and take advantage of FSAs.

Financial Planning

• Maximize Savings: Live frugally in the early stages of your new career to maximize savings and investments. Utilize employer-sponsored retirement plans and personal retirement accounts to secure your financial future.