Military to Civilian Transition

How many years has it been since you first joined the military? Ten, twenty, more? For a long time you’ve put aside your personal life. You’ve been there when your team and your country needed you. Now it’s time to move on and prepare for your military to civilian transition. As you face this change, you may find the choices overwhelming. Where do you start?

Historically, people who experience the greatest success transitioning out of the military are those who enlist the support of experts. The business world operates very differently today than it did ten years ago. Competition is fierce. In today’s economy, you won’t get a second look if you fumble an interview or submit a business plan with unclear intentions. Get the support you need with a team of experts committed to helping you achieve your transition goals.

Your Military to Civilian Transition Team might consist of:

· A professional Military Resume Writer to help with resumes and cover letters. I know you’ve been told you don’t need to hire a writer. But why struggle? A professional can save you a lot of time and frustration. There are some good online military resume builders to choose from in addition to live resume writers. Every branch of service speaks a different language, one that civilian employers don’t understand. Get help translating your military experience into a civilian resume.

· A Headhunter or Job Placement Expert to market you to companies looking for people with your specific skills and experience. They have inside information and access to jobs not advertised to the general public. If you have technical or management skills, a headhunter can be real asset in helping you with your job search. Work with one or two job recruiters to increase your visibility and chances for finding a position quickly.

· A Financial Advisor or Tax Strategist to position you for what lies ahead. One of the biggest shocks during your transition will be your new tax bill. A large percentage (as much as 40% or more) of your military paycheck was in the form of non-taxable “allowances”. With a civilian paycheck, most or all of it will be taxable. Get professional advice now, so you aren’t surprised by how much actual cash you receive in that first paycheck.

· A Business Planning Specialist to save you time and money if you plan to start your own business. They can help you avoid the mistakes and pitfalls that new business owners face. One of the first things you’ll want to do is create a business plan. There are some good advisors, such as with SCORE, who will guide you through the process of gathering market research and creating financial forecasts and marketing strategies. Whether you plan to start a business from scratch or buy an existing business, a professional business advisor will get you off to a good start.

· A Military to Civilian Transition Coach to help you to clarify your personal and professional goals and co-create a strategy for achieving them. They will keep their eye on the big picture, coordinate your team’s efforts, and make sure nothing is overlooked during your transition. A relatively new profession, military transition coaching is an answer to the prayers of many people leaving the military. While the government’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) attempts to provide help with your transition process, they often leave you with more questions than answers. A Military Transition Coach can help you sort out your priorities and offer real solutions to your specific situation.

You’re navigating some dramatic changes in your life. You want assurance that you’re making the right decisions. This is no time to learn from your mistakes. Put together a team of experts to help you today. Team up for Success!