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Navigating the Challenges of Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
Joe interviews Mark, a former military officer who shares his journey from aspiring stuntman to joining the military. Mark discusses his initial motivations for joining the military and how he ended up in a niche role working with drones. He highlights the challenges he faced during his transition from military to civilian life, including financial management and adapting to a new work environment. Mark emphasizes the importance of networking and leveraging military values in his post-military career. He also offers insights on resilience, learning from failure, and the need to embrace change in order to succeed in the civilian world.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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Embrace change and be resilient: The military experience provides an inoculation to shock and horror, teaching individuals to adapt and thrive in rapidly changing conditions. This resilience and ability to bounce back from failure quickly is a valuable skill in civilian life as well.
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Build a strong network: The military network is a valuable resource for transitioning into civilian life. Networking with fellow service members and utilizing platforms like LinkedIn can open doors to new opportunities and help navigate the job market.
-
Translate military skills into civilian speak: When transitioning to civilian jobs, it's important to translate military experience into skills that are relevant and understandable to civilian employers. Highlighting transferable skills and demonstrating how they align with the requirements of the job can increase chances of success.
-
Take an interest in governance and politics: Serving in the military involves being part of a larger system and being affected by political decisions. Taking an interest in how the country is governed and participating in the democratic process through voting can help service members feel more connected and engaged in shaping the future.
-
Avoid isolating oneself in a military mindset: While military experiences and values are valuable, it's important to embrace the new civilian environment and work with colleagues who may not have the same background. Avoid turning the workplace into a small military island and instead, adapt to the new environment and collaborate effectively with civilian colleagues.
BEST MOMENTS
"Being in the military and being in the military family is a lot more, a lot broader, a lot more longstanding and pervasive than just putting on a uniform in the morning and walking into the guardhouse."
"The only bad experience is the one you don't learn from."
"We are resilient people. We can stand up, we can keep going, we keep moving where other people would give way."
"The world has changed in our favor in this way because we are now looking at skill sets, demonstrable skill sets, as the entry point into a job."
"Embrace the change, embrace the new environment you're in, avoid like the plague, if you can, trying to turn the organization you're in or the way you behave in it into a small little island of military behavior."
About the Host
Joe O'Connor is a resilient business entrepreneur and Financial Adviser dedicated to supporting business owners and veterans in their transition to civilian life. Despite facing life-threatening challenges at a young age, Joe defied the odds and embarked on a remarkable journey. From excelling as a Combat Engineer and Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Engineers to starting his own business as a Financial Adviser, Joe has displayed unwavering determination.
After rejoining the Army as a reservist in the Bomb Disposal Unit, Joe reached the rank of Sergeant before transferring to the SAS, where he endured a severe injury and was medically discharged. Undeterred, he resumed his role as an IFA and founded a charity that aids injured veterans and their families.
Joe's charity is currently finalizing plans for a training center and 23 Lodges, aiming to provide vital support for veterans transitioning to civilian life while addressing stress, anxiety, and PTSD. Today, Joe's mission is to unite business owners and veterans, helping them unleash their full potential for success.
USEFUL LINKS
View all episodes
By Joe O'ConnorJoe interviews Mark, a former military officer who shares his journey from aspiring stuntman to joining the military. Mark discusses his initial motivations for joining the military and how he ended up in a niche role working with drones. He highlights the challenges he faced during his transition from military to civilian life, including financial management and adapting to a new work environment. Mark emphasizes the importance of networking and leveraging military values in his post-military career. He also offers insights on resilience, learning from failure, and the need to embrace change in order to succeed in the civilian world.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
-
Embrace change and be resilient: The military experience provides an inoculation to shock and horror, teaching individuals to adapt and thrive in rapidly changing conditions. This resilience and ability to bounce back from failure quickly is a valuable skill in civilian life as well.
-
Build a strong network: The military network is a valuable resource for transitioning into civilian life. Networking with fellow service members and utilizing platforms like LinkedIn can open doors to new opportunities and help navigate the job market.
-
Translate military skills into civilian speak: When transitioning to civilian jobs, it's important to translate military experience into skills that are relevant and understandable to civilian employers. Highlighting transferable skills and demonstrating how they align with the requirements of the job can increase chances of success.
-
Take an interest in governance and politics: Serving in the military involves being part of a larger system and being affected by political decisions. Taking an interest in how the country is governed and participating in the democratic process through voting can help service members feel more connected and engaged in shaping the future.
-
Avoid isolating oneself in a military mindset: While military experiences and values are valuable, it's important to embrace the new civilian environment and work with colleagues who may not have the same background. Avoid turning the workplace into a small military island and instead, adapt to the new environment and collaborate effectively with civilian colleagues.
BEST MOMENTS
"Being in the military and being in the military family is a lot more, a lot broader, a lot more longstanding and pervasive than just putting on a uniform in the morning and walking into the guardhouse."
"The only bad experience is the one you don't learn from."
"We are resilient people. We can stand up, we can keep going, we keep moving where other people would give way."
"The world has changed in our favor in this way because we are now looking at skill sets, demonstrable skill sets, as the entry point into a job."
"Embrace the change, embrace the new environment you're in, avoid like the plague, if you can, trying to turn the organization you're in or the way you behave in it into a small little island of military behavior."
About the Host
Joe O'Connor is a resilient business entrepreneur and Financial Adviser dedicated to supporting business owners and veterans in their transition to civilian life. Despite facing life-threatening challenges at a young age, Joe defied the odds and embarked on a remarkable journey. From excelling as a Combat Engineer and Physical Training Instructor in the Royal Engineers to starting his own business as a Financial Adviser, Joe has displayed unwavering determination.
After rejoining the Army as a reservist in the Bomb Disposal Unit, Joe reached the rank of Sergeant before transferring to the SAS, where he endured a severe injury and was medically discharged. Undeterred, he resumed his role as an IFA and founded a charity that aids injured veterans and their families.
Joe's charity is currently finalizing plans for a training center and 23 Lodges, aiming to provide vital support for veterans transitioning to civilian life while addressing stress, anxiety, and PTSD. Today, Joe's mission is to unite business owners and veterans, helping them unleash their full potential for success.
USEFUL LINKS