Post Military Education – 5 Questions You Should Ask Before Going Back to School

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Post Military Education – Going back to school is one of life’s big choices. And like all major decisions, it might feel a little overwhelming — particularly if you’re just starting to navigate the civilian world again after military service.

Make it a little easier by breaking your decision down into smaller steps. If you’re on the fence about whether to continue your education, here are five questions you can ask yourself before taking the leap back into school.

 Happy military student in camouflage uniform and graduate cap standing on copy space background

What is my goal? (Or what do I want to be when I grow up?) 

This one tops our list for a reason. Once you have an answer to this critical question, you can start working backwards. Before you commit money and time to returning to school, think about what you hope to achieve by continuing your post military education and where you see your civilian career taking you. You don’t want to take courses without an endgame in mind because then you might end up with classes you don’t need.

If you’re not sure of your goal, consider the skills you mastered in the military and how they might translate to a civilian career. Evaluate your strengths using a test, like with the CareerScope Assessment at the Department of Veterans to identify potential job courses. See a career counselor or find someone in your field of interest to meet with or even shadow for a day. But you don’t have to do any of this alone. The VA also offers free career and educational counseling to those who are about to leave the military or who have recently transitioned.

 Veteran African Man Person Education. Army Soldier - Post Military Education

What should I study?

Once you’ve decided on a career path, it’s time to choose a program of study for your post military education. If you want to work at VA, you can pick from just about any program. As the largest integrated health care system in the nation, we employ hundreds of thousands of clinical and non-clinical staff across the country. We have job opportunities across the spectrum of careers, not just in health care.

 

Where should I go to school?

There are thousands of colleges in the U.S., ranging from two-year technical schools to four-year liberal arts schools. Narrow down your list by finding a school that offers the program you’re interested in and is located nearby if you plan to attend in person. You might also want to consider a school with an active veteran community and resources for former military for post military education.

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Can I afford it?

We want to make sure the answer to this question is a definitive yes. As a veteran, you may be eligible to receive funding for some or all of your college, graduate school or post military education training program through the GI Bill — not to mention the generous scholarships, loan repayment and reimbursement and partner programs with colleges and universities that are available to VA employees. The VA National Education for Employees Program (VANEEP) scholarship even pays your salary and tuition while you pursue clinical licensure.

 

Do I have time? 

Juggling a career, family life and school can be a delicate balancing act. Be sure you’re at the right place in your life to devote the time you need to your studies. It might be helpful to make a list of the time challenges you foresee and the resources you can put in place to help you manage them. Building this support system now can save you headaches down the road. At VA, you’ll find a culture of continuous learning with flexible work schedules, possible telework options and generous leave to help you manage going back to school.

 

Source: VAntagePoint Blog

 

Transitioning out of the military? Here’s your checklist and timeline

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By Blake Stillwell, Army Times

Deciding to leave the military might be as big a step as deciding to join. Most of us come in when we’re young, naive, and unprepared. When we get out we’re just as unprepared. Most of us. It doesn’t have to be that way, though.

You had what it took to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. You certainly have what it takes to support you and your dependents. You just have to be smart about it – and ask the right questions. Will you be getting a civilian job, and if so, will it be the same thing that you did in the military? Is remote work for you? Or will you go to school? Where will you do these things? How will you prepare to pay for them while you wait for benefits? Do you know how to get into the VA system?

No matter what your answers are, there are things you need to do in the two years leading up to your departure from the military that will ensure a smooth and successful experience.

Two Years to 18 Months from Expiration – Term of Service (ETS):

  • Find a mentor who has faced the same problems you will likely face.
  • Choose your civilian career and make sure you’ll leave the military with an education or a certified skill that will help you in that career.
  • Learn about your G.I. Bill and decide what you plan to do with it.
  • Start to save money and be prepared for the possibility of a tight job market when you get out.
  • Start to build a network by meeting people in your desired career field or college.

One Year Out:

  • Review your pre-separation budget and make sure you’re on track.
  • If you’re going to school after leaving, choose where, what to study, and start applying.
  • Learn about both VA home loans and the process of buying a house. If you’re moving to a new area, you might be able to get house hunting orders.
  • Begin the process of getting out of the military, which includes informing your unit and command while starting relevant paperwork and taking transition assistance classes. You may even be assigned a counselor.

Six Months to Go:

  • Make sure your budget projections still make sense.
  • Write a resume, preferably with the assistance of a career counselor, and use it in your job search. Be sure to show this to your transition mentor and your civilian career mentor, too.
  • Request your last household good shipment. The military will pack up and send your belongings to your new location or home of record one last time.
  • Consider your post-military health care options. Unless your conditions are service-connected, your coverage will end. If you have a new employer who offers health care, enroll in that. You can also find health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act website. Tricare offers temporary health care coverage for newly-separated members under the Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) and Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP).
  • Update your wardrobe, leaning on your career mentor and the professional network you’ve been developing.
  • Decide where you’ll roll your military blended retirement savings. For plans worth less than $100,000, consider a fiduciary app like Wealthfront.
  • Update your important documents while it’s still free.
  • Start your household goods shipments and other PCS/ETS procedures.

Three Months Left:

  • Begin working on your VA compensation claim paperwork. Declare everything on your outgoing medical exam. Your duty station and Veterans Service Organizations (like the DAV) will assist with this process. Some states have offices to help veterans get this done.
  • Review your budget one last time to ensure it’s still good to go.
  • No matter your age, review your life insurance options, especially Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) vs. Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI).
  • Get copies of your medical and dental records to keep.
  • Visit your doctor for free one last time.

One Month Out:

  • Choose your health insurance.
  • Know your home state’s veterans benefits.
  • Stay on top of your VA disability claim.
  • Keep looking for work, using job fairs, LinkedIn, and other websites.
  • Meet with your school’s veterans benefits office.

This can all be overwhelming if you wait until the last minute to do everything. Remember that staying proactive and ensuring you arrive at each point when you’re supposed to will keep you from losing your mind as your ETS date approaches.

Then you’ll really be able to celebrate a job well done.

Read the full transition guide on Army Times here.

The Best Degree Programs for Transitioning Veterans

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By Natalie Rodgers

Going back to school, but don’t know what to study? It can be hard to pick a major that’s not only interesting, but will help you secure employment upon graduating. Luckily, your experience in the military along with your own personal tastes have given you a great foundation for what your future could hold. Here are some of the most popular majors pursued by military veterans:

Criminal Justice

Many veterans go on to pursue a career in law enforcement once leaving the service. Law enforcement jobs are usually federal, provide great opportunities for veterans and have many similarities to the skillsets you are given in the military. While having a degree in criminal justice isn’t required for all law enforcement-related positions, having a degree in criminal justice allows you to obtain higher level and specialized positions. Criminal justice majors all take courses in the court system, law enforcement, corrections, criminology and other classes that pertain to their particular interest in the field. Common specialties picked by these include corrections, forensics, paralegal studies, homeland security, law enforcement, public safety administration and more.

Education

Going from the military to a schoolyard might seem like a strange avenue, but many veterans are actually the perfect candidates for schoolteachers and administrators. Besides expertise in their area of study, teachers need to be effective leaders, problem-solvers, adaptable, organized and patient; the same qualities that military personnel are trained in during their service. If you have a passion for leadership and helping others, pursuing a degree in education could be the perfect job for you. Common majors and areas of study within education include child development, elementary education, special education and subject specific degrees (English, mathematics, biology, etc.) Those wanting to become teachers will also need their teaching credential, which usually can be obtained in 1-2 years. Those wanting to pursue a degree in education can also apply their military skillset to roles such as principals, administrators, school librarians and professors.

Information Technology

Especially if you worked closely with computers, networks and programming during your time in the service, pursuing a degree in information technology is an excellent move in your career strategy. With a rising need for technology experts in every field, IT employees have an abundance of job opportunities and a higher pay rate than many other careers. In pursuing a degree in information technology, you will learn the ins and outs of everything computers and networking, allowing you to pursue specialties in computer programming, information systems security, cybersecurity, software engineering and even web design. Since these degrees are so computer-focused, many of them are also offered partially or fully online, so you don’t have to make as many frequent trips to a classroom. Pursuing this degree while already having IT experience can also be helpful in securing higher level positions and salaries in the field.

Engineering

Many veterans are used to working in a hands-on environment and thrive in situations that call for problem-solving and creative solutions. If this sounds like you, you may want to consider pursuing a degree in engineering. Much like the IT field, engineering jobs offer high salaries and low unemployment rates. While pursuing their degree, engineering students take classes in science, mathematics, technology and other specialized classes pertaining to their specific interest in the field. There are several different career routes that can come from an engineering degree and many of them have their own degree programs. Specialties in the field include architecture, bioengineering, electrical engineering, cartography, construction, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, nuclear engineering and surveying.

Healthcare

No matter where you served, chances are you received some level of medical training upon joining the military. If your service pertained to medical needs, or you want to continue your education in the field, healthcare is another popular career option for student veterans. Those studying healthcare will take extensive courses in biology, medicine and anatomy with other specialty classes depending on your major. Healthcare majors may need to receive the highest degree level possible, or may require extra schooling, depending on what avenue they pursue. Some healthcare majors include nursing, medicine, human development, health science, dietetics, pharmacy and social work.

Sources: Best Colleges Online, BLS, Coursera, US News

The Top Veteran Jobs of 2023

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Whether 2023 is the year you transition to the civilian sector or you’re simply looking for a career switch, your military skillset has prepared you for a tremendous number of jobs. Here are the hottest jobs for 2023:

Electrician

For those who enjoy working with your hands or have experience in construction and engineering from the military, working in electricity may be the perfect fit for you. Electricians install, maintain and repair electrical power, communications, lighting and control systems in homes, businesses and factories.

  • Training and Education: To become an electrician, you must have your high school diploma or equivalent. Most electricians learn their trade in a 4- or 5-year apprenticeship program, receiving 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and technical instruction. However, workers who gained electrical experience in the military or in the construction industry may qualify for a shortened apprenticeship based on their experience and testing.
  • Work Environment: Electricians work indoors and outdoors at homes, businesses, factories and construction sites. Because electricians must travel to different worksites, local or long-distance commuting is often required. They may need to work in cramped, noisy spaces from time to time or at great heights for construction and renewable energy-type projects.
  • Average Salary: $60,040
  • Job Growth Rate: 7% (average)

Financial Analyst

Financial analysts guide businesses and individuals in decisions about spending money to attain a profit. They assess the performance of stocks, bonds and other types of investments. Veterans’ abilities to quickly adapt to new circumstances, take on the helm of leadership and stay organized are especially helpful in this role.

  • Training and Education: Most entry-level positions for financial analysts require a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a business field. You should also have your securities industry license, which is generally sponsored by the employer and is not required before starting a job. Obtaining a Chartered Financial Analyst certification can also improve the chances of workplace advancement.
  • Work Environment: Financial analysts work primarily in offices but may travel to visit companies or clients. They work full-time hours of at least 40 hours per week.
  • Average Salary: $95,570
  • Job Growth Rate: 9% (faster than average)

Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems. If you have experience working with encrypted messages or cybersecurity during your time in the military, this career is the perfect fit for your experiences.

  • Training and Education: Information security analysts typically need a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a related field, such as engineering or math. However, some workers enter the occupation with a high school diploma and relevant industry training and certifications. Employers may prefer to hire analysts who have professional certification in information security.
  • Work Environment: Many information security analysts work in an office-like setting with other members of an information technology department, such as network administrators or computer systems analysts. Most information security analysts work full-time but may have to be on call outside of regular business hours in case of an emergency.
  • Average Salary: $102,600
  • Job Growth Rate: 35% (faster than average)

Registered Nurse

Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families. They often administer medications and treatments, help families administer care, operate and monitor equipment and consult with healthcare professionals. This job is perfect for veterans as the job often calls for individuals that are calm under pressure and can quickly adapt to new situations.

  • Training and Education: Registered nurses usually take one of three education paths: a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Registered nurses must be licensed.
  • Work Environment: Registered nurses may work in hospitals, schools and offices. They often do a lot of bending, stretching and standing and are in close contact with people with different infectious diseases. Their work schedules depend on their specific setting but can range from typical full-time shifts to around-the-clock coverage.
  • Average Salary: $77,600
  • Job Growth Rate: 6% (average)

Human Resources Manager

Human resources managers plan, coordinate and direct the administrative functions of an organization. They oversee the recruiting, interviewing and hiring of new staff, consult with top executives on strategic planning, and connect an organization’s management and its employees. Veterans with experience in managing staff allocation and leadership experience are especially fit for this job.

  • Training and Education: Human resources managers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. The degree may be in human resources or another field, such as business, communications or psychology. They typically have a combination of education and related work experience to enter management positions. Courses in subjects such as conflict management may be helpful.
  • Work Environment: Human resources managers work at least 40 hours a week in offices. Some managers, especially those working for organizations that have offices nationwide, travel to visit other branches, attend professional meetings or recruit employees.
  • Average Salary: $126,230
  • Job Growth Rate: 7% (average)

Sources: Indeed, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Veteran Small Business Certification – What you need to know

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Veteran-owned small businesses can use this application to be certified by SBA to compete for federal contracts.

Certified veteran-owned small businesses (VOSBs) will have the opportunity to pursue sole-source and set-aside contracts at the Department of Veterans Affairs under the VA’s Vets First program.

Certification Eligibility

Have at least 51% veteran ownership
Registered as a small business with SAM.gov
Be a small business according to SBA’s size standards
View Size Standards
Register and Apply Today!

Certification Benefits

  • All federal government purchases between $10,000 and $250,000 are automatically set aside for small businesses, as long as there are at least two companies that can provide the product or service at a fair and reasonable price.
  • Access to SBA tools to prepare for federal procurement, connect with commercial supply chains, meet your local business community, purchase surplus federal property, access capital, and mitigate disaster damage.

Benefits for veteran-owned small business

Getting certified by SBA as veteran-owned (VOSB) makes your business eligible to compete for sole-source and set-aside contracts at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA sets aside at least 7% of its contracts each year specifically for certified VOSBs and SDVOSBs. You can also compete for contracts under other qualifying socio-economic programs. Learn more

Benefits for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses

Getting certified by SBA as service-disabled veteran-owned (SDVOSB) makes your business eligible to compete for sole-source and set-aside contracts. At least 3% of all federal contracting dollars each year are set aside specifically for certified SDVOSBs. You can also compete for contracts under other qualifying socio-economic programs. Learn more.

Other SBA resources for veterans
Learn more about resources and opportunities available for veteran small businesses
View Resources and Opportunities

Source: sba.gov

Related Articles:
usveteransmagazine.com/2023/03/introducing-veteran-small-business-certification-program/
usveteransmagazine.com/2023/03/grow-robust-business-portfolio-based-military-principles/

Separation Health Assessment Part A now required on claims from transitioning service members

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If you are a transitioning service member applying for VA disability compensation under the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) or the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) program, there are some changes coming that you should know about. 

Starting April 1, you will be required to complete and submit the Part A Self-Assessment of a new Separation Health Assessment (SHA) with your BDD or IDES application.

The SHA is a single separation examination which supports both the VA disability compensation process and the Department of Defense (DoD) separation/retirement process.

The SHA examination documents any medical concerns identified during your military career, assists with identifying future illnesses, and reduces redundant examinations between both agencies.

The SHA is divided into three Parts:

  • Part A – medical history questionnaire. You must complete Part A prior to attending your clinical assessment;
  • Part B – clinical assessment. This is where the examiner will review your Part A and your Service Treatment Records (STRs), provide an examination, and then deliver a clinical assessment;
  • Part C – this is reserved for DoD reviewer purposes only. DoD is expected to fully begin using the SHA later this year.

The SHA Part A questionnaire will provide VA examiners a history of the service member’s medical conditions and will assist with conducting a more thorough and better-quality examination. A link to the Part A questionnaire will be placed on the VA Form 21-526-EZ Application for Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefit, under the eligibility criteria for the BDD program, and on the VA BDD and IDES Fact Sheets. A direct link to Part A is also available here.

BDD claimants who submit applications online can upload the completed Part A with their STRs under the evidence section. After VA receives and reviews the application, STRs, and completed Part A Self-Assessment, an SHA examination will be requested. The SHA clinical assessment will be conducted by one of VA’s contracted examiners or a local VA health care examiner. All evidence submitted by the service member will be made available electronically to the examiner.

The new SHA is a multi-year collaborative effort between both agencies to improve the separation examination process for service members exiting the military.

For further information on the BDD and IDES programs, please visit our website at Pre-Discharge Claim | Veterans Affairs.

Source: VA

Which College Majors Are Student Veterans Pursuing and Why?

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Originally posted by Suzane L. Bricker, M.A., HigherEd Military

Warrant Officer Randall Johnson had enjoyed his military career; but now, he had other concerns on his mind. At 39 years old, with two kids, a wife, and a dog, he knew that unless he returned to the civilian world and tried to make more money, he was not going to provide for his family the kind of lifestyle he had always dreamed of giving them.

Johnson had entered the military at 18. He wanted to achieve something no one else in his family had been able to obtain: a college degree.

Thinking back on that time in his life, Randall remembered that he never really considered himself to be much of a student. But now, as he considered his options; the military officer thought that maybe he had just needed time to mature, and he would do better in his classes this time around.

His attitude changed and Randall got a bit excited as he realized how much he wanted that college degree as insurance, so that he could get a good-paying job once he re-entered the civilian workplace. And now, as he was turning 40, he realized he needed to take that next step, before his age began to stand in the way of finding a meaningful career.

Warrant Officer Johnson’s conflicting opinions about his future are not that unusual, according to Abby Kinch, interim chief of staff for the Student Veterans of America (SVA). The primary reason for enlisting in the military is to get education benefits and go to college, she said. This trend has gotten even greater since enlistment numbers surged after 9-11.

And, among the roughly 75% of veterans who do pursue a four-year degree, the majority are full-time students, who simultaneously choose to work a full- or part-time job. Their spouses may work too.

Kinch is an Airforce veteran, who worked as an airborne cryptologic linguist in the military. Like many other service members and veterans, her motivation to enlist was the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York and on the Pentagon.

“I was a sophomore in college on Sept. 11,” said Kinch. “At that time, I was slow to realize what was going on.” But, at 19 years old, Abby enlisted; just 24 hours after the Twin Towers fell.

After she left the service, Dr. Kinch went back to school, where she continued to pursue her education until earning a Ph.D. in public administration and policy at Florida State University. She also joined SVA as a chapter member in 2011. The nonprofit agency reaches about 750,000 student veterans a year, she said.

“Our main goal is empowering student veterans to, through, and beyond higher education. We advocate for student veterans on the campus level.”

Dr. Kinch pointed out that student veterans are looking for meaningful, highly compensating careers. That is why, she said, the vast majority of veterans go to four-year public universities and major in business, STEM, or health-care related fields.

Top Five Majors of 2023

According to Dr. Michael T. Nietzel, president emeritus of Missouri State University, and a senior contributor to Forbes online, “In the past decade, there has been a substantial shift toward practically oriented majors with greater job prospects.” He added that the move away from liberal arts majors has created more interest in the computer sciences.

Dr. Nietzel’s Feb 16, 2022, Forbes article identified the most popular majors among the class of 2023. This list is based upon Niche, a data-gathering resource for prospective college students:

  • Business (6.57%)
  • Medicine/Pre-Medicine (5.99%)
  • Psychology (5.36%)
  • Biology (5.04%)
  • Nursing (3.89%)

Majors Preferred by Student Veterans and Military Students

So, how does this list stack up against the majors preferred by military students? Dr. Kinch commented that many of these same options are likely to be chosen by military learners too, with one exception: psychology.

“Social sciences are not among the top majors these veteran students usually pursue, because they tend to be more purposeful in their money decisions. They are looking for a career before, or directly after separation, and want to find the college majors that will get them those options.”

Dr. Kinch also stated that the vast majority of student veterans are not distance learners, because they’re looking to be full-time students. Distance learners; on the other hand, are usually active-duty service members who are using tuition assistance to pay for their classes.

According to Dr. Nietzel, who obtained his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Illinois in 1973, student veterans have a good sense of the job market. As a result, enrollment in majors in IT and the healthcare professions are definitely benefiting from this trend, as are standard business majors, like finance and accounting.

But, he said, he has also seen evidence of another emerging trend on the horizon.

“You see a movement toward communications,” Michael said. In the last couple of years, the enrollment is rising, as companies attach more importance to a strong communications department. Whether or not communications will emerge among the top five popular college majors has yet to be seen, he added.

Drs. Kinch and Nietzel both pointed out that the influx of military students on college campuses in recent years has had very positive impacts upon the student population overall.

“I’d like to emphasize the benefits that veterans bring to colleges campuses,” Kinch said. “They are funded students who graduate with high GPAs and get outstanding careers.”

Dr. Nietzel agreed, “I think that faculty generally like to have diversity in their classes; the experiences that former military would bring to the classroom should be seen as an asset.”

Read the original article here.

How Colleges Can Better Support Veterans

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Choosing a college can be challenging for anyone, but as a veteran, you want to ensure that you select an educational institution that understands your experiences. To help you know what to look for, we sat down with Senior Director of Student Success Initiatives at ASU, Nicolette Miller, who has firsthand experience working with veterans returning to school. Here are her thoughts:

What support should veterans be looking for when choosing a college?

Students should select a college that has dedicated support for their unique needs. There are a lot of nuances with applying for military benefits. Attending a university with specialized and dedicated military and veteran programs can help eliminate funding barriers as well as recognize life experience and the challenges that veteran students might encounter as they acclimate to a new life and routine and balance their studies.

It’s helpful to select a university with an established community of students who provide peer encouragement. At ASU Online, we have a dedicated success coaching team that is specially trained to understand the unique needs of veterans, active-duty military and family members or dependents. The Pat Tillman Veterans Center at ASU, which assists both campus and online students, understands the challenges that our veteran, military and dependent student population faces and helps simplify the academic process and build a successful college experience.

What programs are best for veterans reentering the workforce?

We often see our veteran students enter STEM fields based on their military experience. We also offer degree programs such as a Master of Arts in Global Security which appeals to those with military backgrounds. It trains students to critically engage global conflict and international security in a comprehensive manner designed to aid professional advancement in the military, government and private sector careers.

Programs like ASU Online also offer resources for students that may be unsure of what degree they would like to pursue or what careers might be a good fit for them. We offer enrollment coaching guidance as well as tools to help narrow down the programs that best align with their educational and professional goals.

How do I find a school that will offer course credit for my military training and experience?

NICOLETTE MILLER headshot
Nicolette Miller

Students should look for schools that accept Joint Services Transcripts (JST) and/or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Transcripts. The CCAF is a regionally accredited community college. If students received credit for courses taken through the CCAF while serving in the Air Force, they will submit this transcript as part of their undergraduate application. The JST will be reviewed for possible transfer credit as well.

What’s your advice for achieving a balance between academics and work when pursuing an online degree?

Identify and leverage a network of family and friends or through ASU Online with a Success Coach. Our coaches will help you formulate a plan to manage your time and set incremental goals as you navigate your degree program. They will also help you navigate the variety of resources that are available to you as a student. Expect the unexpected. Obstacles will come up along the way, but your Success Coach is available to help you overcome any academic or personal challenges you may encounter and provide you with the tools to allow you to continue your progress toward graduation.

What should I be considering as I research online degree programs?

First and foremost, you should ensure your university is regionally accredited and has a solid technology platform, flexibility and great support from staff and faculty. It’s important your university puts students first and surrounds them with a community that is committed to their success.

It’s Time to Serve Our Veterans

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By Kimberly Gladden-Eversley

It takes unprecedented bravery to serve in the U.S. military. It also takes courage to walk away from the commitment to sacrifice, service and the only life you may have ever known. Transitioning into the civilian world means removing the camouflage uniform to enter the uncertainties of the civilian workforce. Fighting for freedom, with the opportunity to finally experience freedom, makes this transition sound like a moment of a lifetime. Instead, for many of our active-duty members, this transition is quite daunting.

As countless programs surface in support of veteran transitions, vets continue to face exasperating fear. According to military-transition.org, 48% of veterans found their transition from the military community into the civilian workforce more difficult than expected, 52% found their transition confusing, and 76% found it extremely stressful. Thankfully, veterans who have successfully transitioned have not ended their commitment to serve their country.

James L. Banks, (pictured) a veteran who serves as SHRM’s (Society for Human Resource Management) General Counsel, key lawyer and legal advisor, continues to offer his unwavering dedication to serve without a uniform. During SHRM’s Diversity and Inclusion conference, Banks shared his expertise on transitioning vets and accessibility. “When you want to get out of the military, you’re back in your home, but you feel like you’re not…because so many people around you don’t quite get it,” said James L. Banks. “What you’ve been through and what your perspective is, and what you can bring to the table in this new civilian environment,” he continued.

Military members are not walking away empty-handed; they walk away with valuable skills that can enhance the civilian workplace. “When I was on active duty, it was only afterward that I began to understand the analytical abilities and skills that I picked up,” said Banks. “I can tell you from having both been in the military and lots of different jobs in the civilian sector, how much we would pay to have an employee go through leadership, training, management and develop those skills,” he continued. “Like almost everybody coming out of the military already has… you’ve been practicing every single day…we would spend good money, in the civilian world to put somebody through that.

SHRM has created a military job translator that will interpret veteran service skills for job opportunities nationwide. Active-duty members can translate the skills they’ve gathered during their mission-based commitment to the armed forces easier now than ever before. This tool also provides a candidate database for employers who are looking for qualified veterans actively searching for jobs. “We’ve got lots of excellent toolboxes that will help employers in that regard; the SHRM foundation is sort of leading the effort in that,” said Banks. “One of which is as simple as…a translator for military specialties… it will also help to identify some of the soft skills that that person has,” he continued.

Internships and various informal job opportunities are also available to military personnel as they complete their final years of service. Providing opportunities for active-duty and civilian employers to collaborate, bridge the gap, increase familiarity and ease the transition. Although entering the unknown is part of the challenge, Banks suggests changing the focus and lens through which employers and military members see themselves as the greater obstacle to overcome.

The military community has received continuous praise for their hard skills, but it’s time to recognize their exceptional soft skills too. “They look at a military infantry officer; what can he do here at this company?” said Banks. “What he can do is lead your workforce and manage your workforce in a way that you’ve been spending thousands of dollars to send frontline leaders to courses and classes about how to lead,” he continued.

Removing barriers to improve accessibility takes recognizing the skills and values only a veteran who has carried the country on their shoulders can possess. “I think of the…barrier to access as sort of a thin curtain in front of all of these great abilities and talents…so our job is to understand that thin curtain is there and find a way to move it to the side,” said Banks. “When you’ve gone through training that is required for any length of any tour of duty…you can do almost anything, there’s nothing that’s beyond you, there’s no limit.”

Photo Credit: KIMBERLY GLADDEN-EVERSLEY

The “Stable Job” Myth

CareerTransitioning
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veteran standing outside convention center wearing a suit carrying a briefcase

By Paul Peng

We all want predictability and stability in our lives; who doesn’t? The sad truth is that we are not living in the post-boom period of World War II, where individuals can work in the same job for 40 years and then retire with a company-sponsored pension and a Rolex.

In our modern-day environment, we live in a fast-paced society where corporate job security is a thing of the past. There is no such thing as a “stable job” in corporate America; here’s why.

Placing Your Faith in Your Employer

Let’s get something straight right out of the gate. Businesses are just that, businesses. They are run by people that must juggle all the complexities of the entrepreneurial machine and the mistakes (sometimes massive ones) that the owners and C-suite executives can make. You may have done nothing wrong but may be laid off out of necessity due to poor decision(s) made by your employer. Remember that the number one goal is the survival of the company, not the people that work for them.

Tenure Doesn’t Mean What It Used To

Tenure in corporate America is essentially dead. Why? Tenured employees are usually the highest paid, and during recessions, employers start asking if the salary they are paying these tenured employees is worth it. Are these employees still providing good value for the money they are being paid? Or can I bring in a younger, higher-energy but perhaps an inexperienced person with half the salary and train them up? According to an article published by Indeed in February of 2021, one of the most common tenure traps is performance complacency, meaning you do just enough to get by, and the quality of your work diminishes. So, reinventing yourself or being consistently engaged with the company’s goals will help you get away from the chopping block.

Job Insecurity

We have all been there. If your company is acquired by another, depending on your position, your role (especially in mid to upper management) may be eliminated as new companies generally like to bring on their own people. Or perhaps your boss with whom you have a good working relationship leaves, thus taking away any protection you had, leaving you vulnerable to a new boss. Don’t you just love office politics?

Adapt or Die

In the era of employment fluidity, our natural ability to respond to our changing environment allows us to succeed. You must be aware of making the necessary adjustments. Start with the mindset that you are a free agent. By promoting yourself and making yourself more valuable to your employer and potential future opportunities, you may find yourself in a better position with a higher salary. Another tip is to become an expert in the next wave of technology. As we continue to evolve as a civilization, staying current with the latest technology trends can only help you.

So, get after it!

Tips for Transitioning to a Fulfilling Civilian Career

CareerTransitioning
LinkedIn
Todd Stiles talking with soldiers next to semi truck

By Todd Skiles

My service in the military was rewarding and invaluable to my development not only as a professional but as a man and an American. It gave me life lessons, a support system and an inner strength that few experiences could replicate.

Returning from active duty can feel a bit like starting back at square one. But if you understand how your time in the military sets you ahead of the pack, you can go from strength to strength in your transition to civilian life. In the corporate world, veterans have the skills that are needed across different fields and industries.

When I first stepped into a management trainee role with Ryder System, Inc., I never expected it would evolve into a successful career in logistics and transportation solutions spanning decades at the company. Over the years, I’ve learned tips and strategies that I believe each transitioning serviceman or -woman can use to set them on the path to success.

Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable

No plan survives first contact with the enemy. But in civilian life, no plan survives the opportunities and challenges of finding a job, a house, a car or obtaining further education. That’s why preparation — learning about your options and taking stock of your military career — can position you to handle whatever life throws at you.

Before you even begin to think about signing your discharge papers, you should familiarize yourself with the vast array of resources for transitioning servicemen and -women. One example is the Transition Assistance Program the Department of Veterans Affairs offers. Your post-military support system is extensive. From the Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program to the hundreds of private sector initiatives that recruit and train veterans to the totality of your VA education and training benefits, understanding your unique opportunities is the first step toward success.

Ryder’s Pathway Home program is another great example: The 12-week technician training course gives participating soldiers hands-on diesel technician training during their final days of service. Service members who complete the program are offered employment.

Next, you should take the time to lay out everything you’ve accomplished in your service career — basic training, any courses and certificates, your awards or recognition, plus any deployments or missions you’ve been a part of. It may be helpful to put each experience on its own notecard. On the back, write the names of commanders or teammates you worked alongside, their contact information and a list of the skills or qualities you demonstrated in that experience.

Taking stock of your service career can help you determine your strengths, weaknesses, interests and skills. It may also help you understand where you can provide unique value in the civilian workforce. Most importantly, it may help you tell your story to prospective employers. Watch how quickly your cover letters write themselves!

Know your worth and your values

As you begin your job search, do not underestimate the qualities you convey through your military service. Even values as fundamental as honor and trustworthiness can be worth their weight in gold to prospective employers. In my role in sales and solutions, for instance, my military service translated to confidence in my ability to engage with people honestly, in good faith and with my full commitment to their success.

With sought-after attributes like loyalty, dependability, leadership, teamwork, attention to deadlines and detail, and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure, employers recognize that veterans are an immense asset to their teams. And for veterans, I also think it’s essential to search for and find the right culture that values the same things we value.

My military training served as a springboard in my development as a leader, enabling me to rise through sales and sales leadership positions within Ryder over the past 34 years. Today, I report directly to the president of our division and our chief sales officer with sales goals of just under half a billion dollars and a team of 100 sales professionals and support staff in three countries.

The key is understanding your unique value and the tangible and intangible skills you can leverage in the next phase of your life. That’s why I always urge veterans to think outside the borders of their military occupational specialty (MOS) beyond their direct experience and help their prospective employer understand their immeasurable worth as part of their team.

The only easy day was yesterday

Taking that first job, that first class, that first mentorship opportunity after your service can be daunting. Will the opportunity meet your expectations? Will people relate to you?

The unity and camaraderie of military service do not have to end when you step into civilian life: I encourage you to seek out opportunities where you can have a shared sense of purpose with your team and your employer. Many companies have veterans-only resource groups, trainee classes, as well as group chats and Slack channels where you can ask questions and get advice. Ryder, for instance, has a Veteran Buddy program that pairs veterans already employed at the company with new veteran hires. This adds a layer of support that can help ease the onboarding process and transition to civilian life.

When I was 26 and serving in Desert Storm as a company commander in a war zone, I was ordered to pull together resources from all five units in my battalion and lead a convoy of over 200 transportation assets through Iraq. Although I look more like a PowerPoint Ranger these days, traveling between warehouses, customer locations and Ryder logistics centers, my fundamental mission to serve people hasn’t wavered. You may find that you, too, can carry that purpose into civilian life.

Todd Skiles is the Senior Vice President of Sales for Supply Chain Solutions (SCS) and Dedicated Transportation Solutions (DTS) at Ryder System, Inc., focused on matching Ryder’s solutions with the real and vital needs of customers. Todd is responsible for overseeing the sales and solutions team for SCS and DTS. Under his leadership, sales revenue has grown by more than 130% and sales productivity has doubled.

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