Lessons Learned for Vets

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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/

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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/

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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.

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Follow Jack Tilley on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/12thsma-jack-tilley/

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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. 

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You can connect with Mary on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-polanco-mssl-32a1a5176/

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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.

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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/B0BGYD2B3K

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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. 

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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

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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. 

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You can connect with AJ on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajyawn/.

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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.

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You can connect with Kevin on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-greene-bco/.

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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.

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You can connect with Marisol on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisol-maloney/

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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.

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You can connect with Marisol on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisol-maloney/

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