Challenge Accepted: Mastering Military Transition

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“Women veterans are a strong group of people. They worked hard, deployed, raised families and sacrificed their time, energy and selves to earn their ranks, titles and places in history books that have not yet been written.

Women have great instincts and deserve a seat at every table, in every boardroom, at every town hall meeting and at any discussion where decisions need to be made. Women have always been an integral part of society and [the] future of the world. It’s time that women are put out front to receive the recognition of all the decades of hard work that has been put in to establish a legacy in the armed forces.” -retired Master Gunnery Sergeant Carla Perez, USMC

Let’s meet one of these esteemed women, 28-year USMC veteran retired Master Gunnery Sergeant Carla Perez. MGySgt Perez began her career in the Marines on May 17, 1993, and retired on December 31, 2021. Her service included three deployments: Bosnia in 1996, Iraq in 2008-2009 and Afghanistan in 2010-2011. She was stationed in many places around the globe, including 29 Palms, California; Iwakuni, Japan; Camp Pendleton, California; Vancouver, Washington; Marine Corps Air Station, Mira Mar in San Diego and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Although Perez was raised in a family of veterans, the military was not initially in her plans. She graduated high school and went on to college at the University of Montana but returned home to Oregon when she didn’t have the funds to continue her studies. There, she worked a few odd jobs until a recruiter found her and offered her the opportunity to join the Marine Corps. You can say the rest is history!

While serving in the Marines, Perez found that women progressed in the Marine Corps in both rank and job opportunities at a fair rate. She never felt as though being a woman held her back. Previously closed jobs in the combat arms MOS had opened, and women were assigned to traditionally male units. Early in that transition, women were doing combat supporting jobs, admin, supply

In 2008 for one year as their Logistics/Supply Chief. The unit was assigned a Civil Affairs mission. There were only a handful of women assigned to that battalion for the duration of that deployment.

Transitions can be difficult. Moving from a career in the military to civilian life is one of those challenging transitions. I asked Perez how she prepared for her retirement. She had been thinking about the transition for a few years before submitting papers to retire and felt as prepared as she could be. Perez is a few college courses shy of a BS in Criminal Justice and initially thought about returning to school at the beginning of her transition. Throughout her time in the Marine Corps, she worked in the Supply/Logistics field and felt that her resume would make her a strong candidate in either of those fields. She knew she had more to give beyond the last 29 years of her life as a Marine, and she was excited to see what opportunities awaited her.

Initially, she took a few months off to spend time with her family and relax. Everyone should take time off from the rigorous schedule the military requires of its service members to just exhale. She highly recommends this approach! In February 2022, she was given the opportunity to work for Liberty Military Housing. She currently holds the position of Director of Military Affairs, Southwest Marines, Housing. Her region encompasses Camp Pendleton, 29 Palms, Yuma, Colville and Kansas City — a few locations where she was stationed during her career.

I asked her how her military career prepared her for her current role in her civilian career. She responded, “Being a Marine and being a person of service was something I am very good at. I am flexible yet mission-oriented. I like to get things done and take care of people. This job is the perfect fit for me. My job responsibilities are very closely tied to the military and taking care of military families. I bridge the gap between our government housing partner and Liberty Military Housing. I am honored to be able to continue to be so closely connected to Marines and military families that live aboard our installations.”

I inquired about the advice she would give someone considering a career in the military or someone preparing to transition to the civilian sector. Perez replied, “Choosing a career in the USMC is like no other job in the world. Hard work will always be rewarded and not go unnoticed. Being a Marine is a tough job that comes with a lot of responsibility. Upholding and honoring traditions of all the men and women that have gone before us is something that sets Marines apart. There are very few Marines and even fewer female Marines — expect to work just as hard as all of those around you, if not harder, both men and women. There are so many intangible traits and feelings that make Marines who they are that cannot be explained — experiences and a sense of pride that cannot be compared to anything else. Being a good leader takes time and  work. More energy and personal time spent away from your daily duties are what it takes to go the distance in the USMC. Working hard and staying focused is the best advice I can give.

”Perez continues, “Think ahead about your transition out of the USMC. A few years in advance, have a mental picture of what you want your life after to look like. Take the necessary steps to prepare to depart. It will have to be a fluid plan until you make your final decision. Be flexible and keep an open mind. You will have so much to offer the world, more than you can just write on a paper or summarize on a resume. You will have all the tools you need to make the move, don’t be afraid; just have a plan with a few options.

”And that, my friends, is proof that the long-standing slogan, “Once a Marine, Always a Marine,” is as true today as it was when Marine Corps Master Sergeant Paul Woyshner first shouted it. I enjoyed my time with MGySgt Perez and appreciated her insight into navigating the transition after a career in service to our country.

5 Growing Careers in Mental Health

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An army soldier standing with his wife, speaking to a doctor.

The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Among adolescents and people of color, the prevalence of mental disorders can be even higher. Along with a growing awareness of the importance of mental health and the need for treatment, the demand for workers who can help is increasing.

If you’re interested in a career supporting mental health, you may want to consider these five occupations that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects will grow much faster than average over the 2021–31 decade.

Together, they employed about 761,000 workers in 2021—and they are expected to have more than 91,000 openings on average each year through 2031. The education typically required to enter these occupations ranges from a high school diploma to a master’s degree, and they all pay around or more than the $46,310 median for all occupations in 2022.

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder and Mental Health Counselors

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions or depression. They provide support, including for prevention, to help clients recover from addiction, modify problem behaviors or improve mental health. They may work with patients individually or in group sessions, helping those struggling with mental health, and may find ways to discuss their addiction or other problems with family and friends.

  • Projected growth: 22.1%
  • Average salary: $49,710
  • Education needed: Bachelor’s degree

Community Health Workers

Community health workers advocate for residents’ needs with health care providers and social service organizations. They implement wellness strategies by collecting data and discussing health concerns with members of specific populations. They typically work closely with health education specialists, but their expertise lies with direct interaction with those needing assistance in the forms of informal counseling, providing basic health services, advocating for individuals and conducting outreach programs.

  • Projected growth: 15.9% (Average growth is at about 7-8%)
  • Average salary: $46,190
  • Education needed: High school diploma

Marriage and Family Therapists

Marriage and family therapists help people manage problems with their family and other relationships. They bring a family-centered perspective to treatment and work with individuals, couples or even whole families to work out any issues they may be having. Marriage and family therapists are also responsible for evaluating family roles and development to understand how clients’ families affect their mental health and address issues, such as low self-esteem, stress, addiction and substance abuse.

  • Projected growth: 13.9%
  • Average salary: $56,570
  • Education needed: Master’s degree

Health Care Social Workers

Health care social workers help clients understand their diagnosis and adjust their lifestyle, housing or health care. They can help people transition from the hospital back into their communities, provide information about home health care services and support groups, and work with doctors to understand the effects that disease and illness have with mental and emotional health. Health care social workers may also receive a specialization in geriatric social work, hospice and palliative care, or medical social work.

  • Projected growth: 11.1%
  • Average salary: $60,280
  • Education needed: Master’s degree

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Mental health and substance abuse social workers help clients with mental illnesses or addictions. They provide information on services, such as support groups and 12-step programs, to help clients cope with their illness and are licensed clinical social workers who may perform some of the same tasks as health care social workers.

  • Projected growth: 11.1%
  • Average salary: $51,40
  • Education needed: Master’s degree

Sources: The Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Making Time for All the “Lasts” Before You PCS

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article author and her two small children posing on beach boardwalk

By Kristi Stolzenberg

Monday night, 7:30, mid-April, along with half a dozen other parents I’ve never met, I’m sitting in one of the many metal folding chairs lining the mirrored wall of a dance studio. I’ve got a nice social distance around me because in order to make sure dinner happened before class, I postponed my desperately needed post-run shower. This isn’t unusual (the shower postponement), but because I completely forgot it was Parent’s Night at our daughter’s dance studio, instead of waiting for her in the safety and solitude of my car, I find myself awkwardly sitting amongst strangers trying to mask my sweat, smell and dry, prickly legs which are on full display thanks to the running shorts.

Feeling really great about my self-care and parenting, I enthusiastically jot down notes as the dance instructor outlines the details of the end-of-year recital—where to be and when, instructions on makeup and hair, song title—hoping the passion with which I take notes will help me earn back some parenting points and salvage the first impression I’m making. Then the instructor asks the line of parents for a volunteer to help backstage at the recital—essentially herd the sequin-clad cats, make sure they’re buttoned up in their costumes, and touch up hair and makeup.

Please understand that I am not “that” dance mom. Our daughter loves it, and she’s a brilliant dancer, but it is her own thing. I’m not the type to tell her to put more energy into her leap thingy on counts seven and eight. My ballet buns have never won awards. And I’m pretty sure when I did her makeup for photos last year, the instructor or another mom completely redid it. I’m not exaggerating when I say we showed up to her first recital with her ballet costume still wadded up in the bag it came in, and when I walked in and saw everyone else’s moms had fluffed their tutus, hung them in garment bags, and neatly bagged hair, makeup and tights in separate pockets, I knew I was the weakest link in that room.

I paint this three-paragraph story to explain why I did what I’m about to tell you. After three Mississippi’s of silence, I raised my hand. I volunteered to be dance mom or backstage mom or whatever it’s called. I did this not because I’m qualified. And I certainly didn’t do this because I have time just lying around—I didn’t even have time to shower on a routine Monday. In fact, there probably isn’t a worse time for me to take on a responsibility that is going to stress me out. The recital, as it happens, falls right smack dab in the middle of our PCS—literally right in the middle.

I absolutely did not need one more thing on my plate. But I did it, willingly. Why? Because after last year’s recital, our daughter begged me to be the mom backstage. It is something important to her, and she is important to me, so I am making time not only for her to dance in her last Virginia recital, but to get way out of my comfort zone to make it memorable for her.

And when it comes to those “lasts” leading up to a PCS—the goodbye parties, the “real goodbyes” to the close friends (which are becoming more dramatic with each year as we near the teens), and the last dinner at your favorite place, every parent will tell you that they run a tight race with all the lasts at the end of the school year—award ceremonies, field days, class parties, field trips, yearbooks, and thank you gifts for every last faculty member at the school (P.S. this last one should also be read sarcastically).

The packing and planning and house hunting and selling that go into a PCS—even one just five hours away to a place we’ve already lived once—take up a lot of headspace. And you know “a lot” is an understatement. When you have to dedicate so much memory and critical thinking to things as wild as, “Make sure to put a do-not-pack sticky note on the litter box,” or pulling the old towels out of the linen closet so you can use those after everything is hauled away and trash them on your way out, there isn’t a lot of brain power or energy left to dedicate to really being present (or presentable) at all these lasts. In fact, I just realized as I typed that last line, that I now need to not only figure out what a dance mom wears—recital-worthy dress or jeans and a t-shirt—but I need to also make sure whatever it is doesn’t get packed…along with all of our daughter’s dance costumes.

But here are a few lessons along the way that prove that while you might have 47 tabs open in your brain at all times during a PCS, it’s worth carving out time for the lasts before you pull away from your duty station for the last time:

  • Your kids will remember what you made time for and what you didn’t. If you’re doing it right, your kids don’t know a fraction of the stress and strategy that go into PCSing. They just know that you didn’t have time for their game or awards ceremony or to set up a last hangout with their friends.
  • You’ll always regret it if you don’t hit your favorite pizza place, curry place, park, running trail, or visit with a friend one more time. If you’re tempted to skip any of these, just remember how unfinished moves felt during COVID. If you didn’t move during COVID, ask someone who did. If I could travel anywhere right now for 24 hours, I would be back in Iwakuni eating eggplant curry, level six with garlic naan at Devi, and then I would spend the rest of my day buying up all the blue and white pottery in Yamaguchi prefecture.
  • You’ll miss it when you’re gone. I don’t care how badly you want to leave a place; you will always miss pieces of it—whether the people you knew, the places you frequented, or just who you were as a family there. Don’t be so set on leaving that you deprive yourself of just one more memory.

Maybe you’ll look like a living public service announcement for the importance of self-care, maybe you’ll be distracted, and you’ll definitely be exhausted and unsure of whether you’re coming or going but show up. Do all the lasts. Soak it up. Make the time, take pictures, give hugs, make a few more memories for the road, and, if I’ve taught you nothing else, prioritize showering before leaving the house whenever you can.

Source: MilitaryOne Source

The National WWII Museum Opens New Special Exhibit Highlighting Japanese American Veterans of World War II

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WWll veteran Wesley Koyano holding American Flag

On June 30, The National WWII Museum opened The Go for Broke Spirit: Legacy in Portraits, a new special exhibit exploring the service, patriotism and legacy of the second-generation Japanese American, or Nisei, men and women who, in the face of prejudice and incarceration, risked their lives to advance the Allied effort in World War II. The exhibit showcases a selection of photographer Shane Sato’s powerful portraits of Japanese American WWII veterans, supplemented with artifacts and oral histories from the Museum’s collection.

The Go for Broke Spirit: Legacy in Portraits will be on display in The Joe W. & Dorothy D. Brown Foundation Special Exhibit Gallery through March 31, 2024. Support for this exhibit comes from Catherine and David Edwards.

Sato’s first-of-its-kind portrait series features Nisei WWII veterans who served with the segregated 442nd Regimental Combat Team and its component unit, the 100th Infantry Battalion; in the Women’s Army Corps; or as translators and interpreters with the Military Intelligence Service. As a Japanese American himself, Sato saw in his work an invaluable opportunity to “carry the torch” of his forebears and use his talents to tell their unique stories and shared experiences. The portraits, which range from serious to spirited, somber to stoic, highlight the distinct personalities of these men and women.

“During World War II, ‘Go for Broke’ served as the motto for the 100th/442nd. The regiment lived up to those words and remains the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in US Army history,” said Associate Curator Chase Tomlin. “Sato has captured the Nisei veterans’ ‘Go for Broke’ spirit of compassion, dedication and resilience with his meaningful photography.”

The exhibit examines the exclusion and incarceration of thousands of people of Japanese descent in the United States, in the wake of Pearl Harbor through Executive Order 9066, as well as Japanese Americans’ continued patriotism despite discrimination, delving into Nisei servicemembers’ training and missions.

The Go for Broke Spirit: Legacy in Portraits also explores the postwar lives of Japanese American veterans. Decades after their service, 20 Distinguished Service Crosses awarded to members of the 100th/442nd were upgraded to Medals of Honor in June 2000; Congress in 2011 honored the Nisei who served in the 100th/442nd and the MIS with the Congressional Gold Medal. Several of these prestigious awards, including the Medal of Honor awarded to 100th Infantry Battalion Second Lieutenant Yeiki Kobashigawa, are included in the exhibit, alongside oral histories reflecting on the legacy of Japanese American servicemembers.

“The National WWII Museum is proud to display these portraits and explore the stories of these Japanese American veterans who, once deemed second-class citizens, risked everything to fight for their country and collectively changed how many viewed the Japanese American community,” Tomlin said.

Shane Sato is a professional photographer based in Los Angeles, California. His project to capture the moving portraits of Nisei WWII veterans began over two decades ago, culminating in a set of coffee table books, The Go For Broke Spirit: Portraits of Courage and The Go For Broke Spirit: Portraits of Legacy, featuring photographs of more than 150 Japanese American veterans.

The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum and now designated by Congress as America’s National WWII Museum, the institution celebrates the American spirit, teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifices of the men and women who fought on the battlefront and served on the Home Front. Visit nationalww2museum.org.

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.

How to support your spouse during your shift to civilian life

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Happy military man with his family at home

By Blake Stillwell, Military Times

Guess what, your spouse and family are transitioning to new lives just like you are. Gone are the days where Uncle Sam dropped a bag of money on your homes on the 1st and 15th of every month.

With this in mind, your husband or wife will likely need the same separation help you’re trying to get, except they aren’t forced to take a TAP class as part of their separation outprocessing checklist – but that doesn’t mean the options aren’t available. It just means you haven’t looked for them.

So the next time your spouse makes you mad, go sign them up for one of these spouse transition courses your base 100 percent definitely has available. In the Marine Corps, they’re called STARS, Spouse Transition and Readiness Seminars, and they’re three hours long. Remind your spouse it’s full of good information they need for the coming years and then go watch the latest Avengers movie without them. Treat yourself.

After he or she has all the information they need, they will likely feel as overwhelmed as you did when first presented with it all. Maybe it will be a good idea to help them plan their transition as any number of people are working to help you plan yours. Without telling your spouse you’re as overwhelmed as they are, sit down in a relaxing environment and have a frank discussion about their goals. Maybe stop at the local Red Lobster (treat yourself) and find out what they want to do when you no longer attached to the military lifestyle.

They might want to go back to school or start their own business if they haven’t already. Maybe they want to live closer to their family and not yours. Maybe they’ll question the entire premise of your marriage, considering you didn’t know they were already an HerbaLife partner and has been for years, that they wants a brick and mortar store in St. Louis, and how dare you watch Endgame, they can smell the popcorn on your clothes. It’s about time you started thinking of someone else for a change.

After you and your spouse make up for your blatant lack of cinematic consideration, get copies of their medical and dental records, update all your legal documents, and prepare financially for the new life you’re building for yourselves, all that’s left will be taking care of your children, if you have them. Luckily all you need to worry about is child care while you’re at school or work because the good folks at Sesame Street have this covered.

The bottom line is your spouse needs all the same information you do. Your family will soon be the only unit of which you are still a member, so whether you’re the commander or just the director of operations, be sure you disseminate necessary information accordingly so he or she can be as prepared as you’re trying to be.

Besides, everything goes better with a partner. There are a lot of people doing this on their own.

Read the complete article and more from Military Times here.

Get Hired: Tips to Connect Veterans with the Right Jobs

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By Nick Busse and Sean Loboda

Last year, the patriotic men and women who joined the military to defend the U.S. after the 9/11 attacks and remained in the service as a career started becoming eligible for retirement. Many are now seeking private sector jobs, along with veterans who served for shorter periods.

Whether you’re a veteran who spent three to five years or two decades in the military, companies are now looking for skilled employees up to the challenge, and your service qualifies. Here’s a look at why it makes sense for you to prioritize companies that recruit and retain veterans and some tips to help you find a civilian job where your skills are recognized and valued.

Why You Should Focus on Companies that Prioritize Hiring and Retaining Vets

Our company, Skillbridge Program connects veterans who are looking for a post-military career path with companies like ours that value veterans’ skillsets and have strong veteran recruiting and retention programs. It’s worth exploring opportunities for career training and development that are available through programs like SkillBridge. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) from Veterans Affairs also provides valuable resources to service members.

What Veterans Need to Know About Private Sector Work

When making the transition to the private sector, some veterans find it difficult to adjust to the ambiguity inherent in civilian jobs. If that’s your experience, it’s understandable because military jobs are more highly structured, with clearly defined roles, paygrades, ranks, career paths, etc. You may wonder how to map your military job to civilian roles.

One solution is to focus on the skills you acquired during your service rather than the job you did. As a veteran, you have incredibly valuable skills, such as the ability to adapt and change direction quickly and the discipline to follow through on difficult tasks. So, that puts you ahead of the curve if you’re able to convey those skills to potential employers rather than focusing on the specific job you did in the military—unless it’s directly relevant.

LinkedIn, the social media site for professionals, is a great way to get that skills message across, so setting up a LinkedIn page is a must. Finding mentors through programs like Veterati or the K.E.Y. Mentor Group can also be valuable. Both are excellent groups for professional networking, and veterans who are reentering civilian life can get tips on setting up a LinkedIn account, building a résumé and presenting their skills in civilian-friendly terms during job interviews.

Bringing Veterans and Jobs Together

As a veteran, you have a unique skillset, so virtually any private sector organization should be able to find a role that is a good fit for you. That said, not all companies have made the commitment to put the assets in place to support veterans. To identify the ones that have, talk to veterans who are already in the organization if possible. Ask corporate recruiters about their veteran recruitment efforts and employee resource groups that focus on veterans.

Successfully transitioning from military duties to the civilian workforce requires commitment and flexibility from you as an individual. But it also requires a commitment from prospective employers. When you’re looking to get hired after your military service, find a company that expresses an obligation to extend a helping hand to veterans. You’ve earned it.

Why Military Appreciation is Year-Round at Lowe’s

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Lowes

In addition to offering an everyday 10% discount with no annual limit, this Memorial Day Lowe’s will show extra appreciation for the military community:

Stores nationwide will hold a Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day (May 29), where taps will be played over the PA as well as a message from Joe McFarland, Lowe’s Executive Vice President of Stores and Gulf War and Desert Storm Veteran.

Each store will also reserve one veteran’s parking space in remembrance of those who have lost their lives serving in the United States Armed Forces.

“At Lowe’s, the entire military community is at the front of our hearts and minds, from our customers to our own military associates, which is something I personally value, as a veteran myself,” says Joe McFarland. “It’s important to support this community every day, because they dedicate themselves to protect our nation’s freedom every day.”

Lowe’s has a longstanding commitment to honoring the military community, including:

  • Employing 26,000+ veterans, active, guard, reserve and military spouse associates
  • Prioritizing military-owned businesses as product suppliers
  • Providing workforce training and scholarships to military store employees
  • Partnering with military non-profits including Building Homes for Heroes, AMVETS and the USO

You can learn more about Lowe’s military-focused initiatives at Lowes.com/Military.

The Top Veteran Jobs of 2023

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An illustration of a man in a suit standing in front of a large key hole shaped entrance

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

Virginia siblings become first Black triplets to join the Navy

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Black triplets seated on couch in NAVY uniform

By Joanne Aran and Amanda Su, GMA

Being in the Navy is a family affair for the Sutton siblings, Ayrion, Andrea, and Adrion. The 20-year-olds from Virginia recently enlisted together, making history as the first Black triplets to do so, according to the Navy Recruitment Office.

The siblings were inspired by their parents Andre Sutton and Tiffany Sutton, who met while serving on the USS Arctic in 1999. The triplets have in turn inspired their father, who recently reenlisted.

The idea to enlist originated with Adrion Sutton, the youngest of the triplets, who has wanted to join the Navy since the beginning of high school.

“What motivated me to join was hearing my parents talk about how good the Navy was when we was growing up and seeing my dad come home from long months, not being at home and taking care of the family,” Adrion Sutton told “GMA3.”

When they were young, the siblings often inquired about the time their parents spent serving in the military, according to Tiffany Sutton, who said she always spoke highly of the experience.

“I couldn’t find a better job,” she said in an interview with “GMA3.”

Andre Sutton, who is from the projects in Allentown, Pennsylvania, said he originally joined the Navy for the opportunities it afforded.

“I love the people [in Allentown]. I love the town. You know, I’m grateful,” he told “GMA3.” “But that environment is not where I wanted to be in life, so I decided to go forward.”

A week before they left for deployment, Tiffany Sutton said she was going down to the mess decks when she saw Andre Sutton for the first time.

“I walked past him, and I thought I saw sunshine,” she said. “I even called my mom and told her I found my husband.”

Continue to read more of the article on Good Morning America.

NASA names naval aviator to lead next moon mission

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Capt. Reid Wiseman smiling wearing Astronaut suit

NASA announced Monday a naval aviator will lead an upcoming mission around the moon, bringing humans deeper into space than has been achieved in more than five decades.

Navy Capt. Gregory “Reid” Wiseman will serve as the commander for the Artemis II mission, scheduled for November 2024 at the earliest.

The journey will mark the first crewed lunar mission for the space agency since the Apollo program ended in 1972.

(NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman is selected to lead the upcoming Artemis II mission around the moon.

(Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center via NASA)

Wiseman is set to be joined by Navy Capt. Victor Glover, who will serve as the flight crew’s pilot, as well as NASA astronaut Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut JeremyHansen, a colonel in the Canadian Armed Forces.

“Together, we are ushering in a new era of exploration for a new generation of star sailors and dreamers — the Artemis generation,” NASA administrator Bill Nelson said at a news conference at NASA Johnson Space Center’s Ellington Field in Houston, Texas.

On their roughly 10-day mission, the crew will orbit the moon aboard an Orion spacecraft using a Space Launch System rocket. NASA test launched the space capsule back in November 2022.

The Artemis program looks to build toward further moon missions later this decade, which NASA says will include landing the first woman and person of color on the lunar surface. The space agency is targeting a 2025 launch date for that mission, known as Artemis III.

Before being selected as an astronaut in 2009, Wiseman commissioned to the sea service through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in 1997, according to his NASA biography. The Baltimore, Maryland, native deployed twice to the Middle East and later served as a Navy test pilot. More recently, he held the most senior position among NASA’s astronaut corps.

This will be Wiseman’s second trip to space after serving aboard the International Space Station in 2014. It will also be his fellow naval aviator Glover’s second space flight, having previously piloted NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1.

Read the complete article originally posted on Military Times.

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