Everything You Know Is Wrong
Ok, not everything. The title is an exaggeration to get your attention. Many veterans, though, have very misinformed perceptions of what post-military life is like. As veterans begin to think about leaving the service it is critical that they plan for a new career and part of this planning must be a holistic assessment of all opportunities. Veterans should not assume they know what the business world is like based off what they have heard, instead assume you know nothing and research from there.
As a young soldier in the infantry officer’s basic course I remember a talk the Commanding General gave my class. It was intended to “fire us up” for the upcoming training and inevitable deployments, and, for the most part it did. But in one part of the speech the General said “And you may have some friends that work for some business on the 40th floor of some high rise.” He paused, smirking slightly “just remember that business doesn’t care about you at all, but the Army does.” He could not have been more off the mark.
As I have been in the business world, I have found many businesses that care more about the development and happiness of their employees than I ever saw the Army care. Of course, this does not apply to every business and the general probably did not intend for his statement to be universal either. His goal was to motivate young officers, not necessarily disparage business. The important thing for the transitioning veteran to remember though, is that many of their opinions have been formed in a military environment. And as the general’s words show, the military environment often does not have a clue what the world outside the military is like.
If you are a transitioning veteran, this means that you must think very critically about your beliefs on the business world. Check up on all of your preconceived opinions. If they are based on what you have heard rather than what you have researched, you are probably misinformed. For example, coming out of the military I thought the corporate world was nothing but bureaucracy. Through business school and work I have found many nimble, innovative, and exciting large companies, like Procter and Gamble and General Electric. Like the General, I was wrong about a few things. Research, then, becomes a vital transitioning function.
The best form of research is to talk to people who have made the transition and are working in various fields. Veterans enter into a multitude of careers post-service, from business to law to medicine. Find these successful veterans through places like us, LinkedIn, or the IAVA. Schedule time to talk with them about their transition and what their careers are like. Further, if you are interested in particular companies or fields go online and do some research. Wet Feet and Vault are great places to start.
Transitioning from the service is tough. Remember that is critical to have a plan before you transition, and that your plan should be based on facts rather than the opinions of your friends or commanders.
