Seeking feedback from ex-military folks who've transitioned to Civvy Street.

Specifically, I want to here how the credentials you earned via DL worked for and against you. If you don't mind, please provide a bit of background so I can put each person's input into perspective. Here's a bit about me:

21 yrs AD USAF E-9, 18+ yrs Acft Maintenance, last 2 yrs HR type stuff (Mission Support). Have CCAF (of course), B.A. Lib Studies-TESC & MBA (Gen Mgmt) from TUI.

No idea what I want to do when I grow up. Went to an
on-base job fair recently and felt totally out of place--confidence was shaken. I was only there browsing, not as an active job seeker though I expect to retire early 08'. Still, I want to get the right mindset well before then.

I've spent my entire adult life in the military so I need to hear from those who've been there and done that, using their DL credentials to open doors. Quite frankly, it's scary for me right now. And don't want to stay just because I'm afraid to leave.

Your thoughts/experiences?

4Q out

 

Sorry--I should've said hear instead of here in the first sentence above. I hate when I due that!

 

15 years in two services and have two AA degrees from (see below).

Both earned via military credit and DL classes ( I have a few resident (B&M) classes as well) Not one person has asked me if they were DL or resident classes. I don't believe it is an issue.

But that is just me-

BUT!!!!!!! To be honest, I went with Coastline because it is a B&M school as well as DL.. I had some fear with the DL thing.
Honestly, It does not bother me anymore. DL is so mainstream now that the person interviewing you will probably have a degree via "ALL or SOME" DL education!

Good Luck.

Do you have DL education? I don't see any signature indicating such.

 

The following is merely my own perspective since retiring 6 years ago after 20 years of service. Your mileage may vary.

Before transitioning back into civilian life, a number of people indicated to me that the two most difficult days for career military are the first and last. This is primarily due to the looming uncertainty which lies ahead. We tend to settle into comfort zones even though our careers can be very demanding.

I commend you on earning the BA and MBA while still on active duty. Despite some extremely intense efforts at times, the best I could personally muster was an AA during my former career. However, I was able to secure a relatively decent paying position with a very employee-friendly, small company that allowed me to attend college at night. Around 25% of my previous classes have been taken via DL. Most recently, that number increased to 100% DL largely because of demands surrounding my present position.

For what it's worth, the grad degree I'm seeking is a DL degree, but from a nearby institution.

After retiring from active duty, I worked at the first company for almost 4.5 years. I then took a contracting gig for 8 months, which paid great. I'm now employed by a publicly-listed corporation offering outstanding pay and benefits complimented by a great atmosphere.

My sole reason for departing the first position was because of a pending layoff. Although my current position pays 33% more in salary than the first, I was afforded a greater amount of autonomy, responsibility and self-satisfaction.

During my last job search, which was earlier this year, I noticed the following:

- From everything I've thus far observed, DL degrees from area universities are perfectly acceptable. Employers also understand the mobility factor affecting career military personnel. In other words, degrees earned on active duty from various DL institutions are widely perceived as the rule rather than the exception.

- Positions offering outstanding pay yet demanding greater responsibility require more time to obtain. The job search for the big one can take longer than expected.

- Prospective employers appear split about 50/50 regarding retired military. They either want us because we are well-known for taking ownership and maintaining standards or shy away from us because of the rigidity involved in our previous careers. It all depends on who and where.

- Depending on the position applied for, age indeed plays a factor even though it shouldn't.

- After retiring, maintain contact with all of the officers and senior NCOs you know who will provide a good word for you. Consider this is a network, and well worth the occasional e-mail or "hey colonel, what's up" phone call. Those folks can provide very valuable and well-reasoned references on your behalf for your next position. Personnel generally move on to their next assignment and, even in this digital era, can be difficult to locate, especially considering current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

- Defense contracting sucks.

Again, bear in mind the above comments are merely my own observations.

Good luck.

 

Retired 24 yr AF Lt Col. pilot, staff officer. last 4 years in Pentagon.

My formal education was as diverse as yours --- AA before USAF entry, a course or two at each of several bases, bachelors through bootstrap program, MBA on line after retirement, PhD (in progress) online. No one has questioned the source of the degrees. I am currently an adjunct at a small Christian university --- hired because I had an MBA. The question of DL or BM has never surfaced.

Start polishing your resume. I don't mean slap together a few well chosen words about your military duties. That's what I did on my first resume --- it stunk!

The next job fair you attend, seek out the one person who understands resume writing. Hire a professional resume writer if you feel it is necessary.

After 20+ years in the military it is assumed that you were "in charge" of something. Leave that sort of thing out. Leave out military jargon too. Instead, use plenty of action words such as analyzed, determined, supervised, designed, converted, implemented, trained, developed, established.

The best to you in your job search.

 

Retired 6 years, fisrt for a major insurance co. IT dept., then a major defense contractor, then the state's Higher Ed. sector - currently tenured faculty (which was my goal all along).

Having said all that - quite a few ex-government types have trouble transitioning to civvy life - it depends on whether your time in the military was essentially a "welfare project" or if you brought value - see case study of R. Douglas for an example. Having said that the state of Illinois has an "absolute hiring preference" for veterans - very nice.

IF you do find civvy life difficult, quite a few US expats retire to the Lake Chapala region of Jalisco, Mexico, with its wonderful climate and large base of ex-patriat residents, has become a very desirable place for retirees, those wanting to escape aspects of "Home" (such as the winter weather), and those who desire to live and work in Mexico.

http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/chreares.html

 

What I did in 1998 was use the "Ben Franklin" method of preparing a career list of of what I liked doing and then what was in demand. For example, I enjoyed teaching History - but the career demand for history faculty was already saturated. I enjoyed data communications/networks - and the career demand for CIS faculty was very encouraging.

So decide your goal(s) - pick up the paper credentials to support them - find some PT work that will support your resume in that direction. Try to find a position (or additional duties) that support your civvy career goals.

Defense contracting - at best - is a way to "buy time" - an amazing number of them are seriously dysfunctional.

 

My jobs after retiring were all gotten through networking. On the plus side, you have developed relationships with tons of people through duty at various locations--don't be afraid to talk to those who have retired. They may provide valuable insight and/or leads.

 

Retired Air Force Lt Col. Spent over 22 years managing defense acquisition and contracting programs, procuring everything from ICBMs to F-22s and space satellites and rocket programs. The Air Force paid for my BBA, MBA, and (indirectly) DBA.

I started teaching as a week-end gig for UCLA and the Keller Graduate School of Management in Long Beach. After graduating with my DBA from Argosy, the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) (www.nps.edu) offered me a full time teaching job in their MBA program. I teach acquisition, contracting, and program management courses in their defense-related MBA and Executive MBA programs. I thoroughly enjoy the teaching and research opportunities.

I believe my job experience (defense acquisition and contracting), education, and professional certifications (CPCM, C.P.M., PMP), as well as my previous teaching experience helped me get my teaching job.

 

- Prospective employers appear split about 50/50 regarding retired military. They either want us because we are well-known for taking ownership and maintaining standards or shy away from us because of the rigidity involved in our previous careers. It all depends on who and where.


So true-

 

Regardless of your status...the best time to be looking for a job is while you still have a job...for many reasons, being currently employed makes you more desireable/valuable to potential employers.

And do not only go for job interviews you are really interested in. Go to anything that MIGHT interest you...and give it your best shot...job interviewing is a skill that improves with practice.

Link to maximizing the value of your security clearance.

http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,99264,00.html?ESRC=careers.nl

 

Excellent, excellent feedback. Many of you are echoing things I've been told by others. Please keep it coming. I know this info is helpful to others as well.

4Q

 

Yes. TESC and TUI are DL schools.