I've put together a preliminary and very rough draft of a "checklist" for Military Veterans transitioning to civilian life. One possible use of such a checklist is as an aid to both mentors and protégés during the mentoring process.
Please provide your feedback, comments and contributions.
(By way of background, I am a college-educated military Veteran that enlisted in the Army Reserves (Civil Affairs) post 9/11/2001, after 8 years working in the civilian world as an Investment Analyst. I served 8 years in the Army Reserves, and 2 combat tours in Iraq, including a detachment with the Marines during and after the Battle of Fallujah, 2004-2005. In the civilian world, I am an Investment Analysts and Investment Manager. I have a volunteer interest in helping Veterans, and view fellow Veterans as part of my extend family and "Alumni Club".)
Thanks,
Tom Cal, CFA
A Preliminary Rough Draft of a Checklist for Military Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Life. Not all tasks apply to all Veterans.
Please critique an provide feedback.
- register with VA system for medical services and other needs (a potentially sensitive subject, includes annual physicals, counseling, potential alcohol and substance abuse, etc. ...)
- if applicable, apply for disability status with the VA
- consider utilizing a career coach, perhaps a coach possessing particular expertise with Veterans, perhaps a volunteer
- consider taking personality, skills and career assessment(s) exams
- create a stellar resume and LinkedIn profile
- request LinkedIn recommendations
- create personal business cards
- seek a peer mentor in same general situation (similar age, rank, etc. that served at a similar time)
- seek a Veteran mentors similar to you and ideally geographically close (likely left military several years prior to you, e.g. GallantFew)
- seek civilian mentors, ideally within industries in which you are interested (from both small and large organizations, a.g. ACP)
- seek "industry-specific" mentoring if available and applicable
- if applicable, seeks small business and entrepreneurial consulting from SCORE.org
- seek interview coaching & mock interviews
- consider using the GI Bill for higher education; if needed, prepare for college entrance exams
- investigate the process to earn certifications (PMP, CPA, EMT, CFA, CDL, etc)
- consider career in Law Enforcement, Fire & Rescue, government, etc.
- re-connect with spouse, family, etc.
- consider a family retreat
- consider volunteering within your community (Mission Continues, Team Rubicon, etc.)
- consider joining a gym, sports team, activity group, church, etc.
- consider outdoor activities (OutwardBound, camping, etc.)
- consider taking a community-college class
-consider returning to schools you attended and volunteering or speaking
-other tasks, opportunities, etc.?
Answers
Please read the posts on our transition blog - www.switchstarter.wordpress.com.
We include a lot of specific considerations related to job search preparations. We also include posts about the transition back to school.
Start a civilian life budget. You may not have access to a commissary with cheaper food prices, you will start having medical insurance costs, paying for certain utilities that weren't a concern on post, etc... These costs can add up quickly.
Semper Fi, Tom - thanks for this list.
For a transitioning enlisted person, I'd stress heavily the use of the Post-9/11 GI Bill to attend the best school he or she can possibly attend. I'm biased because I've seen several veterans regret their decision to attend certain schools simply because they offer the fastest route to a degree (any degree).
Thanks everyone for the constructive feedback. Please keep the suggestions flowing. I'll gather these (and others I've received on other sites such as LinkedIn) and then re-post a revised "checklist". Thanks again, Tom
Tom; I commend you on taking the step to help others, that's a great quality to possess. I like the list and suggest maybe grouping the suggestions. Skills, Education, Personnal, (Medical, Finance, etc.. so its not just a very long list of items. This way if someone is only intrested in one area it will be easier to navigate. Great Job!
Great list! great idea. You may consider adding this: Make a list of at least 6 friends, familiy members and/or casual associates who have careers that interest to you. Contact each one, tell them you are returning to civilian life and ask how they got started in their field. (I suspect each one will offer a lead to get you started.)
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