Lessons Learned for Vets

Send us a textMark Adams, a former active duty and reserve Air Force service member, shares his journey from military service to finding his place and an operational excellence leader in the private sector. Mark thought about retiring in 2012, but after recognizing gaps in his experience and education, he reenlisted and focused on closing those gaps. After completing his bachelor's degree and learning to better translate and market his military skills, he was much better prepared for post-military success. Mark's story focuses on the importance of strategic planning, networking, mentorship and self-advocacy. All of these are important for you as you take on a career shift.Navigating the civilian workforce without a clear map can be daunting, but Mark emphasizes the power of finding what you want to do, not just where you want to work. By utilizing platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, you can uncover hidden opportunities based on job functions rather than titles. With the right preparation, starting 18 to 24 months ahead and leveraging military experience, Mark illustrates how to climb the career ladder through practical strategies focused on planning, networking, and self-advocacy.Self-advocacy takes center stage as Mark discusses the importance of prioritizing key tasks and communicating effectively with leadership. By focusing on the vital few projects, one can create opportunities for growth and advancement. Alongside personal anecdotes, we explore how sponsors within organizations can play a crucial role in career development, helping turn professional relationships into valuable support systems. Finally, discover Mark's current employer, Seek Now, asked him to create and launch Drive Academy, a SkillBridge and training initiative dedicated to supporting veterans by offering hands-on training and career opportunities in the property inspection, roofing and insurance adjusting industry.SeekNow and Drive Academy have chosen to sponsor this entire season of the Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast in order to increase awareness of the opportunities their company offers. You can learn more and apply at www.internwithdrive.com.You can connect with Mark Adams at www.linkedin.com/in/mrmarkadamsmba/Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a 5-star review. Please share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!The Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast is sponsored by Seek Now and their Drive Academy. Seek Now is the property inspection industry's leading business and they created Drive Academy DoD SkillBridge and CSP internships to teach transitioning military service members and veterans skills that prepare them for lucrative and rewarding careers in the property inspection and insurance industries. You can learn more and apply today at www.internwithdrive.com.

Send us a Text Message.Marc Lopez joined the Army 20 years ago and started his career in the intelligence field as a linguist. He transitioned over to become a warrant officer and is now a cyber warfare operator who is preparing to begin a SkillBridge program before he retires. When two of Marc's closest friends retired three years ago, he was inspired to begin preparing for his own retirement to ensure a successful transition. Using his background in intelligence, Marc decided his first step was to create notes. He uses Microsoft OneNote to organize his notes and has created tabs for every facet of his transition including his family, LinkedIn and informational interviews. With so many job opportunities in the cyber field using very different titles than the military, Marc knew he needed to better understand civilian terms. He leveraged LinkedIn to find veterans in the cyber field and then set up calls to learn about the various roles and the day-to-day responsibilities. He began to build a glossary of terms that helped him understand the civilian equivalent of cyber roles in the military. From his informational interviews, Marc found several mentors that helped him answer important questions to narrow his focus. With retirement right around the corner and over 2+ years of transition preparation, Marc has taken advantage of several resources such as the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, Veterati, ACP, FourBlock and TAP to ensure a smooth transition. He took nuggets of information from each resource and began to find common threads. Resources like this podcast don't change the fact that the transition journey is full of curves and unexpected challenges, but they do help service members prepare for the unexpected. The genuine connection and relationships that Marc has built with other people continues to enrich his life. Marc has conducted over 50 informational interviews in 3 years. He learned quickly that a customized note through LinkedIn got better results than a generic, template introduction. Before sending a connection request, he took the time to study the person's profile and included any commonalities in his customized note. Marc prepared for each informational interview by having questions prepped and staying within the allotted time frame. Knowing your worth in your chosen industry is important. One of the best ways to assess your worth is through informational interviews. Once you've built rapport in the interview, share your experience and any education or certifications you've completed. Ask the person what level they think you are at and what salary range you can expect. Salary.com, Glassdoor.com and the Bureau of Labor Statistics are excellent resources as well. Remember that salary isn't just about the pay. Benefits can play a significant role when deciding to accept or pass on a job opportunity.The average adult changes careers 7-9 times in their life. It's okay to make a change or pivot completely. Companies have come to expect applicants to have many prior job experiences. If you find that you've made a wrong decision on a job, figure out how you can gain value from the experience and make a plan on how to find a better fit. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

Send us a Text Message.We are excited to host Marine Corps veteran, Eric Infanti. By all accounts, Eric had a smooth transition into the corporate world, where he worked for 5 years. When his health began declining, Eric began a healing journey that included 2000 hours of yoga teacher and meditation training. He earned a dual master's degree in Buddhist psychology and Ayurvedic medicine and is now a PhD candidate with the study on the role of extreme peak flow states on resilience and professional outcomes. When Eric first transitioned from the military, he was able to use his experience and the education he received while serving in the Marine Corps to land a role in IT. After taking time off to heal, Eric knew he needed to upskill and learn current IT best practices. He sought out low cost or free programs to gain new certifications. He utilized the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP), ACT Now Education and Boots to Books.Eric went from running marathons to not being able to move in a short amount of time. After visiting close to a dozen doctors without getting a diagnosis, he went to a naturopathic physician who diagnosed him with late-stage Lyme disease. Eric dove into the world of alternative health and found that yoga relieved his symptoms. From yoga, he dove deeper into Ayurvedic medicine, ancient texts and meditation. It was on the plane coming back from a 2008 trip to India where he started writing his first book, Marine on the Mat. Eric continued a career in alternative health until the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic had a negative impact on his healing business, and Eric knew he needed to shift back into IT. He relied on his network and found mentors that helped him find a role within the IT community that fit his personality. Today he is the UX/UI Design Manager for Combined Arms, a nonprofit dedicated to veterans' well-being. Eric uses both his healing background and IT knowledge in his design work. He manages his stress through spiritual practices and finds his creativity from the still space of his meditations. He has written 12 books on subjects relating to alternative health and UX design. One of the core values to every veteran is their resiliency – the ability to handle whatever comes their way. Eric encourages veterans to not give up. You can choose how you manage the stresses of life. Some choose alcohol, rage or video games to cope with their stress. Eric chose athleticism and taking care of his inner self through breathing and meditation. For people who haven't been practicing self-care and find themselves in an acute situation, Eric advises them to stop and take a break, start a healing practice and seek medical and psychological help if needed. Breath work meditation is simple, effective and can be done anywhere. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Eric at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericinfanti/Explore Eric's books at  https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001KHHN4S Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

Send us a Text Message.On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we get back to the basics with best practices for crafting a resume. Certified resume writer and career coach, Lori Norris, shares 5 elements that a resume must contain as well as the role that AI can play during the job search process.1. Focus. Every resume, from the very first line, must clearly present a focus. There is no such thing as an effective generic resume. A resume that tries to appeal to everyone appeals to no one. Many transitioning veterans mistakenly believe the first thing they should do is write their resume. Finding your focus is the priority. If you start your transition 18-24 months out, then take the first 6 months to research and conduct informational interviews to determine your focus. Informational interviews are invaluable as they will help you start to translate your military skills into civilian terms. After you've gathered intel and feel confident with the skills that you need to showcase for your career field, then start crafting a tailored resume. Remember, the focus of your career drives everything in your military transition job search efforts. A targeted resume will set you apart from the crowd, especially in a tough job market. The resume is about where you're going, not where you've been.2. Your Unique Value. Employers want to know how you are going to make them money or save them money. How are you going to earn the salary that they are going to pay you? Translate your skills to show the employer how you are going to make them money and/or save them money. It's impossible to showcase your unique value without having a focus. Your resume is not about you. It's about what you can do for the organization. 3. Measurable Accomplishments. Use metrics and numbers to give the reader scope. Numbers also help to break up words and help the reader to continue absorbing the information on your resume. Numbers help to keep the eye engaged.4. Translated Terminology. Most people reading your resume will not speak military. Even if the recruiter works with veterans, they may not understand the nuances of terminology in all the different military branches. Make the effort to explain what you do. Translating military terminology also shows the company you are willing and ready to change and adapt to the civilian sector. Help the reader see the value of your military experience by translating military terminology. 5. Examples and Stories. A resume is not a job description or a list of all the things you have ever done. It's a narrative that explains your accomplishments and the improvements that you made for your previous employer. Give examples of your skills and abilities. Thinking through stories also helps you prepare for the interview process.AI should be used as a tool. It is not a replacement for writing a tailored resume in your voice. AI's content was first created by scanning the internet. As we all know, information found on the internet is not always factual. Use AI as an assistant when conducting research.Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Lori at AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

Send us a Text Message.If you are a transitioning service member, it's always helpful to hear the role that time has in the transition process. The transition process doesn't end when you land your first job as a civilian. There is so much wisdom to gain from listening to other veterans' journeys as they progress through various jobs and companies. On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome back Ray Jokie. Ray first appeared as a guest on Season 1, Episode 38 and shared his struggle with finding a new identity after retiring from the US Air Force. He is currently working as Lockheed Martin's Military Relations Lead and Talent Acquisition Program Manager. This episode contains content related to suicide.Ray struggled deeply after retiring from the military and had suicidal ideations. While wrestling with his emotions, he gained perspective and was able to grow as a human and view his situation through a different lens. For Ray, not having the guidance and structure of the military sent him into a tailspin. After finding a new purpose to live, his depression subsided. Finding purpose doesn't have to be tied to a job. Work to live, not live to work. Ray has found that by focusing on the positive in every situation and by finding a new purpose, he has been able to successfully navigate his way out of his depression. If you are struggling right now, it doesn't mean that something is wrong with you. There will be days that focusing on the positive will not come naturally. You are not alone.Ray has built his program at Lockheed Martin from the ground up. He hired a contractor and engaged recruiters who had previously gone through the SkillBridge program at Lockheed. He continues to develop his team and revolutionize the way the veteran community is valued. As a recruiting professional, Ray talks with thousands of people every year, reviews resumes and conducts interviews. Ray encourages people to make sure their resume reflects the value they can bring to a company. Don't bring uninvited bias by including college graduation dates or a home address.On the resume, don't just say what you did, frame it to show your value to a company. Consider highlighting how you reduced process time, saved costs or generated revenue. Ray suggests using a targeted approach to networking. Find people in the roles that you want and network with them first. When engaging with recruiters on LinkedIn, keep your message brief and state how you can bring value to their company. Don't be afraid to follow up with someone if you haven't received a response in a reasonable amount of time. Know that recruiters talk to one another and share candidates and information. Ray endorses the STAR method during interviews. Over the years, Ray has noticed that veterans don't typically lack confidence. It's important to show your qualifications without being overly confident. Be able to read the room and adjust your delivery if needed. Use stories to showcase your value. A confident person knows their value while an arrogant person believes they are better than everyone else. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with RAAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

Send us a Text Message.We are excited to welcome back Chris Dreisbach for his fifth appearance on the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast. Chris retired in 2020 as a Senior Master Sergeant for the United States Air Force. Now in his sixth role since his retirement, Chris continues to share the lessons he's learned along his path. Chris reflects on his previous roles and discusses the challenges he experienced. In his first role as a maintenance manager, Chris assumed the job would be similar to his military experience in aircraft maintenance. In reality, the job required long hours to fulfill the production goals of a 24/7 facility. Chris lasted 3 months before moving into a remote, entry-level data analyst role. While in this position, Chris took his time to find a better fit in the warehouse industry. Utilizing his experience in quality assurance and interest in safety programs, Chris found a role that better suited his background. While working as a Safety and Training Manager, Chris took on more responsibilities hoping to get promoted but instead his company took advantage of his work ethic and continued to stretch him thin without additional compensation. Chris realized that he needed to shift his military mentality if he was going to find success in the civilian sector.Chris remarks that this is the longest he's ever lived in one place, and he finds himself getting antsy – almost like he's ready for new orders. The military transition is a process, and it may take years to feel settled into a new rhythm. After applying the lessons that he learned in his previous jobs, Chris is finding success in his current role working remotely for a tech company. His scheduled hours work well for his desired work-life balance, and he no longer tries to take on additional responsibilities. Like many other veterans, Chris' networking skills led him to this role. He reminds others that networking doesn't have to be deliberate – for him, his opportunity came organically from a conversation that occurred months prior. In the 4 years since his retirement, Chris has learned to find ways to authentically connect with others. As an avid listener to the podcast, Chris credits the information he learned from the episodes with Misty Moreno, Keith Cassant and Sarah Bumgardner to help him change his mindset to better function in the civilian sector. Keith says he was fully prepared to be unprepared for retirement. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Chris was unprepared to leave the military when he did. Thankfully by the time he retired, he and his wife had learned how to be financially responsible and had been living within their means. Looking back, he realizes that he had a solid foundation to retire even if at the time, he perceived himself as being unprepared. It's important to take an honest look at finances and expectations with your family before separation or retirement. It's also equally important to make wise financial decisions before exiting the military. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Chris at https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-dreisbach/Download the AAFMAAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

Send us a Text Message.We welcome Ethan Shipp. Ethan began his career in the United States Air Force as an EMT but has since retrained as an information systems technician. Although he is still serving, he used his tech skills to create a resource designed to empower and inform service members about the many different SkillBridge programs. Ethan started Rate My SkillBridge after doing research for his own SkillBridge program and identifying an opportunity to help others make informed decisions during their career transition. About two years prior to his separation date, Ethan began researching SkillBridge programs. He joined The SkillBridge Network on Facebook and was intrigued by a post written by a service member who had flown back to the US from overseas to intern for a company that used them for free labor. Ethan realized the need for a rating system to protect service members. He went to work creating a website using WordPress and released it one month later. The site gained an enormous amount of traction in a short time and Ethan knew he needed to rebuild the platform and advance the website. Service members can now create accounts and personalize their dashboards. Ethan is not charging service members for this resource. He is currently funding the website by himself. Ethan's website is offering service members an invaluable resource as they move toward career transition. Some service members rely on their SkillBridge company to offer them a job after the internship phase is completed. While the goal of the program is just that, there are some instances where that may not happen. Ethan encourages service members to apply for multiple jobs and not rely solely on SkillBridge. Ethan also encourages people to have multiple opportunities lined up. It is possible that a company will cancel the program if a job opportunity is no longer available. This may happen due to the economy or company restructuring.Ethan has noticed a recent trend of people working more hours than allotted by the program. Working long hours is unfortunately not just an issue with the SkillBridge program. As a salaried employee, it's important to assess the employer's expectations versus your own expectations. For many veterans, working extra hours may not be expected but they feel a sense of responsibility to keep giving. Companies will take advantage of that work ethic. For SkillBridge companies who are operating against SkillBridge policies and parameters, Ethan believes that the DoD is beginning to take action to protect service members. For service members, it's important to make your issues heard through resources like Rate My SkillBridge.Ethan is currently stationed in Italy and wants to continue living overseas after his separation. The job search process outside of the US can be very different. One example is the curriculum vitae (CV). The CV is typically only used in the US for doctors, lawyers and professors. However, it is the standard for most every profession outside of the US. While the typical resume in the US is no longer than 2 pages, the CV is a comprehensive document that may be several pages long. LinkedIn is used by overseas companies, so plan to have an updated profile. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

Send us a Text Message.On this solo episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, Lori shares the challenges that she and her family have been going through over the past few months. During this time, Lori has struggled with burnout, a feeling that most everyone has experienced at one time or another. Feelings of burnout are especially prevalent among job seekers. Lori shares her thoughts on when and how to take a break from the job search process. Your body communicates with you. If you are consistently waking up in the middle of night and your mind is racing because of your stressors, it may be time to make some changes. For transitioning service members on terminal leave and new veterans, finding a job is one of the biggest stressors of the military transition. There will be a time when finding a job is your full-time job. It can absolutely consume you. Lori recommends creating a schedule that allows you the freedom to still enjoy life while methodically pursuing job opportunities. Schedule a block of time for networking, another for researching companies and another for targeting your resume. Take a break and get out of your house. Interact with people and schedule down time.Your eating habits may be affected by your stress. While some people may skip meals entirely, others overeat or choose to eat foods that are full of empty calories. Healthy food will fuel your mind and body and keep you from experiencing sugar highs and lows. Even with healthy eating and sleeping habits, you may still notice that your body feels zapped of energy. Without truly working through your stress and anxiety, your mind is still working 24 hours a day, even when you are sleeping. Again, your body communicates with you and may be telling you to hit the pause button. Burnout can cause negative feelings such as cynicism. Step back and evaluate what you're doing, how you're doing it and if you need to change direction. If the job search process is making you feel withdrawn and isolated, Lori recommends reaching out and connecting with people. Let people help and support you. Don't take a vacation from the people that you love and don't take a vacation from the things you love to do. We all need a break from time to time. It's impossible to give 100% all the time, without stopping. Take time to connect with your family and the people that love you. Give yourself time to recover, refresh and rejuvenate. We want to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts on the show. We want to know what content is meaningful and ways we can improve. Drop a message to Lori – her contact information is below. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Lori at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorinorris/Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4vSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

Send us a Text Message.In celebration of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, we are pleased to host Sarah Bumgardner. Sarah is a military spouse and a certified financial education instructor who has worked with AAFMAA since 2010. She is currently the Director of Partnerships and Member Engagement and supports both AAFMAA members and the entire military community. Sarah became a military spouse when her first husband became an officer in the US Marine Corps. For 10 years, Sarah lived the mil spouse lifestyle of raising kids, traveling and moving. When her husband transitioned out of the military, their marriage didn't survive. Several years later, Sarah remarried an army retiree. Sarah reflects on the transition her family experienced when her husband separated from the military after 10 years of service. While there was excitement for the next chapter, she and her husband experienced a sense of loss in their identities and the loss of the military community. Many times, spouses have different ideas about what life looks like after the military. It's important to communicate during the transition process and take time to reconnect and reestablish roles in the home. For those that serve less than 20 years and who don't have the buffer of a pension, finding the next job is a huge stressor. As a mil spouse and in her current role, Sarah has learned that finding the next job doesn't mean the transition is over. It's a long process that involves finding a new purpose, for both the veteran and mil spouse. Sarah encourages active-duty service members to acknowledge that their military spouses are also going through a transition. Although it looks different, they are also losing their identity, community and sense of purpose as well. Children will feel a change in the new daily routines that occur after leaving the military. AAFMAA is dedicated to both service members and their families. We are grateful to have them sponsor the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast. In addition to offering the military community financial and insurance solutions, AAFMAA partners with several nonprofit organizations to help veterans and spouses find mentors to help them navigate the transition including finding a new purpose and getting a job. Military spouses can sometimes feel disconnected from the transition process. Sarah encourages every mil spouse to attend the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) with their service member. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Sarah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-bumgardner-cfei%C2%AE-1114aa94/Explore AAFMAA at https://www.aafmaa.com/Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4vSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we continue our discussion on interview best practices with career strategist, Brenda Mariah. We encourage you to listen to Part 1, episode 158 before continuing with this episode. During Part 1, Brenda explained the purpose of an interview, what every employer is looking for during an interview and how to stay in control during the interview process. On this episode, we dive into the anatomy of an interview.The interview process can be divided into 5 stages. During Part 1, we discussed Stage 1: Making an Entrance. We continue with Stage 2: Questions They Ask You. Most likely, every interview will begin with the “Tell me about yourself” question. Brenda advises candidates to use this question to highlight their qualifications, skills and character. Her formula is 1. I love… 2. I'm proud of… 3. I'm excited to…. First, tell the employer what you love about the role. Second, list some of your accomplishments. Third, let the employer know how you plan to use your skills to improve the organization. This question is meant to be an icebreaker and to give the employer insights about your professional qualifications and skills and how they can benefit their company. Make the answers relevant to their needs. Another popular question is “What are your weaknesses?” Brenda has 3 tips for responding to this question. 1. It should be an actual weakness that you possess. 2. It should not be critical to the job. 3. Explain how you are overcoming the weakness. Stage 3: Question You Ask. At the end of the interview, always be prepared to ask the employer questions. If you are prompted to ask questions, and you decline the opportunity, the employer will assume you do not want the job. Prepare 10 questions for the employer knowing that some of them may have already been answered during the interview and assume that you will have the opportunity to ask 2 or 3 of your prepared questions. Don't miss the opportunity to engage with the employer and show them that you've done your research and are interested in the job. Stage 4: Closing. Make sure they know you want the job. Thank them for their time and express to them once again why you would make a great fit. Stage 5: Post-interview follow-up. Did you know that only 1 in 200 candidates will send any kind of follow-up message after an interview? Sending a handwritten thank you, a thank you email or a LinkedIn connection request with a thank you message will help you stand out from the crowd. It also serves as an additional opportunity for you to showcase how your skills can benefit their organization. Don't be afraid to include a plan to follow up on a specified date. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Brenda at https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachbrendamariah/Explore Push Management Career's Interview Training Program at https://www.pushcareermanagement.com/interview-coachingDownload the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4vSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome Brenda Mariah. If you are having trouble getting others to see your value or recognizing your own value, this is where Brenda shines. Brenda Mariah, of Push Career Management, is a career-focused speaker, wordsmith, storyteller, encourager, author and strategist. She is the president of the National Resume Writers Association, the past president of the Resume Writers and Career Coaches Association and is certified in interview coaching, compensation negotiation, job search strategy, resume writing, career management, LinkedIn profile development and employment law. Major brands rely on Brenda to provide corporate outplacement services during layoffs and her prior engineering and project management background qualifies her to help even the most technical professionals. While a resume's job is to help you land an interview, the interview is an opportunity for both you and the employer to find out if your skills and personality are a good fit for the organization. During the interview, the employer is looking for the most cost-effective employee, the person who is going to add the most value and bring the most return on investment. This doesn't necessarily mean the employer will always look for the person they can hire for the least amount of money. Employers are asking themselves questions like “Can you do the job?”, “Will you do the job?”, “Are you a good fit?”It's important to bring your personality to the interview. While an interview should be taken seriously, don't forget to smile, make eye contact and engage with the employer. While the resume is fact-based, an interview is more emotion-based. Be confident with who you are and don't pretend to be something you're not. As the interviewee, you have more control over the situation than you might think. According to data, about 40% of your interview success is based on your packaging such as nonverbal communication and appearance. Another 40% is your responsiveness to the questions. 10% of your success is based on your qualifications. Brenda breaks down the interview process into 5 stages. Stage 1 is Making an Entrance. When you enter an interview with confidence, you appear competent. If your interview is virtual, make sure you understand the platform being used. If you are not familiar with certain software, like Teams or Webex, find a demo video online and learn how to navigate the platform. Make sure the position of your camera highlights your face and be aware of what is in your background. Experiment with lighting to ensure shadows are not covering your face. Stage 2 is Questions They Ask You. During your interview preparation, be able to answer why you want to work for them and why they should pick you. Research the company by looking at their website and social media channels. Review your resume and begin to formulate stories to back up your accomplishments. Use the STAR method to ensure you are giving the backstory, the actions you took and what you achieved. Connect with Brenda at https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachbrendamariah/Explore Push Management Career's Interview Training Program at https://www.pushcareermanagement.com/interview-coachingAAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

We continue our discussion with Mary Polanco on Part 2 of this 2-part series. On the previous episode, Mary discusses the importance of taking time for yourself during the military transition process and the reality that separating from the military may cause grief. During this episode, we dissect content from her newly published book, Your Final Debrief, and dive deeper into healthy ways to deal with complex emotions that may arise before, during and after the military transition. Mary believes that questioning your feelings is an important step to understanding the root cause. If you find yourself feeling a certain way, ask yourself where the feeling is coming from and consider the meaning behind the feeling. This type of analytical thinking will help you acknowledge and accept the feeling and move on. Life is full of transitions - whether it's relational or job related. It's important to constantly reflect on where you are, where you've been and how you envision your future. Reflection will bring up feelings, and for many people it's easier to suppress those feelings instead of working through them. As we work through feelings, it's hard to know in the beginning what is really underneath the emotions. Mary attributes therapy, reading, journaling and meditating to helping her work through suppressed feelings from her Air Force career. These healthy actions create space for things to come up, so you can address them and move forward.Leaving the military is a choice for some, but for others it's forced. Some service members get med boarded while others may fail to get promoted. Either way, the last day in uniform can be emotionally charged. For Mary, she was unprepared for the feelings that occurred on her first full day of retirement. She realized she was alone in her decisions. She no longer had someone telling her where to be and what to do. It's okay to be both sad about your military career being over and excited about your future.Mary encourages service members to separate their identity with their service. If you are struggling with this, pull out a piece of paper and write down the question, “Who am I?” For you to separate your service from your identity, you have to have an identity to fall back on – which is the real you! For those serving in the military, it's too easy to put “you” on the back burner. You need to dedicate time to the discovery process of finding out what has been dormant for so long. In her book, Mary suggests 9 questions that could help you rediscover yourself including What brings you peace? What would you do with your time if you had no worries? What is your legacy? Your Final Debrief is a guide that shows you how to invest in yourself. The military will roll on without you. So start preparing for your next chapter. Connect with Mary at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-polanco-mssl-32a1a5176/Explore Your Final Debrief at https://www.amazon.com/Your-Final-Debrief-Military-Post-Service/dp/B0CN69TVWZ Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4vAAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

After serving 23 years in the US Air Force, Mary Polanco retired from the Air Force. She is the founder and CEO of Live and Lead Well and the author of Your Final Debrief, which she describes as a must-read guide to learning how to break free from the military mindset and craft the post service life you truly desire. During Season 3, episode 128, we talked with Mary about her transition. This episode focuses on content from her newly published book. Mary retired earlier than planned, at the peak of her military career. To those on the outside, it came as a shock. However, Mary had prepared for her transition and done the hard work of self-discovery before submitting her retirement papers. Her hope is Your Final Debrief will resonate with transitioning service members and validate the complex emotions that often accompany military separation or retirement. The first chapter is titled Thank You for Your Service. If you've served in the military, you know that this sentiment can often be uncomfortable. Mary believes it's important for service members to acknowledge their service and the sacrifices they made while wearing the uniform. One of the sacrifices that Mary focuses on is the idea that military service may hinder a person's identity. Have you ever heard someone refer to someone else as ROAD? It stands for retired on active duty. It's a term used to describe someone that is choosing to focus on themself rather than working 24/7 until their last day for the military. This term has a negative connotation in the military. Mary addresses this and why it's so important to take time for yourself before separating or retiring from the military. For those serving in leadership roles, the military has convinced you that the mission will fail without you, right? The truth is the military will go on without you. You are replaceable. It can feel wrong to put yourself before the needs of others, especially if you have a servitude attitude. Know that you will never be able to convince those still in uniform the magnitude of transitioning. It's not your job – your job is to prepare yourself for the next chapter of your life.In Mary's book, she compares her service to a marriage and her retirement to a divorce. She experienced the 5 stages of grief during her transition. Mary believes the first enlistment is the courtship phase. During this time, you are questioning whether to leave or stay for the long haul. For those that choose to reenlist, a commitment is made and there are expectations of your service. The 5 stages of grief are Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Grief occurs over a loss – whether it's a person, pet or job.  Mary experienced all of these as she grappled with the idea of retirement.Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Mary at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-polanco-mssl-32a1a5176/Explore Your Final Debrief at https://www.amazon.com/Your-Final-Debrief-Military-Post-Service/dp/B0CN69TVWZAAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome retired US Air Force Senior Master Sergeant, Clarissa Merced. Clarissa used the SkillBridge program to upskill and land a role with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). During her 2.5 years at the VBA, Clarissa realized she needed a job that was more stimulating and rewarding. She got serious about her job search and learned how to translate her military skills and effectively market herself. Her hard work paid off, and she received an offer for a new role that exceeded her previous salary by more than $30K. Clarissa admits she did not utilize her transition period wisely. She relied on her 24 years of military service, education and SkillBridge to carry her into the next chapter. When she finished her SkillBridge internship with the VBA, she went straight into a full-time position working from home assigning disability ratings to veterans. After spending 24 years in the military and being on call all the time, Clarissa realized the demanding environment at the VBA was not a good fit. When Clarissa accepted a new position in the civilian sector, she noticed right away that the environment was better suited to her. She feels heard and valued in her new role and believes her compensation is fair given her experience, education and background. Clarissa is grateful for her role at the VBA and encourages veterans to explore working for the federal government if they are looking for an environment that is similar in nature to the military as far as promotions and paygrades.  As Clarissa reflects on her transition, she wished she would have taken time to decompress and detach herself from the military before starting her post-military career. She went straight from the military to SkillBridge to a full-time role. She would have taken the time to do career and personality type assessments and really put thought into the kind of work environment that she wanted to be in. If Clarissa had the opportunity to transition again, she would have put a greater emphasis on earning the certifications and degrees that would benefit her once she retired instead of prioritizing education that contributed to her success while she was serving.  Working from home has been an adjustment for Clarissa. Many people seek remote roles, especially in the post-pandemic world. While there are many positives to working from home, there can be challenges as well. If you are a people person, you must find ways to interact and connect with your team. Remote workers often need to remind their family members that they are at work and need to stay on task.Clarissa recommends people seek professional assistance if they need help writing a resume or prepping for an interview. Career coaching is a small investment when you consider the impact it can have on the rest of your career. Invest in yourself. Take advantage of free resources and then make an informed decision if you know you need more help marketing yourself. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Clarissa at https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarissa-merced/Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4vAAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we continue our conversation with Dave Schantz, SkillBridge expert. If you haven't listened to Part 1, we encourage you to download Episode 153 and learn more about what the SkillBridge program is and what it isn't. This episode focuses on the employment part of the SkillBridge program. Dave encourages service members to run weekly keyword searches on the SkillBridge locations page to learn what companies are offering opportunities that fit their needs. During this discovery period, service members should be reaching out to the point of contact listed on the SkillBridge location page to learn more about the organization and their program. Google companies and learn about their successes, failures and cultures. When a service member sits down for a SkillBridge interview, it should not be the first time they are learning about the organization. Prepare for the interview like it's a paid opportunity because it is a fully funded fellowship opportunity. During the interview, it would be appropriate to inquire about the opportunity at the end of the SkillBridge internship. The SkillBridge program is not a free labor program. It is by design a train to hire program. If the company cannot answer the question, it is a red flag. Service members should apply to multiple SkillBridge opportunities.Because the SkillBridge program is a popular way to secure employment after the military, many service members have begun to view it as an opportunity to get out of the military 6 months early. Remember that your commanding officer can recall you if needed. Another unhealthy mindset is chasing the SkillBridge opportunity with the longest internship period. Go for the opportunity that is right for both you and the organization to support the level of training that you need in order to get the job that you want. The purpose of SkillBridge is to upskill or retrain service members, whether that takes 6 months or 2 months. Dave encourages service members to start thinking about their military transition as early as possible. Learn about the Air Force COOL program, tuition assistance, credentialing assistance, the GI Bill and the SkillBridge program. For any position that requires a Secret security clearance or less, most recruiters don't look any further than 90 days in advance. 90 days before a service member is eligible to start a SkillBridge opportunity would be an ideal time to start applying to organizations. For positions that require a Top Security clearance or above, start applications 4-6 months in advance.Start preparing for your transition early. Network with companies that offer SkillBridge opportunities. Make a plan that includes applying for multiple SkillBridge opportunities. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 Connect with Dave at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-schantz-skillbridge-champion/Explore SkillBridge at https://skillbridge.osd.mil/Join the DoD SkillBridge Community of Practice LinkedIn group at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12257076/Download the AAFMAA transition timeline aAAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

We are excited to welcome Dave Schantz to the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast. After retiring from the US Navy in 2019, Dave built a SkillBridge opportunity at General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT). Once he learned how to navigate the SkillBridge approval process for GDIT, he took over the program to attract more transitioning service members to the organization. As the administrator for the DoD SkillBridge Community of Practice LinkedIn group for several years, he shares his knowledge of the program for service members, transition counselors and approved companies. Dave has been consulting with companies since 2021 and is now consulting full-time. As one of the premier experts on SkillBridge, he assists companies through the approval process and advises them on how to successfully build out their program. During Dave's last year in service, he reached out to the hiring manager at GDIT to inquire if they had a SkillBridge program in place. Not only did they not have the program in place, but they also had very little knowledge of the benefits of SkillBridge. Dave sold them on the program, and he was selected to start working for them as a training advisor through their new SkillBridge program. After spending 6 months in the role, Dave was hired. Dave volunteered to be the administrator of the DoD SkillBridge Community of Practice LinkedIn group. From 9/2019 to present, Dave has grown the group from 85 members to 37K. Many service members are following Dave's lead on creating SkillBridge opportunities. There are currently 4,400+ SkillBridge approved organizations.The DoD SkillBridge program allows service members to participate in unpaid internships or apprenticeships with an approved organization during the last 6 months of service time. The organization can specify the duration of work from 1 month to the full 6 months with the expectation that at the end of the agreed upon period, there will be an opportunity for a full-time position. The program is designed as a train to hire program. It is not meant to be a free labor program. If a service member wants to participate in a SkillBridge opportunity with an organization that is not DoD approved, the program allows every approved organization to act as a middleman. This scenario could happen for a variety of reasons such as the organization doesn't have time to get approved or the organization lacks the personnel to follow through on the intensive paperwork process.For service members who are interested in SkillBridge, having a translated resume and LinkedIn profile is very important. Because a company is not supposed to be offering SkillBridge opportunities unless there is a high likelihood of a job offer at the end, the hiring manager will most likely be reviewing a service member's resume and LinkedIn profile and conducting an interview. The DoD is making strides toward streamlining the approval process for organizations. With 200K service members transitioning each year and just 4,400+ approved organizations, there is still a lack of opportunity for some who want to participate in the program.Connect with Dave at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-schantz-skillbridge-champion/Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4vSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome back Dr. Derek Moore. Derek was originally a guest in Season 1 for a Q&A episode. Since retiring in 2021 from the US Marine Corps, Derek's journey has had highs and lows, including a period of unemployment and underemployment. Today, Derek is the Director of the Joint Military Leadership Center at the University of South Florida. One of Derek's challenges during his military transition was relocating from North Carolina to Florida. Derek chose Florida for its climate but was unprepared for the lack of opportunities in his desired field. After experiencing unemployment for 8 months and unable to find leadership roles working with student veterans at area colleges and universities, Derek settled on a position in admissions and recruiting for a local private university. Within 3 months, Derek knew his job was not a good fit for him. It took him almost a year to find his current role. When Derek was unemployed and underemployed, he made an intentional effort to stay in touch with his connections on LinkedIn. He encourages others facing the same reality to remain calm and patient. Consider expanding your job search range to increase the number of job opportunities. In his director role, Derek oversees the ROTC program that includes Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Air Force. He serves as the conduit between the university and the military branches, ensuring that students are successful with both their military and university commitments. Derek uses his military leadership skills and experience in his current role to serve students. Underemployment is one of the biggest issues that veterans face in their post military career. Whether a person is underutilized, undervalued or underpaid, underemployment can be discouraging and frustrating. Keep looking for opportunities that make you feel valued and useful. Sometimes the first job a veteran is offered after leaving the military is a dream job. Other times, that first job is nothing more than a paycheck. There is nothing wrong with accepting a job and continuing to look for a better fit. For Derek, he took his first job without having done the work of translating his military skills on his resume. After seeking professional help on his resume to help him translate his skills, he noticed more employers reaching out to him. If you choose to write your own resume, you must convey the value of what you did in the military to the employer. Derek credits LinkedIn for his large network. Once he got over the initial discomfort of reaching out to strangers to ask for informational interviews, Derek learned how to lean into his network to learn more about careers in higher education. In addition, he created content and commented on posts to share his knowledge and skills. Derek encourages service members to make their education plan while they are still serving. Take advantage of tuition assistance and credentialing assistance. Research the field you want to enter and learn what education you need to be competitive in the job search process. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 Connect with Derek at https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-moore-/DownloadAAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

On this episode of the Lesson Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome Todd Nelson. Although not a veteran himself, he has dedicated his career to helping service members navigate their finances as a financial advisor for Edward Jones. There are often unique financial challenges that accompany transitioning service members into their next career. Todd is the host of Transition 30, a network that uses quarterly Zoom calls to connect service members to resources and organizations that support the military transition process.Todd lays out 3 considerations every service member must make as they exit the military. 1) How much money do I need to replace? 2) How much money do I want and how much money do I need? 3) How am I going to get from what I need to what I want? Having mentors and talking to subject matter experts in taxation can become a valuable piece of establishing your financial foundation. The first consideration when thinking about SGLI to VGLI is knowing what your needs are when it comes to insurance. Speak to your spouse, significant other and family members before you start the VA disability process. During the VA process, everything is documented. If you start your insurance research after you have already started the VA process, there may be some exclusions to your policy because of the VA documentation. The second consideration is realizing that VGLI is there for a reason. Sometimes private life insurance companies won't cover you because of your service-related injuries. When it comes to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), it's important to realize that it's a personal decision that should be based off several factors. Research the SBP at militarypay.defense.gov prior to out-processing. During out-processing, you will be asked if you want to opt out of SBP because by default, you are opted into the plan. An alternative to SBP is life insurance. Another priority when transitioning from the military is knowing how your tax bracket will be influenced. Your pension and new job will affect your tax bracket. Start setting money aside for this reality. VA disability payments are tax free. It is a benefit that you have earned and can be viewed as a lifetime annuity. You are guaranteed that income with a cost-of-living adjustment each year. With just a 10% disability rating, you are eligible for a VA home loan. Service members who are separating and plan to file for disability compensation can file their claim before separation through the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program. The BDD program allows service members to apply for VA disability compensation benefits between 180 to 90 days prior to separation. If your disability rating is 30% or higher, you will have preference when it comes to jobs in the federal government. There are many considerations when it comes to accepting a job offer. Look at the total compensation package, not just the salary. Benefits might include a 401K or a 403b and stock options. You will want to consider starting a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA. Do your research and seek assistance and advice to help you navigate your financial situation.Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Todd at https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-nelson-edward-jones/Transition 30 LinkedIn Group: AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, host Lori Norris shares the best ways to help candidates stand out from the crowd during the job search process. It may seem counterintuitive at first, but a candidate who can shift their focus from themself to the needs of an employer will rise above the applicant pool. Whether it's your resume, LinkedIn profile, a networking event, an interview or a job fair, you must have a strategy. A strategic marketing plan begins with knowing the customer. Find out what the customer wants – in the job search process, the customer is the employer. Learn to articulate what skills you have that will meet the employer's needs. Consider some of the most effective marketing slogans on social media and television. Nike's slogan is “Just Do It” – yet at no point do they ever tell you outright to buy their shoes and clothing. The company makes it all about you – the consumer. Try applying this approach to your marketing and make it all about the employer. Avoid writing objective statements in your resume that tell the employer you need a job or using your LinkedIn headline as an opportunity to state you are a transitioning service member looking for employment. Companies hire for one of two reasons: they have a need to fill or a problem to solve. Do your research and figure out what the organization's needs and problems are and then craft your marketing to be the solution to their problem. Put more focus on putting together tailored, quality applications instead of sending out a large quantity of generic applications. Convey your ROI to the company. To define an employer's needs and problems, first conduct a S.W.O.T. analysis. Learn their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats and then target your marketing to the customer. Second, conduct research using a company's website, google, corporateinformation.com and glassdoor.com. Use social media to learn about a company's current events. Determine your unique skills and market the benefits that they will bring to the employer. Employers will believe what you can prove through stories, examples and statistics. To help get you thinking about how your skills can be the solution to an employer's problems, try this exercise – Make a list of at least 25 of your skills. Next to each skill, make a statement of its value. In the third column, write an example or story that highlights the skill. This exercise will help you craft quality bullets for your resume and effective talking points for an interview. Download your free skills worksheet at www.nextforvets.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Lori at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorinorris/Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4vSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we bring you the first Q&A session of Season 4. Taylor Lau currently serves in the US Army and is scheduled to separate in October of 2024 with terminal leave beginning in July. She is currently pursuing Salesforce certifications but is also open to working for a defense contractor. What are the biggest pitfalls that plague transitioning service members as they make their move to the civilian workforce?One of the biggest issues plaguing veterans is believing that people are going to be clamoring to hire you simply because you are a veteran. The fact that you are a veteran is valuable and so are the military training and skills you bring an employer. It is your responsibility to translate your value – your skills – to your employer. They want to know how you can help them and add value to their team. You must translate your skills on your resume, while you are networking and building your LinkedIn profile. Your marketing should be all about where you are going, not where you have been.If a TSM only has enough time to focus on one thing, what would you say that one thing should be?Every transition is unique. With that said, having a focus is key to building a network. Tailoring your resume and creating an optimized LinkedIn profile are equally important. If you find yourself short on time, your first and most important step is to figure out what is next for you - not what is forever. Ask yourself what makes the most sense to target next so that you can leave the military and continue to provide for yourself and your family. Sit down and write a resume and fill out your LinkedIn profile that translates your military skills and showcases why you are qualified for that next role and start applying. Once you land that first job and have an offer in hand, keep networking. Continue to look and apply for jobs and explore any certifications that can set yourself up for the next step.What traits or strengths would you say the civilian world looks for that maybe the military tends to find less desirable?The value of soft skills is often overlooked in the military. There are skills that service members develop such as communication, empathy or getting a team to buy in that are valued in the civilian world. Veterans will often notice the value that civilian coworkers place on a work life balance. As Taylor approaches the end of her career in the military, she is reflecting on her various roles and asking herself what value and worth she can highlight to a future employer. It is the responsibility of the service member to articulate the importance of each military job.Taylor recently made a post where she compared the military transition to walking on a lightly frozen lake. With the reality of a new chapter ahead of her, Taylor realizes that she must confidently keep moving forward. She understands that the uniform she wore gave her extra confidence and that it is now up to her to make a decision on how she is going to portray herself without the uniform. One of the biggest realizations that veterans have after leaving the military is the idea that they have the freedom to change and to pivot. Unlike the military, you have the freedom to change jobs or move locations when you want. The military transition can feel isolating and lonely. While no one else can go through the process for you, there are plenty of rAAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we host Major General Gregg Martin. During his 36-year career, MG Martin commanded the Corps of Engineers Northwest Division and served as Commandant of the Army Engineer School, President of the National Defense University and Special Assistant to the Chief of Engineers. He is also the author of Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness. By 2014, MG Martin had been unknowingly living with bipolar disorder. After several anonymous reports of his behavior, General Dempsey ordered a series of assessments and ultimately relieved Martin of duty. When Martin reported to Walter Reed, he was diagnosed with bipolarism. In 2015, Martin medically retired with no continuity of care plan. Today, the military is not allowing that same scenario to happen for service members being medically retired with mental health issues. The military is making an intentional effort to normalize the conversation regarding mental health and providing education through workshops, training and forums. The military is looking for ways to accommodate and keep service members in the force. After retiring from the military, MG Martin fell into such deep depression that he was checked into an inpatient VA psych ward. After two weeks of intensive care provided by a multidisciplinary team, Martin spent the following four weeks living in a dorm inside of the hospital. Once he began taking a new prescription of Lithium, his symptoms subsided, and he began to regain control of his life. In addition to relocating to Florida, Martin reconnected with his family and maintains regular therapy sessions and daily medication. He prioritizes a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise and sleep. MG Martin anchors his life using the five P's – Purpose, People, Place, Perseverance, Presence. For Martin, his new purpose is destigmatizing mental issues and promoting recovery. He surrounds himself with positive and energetic people and chose to relocate to sunny Florida for its health benefits. He perseveres through his challenges and has the presence of mind to get outside of his own thinking and think objectively about his thought patterns. As an advocate for mental health awareness, MG Martin has written over 20 articles that have appeared in publications including Psychology Today, Psychiatric Times, Boston Globe and Soldier Magazine. In addition, he has spoken to over a hundred audiences about mental health. His book, Bipolar General, includes medical research that is woven into his own personal journey with bipolarism.Gregg Martin urges anyone who feels like they may have a mental health condition to seek help immediately. Untreated mental illness can ruin a marriage, career and finances. It can lead to homelessness, addiction, incarceration and even death.Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with MG Martin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregg-f-martin-222735aa/Explore Bipolar General at https://www.generalgreggmartin.com/Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4vSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we welcome Army veteran Travis Pearce. Travis separated in 2009 with very little notice and without a defined plan. He stepped off an airplane with a cell phone, a duffle bag and his Army training. When Travis joined the Army, he started in EOD and was then reclassed as a wheeled vehicle mechanic. With his GI Bill benefit, he went to college to study engineering. His first job after the military was as a monorail mechanic at the Tampa airport. Today, he works as an engineer for that same company. In 2009, Travis had just returned from a Joint Special Operations in the Pacific when he learned his unit was already prepping for another deployment to Iraq. His commander gave him the option of redeploying or ETSing with an honorable discharge – meaning released from active duty. Because Travis chose to ETS, he did not have the runway to prepare for his transition. Stationed in Hawaii at the time, his belongings were put on a ship, sent to California and then transferred to a truck headed for Tampa Bay, Florida – his hometown.Travis relied on the skills he learned in the Army as a mechanic to help him find a job. Because there is no school for monorail maintenance or repair, Travis played up his ability to adapt to change, learn quickly and be flexible – all skills he learned in the Army. After Travis was offered the position at Alstom, the hiring manager disclosed that his background working on multiple pieces of equipment and managing the accountability of equipment valued in the millions helped him get the job. Alstom is actively seeking talent in a variety of fields.One of the biggest hurdles Travis faced after he separated from the military was defining his goals. Once he began his college studies and shifted his focus to engineering, he determined his focus and the steps he needed to take to accomplish his goals. Travis has been employed with Alstom for almost 14 years. The stability, teamwork environment and benefits play a key role in his loyalty to the company. Alstom gave him flexibility when he was going to school full-time and working full-time to support his growing family. As Travis reflects on his career with Alstom, he attributes his success and longevity to his management's flexibility and support and his willingness to be honest and candid about his goals. Building trusting relationships is key to taking advantage of internal opportunities. Now that Travis has been out of the Army for 14+ years, he encourages all service members to learn about and understand their benefits. Find resources and organizations that can help you navigate the process of applying for benefits. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Explore careers at Alstom at https://www.alstom.com/careers/join-alstomDownload the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4vSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

While serving as an active-duty US Navy officer, Jai Salters is also the founder and executive director of ACT Now Education and founder and CEO of his own consulting firm. He has a mission to get 1000 military service members and their spouses employed by the time he retires from the Navy in 2027. He has already helped hundreds of people successfully navigate their transition.When Jai hit the 10-year mark in the military, he made the decision to continue until retirement. Without a college degree or any certifications, he knew his options would be limited if he separated at 10 years. Determined to make the most of his next 10+ years, Jai began researching different education programs and opportunities. He was amazed at the plethora of information and shared his new knowledge with colleagues. ACT Now Education started as a brief that focused on the resources that Jai had discovered. From there, Jai went on to earn 17 certifications, an associate degree and a bachelor's degree. Today, ACT Now Education focuses on upskill and reskill resources. Most resources are free with a handful costing very little. ACT Now serves as an advocate for organizations offering free certifications and partners with organizations like Coursera and Project Management Institute (PMI). ACT Now has developed several cohort-style training programs that provide business suits, resume services, interview prep and access to Fortune 500 mentors. Every Saturday, Jai hosts a virtual meeting that is open to all service members and their families. He brings on guest speakers to help service members, veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. Attendees will leave with a 21-page resource guide and a transition checklist. Last year alone, Jai helped over 150 people get jobs. Many of these people utilized ACT Now Education or learned about different opportunities through Jai's LinkedIn posts. In 2021, ACT Now went online and has grown substantially in the past 3 years. As a nonprofit, the organization relies on the support of companies like Microsoft. Through his networking skills and the success of ACT Now, Jai regularly has employers and federal agencies reach out to him to help fill open positions. Jai's ultimate goal is to revise the TAP program. He envisions modernizing the class and streamlining initiatives like SkillBridge to maximize positive outcomes. He credits organizations like Veterati, The COMMIT foundation and American Corporate Partners (ACP) for providing additional resources beyond those found through TAP.Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Jai at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jai-salters/Explore ACT Now Education at https://actnoweducation.org/Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4vSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

This episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast kicks off our 4th Season! We are excited to host Charlene Wilde who served as a US Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Officer for six years. As a veteran and military spouse, Charlene is now the Senior Vice President of Operations at American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA). This podcast focuses on how she transitioned back into the civilian workforce after an 11-year break and the strategies she used to expand her opportunities at AAFMAA. We are grateful to AAFMAA for sponsoring this episode.  Charlene made the decision to separate from the military after she had her first child. With her husband recently deployed to Iraq and a short 6-week maternity leave over, Charlene persevered as a CBRN officer for awhile before realizing she wanted to prioritize her new role as a mother. Unfortunately, her command and unit were not supportive of military women who wanted to continue serving after becoming a mom. After Charlene separated, she found the support she needed through the military spouse community.  As a veteran and military spouse, Charlene spent a significant amount of time overseas with her husband. At the time, remote work was not as prevalent as it is today. Charlene had the desire to continue learning and serving, so she volunteered as much as she could through military organizations and spouse groups. Volunteering was an opportunity for Charlene to gain new skills - skills that helped her gain future employment. Charlene encourages mil spouses to take a strategic approach to volunteering in order to build a resume. Taking classes or pursuing certifications are also great ways to fill gaps on a resume. When Charlene began applying for roles after an 11-year break, she tailored her resume to focus on her organizational and leadership skills. She took advantage of Fort Belvoir's military spouse employment office and began networking. AAFMAA hired her as a team leader in 2015. Charlene admits that when she first reentered the workforce, she viewed her role as just a job. A year later, she shifted her mindset from job to career. With this mental shift, Charlene began to look for new opportunities to grow within the company.  AAFMAA has a long and solid history of serving the military community. It is the longest standing not for profit association to provide military families with affordable financial solutions, including life insurance, investment management, residential mortgages and Survivor Assistance Services. In addition, almost 40% of AAFMAA's workforce is either a veteran or a military spouse. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 Connect with Charlene at https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlene-wilde/ Explore AAFMAA services at https://www.aafmaa.com/ Download the AAFMAA transition timeline at https://aafmaa.com/ll4v SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association is the longest-standing nonprofit association offering life insurance, wealth management, mortgages, survivor assistance and more. AAFMA is dedicated to helping servicemembers be ready for life after the military. AAFMAA would like to offer you their free Transition Timeline, a guide to help you create a solid military transition plan. Let AAFMAA help you get ready for your next step by visiting www.aafmaa.com/ll4v.

Shawn Welsh recently retired from the US Army after serving in the intelligence field, but he started his transition years prior. Using his intel skills, Shawn took advantage of 26 military transition programs and obtained 7 different certifications. He currently works in business continuity and is the host of the VET S.O.S. podcast, which he launched in May of 2022.Shawn teamed up with a fellow transitioning service member, and together they explored different events and programs in the months leading up to his retirement. One of the most beneficial events for Shawn was experiencing a Who Ya Know Show Career Summit. This event allowed Shawn to understand what civilians are looking for in a new hire. The Who Ya Know Show encouraged Shawn to start his own podcast. As a result, the VET S.O.S. podcast launched with their support and sponsorship. Through LinkedIn, Shawn connected with others who recommended programs like FourBlock, Vets2Industry and Veterati. The tagline for the VET S.O.S. podcast is Don't drown in the sea of transition; grab the S.O.S. lifeline. With thousands of transition resources available, the amount of information can be overwhelming to navigate, not to mention time consuming to research. To help service members organize their military transition, Shawn hosts different organizations each week on his podcast and allows them 30 minutes to showcase their services.Shawn recently presented at the VET Summit and shared his tactic for organizing the 40,000 VSOs to a more manageable number. He narrowed down his top 3 VSOs to Vets2Industry, The KEY Community and 50strong. Vets2Industry hosts virtual events that bring in 200 attendees and dozens of vetted recruiters and organizations. After the event, a summary is emailed to all the attendees for their reference. The KEY Community and 50strong also offer virtual events and networking opportunities.  Of the 26 military transition programs that Shawn participated in, Veterati ranks in his top 5. The informational interviews with the mentors at Veterati helped him figure out what he didn't want to do. Another organization that Shawn used was American Corporate Partners (ACP). The mentor he was given was such a good match that they continue to regularly talk. FourBlock hosts companies and recruiters that are interested in hiring veterans. The COMMIT Foundation and Leader Transition Institute round out his top 5. Shawn was methodical in his transition preparation. He and his wife had many conversations about finances, moving and career paths. After settling on a location, he networked and conducted informational interviews to help him find his focus. From there he used Hire Our Heroes to find an internship in business consulting. The internship became his current full-time job. You may be wondering how Shawn was able to use so many resources during his transition and still fulfill his military duties. It's not that he had leadership that just let him stop coming to work. Instead, he planned ahead and started 2 years prior to his retirement. Little by little, he slowly went through the programs and earned certifications. He fit in informational interviews when he could and took advantage of virtual opportunities.Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Shawn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnwelsh00/ Listen to the VET S.O.S. podcast at https://vetsospodcast.com/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

After 17 years of service, Sean Oliva was medically retired from the US Army. Because he had spent 10 years in a recruiting role, Sean thought he could easily slide into a similar role on the civilian side. His job searching proved to be extremely challenging and competitive. After accepting a role with a nonprofit, he transitioned into a talent acquisition role with Boston Scientific. Recently, Sean made an internal move into a project management position. When Sean medically retired in 2021, he soon realized how competitive the job market was. During his transition, Sean was working with a nonprofit to gain public access for his service dog. At the time, the current and first responder program coordinator was retiring, so Sean applied and was offered the position. Sean found his new role extremely rewarding, but the challenge of living other people's PTSD triggered his own PTSD. Weighing the pros and cons of working for a nonprofit, Sean decided to look for roles in talent acquisition. While he was submitting applications, he sought coaching and mentorship through Warriors to Work – a veteran employment program within Wounded Warrior Project. They helped him with his interview skills and learning how to effectively translate his military skills. Ultimately, they helped him find the confidence to sell himself in the interview. There is a balance of being humble as a person and confident in your value. For someone who is considering a career that is different than their military background, Sean encourages them to expand their search and include jobs that are relatable. From there, start to network. Conducting informational interviews with people already in the industry will reveal other avenues of opportunity. Boston Scientific hired Sean, in part, because of his soft skills. When Sean served in talent acquisition with Boston Scientific, he also found that veterans possess a set of soft skills which can be hard to find in other applicants. When Sean decided he wanted a new role within Boston Scientific, he reached out to colleagues and set up time to learn about their roles. To gain visibility within the organization, he got involved with the Veterans Employee Resource Group. He made the right connections and proved his value with his organizational and communication skills. When a new project management position opened, he was immediately contacted and encouraged to apply. His networking and visibility within the organization paid off. He got the job!Sean shares some advice on how to stand out from the applicant pool. On his resume, Sean highlights his strengths in a short paragraph under the title of the role that he's applying for. From there, his professional experience showcases achievements with metrics that indicate how he saved the company money, made money or brought solutions to solve a problem. He encourages every person to translate their military job titles to a civilian equivalent. Integrate your soft skills into the resume. Show how you used both hard skills – technical skills – and soft skills to achieve your accomplishments. Don't limit your job search to companies that advertise specifically to veterans. Just because an organization doesn't have a “military friendly” slogan on their career page doesn't mean they are not interested in hiring veterans. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Sean at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-oliva/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

We welcome back Mary Kate Soliva to update us on her life since transitioning 2 years ago. Mary Kate served more than 11 years in the US Army, with much of her service dedicated to Special Operations Forces. In 2021, Mary Kate separated and transitioned into the Army Reserve. She worked as a program manager for the Project Management Institute and is now supporting Special Operations at Motive International. As the host of the Veteran Voices podcast, Mary Kate brings to light insights, perspectives and stories from those that have served or who are currently serving. She is the co-founder of the Guam Human Rights Initiative and volunteers with a host of organizations.Mary Kate started her transition early. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the in-person transition services were not available, so she leaned heavily into building her network and scheduling virtual coffees with people through LinkedIn. Like many veterans, Mary Kate had moments of panic and questioned whether she was making the right choice by leaving. Through her networking and LinkedIn involvement, she was approached by the Project Management Institute for a role that they were looking to fill. Some of the connections that she made virtually on LinkedIn have since become some of her closest friends and mentors. It is possible to build quality relationships virtually. Since Mary Kate has shifted her service from active duty to reserve, she has become very aware of the unique challenges that reservists face. Many of these soldiers live hours away from their unit's base. In addition, many of the resources we commonly think about are only for active-duty service members or there are caveats attached to the resource. Mary Kate hopes to find solutions to common issues surrounding the reservist service member.In 2022, Mary Kate co-founded the Guam Human Rights Initiative. Because she graduated from the University of Guam, the US territory holds a special place in her heart. As a current doctoral student, she is researching human rights issues impacting Guam and Micronesia. In addition, she collaborates with other scholars and students in other parts of the country and world to find solutions for the issues plaguing Guam. Although human trafficking - specifically sex trafficking - is a priority, there are other human rights issues such as family violence and food insecurity that she is also researching. The Hoover Institution Veteran Fellowship Program started in 2021 and is a nonresident year-long program based out of Stanford University and under the direction of Dr. Condoleezza Rice. Each fellow focuses on a bipartisan topic that is impacting the American people. Mary Kate gained the support of Dr. Rice along with the Governor of Guam and other high-profile people and entities for her research into human rights issues in Guam.  Mary Kate has never been paid for her advocacy or volunteering work, but the opportunity to really make an impact on the lives of others keeps her motivated and inspired. Both of her employers since leaving the military have been supportive of her and have given her the flexibility to pursue her other interests.Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Mary Kate at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marykatesoliva/Explore the Guam Human Rights Initiative at https://www.guamhri.org/Listen to the Veteran Voices podcast at https://supplychainnow.com/program/veteran-voices/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

On this episode, we bring you a Q&A session with Air Force transitioning service member, Nicholas Perez. Like most service members, Nicholas has held a variety of positions in the Air Force. In his current role as Director of Technical Training, Nick equips 1,300+ maintenance technicians with the most current knowledge and skills to meet their customer needs. With plans to retire from the Air Force in less than a year, Nick has found his focus and chosen to pursue roles in learning and development. He is actively researching SkillBridge opportunities and is available to start an internship as early as March of 2024. After researching job postings and contemplating his future, Nick is seeking answers to a couple of questions regarding the transition process.1) How much of me should I be in an interview? Should I treat an interview like I'm dating? In other words, hide my true self until the 2nd or 3rd date?It's generally not advisable to change who you are for an interview. Embrace your unique value while being professional. Bring your personality to the interview and know that it won't be a good fit for every organization. You are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. It's important to find that balance of professionalism and personality. 2) What are some unique or awesome perks/benefits I should look for in a company when being hired? After receiving the compensation package offer, don't just negotiate salary. Be open to negotiating other things, like paid time off. If the role requires you to drive your own vehicle, inquire about a car allowance. If you have to travel, ask if you can keep the airline miles and hotel points. Ask what professional development opportunities exist. Is there a gym onsite or do they offer gym membership discounts? Glassdoor.com is a great resource to learn what current employees are experiencing.  Nick recently made a comment on a LinkedIn post. He wrote about the importance of creating positive mental and physical health habits before retiring or separating. A few months ago, Nick realized he had conflicting thoughts about leaving the military. He was beginning to question if he had made a mistake by putting in his retirement papers. Realizing that he was burdening his spouse with his roller coaster of emotions, he sought professional counseling. His counselor made a profound statement to him, “It's time for you to move on. You've served your country well, loyally and faithfully. You've outgrown it and are ready to grow into something new.” Through his transition process, he feels like he's grown more self-aware. He constantly asks himself questions like, “Why do I react the way that I do?” or “Why am I thinking these things?” or “Why do I have these stressors?” or “How is my anxiety and stress affecting my spouse and kids?” Making time for physical fitness has also been important for Nick's well-being. When asked what his biggest challenge has been so far in his military transition, Nick admits it was finding his focus. Although he no longer finds fulfillment in the way the military approaches training and development, Nick knows that he is an instructor at heart. Many times, positions in the military are not approached in the same way as in the civilian sector. When finding your focus, it's critical to research positions, conduct informational interviews and maybe even find a way to experience that role for a day. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22 Connect with Nicholas at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-r-perez1/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

Mark Twain said, “If the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that it's probably the worst thing that's going to happen to you all day long.” You might be wondering what that quote has to do with the military transition. On this episode, we dive into the “Eat the Frog” concept. Your “frog” is a task or challenge that you have been avoiding and procrastinating because it is daunting. Maybe it's writing your resume, building your network through informational interviews, practicing your interview skills or figuring out what it is that you want to do next. The military transition is a series of important decisions. You have likely heard that it's important to start your transition early. One of the reasons is because decision fatigue is real. Your willpower and decision-making skills are finite and can become depleted as the day goes on. Research shows that accomplishing tasks early in the day boosts your confidence, motivates you and sets the stage for more productivity. Someone once told me that overwhelm and action can't live in the same space. When you're moving forward, working toward a goal – even if you are taking small steps – it's harder to feel that sense of anxiety or dread. So how do we go about tackling a daunting project or task?1. Prioritize Your Tasks. Not all tasks are equally important. Identify your “frog.” During the military transition, your “frog” may be finding your focus.2. Set Clear Goals. Consider making them SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reaching/Realistic and Timely. Identify your “frogs” for each day. Do not waste your time on tasks that aren't meaningful. 3. Block Your Time. Allocate specific time slots for specific tasks. For example, if you are looking for a job, set time each day to network, conduct informational interviews and research job postings. Set a production schedule for yourself each day. Be realistic about what you can accomplish during your time block.4. Create a Morning Routine. We have a limited amount of willpower and decision-making abilities. By the end of the day, it's all too easy to procrastinate tackling the “frog.” 5. Set Up Accountability. Find ways to track your progress. Share your goals with a friend or use a productivity app. Your accountability partner should be asking for updates, cheering you on and celebrating your victories. “Eat your frog” first thing each morning. 6. Adjust and Adapt. Life will happen and pull you away from “eating your frog.” Unexpected challenges will arise, and you will need to shift your priorities. Adapt but maintain your focus. Address the important tasks early on. Consistently take action. For 6-7 years, I have put off my “frog” – until now. Last month, I faced my “frog” and am proud to say that I have achieved more in the last 30 days than the last 6-7 years combined. My “frog” is building a resume writing course that will teach military service members how to effectively market themselves. My comprehensive course will start with helping you find your focus and finish with the salary negotiation process. It will be self-paced with live Q&A sessions that will be recorded for maximum flexibility. When the course is completed, there will be 1-on-1 support. My course will not only give you the tools to write an effective resume, but you will learn to think about yourself in a new way. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Join the Resumes for What's Next waitlist at https://www.nextforvets.com/resumeSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

We welcome back Chris McGhee to give us an update on his career and advocacy work. After retiring from the United States Air Force in 2018, Chris moved to Maine and enrolled in law school. After earning his Juris Doctor in 2022, Chris began working as an attorney for Jackson & MacNicol. He is on track to earn his Master of Law degree by the end of the year. Chris is the host of the 20 Years Done podcast that focuses on organizational culture. This episode is dedicated to his advocacy work and his findings regarding the Air Force maintainers, their culture and their high rates of suicide.While Chris was working toward his degree, he was spending dozens of hours a week on his advocacy work for veterans. He was submitting requests, producing podcasts, writing blogs and contacting people. Chris realized he had the opportunity to marry his love for the law and passion for veteran advocacy as a VA disability attorney. When Chris left the military in 2018, he was very concerned at the new operational expectations being placed on personnel. He believed the effects of the 2014 sequestration played a role in the heightened suicide rates among the ranks. Between 2010-2014, the Air Force cut 10-15% of jobs in the maintenance career fields and consequently did not meet standards. Remaining personnel, including Chris, experienced major burnout. He used his podcast and blog to talk about the issue and caught the attention of Senator Angus King. When Senator King asked Chris to draft legislation, he put his schoolwork on hold and focused his attention on drafting federal legislation. Thanks to his perseverance, the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act now requires all the military services components to report to the House Armed Services Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee all suicides by job code for all branches and components from 9/22/2001 until present. This data will illuminate issues within the services.  As an attorney fighting on behalf of veterans for disability compensation, Chris's job is to review claims for clients, ensure they meet appeal timelines and represent the clients in hearings for the Board of Veterans Appeals. Because Chris is a veteran, he is able to build an instant rapport with his clients and enjoys educating them in the appeal process.Without the uniform, Chris has the ability through his podcast and blog to express his views on issues in the military. He recognizes that the best advocating often occurs when someone has recently left the military. As more time passes since his retirement, Chris is cognizant that he has less information about the current culture and experience and works hard to have recently separated and retired veterans share their experiences through his podcast and blog.Preliminary data suggests that the top 3 career fields in the Air Force that experience more suicides per capita per year than other jobs are aircraft maintenance, security forces and intel. Although his advocacy window is closing with each passing year, Chris is grateful that his current position allows him to help veterans through the disability appeals process. It's important to remember that Chris has volunteered his time and knowledge for veteran advocacy. While he has received no compensation for his part in the 2022 legislation, he recognizes that his volunteerism has made him a better attorney. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Chris at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmcghee358/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

After serving 21 years as a soldier in the Army, Army National Guard and Active Guard Reserve, Matthew Langseth retired in 2019. His first post-military role was working for 3 years as a Knowledge Manager for an organization that supports the Army. He is currently the Military Veteran Programs Coordinator for the City of Tucson and is the Marketing and Events Director for Vets2Industry. After working 3 years for the DoD, Matt decided to go in a completely new direction. After landing a role as the Marketing and Events Director for Vets2Industry, Matt took advantage of Coursera's educational resources and earned several applicable certifications. Matt encourages people to research their passions and figure out what really drives them. Find mentors in the field you want to pursue and set up informational interviews. Research job postings and make a plan to upskill or reskill. Consider finding mentors through Veterati, American Corporate Partners (ACP) or LinkedIn. People want to help, but you need to ask. Leverage your free year of LinkedIn Premium and take advantage of free courses through LinkedIn Learning. Even though you may stumble in the beginning, your hard work will produce results.Matt credits networking for his career success. LinkedIn is a platform that has allowed him to stay connected to the military community while providing an opportunity to meet new connections who have become lifelong friends. In addition, LinkedIn has given him educational tools and resources and provided him with job opportunities. Matt uses his network to help others reach their goals. While staying humble, hungry and genuine, Matt believes LinkedIn is the best platform for career transformation.As a volunteer for Vets2Industry, Matt interacts with many service members each month. Most transitioning service members have similar struggles with the biggest one being figuring out what they want to do next. Finding your focus is the first step in your military transition. It will dictate what resources you decide to use, who you choose to network with and how you craft your resume. Starting the transition process early will allow you the time to research career fields and conduct informational interviews. Matt admits that it took him the 3 years he worked for the DoD to find his focus. Realize that your focus may change over time. Be open to new opportunities. The second biggest struggle transitioning service members face is learning how to translate their skills. If Matt were to transition again today, he would find out what he really wanted to do and then use the appropriate resources. In 2019, Matt was using the trendy resources of the time and checking the boxes instead of putting in the hard work of finding his focus. He likens it to fishing with no bait or the wrong bait. Matt encourages transitioning services members to find a focus, make a specific goal and then use applicable resources to achieve the goal. Use volunteer work to gain experience in the civilian sector.Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22Connect with Matt at https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewplangseth/Check out Vets2Industry at https://vets2industry.org/Join the waitlist for the resume writing course Lori is building here: https://www.nextforvets.com/resumeSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

On this episode, we welcome a dual military married couple that have both retired from the Air Force. Oneika Brown retired first, after working in aviation maintenance and intel. Since leaving the military in 2018, she has been working for a government contractor using her administrative skills. In addition, she uses her creative skills in sewing and launched an alterations and custom fashion design business. Curtis Brown had a diverse career in the Air Force where he served as an aircraft mechanic, healthcare program manager and military training instructor. Since his retirement in 2019, Curtis has been working in program and project management. He is also the Director of Military Affairs for the Alamo Chapter of the Project Management Institute.Oneika's transition was smooth from the perspective of securing a job. Before she retired, she was using her administrative skills to manage personnel security clearances. She was able to land a similar position as a government contractor after she retired. Her challenge in the military transition was learning how to find her identity once she took off the uniform. While Oneika was in the process of transitioning, Curtis received new orders and was given the option of relocating to New Mexico or North Dakota. After weighing his options and considering the needs of his family, Curtis decided to retire and pursued his PMP certification. When Oneika began her new role as a government contractor, she essentially had the same responsibilities as her previous role while serving in the military. In fact, she remained in the same office and had the same work colleagues. Although her job description is similar to her previous military role, she has tighter restrictions when it comes to executing her job. She realized that her rank and position in the military often helped her to meet deadlines. Without her rank, Oneika has had to learn how to function within the office hierarchy.Oneika reflects on her military career and admits there are times she would like to erase the memories of those 20 years. As a young 17-year-old joining the Air Force, Oneika started off as an aviation mechanic even though she is a creative at heart. As a person of color and a female in a male-dominated field, Oneika experienced loneliness at times. Through journaling and counseling, she has come to embrace her military service for shaping her character. Learning to recognize the positive aspects of her military service has helped her to understand her identity without the uniform. As a married couple, Oneika and Curtis believe their open communication allowed them to each have a successful transition. They realigned their goals as individuals and as a couple during their military transitions. Although their transitions were not similar and both are still navigating life without the uniform, they credit honest communication for their strong marriage. They operate as a team.Oneika and Curtis advise service members to look at the pros and cons of the survivor benefit plan. After weighing their options, they chose to instead increase their life insurance plans and decline the survivor benefit plan. Research your options well in advance of your transition and before you receive a disability rating. Be prepared for your tax bracket to change and research ways to decrease your taxable income. Stay physically and mentally healthy. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.Connect with Oneika at https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneikabrown/Connect with Curtis at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-jbl-brown/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

After a 24-year career serving as a fighter pilot and senior military leader, Kim “KC” Campbell retired from the United States Air Force and is now the Managing Director of Victory Strategies, a leadership development firm, and serves on the board for Special Operators Transition Foundation. While serving in the military, Kim flew more than 100 combat missions in both Iraq and Afghanistan. She is the author of the best-selling book Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage.Many fighter pilots choose to fly commercially once they leave the military. As Kim reflected on the reasons she wanted to retire, she realized that a career in commercial piloting would not give her the stability she was seeking. With a husband and two young children, Kim wanted to spend more time with her family. Kim's final job in the military was Director of the Center for Character and Leadership Development. In this role, she helped mold and develop the next generation of leaders at the Air Force Academy. Because Kim had tried to retire previously, she had the time to reflect and build her network before leaving the military. Kim encourages transitioning service members to be open to new opportunities and have confidence in their ability to figure new things out.  Kim addresses the civilian perception of a military leader – a reserved, credible, strong, powerful and closed-minded individual. Kim argues that many of the best leaders she encountered while serving were credible, humble, approachable and willing to ask questions. The military is known for challenging its leaders to find solutions in dynamic situations. Military leaders tend to be adaptable, flexible and creative problem-solvers in the civilian workforce. Kim outlines several leadership strategies in her book. After studying data and reflecting on her own career, Kim believes the best way to influence and lead is pairing credibility with warmth. By warmth, she means the ability to authentically interact with people and listen to new ideas. This strategy creates trustworthiness and approachability. Another strategy comes directly from her experience as a fighter pilot: Aviate, Navigate and Communicate. Aviate is the ability to focus on the most important issue at hand. Navigate is figuring out where you are going and what you need to do once you have control of the situation. Communicating with others not only lets them know about the issue but provides them with an opportunity to assist. A lesson Kim continues to learn and relearn is the ability to ask for help or accept assistance when it is offered. In the times that she has accepted help from others, she has been a better leader, mom and spouse. She encourages others to accept help during the transition process.Kim reflects on her dual-military marriage. She and her husband learned very early on that they needed to communicate openly about their needs and wants before they became larger issues. They realized that each of them would need to make personal and professional sacrifices for the marriage to work. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.Connect with Kim at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-kc-campbell/Explore Flying in the Face of Fear at https://tinyurl.com/FFFKCBookSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

After serving as a commanding officer, aviator and leader at the US Naval Academy, Chris Bailey retired from the US Navy. Even with the added challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris was able to utilize several transition programs that helped him to articulate what he wanted for his next career. When a role opened up with the Washington Commanders NFL team to lead their SALUTE veteran and military outreach and engagement program, it was like a dream come true. Chris speaks on his difficult transition as well as working in the professional sports industry. In hindsight, Chris realized he coasted into retirement. Even with all the advice to start early, he did not listen. Chris had always dreamed of working in the sports industry, although during his transition he was not able to articulate what that might look like or how to make his dream a reality. Chris and his family had made the decision to stay in the Baltimore/DC area, so when the right opportunities weren't coming up, he settled on looking for roles as a project manager or business development manager. His first role in the private sector came after weeks of surfing job boards and LinkedIn job postings. Looking back, Chris realized he didn't network, take the time to conduct informational interviews or find a real focus. Luckily, he fell into a role that a family friend offered. Chris admits that while he did take advantage of TAP, The COMMIT Foundation and FourBlock, he just went through the motions without putting in the real work of finding his focus and articulating his values.  After a year of working for his friend, Chris was ready to put in the hard work of networking and finding a role that better suited him. Chris conducted informational interviews and grew his network. Through his connections, he learned about a role that was a perfect intersection of his passion for sports and his passion for the military. Leading their SALUTE program, Chris' job encompasses anything military related that touches the Washington Commander's team. If you are interested in pursuing a job in the sports industry, most NFL teams participate in the SkillBridge program, including the Commanders. Chris reflects on the perks of working for a professional sports team. His office overlooks the field, and his meetings often include giants in the football industry. Recognizing that he works with an outstanding community relations team, Chris does struggle with being an individual contributor in his current role. He misses the opportunity to provide leadership. As an officer in the Navy for 25 years, Chris was used to leading and mentoring teams while developing culture. Chris advises transitioning service members to understand their financial situation. If you are retiring or receiving disability, calculate the numbers and know what level of compensation you require in your next career for your standard of living. Start preparing for your transition at least 1 year prior. Conduct informational interviews, find your focus, research companies and their culture and be able to articulate the value that you will bring to an organization.   Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22. Connect with Chris at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbailey4660/. SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

Michael Brown joined the Army right out of high school because he knew he wasn't ready for college. After serving 4 years as an infantryman, Michael separated and used his GI Bill to attend Northern Michigan University. Earning a degree in political science and applied ethics, he went on to work for then Congressman-elect, Patrick Murphy, the first Iraq War Veteran ever elected to Congress. Michael served as his Military and Veterans Affairs Director where he supported projects such as the revision and updates of the Post 9/11 GI Bill. He then went on to serve as the Director of Veterans Services for Montgomery County Community College before accepting a role at Villanova University as the first Director of the Office of Veterans and Military Service Members. Since 2018, Michael has been growing the programs, opportunities and community at the university for students and alumni.Choosing to attend college in person, Michael was often the oldest student in his classes. However, he did not allow that to deter him from continuing his degree program. He appreciated learning different perspectives from other students and professors. College helped Michael learn what he liked, didn't like and how he fit into the world. It provided him with a longer landing strip to transition. The Post 9/11 GI Bill offers a maximum benefit of 36 months of education and housing allowance. Michael encourages service members to start taking college courses while they are serving. Not only can they utilize Tuition Assistance without tapping into their GI Bill, but they will also earn credits toward a degree and lessen the amount of benefit they need from their GI Bill once they separate or retire from the military. In Michael's current role, he collaborates with career services and learning support services as well as working with the alumni network and college fundraising arm to ensure student veterans have the resources they need to be successful. Student veterans attend college because they need to upskill or reskill for a meaningful career after military service. By giving student veterans the opportunity to provide feedback about college services, Michael is able to find out what they want and need to be successful in the classroom and in the workforce. Michael focuses on finding quality internship opportunities and creates networking opportunities to help student veterans build a solid network. Over the years, Mike has identified challenges that many student veterans face. First, many college campuses are more aligned with meeting the needs of the traditional 18–22-year-old student. In addition, it can be challenging for a veteran to develop an academic mindset. If you are a current student veteran or a prospective student, reach out to the college and inquire if a veteran office exists on campus. A college education can teach a person about who they are and how they fit into society. Earning a degree involves learning and mastering new skills which should give the student confidence. Interacting with other students and professors will help the student build their professional network. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.Connect with Michael at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-brown-vu/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

We are excited to welcome back Misty Moreno. On Season 1, Misty talked about how to leverage LinkedIn to build a solid network. Today, she shares new perspectives on the military transition. In 2020, Misty retired from the USAF and landed a role in HR with Continental. After 2 years, she transitioned from HR to a Lean Manufacturing Coach. Misty created and teaches the Associate Professional in Human Resources Certification Course for Vets2PM and is the author of Get Your $hit Together. Recently, Misty created a LinkedIn post about the 21 things military service members should do before they even think about starting their transition. While having a 5- or 10-year plan is important, it's often easier to process life into 1-year segments. Taking life 1 year at a time allows you to be open to new opportunities. Next, define what success means. This will be different for every person. Third, find a hobby and establish a friend circle outside of the military or your job. Realize that your job may not fulfill your passion, but it can help to fund your passion. Misty's book, Get Your $hit Together, is a short book filled with journal prompts meant to help you define what areas you want to see change. Give yourself 1 year to make changes and then go back to what your definition of success is to determine if you are on the right track. Society often influences people on what “success” looks like in terms of financial independence, family, friends and health. Instead of caving to social media's definition of “success,” define it for yourself and live your own life, free of comparison. Some lessons are learned the hard way. Misty has realized after 3 years in the civilian sector that she is still the same person she was while in the military. While she no longer wears the uniform, the personal challenges she experienced while serving remain areas of opportunity today. Don't forget the reason why you decided to separate or retire from the military. Most people voluntarily leave before mandatory retirement for various reasons. Remember these reasons, and when you start working in the civilian sector, don't try and recreate the military in your work environment. Have a growth mindset. Resist imposter syndrome. Find a veteran mentor within the company that can help you navigate the civilian work environment. Misty separates the military transition into 2 parts. The first part is the logistics of transition; out-processing, submitting VA claims, going through TAP, deciding where you are going to live and what salary you need to make. The second part is the transformation. You no longer have the immediate credibility of your rank on a uniform. You must be mentally ready to adapt to life without the security of the military. To close the show, Misty challenges people to let go of their past. Whatever baggage you may have from past experiences that were outside of your control, make the decision to no longer be a victim. Military members are taught how to be flexible and agile. As a veteran, you have the choice to be flexible and agile. Choose to be a better version of yourself each day. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.Connect with Misty at https://www.linkedin.com/in/misty-moreno/Explore Get Your $hit Together at: https://tinyurl.com/GYSTBookSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

On this episode, we welcome transitioning service member Ioannis Kiriazis, who goes by John to make pronouncing his name easier. John is a US Army Lieutenant Colonel who is retiring in March of 2024 and recently started his transition leave. During his service, John served in many roles including Professor of Military Science at Marquette University. He is scheduled to begin a SkillBridge internship with the Junior ROTC program and is also interested in exploring roles in the international relations field.A few weeks ago, John went to Jimmy John's to grab a quick lunch and noticed a plaque on the wall outlining Warren Buffett's Top 10 Rules. With transition on his brain, he read through the list with his transition lenses and made a LinkedIn post shortly thereafter. All 10 rules parallel the military transition!Rule 1: Reinvest Your Profits. Sometimes your first career path isn't the final path, and that's okay. When you look at profits as your experiences and skills, then it's natural to want to take your profits to the next level. Rule 2: Be willing to be different. Reflect and figure out what you want from your next chapter. It's okay to change career fields or decide you'd rather be an individual contributor rather than continue to lead people. Rule 3: Never Suck Your Thumb. Don't sit back and assume the transition will work out without effort.Rule 4: Spell Out the Deal Before Your Start. Be prepared for job negotiation. Rule 5: Watch for Small Expenses. Work to reduce or eliminate debt before you transition. Rule 6: Limit What You Borrow. Have a safety net of 3-6 months of living expenses saved. Rule 7: Be Persistent. Work multiple courses of action for employment. Rule 8 & 9: Know When to Quit and Assess the Risks. Be prepared to pivot.Rule 10: Know What Success Really Means. What will satisfy you and bring you happiness?To end the episode, John asks 3 questions about his own military transition. Question #1: Do you find through your experience in working with transitioning veterans that those who extend their retirement past the 20-year mark have other unique challenges? The longer you serve, the more likely you will face age discrimination. Never disclose to a future employer that you served 20+ years in the military. Instead, focus on how you can leverage your skills and experience into a new role.Question #2: Is there one good resource, or page, that consolidates the multitude of certifications that could be associated with the full spectrum of civilian industry?While there is not one comprehensive resource, taking advantage of informational interviews, researching job postings and consulting with organizations such as ACT NOW Education, Boots to Books, The Warrior Scholar Project and Service to School can help you focus your certification strategy.Question #3: What are some techniques or factors I can take into consideration when I balance my next career on what my passion is versus the required fact that I likely need to make a certain salary to take care of my family?In episode 112, Keith Cassant shared 5 factors to consider when making career decisions: Money, Hours, People, Location and Type of Work. Prioritize these values and constantly reevaluate them. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.Connect with Ioannis “John” Kiriazis at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ioannis-john-kiriazis/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

We continue with Part 2 of our miniseries sharing previously LIVE LinkedIn events that showcase trusted advisors and their top lessons for the military transition. On this episode we feature Marina Rabinek, who is the Founder and President of the Military Women's Collective while serving as the West Coast Regional Director for Four Block. The Military Women's Collective not only provides resources for homeless and food-insecure veterans, but it also gives mentorship opportunities to women transitioning out of the military. Kasie Valenti is an Army veteran and military spouse. Transitioning in 2016 and pivoting to marketing and communications, Kasie recently founded Sigma Forces, a career advancement organization. This organization offers education and certifications for the military community to upskill and become more employable.Lesson 1: Find Your Focus. Figuring out what you would like to do in your next career will dictate how you approach your transition and what resources you choose to utilize. You must know where you are going in order to find your way there. There are many resources available to help you find your purpose.Lesson 2: You Don't Have to Go through the Transition Process Alone. While there are times in the military that you are expected to be resourceful and figure something out on your own, that mindset will not serve you well during your transition. Utilize resources and find mentors to help you reach your goals. Lesson 3: Build Your Network before You Need It. Create a diverse network that includes people outside of the military community. Engage with your network even after you land your first position and give back to others. While a quality network is more important than quantity, it is possible to have both. It's never too late or too early to build your network, starting with LinkedIn. Lesson 4: Strengthen Your Mindset. Normalize that the transition is challenging. You will experience a roller coaster of emotions. As Ken Davenport states in The Stoic Transition, “You own the reaction and consequences of your choices.” You can choose how you approach transition.  Will you be fearful of the unknown or excited about the possibility of future opportunities?Lesson 5: Stay Connected to the Military Community in Some Way. Leaving the military can bring about feelings of loneliness and isolation. There are plenty of organizations that will help you feel that camaraderie again while serving others. Your local community has nonprofits that need your time and experience. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.Connect with Marina Rabinek at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marina-rabinek/Connect with Kasie Valenti at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasie-valenti/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we are sharing a LIVE LinkedIn event we did a few months ago. Over the past 3 seasons, our podcasts have helped thousands of transitioning service members successfully navigate the unknown. During this event, we spoke with Charlie Martinez and Donald Thompson. Charlie's career in the Air Force included human resources and operations management. Working in talent acquisition and recruiting for both large and small companies, Charlie currently works for Siemens. Donald retired from the Air Force after a career that focused on human resources and recruiting. He currently works for Intel in the talent acquisition department. This military transition roundtable focuses on the Top Lessons Learned for the Military Transition. Lesson 1: You must have a focus. Without a focus, writing a resume, optimizing your LinkedIn profile and networking becomes very difficult. Think of 4 concentric circles. In the first circle, write down your values and preferences. What do you want to do? What do you like to do? The next circle is your marketability. Does the world need this? Another circle is your salary needs. How much do you need to make? The last circle is for your transferable skills. Do you have the critical skills you need? Where the circles meet is your starting point. Begin this process 12-24 months out and take advantage of any certifications that fit your areas of interest. Lesson 2: Explore your options. Do this early because you don't know what you don't know. Conduct informational interviews and research industries. Identify your strong skill sets, hard and soft, and narrow down your research to a few areas that you can see yourself as a good fit for a company, whether it be as an individual contributor, helping other employees or focusing on the company's bottom line. Look at job postings and find out what the qualifications are for your next career. Once you are settled into your next career, continue to focus on your goals and make sure your situation aligns with them. It's okay to reassess and pivot if necessary. The average adult will change careers between 7-9 times in their lifetime. Lesson 3: Be financially prepared. Have 6 months of savings and be ready to take that next step. This will mean different things to different people. You must know how much money you will need to make in your next career to sustain the lifestyle you want. Having a financial cushion will take desperation out of the job search process and allow you to make smart choices.Lesson 4: Be proactive and get prepared. Realize that the military will roll on without you. Be a little bit selfish and be willing to step away from your duties and focus on yourself. Start offloading some of your responsibilities to make time for your exploration and networking. Attend TAP early and take advantage of resources. Build your LinkedIn profile and network on the platform well before you transition. Remember, the transition is more than just getting a job.  Lesson 5: Don't do the transition alone. You don't have to. The veteran community is the largest alumni group, and people want to help. Take advantage of learning from those who have gone before you.Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.Connect with Charlie on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliemartinez30/Connect with Donald on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-s-thompson/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

Serving as the 12th Sergeant Major of the US Army from 2000 until his retirement in 2004, Jack Tilley shares wisdom gained from a 36-year Army career and the successful career he's had since hanging up the uniform. While in the US Army, he held a variety of leadership roles including tank commander, drill sergeant and Command Sergeant Major. After his retirement, he founded the American Freedom Foundation, a 501(c)3 that supports veterans and their families. He is also a management consultant to Fortune 500 companies, President and CEO of J. Tilley, Inc., author, public speaker and host of the Your Next Mission podcast. Jack Tilley credits his career success to his willingness to try new things and meet new people. Jack is a people person and believes success begins with relationships. Learning how to listen and communicate while showing people the respect you want to receive will help you become a valued leader. Take the time to look people in the eye, talk to them and listen. Jack Tilley encourages people to start thinking about their life after the military as soon as they join. Learn how to optimize your time in service and mold your military career with your next career. When you are 2 years away from retirement or separation, Jack advises you to take stock of your financial situation and pay off bills. Make a list of all your military accomplishments and craft a resume that translates those achievements into civilian terms. Find at least 3 mentors that are already out of the service and can assist you with the process. Finish your education. Your degree will open more doors and will better prepare you to enter the civilian world. Get a thorough physical done. Document your medical issues. Learn about your benefits. Know your worth when you leave the military. Know the value that you will bring to an organization. If you know what company you want to work for after your service, research the culture and start networking. Involve your partner and children in your decision-making. Their lives will also change when you separate or retire.The most important step in the military transition is figuring out what you want to do next. Do not work until your last day of service. Take time to explore your options. Know that you will most likely experience culture shock. For people that spend years in the military, it will take time to acclimate to the civilian world. Jack believes it took him 2 years to feel comfortable after leaving the service. Just 1% of the country has served in the military. Understand that most people know nothing about the military and are not interested in talking about it.Build and maintain relationships. Communicate with as many people as you can. Jack advises people to float their resume to people that they have met and lean into their mentors to help guide them through the job search process. It's common for people to feel depressed after leaving the military. Reach out and check on your buddy. You don't have to go through the transition process alone. Many people don't know about the different benefits they have earned from their service. Out of 17M veterans, only 9M use the VA for benefits. Let a veteran service organization assist you with the paperwork, at no charge. Don't wait until the last minute to start your military transition. Life is all about attitude. Decide today that you can do anything you set your mind to. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.Follow Jack Tilley on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/12thsma-jack-tilley/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

Mary Polanco served 23 years in the United States Air Force in multiple high-level leadership roles. As her final assignment, Mary was the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Air Force Resilience Directorate at the Pentagon. Today, she is the founder and CEO of Live and Lead Well, LLC, an author, leadership trainer, transformational speaker and curriculum developer. Her focus is helping people prioritize self-health, well-being and resilience.  When Mary was promoted to E-9, she had no plans to retire from the military. Reaching this rank was a career goal and Mary planned for several more years of service. However, during the next 3 years, Mary experienced a lack of fulfillment which turned into anxiety and depression. While she contemplated retiring, many questioned her decision. She began journaling, reading and reflecting to better understand her emotions. Mary was so focused on the goal of E-9, that she had not considered alternate paths for her life. She views the anxiety and depression as a gift that caused her to slow down and reassess her situation. During her self-reflection, Mary discovered that she had been using a suppression technique for 20 years. Instead of dealing with workplace issues or personal issues, Mary compartmentalized the problems and told herself she would deal with them later. Because of her leadership roles in the military, Mary felt like too many people depended on her and that focusing on herself would compromise her position. Because Mary took the time and energy to finally focus on herself, she was able to form a clear vision for what her ideal day would be after the military; working for herself and in control of her creativity and own schedule appealed to her. Mindset is what fuels us toward the things that we want instead of staying afraid and stuck where we are. Learning how to recognize limiting beliefs is the first step in changing a mindset. You must be kind to yourself and extend grace to yourself in the same way you do for others. Mary doesn't believe in failure because in every situation, there is a 100% chance that learning will occur.Mary is currently in the editing process on a book that will take the transitioning service member through the potential ups and downs that they will feel throughout the transition. She provides actionable steps for the reader to do, learn and practice to ensure a fulfilling life after the military.  Mary encourages people to think about who they are at their core; traits that may have been suppressed during their time of service. Take time to rediscover yourself. Approach your next career in the civilian sector with humility. Allow yourself to be teachable. You're not starting over completely – you're starting from experience – but realize that civilians have so much to share with you as well. Start changing your inner narrative today. It doesn't cost you time or money. Be mindful of what you say to yourself when you first wake up and when you go to bed. Make those statements positive and encouraging. Set aside 5 minutes a day and sit in silence. In just a couple of weeks, you will notice your mind slowing down. The To Do lists will fade in the background, and you'll have the space to process the questions and hear the answers. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22. You can connect with Mary on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-polanco-mssl-32a1a5176/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

Knowing how to effectively use your veteran benefits is a key part of post-military success. On this episode, we uncover how to navigate your benefits with help from Dr. Paul Lawrence. As a businessman, author and passionate veteran advocate, Dr. Lawrence served as the Under Secretary for Benefits at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs where he was in charge of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and led a team of 25,000 people with an operating budget of $4 billion. Each year, he administered $120 billion in benefits to veterans. Dr. Lawrence wrote Veterans Benefits for You: Get What You Deserve, an easy-to-read, how-to guide, that was released on July 4, 2023. Paul served in the U.S. Army, having completed his ROTC requirement as an Airborne-qualified Captain. You can learn about the different benefits to which you are entitled by visiting https://www.va.gov, attending the Transition Assistance Program, utilizing veteran service organizations or by reading Dr. Lawrence's new book. The only way to initiate any veteran benefit is to apply for that benefit. While some applications are easy to navigate, others can be complicated. Dr. Lawrence advises veterans who think they don't deserve additional benefits to understand that benefits are not an entitlement, they are earned through one's service. For those seeking disability compensation, remember that as you age, conditions will get worse. It's easier to start the disability compensation process earlier, rather than later, because you often don't have the documentation you need, or the conditions can get more problematic. Even if a person applies for a benefit and is denied, there will still be a record on file. This is helpful when science advances and conditions can be attributed to exposure to certain chemicals for example. As a person ages, they can file a claim for increase. Dr. Paul encourages people to review their conditions every 3-5 years. One of the most utilized benefits is the GI Bill, a benefit that is not just for college. It can also be used for technical training and certifications. In addition, it is a benefit that can be transferred, while on duty, to a dependent. Many states have additional education benefits for veterans and their dependents. The home loan guarantee is another popular benefit. Veterans can purchase a home with no money down.  A benefit that is often underutilized is a safety net benefit called pension. If a veteran's assets and income fall below a certain level, and the veteran served during periods of war, then that person may qualify for a small pension. The veteran does not need to have served 20 years. It's not a lot of money, but it may be enough for someone on the cusp of homelessness. Another benefit that could be useful is life insurance. For those that are service disabled, it may be difficult to obtain life insurance for certain amounts. The VA has an insurance portfolio that should be considered. If someone is having issues accessing their benefits, reach out to a VSO. Many organizations will help you find a VSO, including Wounded Warrior, DAV, VFW or American Legion. Each state also funds VSOs.Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.    You can connect with Paul on LinkedIn at:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/drpaullawrence/Order Veterans Benefits for You: Get What You Deserve at: https://www.amazon.com/Veterans-Benefits-You-What-Deserve-ebook/dp/B0BGYD2B3KSUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

After serving 24 years in the Marine Corps and the Army, Eric Brew started his post-military career working for Still Serving Veterans. His most recent role has been Manager of Military Engagement at American Corporate Partners. He continues to serve and honor the military community by assisting them in building meaningful lives through connections to fulfilling careers and proactively strengthening the veteran community through example, leadership and collaboration. Retiring as a senior NCO, Eric figured he had the knowledge and skills to be in operations management. What Eric failed to do was seek out mentorship, ask for help and research his options. Four months before he went on terminal leave, Eric went into a tailspin. He realized he didn't have the answer because he didn't know the question. After a successful career in the military, Eric couldn't understand how he could fail so epically at the end. Contemplating suicide, he reached out to an emergency counselor with Military OneSource. The counselor reassured him that he wasn't alone in his struggle to navigate the transition process. The impact of that phone call with Military OneSource was the catalyst for Eric choosing to work with transitioning service members as his next career.Ego is prominent in the military community. Ribbons, badges and rank are displayed on the uniform, and they become a walking advertisement for what you've achieved. 93% of people have never served, and they don't understand the meanings behind the titles and medals. Your military service and achievements are worth celebrating, as they shaped your life and values. When you transition from the military, you will need to find a way to translate those achievements into relatable language for hiring managers. Use stories from your service to highlight your skills during the job search process. Reaching out to a local organization, Still Serving Veterans, Eric received the assistance he needed to translate his skills and craft a resume. The organization created an internship for Eric which led to full-time employment. His contributions to the military community didn't go unnoticed, and he received an offer from American Corporate Partners to become the Manager of Military Engagement. In all of Eric's interactions, he strives to show people that they are not alone. Eric has recently begun co-hosting for VET S.O.S., a podcast dedicated to providing a lifeline for veterans, transitioning military members and military spouses through the sharing of information and resources about veteran support organizations and key personnel in the veteran support community who are helping the community succeed.Eric continues to learn how to shift his mindset. When Eric wonders if his best days are behind him, he reminds himself that just because he is no longer in the military doesn't mean he has nothing to contribute. Learning how to use past experiences to leverage future success is a daily goal for Eric. It's not about letting go of everything you've learned; it's about learning how to be successful outside of the uniform. Eric encourages everyone to be the CEO of their transition. Build a team of people and organizations that will lift you up and move you forward. The key is to make sure you are 100% invested. Afterall, nobody cares more about a company than its founder, the CEO. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22. You can connect with Eric on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericbrew/Check out Vet S.O.S. at: https://www.youtube.com/@vets.o.s.podcast

From a Division 1 college athlete to a US Army officer to cybersecurity company founder to now a partner at a Top 20 CPA firm, AJ Yawn has experienced as many setbacks as successes. AJ has been recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in regard to mental health and is joining us today to talk about taking care of your mental health, lessons he's learned from founding a start-up company and how he landed a role as a partner in an accounting and business consulting firm despite not having either in his background. When AJ decided he wanted to separate from the military, the first person he called was his dad. His father had built a career in the US Marine Corps and gave some great advice to his son. He told him he needed an exit plan and at least 18 months to transition effectively. With both a master's degree and the rank of captain, AJ was confident he could get a job right away. His dad challenged him to apply for a few jobs and test the waters. No one emailed or called him back. He knew that his dad was right and spent 2016 focused on earning certifications, networking and translating his military skills to the civilian sector. His hard work paid off, and he landed a great job coming out of the military. In addition to overhauling his resume, AJ believes the certifications he earned helped him gain legitimacy with hiring managers. With so many certification options, AJ researched job postings to learn which credentials were critical to land a role in his chosen field. Looking at job postings 18-24 months before leaving the military can have a huge impact on the way you prepare for your transition. While a senior in high school, AJ was recruited to play Division 1 basketball for Florida State University. After breaking both of his ankles and losing his D1 scholarship, AJ was still determined to earn a degree from FSU. Looking for a new identity, AJ made the decision to become an officer through ROTC. AJ has no regrets about joining the US Army and credits his service to his ability to lead. Even during trials, AJ holds a firm belief that all of the good and bad experiences of life are for the benefit of his growth. It was only after starting his own business that AJ began to focus on his mental health. He regularly meditates, reads and takes time for himself. Sharing his knowledge and experiences on LinkedIn, he has empowered other people to make positive lifestyle changes. In the same way that someone trains physically for a marathon, AJ believes mental health should be worked on daily. AJ started his own cybersecurity company, ByteChek, and credits the lessons learned from that experience to helping him land a partner role in a Top 20 CPA firm. AJ is not a CPA and did not major in business. People often think starting their own business will alleviate the pressures of working for someone. As a business owner, you work for your employees, customers and investors. AJ championed the SkillBridge program and brought on several interns to gain experience in the industry. He encourages other companies to offer the SkillBridge internship. In this unique program, the company does not have to pay the service member and is essentially able to try out a potential employee for up to 6 months. On the flip side, the service member gains valuable experience. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22. You can connect with AJ on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajyawn/.SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

Retiring from the Army in 2021, Kevin Greene started his transition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Kevin spent the first 8 years of his military career as an infantryman, the bulk of his career was spent as a recruiter. Thanks to a mentor who taught him how to translate his army recruiting skills and experience, he was able to pivot from a business development role to a career in technical recruiting and talent acquisition, first for Amazon and now for iCIMS. Kevin is active on LinkedIn; sharing job search tips from a recruiter perspective and looking for great candidates to fill his roles.Kevin thinks of his military transition in 2 parts. In part 1, he was a year from retirement and secured his first role in business development. During this time, he received a cancer diagnosis that was the catalyst for the healthy lifestyle he now prioritizes. Part 2 started with his unemployment period that led him to seek mentorship and ultimately land a position in the recruiting space.Like many transitioning service members, Kevin had a LinkedIn profile but wasn't active on the platform. In the same way that Kevin made changes to his health, he decided to overhaul his approach to LinkedIn. Instead of approaching the platform transactionally, he put effort into genuinely engaging with people and passing down the knowledge that he had acquired through his own transition. When he started seeing the return on investment, Kevin began to view LinkedIn as a tool for transformation. Kevin encourages people to be authentic in their messages and posted content. When it comes to using LinkedIn to job search, Kevin breaks it down into 3 categories. First, optimize your profile by using keywords so that recruiters and talent sourcers can find you easily. Use your headline as a space to showcase your qualifications and what kind of job you're seeking. Translate your military job title and your work experience in the military. If you are struggling with translating your experience, seek a mentor in your chosen field and ask for help. Second, network and start this early. Third, apply to jobs that you are qualified for. By diversifying your job search strategy, you will be more successful.Kevin encourages people to network and build relationships before asking for a referral. Ideally, service members should start this process 1-2 years before leaving the military. As a talent sourcer, Kevin appreciates authentic messages through LinkedIn. From a recruiter perspective, Kevin encourages people to keep their resume simple. Do not include a picture or a zip code, as that information can invite bias. Keep the resume to 2 pages or less and ensure the information you present is relevant to the job you are applying for.  As a recruiter, Kevin is advocating for his candidates. If you are a candidate that received an invitation for an interview and have questions about the process, don't hesitate to ask your recruiter. It is in everyone's best interest to have a positive and timely interview process.Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22.  You can connect with Kevin on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-greene-bco/.SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we continue our conversation with Marisol Maloney. On the previous episode, Marisol discussed her transition and her insights as a recruiter. While working with veterans and transitioning service members during the recruiting process, Marisol realized the military community could benefit from her wisdom as a recruiter. She is the founder of Secret Squirrel Consulting, which provides resume services and military-to-transition coaching. During this episode, Marisol and Lori dive into resume best practices. As a recruiter, Marisol has seen hundreds of resumes from transitioning service members. One of the most common mistakes she comes across during resume reviews is the use of rank. Many hiring managers and recruiters do not have a military background, so rank does not translate. Another mistake is using acronyms and military jargon. Remember, civilians are not responsible for knowing military language or translating your resume. You must translate your job title. For example, instead of using non-commissioned officer or its abbreviation, consider translating it to a manager position. Never assume a hiring manager understands military language.A resume should be targeted for the position to which you are applying. A resume is not a document that describes everything you have ever done. Focus on what is relevant to the role. You do not want to come across as a jack of all trades. When it comes to awards, focus on the metrics and accomplishments behind those awards. Listing awards and metals at the bottom of the resume takes up valuable real estate. Instead, take advantage of every inch of paper and showcase your value through accomplishments and metrics. Whenever possible use numbers, dollar amounts and percentages on a resume. You must be able to back these up during an interview. A resume is a strategic marketing document, and its purpose is to entice a hiring manager to invite you for an interview. Whether you wrote the resume yourself or had a free service or paid service do it for you, you must know it inside and out and make sure it has been translated to what is required in the job description.There are common misconceptions about resume writing. Here we debunk a few of them. Misconception #1: You must write an Objective Section. Writing an Objective Section is obsolete. Instead, craft a Summary Section. Treat it like a mini cover letter because not every employer requires a cover letter. Misconception #2: You must keep the resume to 1 page. A civilian resume can be up to 2, or even 3 pages in some cases, as long as it's relevant to the job. Misconception #3: You don't need to fill out each section of work experience on an electronic application if you've already uploaded your resume. ATS does not always parse information correctly. The application itself is the legal document, not the resume. Know the difference between a federal and civilian resume. They are not interchangeable. Applying to jobs is a long process. You will get more traction from applying to less roles with a targeted resume and application than using a generic resume.Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22. You can connect with Marisol on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisol-maloney/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

Marisol Maloney is a retired Navy veteran, military spouse, recruiter for a defense contracting company and an entrepreneur. During her military career, Marisol experienced many pivots. Starting as an enlisted sailor in the logistics field, she transitioned to become an officer and nurse. After 10 years in nursing, she became an intel officer before retiring in 2019. She is the founder of Secret Squirrel Consulting, a company that provides resume services and military-to-civilian transition coaching. Marisol has been blazing her own trails since she joined the military. After Marisol enlisted, she made it her goal to become an officer and nurse through the ROTC program. She attended college, received her commission and specialized in emergency nursing. After 10 years as an ER nurse, she wanted to experience something new. She is the first Navy nurse to successfully transition into the intelligence community. After retiring from the Navy, Marisol was offered an intel analyst position with Firebird. When her military husband received his orders for a new duty station, she had to leave the analyst position. However, Firebird suggested she stay with the company and work remotely as a recruiter. Many veterans must learn how to slow down once they retire from their service. During their military career, service members are often tasked with several collateral duties at any given time. They are used to wearing multiple hats and juggling responsibilities. When Marisol began her position as an intel analyst, she quickly learned that not all tasks need to be handled with a sense of urgency. In the private sector, if someone takes on more and more responsibilities, the organization will gladly let that person carry the extra load without additional compensation. Before taking on additional responsibilities, look at your job description and identify your core tasks. Ask yourself, “Is this new task temporary or permanent?” If it's a new task that's being added to your regular duties, ask that it to be added to your job description and negotiate for additional compensation. Reflecting on her transition, Marisol regrets not seeking mental health therapy. Like all transitioning service members, she experienced tremendous stress along with physical health issues. She admits she neglected her medical conditions while serving which compounded the severity of her issues. The military notifies its people 6-12 months in advance of new orders. As a result, military members are often used to a longer planning process. Once a person retires, they learn that the civilian sector fills roles within 30-90 days of being posted. It can be challenging and stressful to not have a plan in place until that first role is secured. It's hard to be effective in your personal life, work life and the job search process if you haven't taken care of your mental health. As a recruiter, Marisol has had the opportunity to gain knowledge of Applicant Tracking Software (ATS). Humans set parameters within the software to categorize applicants based on the chosen parameters. Marisol noticed that many veterans and transitioning service members struggle with translating their skills onto a resume. As a result, she founded her own business, Secret Squirrel Consulting, to coach the military community on the job search process.Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22. You can connect with Marisol on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisol-maloney/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we have the privilege of speaking with Bruce Thompson. In the military transition space, Bruce is one of the most prolific veteran advocates and volunteers. Retiring from the Marine Corps 7 years ago, Bruce is now the Executive Director of The ASCEND Collective, the nonprofit arm of Talents ASCEND. This organization not only works with underserved communities to help them become employment ready, but it also partners with employers to educate them on the benefits of hiring these individuals. As an advocate for mental health awareness, he is open with his own struggles. Tune in to hear how Bruce has found success in an unconventional post military career.Bruce Thompson's retirement came earlier than he had expected due to medical challenges. Having his identity wrapped up in the uniform and his physical fitness, the transition did not come easy. He was no longer an active duty marine or the stellar athlete that he once was. Bruce left his first job after just 4 weeks because he wasn't mentally prepared for life outside of the military. For the next 6 weeks, Bruce did not leave the house and fell into a depression. With the help and support of his wife, he applied for 3 positions in the transition space and sought help for his PTSD, depression and anxiety. Shortly thereafter, he accepted a teaching position as an employment workshop facilitator for the Department of Labor. Volunteerism has been a very important part of Bruce's career path and personal growth. He believes that strategic volunteering can be a segue to employment opportunities. Volunteering strengthens your ties to the community and is a way to give back. It also has a positive impact on your emotional well-being. Most of Bruce's employment opportunities post military came about through networking. He credits LinkedIn for his networking success and encourages people to learn how to strategically build a profile to meet their goals. The first question a person needs to ask themself is, “What story do I want to tell through LinkedIn?” Next, a person needs to think through what kind of posted content is best to support their story. Networking events, whether in-person or virtual, should support one's goals. People need to understand who they are, where they are and where they would like to be to make the best decisions. Bruce Thompson is open about his battle with PTSD, anxiety and depression. After working with three or four counselors through the VA, he found one that he feels comfortable sharing his struggles. Bruce wants to blow the door off the stigma surrounding mental health. There are resources on top of resources, but they are only effective if the person is willing to ask for help. People want to be heard and people want to know that someone cares. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22. You can connect with Bruce on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brucethompsonmba/Explore The ASCEND Collective at: https://theascendcollective.org/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

On this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we conclude our 2-part series with Ken Davenport. Author of The Stoic Transition, a Guide to How Veterans can Thrive in their Next Adventure, Ken brings a fresh, civilian perspective to the military transition process. Ken encourages transitioning service members to start the process at least 18 months out. While this is common advice, Ken further explains why. There is a massive amount of information that is passed to service members as they exit the military. By starting early, a person has a runway in which to process and think through the information. It's important to allow yourself the time to decompress, assess and review what it is that you want after the military. Set realistic expectations. In some cases, a person may have to take a couple of steps back to move forward. An O5 or O6 may have expectations of running a private business. Although they are equipped to lead, working in the private sector requires learning a new language, a new system and a new environment. Learning to recognize what is within or out of one's control is helpful in the transition process. It's impossible for a person to completely control how they will fit into an opportunity given to them. Know that what you bring to the right environment will be utilized and rewarded. If it's not the right environment, it will be made clear. In such a situation, it will be necessary to pivot to something new. The culture of an organization is paramount to having a successful next career. There are certain indicators on the surface such as how people dress and present themselves, but there is a foundation of intangibles that can make or break a culture. For instance, does the company reward risk or value individual opinions? How do you begin to research culture? The best way to understand culture is to network. Find other veterans on LinkedIn who work at the company and ask questions. Be true to yourself and know that there is a culture for everyone.  Ken talks through the idea of backward planning. In this process, a person plans for different eventualities and makes course corrections based on the feedback they're getting as they move toward their goal. In general, civilians tend to be reactive. Instead of thinking about how they want to reach their goal, they react to what's right in front of them and make plans for only the next step. Backward planning is important for achieving the lifestyle that you are looking for while you are still active and productive. Fear is prevalent when facing the unknown. If you are facing fear, try getting out of your head and freeing yourself from overanalyzing the situation. Take a break and a step back. Reach out to a mentor to gain new perspective. Ken encourages people to create their own board of advisors. Find people who know you and support you. Find people who will give you unfiltered advice in the area that you are seeking. Find a person who may be able to open doors for you in your chosen industry. Ken talks about the concept of memento mori. Don't put off for tomorrow what you could do today. Realize that nothing is guaranteed in life other than this very moment that you are living right now. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22. You can connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kgdavenport/.Explore The Stoic Transition at: https://www.amazon.com/Stoic-Transition-Veterans-Thrive-Adventure/dp/B0BLM7CCV1.SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

We are pleased to welcome Ken Davenport to the microphone on this episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast. For more than a decade, Ken has provided mentorship to military veterans in their transition to the civilian world as a board member for the Travis Manion Foundation, instructor for Boots to Business at the Institute of Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University and FourBlock. As an entrepreneur, he is the founder and CEO of Mission Edge, a social impact organization in San Diego that provides operational and strategy support to nonprofits and small businesses. Ken is the author of The Stoic Transition, a Guide to How Veterans can Thrive in their Next Adventure, which is the focus of today's session. As a long-time entrepreneur, Ken was looking for new opportunities to serve people in meaningful ways. In 2010, he began volunteering at the armed services YMCA at Camp Pendleton. He soon found the purpose he was looking for through mentoring young marines. For over 10 years, Ken has been teaching the transition process from a civilian perspective. Ken believes civilians bring wisdom to the military transition and can help service members understand what employment is like in the private sector.Ken challenges each transitioning service member to ask themselves what they want to do and the why behind it. While nothing can replace one's service in the military, it's important to find a position that brings satisfaction. Ask yourself: Who am I? What do I want? What kind of thing do I want to accomplish in this next story telling period of my life? You have choices in this next chapter. If you choose something that is not the right choice, that's okay. You can choose again. Take the time to reflect and think about what makes you happy. Your career will be made up of many transitions. The military transition is the first of many throughout the rest of your life. In The Stoic Transition, Ken lays out tools that will empower you to make thoughtful choices during all your future transitions. Stoicism refers to an ancient philosophy that is still relevant today. Practiced daily, this philosophy builds resilience and self-empowerment. At its core, the focus is primarily on positive emotions and how to frame the challenges and obstacles that a person encounters.The 4 main stoic virtues are Wisdom, Courage, Temperance and Justice. The goal is to react to everything in life with one of the 4 virtues. Each virtue dovetails together to form a roadmap on how to address the world. Interwoven with these four virtues are 3 stoic disciplines. These disciplines of desire, action and ascent are the foundations to living as a stoic. In The Stoic Transition, Ken divides up the book by the 3 disciplines. The first question asked is what do you desire? From there, the book dives into discovering the why behind your desires, learning how to think about your transition as an individual and focusing on what you can control. Over the years, Ken has noticed that many veterans are introverts. For these people, networking can be a challenge. Ken believes that networking is about making real connections, even friendships. His mindset is quality over quantity. Remember that you are more than your MOS and the military. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22. You can connect with Ken on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kgdavenport/Explore The Stoic Transition at: https://www.amazon.com/Stoic-Transition-Veterans-Thrive-Adventure/dp/B0BLM7CCV1.SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

On this week's episode of the Lessons Learned for Vets podcast, we are pausing our traditional format to bring you an episode focused solely on nonverbal communication. Did you know that only 7% of how you communicate with the world is from the words that come out of your mouth? This means that 93% of how you engage with the world is through nonverbal communication. This term includes your grooming and how you're dressed, your body language and your tone of voice. People make impressions of you quickly. Your professional image is so much more than what you wear. It's a head-to-toe consideration, and it can be powerful. Consider that you make a first impression in the first 7 seconds of meeting someone. It will take 7 more meetings to erase a bad first impression. Whether you think that statement is fair or unfair, right or wrong – it's just true. Managing your image is an art form, and it takes planning how you look and act to get the desired reaction. This applies to in-person and video interviews, networking situations, social media videos you share of yourself and even phone interviews. If the only factor in landing a job was your qualifications, people would be hired based on resume alone. The resume gets you an interview. The interview itself is based on how the interviewer feels about you. There are 5 key factors to your image: Impression, Movement, Attitude, Grooming, Etiquette. Your image – the way you present yourself to the world – is always within your control. Let's unpack the differences between verbal and nonverbal cues that influence how you are perceived. Verbal cues include language and your tone of voice. It's the attitude you project when you speak. It's your rate of speech and your enunciation. Your nonverbal cues are your overall appearance, your posture, your facial expressions, your clothing and your hair. Studies show that people notice a person's shoes and their fingernails right away. A positive image is the result of careful planning, preparation and an honest assessment of your image. Remember that 93% of how you engage with the world is through nonverbal communication. 55% of this is through body language and 38% is through tone of voice.The way you dress communicates volumes. What people see on the outside reflects how they perceive you on the inside. Your dress is an indicator of your confidence, your organizational skills, your soundness of judgement and your reliability. Dress for the position for which you are interviewing and dress one step above how you would go to work every day. If you have no idea how people dress at the organization for which you are interviewing, do some reconnaissance. Learn about the company culture, do some informational interviews internally or even park outside when people get off work to see how they are dressed. Dress conservatively for the interview. At the end of the day, you don't want them to remember what you wore. You want them to remember you as a candidate. To go from wanting something to having something, you must do something. You have complete control over your nonverbal communication. Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22. You can connect with Lori on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorinorris/SUBSCRIBE & LEAVE A FIVE-STAR REVIEW and share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!