Howard Kennedy ⋅ Canton, GA IBM ⋅ 16 years experience

I had a lot of trouble finding a job when I first separated. I thought to myself that I would never be able to market my antique skills but I discovered something astounding in the process. I found out that I was not in demand for my single greatest strength (I was Depot Level Crypto Repair) but for the strength of my ability to learn to repair such machines, the organizational skills, discipline, dedication and the Gung Ho spirit I had from my years of service. Understand, the Gung Ho thing gets you in trouble from time to time however most good managers and supervisors know to give Vets a little leeway in some areas.

My advice is not to look for a job installing radios, but for a job in a technical field in which you can apply your other strengths. Technical support jobs such as mine are steadily going overseas and the current administration hasn't done much to stem the tide, so if you're healthy, you may want to find a job as a technical service rep or similar job. These onsite, hands on jobs are going to get cut as much as possible but I believe that the need for on-site repairs and assistance will never fully go away.

The best piece of advice I can give you there is not to settle for the first job. Sometimes it seems like a LOT of money after living on an NCO's salary for several years, but it's not really as much as it seems. As soon as you're on your feet in the job and understand it, seek out educational and transitional opportunities. It can take years to move on, to advance in a job field or organization but as soon as you stop moving, you'll put down roots, when you put down roots, sometimes you're stuck. It gets harder and harder to uproot and keep moving. The civilian markets, economy and business practices are constantly changing and moving in unexpected directions from an Army point of view, so change your tactics to adapt!

In the service, the job is always the same: Protect and defend the Constitution and the people that those laws protect. In the civilian world the job is whatever the job says it is plus the unspoken rules and culture of the organization. That can be frustrating and baffling to soldiers in the extreme. Keep focused in your new job and learn from everyone. Even the dumbest question in the world can lead to tremendous opportunities to shine.

Eric Martin ⋅ Blackshear, GA KBR, Inc. ⋅ 25 years experience

I would suggest, in addition to all the good advice given above, to find out what your personality type is, what it is that truly motivates you, and seek that type of educational, and employment, opportunities: http://www.typefinder.com/test/type-finder-personality-test

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Daniel,
Do you have a college degree? Have you explored using the GI Bill to earn a degree?