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Prior Enlisted/Prior Officer?.…NO!..We Are All Proud Veterans!

Military to Civilian Transition

So I have been working in “corporate America” since late 2013 and am currently in my third industry working as a facilities manager. I am also a proud U.S. Navy Seabee veteran and humbly look at my career in the military as one that was rewarding and challenging. When I first transitioned, I kind of made it a habit to tell people I was prior enlisted, or that I was a Chief. I thought for some reason that people needed to know that about me. But as I have grown in my post-military career, I have come to the conclusion that we (veterans) should not box ourselves into thinking we were enlisted or officer when looking at jobs/careers of interest to us. At the end of the day, most civilians don’t understand nor care about that anyway. What they do care about is our personal value proposition (PVP).

PVP directly correlates to our personal brand. Basically, it is a unique skill set or culmination of experience that makes us “unique” in our chosen profession. You have to know what makes you…well, you! We all know the old saying “we are defined by our own experiences”. Only you know you…only you know what you bring to the table that is a unique differentiator among others in your chosen profession.

So what does this have to do with getting rid of the enlisted or officer mindset? Everything! You are in full control of your career trajectory out here in the civilian world. No more are you restrained by rank or rate….you can do whatever the heck you want if you have the desire, knowledge, and motivation to pursue it! I do not know how many times I have been told “enlisted really shouldn’t look at management positions, they just aren’t qualified for it”. I say nonsense…..it is all on how you present your brand and how you sell yourself….period!

I have seen many enlisted successfully transition into management roles, just as I have seen many junior officers transition into field service roles…..this is in complete contrast to what most think enlisted and officer should enter into post-military. So how does this happen? They own their brand and they know their PVP.

Therefore, to all my military friends who are getting ready to transition to corporate America, remember, being enlisted or being officer has not completely defined you. Your rank or career path in the military has its own unique experiences and background that you now need to bring to corporate America. How you are able to articulate those backgrounds and experiences is what will determine what civilian role you take on.

I ask all my military friends, please present yourself in the way you want to be perceived through your personal branding and PVP. Do not listen to the nay-sayers who may try and sway you one way or another based on enlisted or officer status.

At the end of the day, it is about accurate presentation of one self. How you present yourself to all that you encounter is what is most important. Build your brand, develop a strong PVP and go for those positions you know you would succeed at. The drive and determination you learned in the military will serve you well out here in corporate America.

Now, get out there and let people know who you are by putting aside your rank and sell yourself as the consummate professional and proud military veteran that you are!

Good luck to all my military friends getting ready to transition. As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions on transition or anything else for that matter. I am always here to pay it forward and help in whatever way I can. I may be found here on ACP AdvisorNet or on LinkedIn.

If you have comments or feedback about any article, please email your thoughts to info@acp-advisornet.org.

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