Elliot Young ⋅ Brooklyn, NY Uniworld International Associates Inc ⋅ 25 years experience

Landon has great advice do exactly that. I would add if you enjoy cutting edge technology I would say look at SpaceX because you would be connected to Tesla as well. Graphene, IoT, blockchain and similar tech will improve and transform business quickly. Tech doubles every 18mos and that morphs businesses pitch and direction every 7yrs. So if your 5yrs ahead your also almost 2yrs dead. Graphene will improve batteries which will increase the demand on electricity globally. I would also say align yourself with Sir Richard Branson with the organization called The Elders. Your expertise is greatly needed there. I would say parallel your experience and investigate the subjects I mentioned and become a consultant. You have 2billion with no access to banking and 3bil that's limited. In the next 5yrs you won't recognize most industries but you will be smack in the middle. The future is now and your perfectly positioned. Good luck Matt.

Keith Van Sickle ⋅ Menlo Park, CA Tensilica ⋅ 25 years experience

I'll echo Landon's excellent advice. "Informational interviews" are a great way to learn about different career options. Work through your network, both at the first and second level (ie, both your contacts and contacts of contacts through LinkedIn, which you need to be on.) People are usually happy to give this kind of advice, as long as you respect their time.

Pro tip: people love to talk about themselves, so a good way to get advice is by asking how they got to their current job, what they like about it, their views on the industry, etc.

Landon Carl ⋅ Lewisville, TX Goldman Sachs ⋅ 8 years experience

Matthew,

From your 26 years in service, what are you most passionate about or what have you enjoyed the most? Team leadership? Something functional such as communications, operations, or supply chain?

Leverage your personal network to help confirm/deny your thoughts or curiosity of something you may want to do. Example....if you’re interested in Sales/Account Management but just aren’t sure, find a professional friend or a friend of a friend that has the experience and is willing to answer questions and help you understand more over a coffee or a 30-minute Phone discussion. Prepare for it and ask pointed questions while respecting their time. Sames goes for industry such as tech, medical, industrial, telecom, etc.

Your skills will transfer over! Spend the time to learn how to communicate it clearly both in writing and verbally.

Hope this helps. Please reach out if I can help connect you to anyone.

Sriram Iyer ⋅ Menlo Park, CA Trantor, Inc. ⋅ 29 years experience

Thank you for your service, Matthew. I agree with Brian that age does get in the way. If you have the aptitude (and/or experience with) for programming, there could be some viable options. You will need to be willing to relocate and work on some of the latest technologies. If that's something you would like to consider, I can recommend a few options.

David Akre ⋅ New York, NY A NYSE listed financial company ⋅ 25 years experience

Do what you want to do and make a business out of it.

Brian Morr ⋅ Arlington, TX The University of Texas ⋅ 37 years experience

Matthew,
You didn't state your degrees; assuming you have a bachelor and masters degrees.
Have you explored civil service options? Also what about the IG system. You also didn't state your active duty area of expertise. Logistics, etc. Do you have any interest in teaching?
I am an RN and also had command experience; after my retirement, I looked for some high end jobs as a nurse executive. Although I have no proof, I feel my age was getting in the way; I was 62. All the employer has to say is you are not a good fit for their organization. Then maybe I didn't follow all the protocols. Anyway, I applied for and started teaching nursing at the university level. Now I am in my tenth year and still going strong. It's very fulfilling.
Wishing you the best,
Brian Morr, Col (r), USAF, NC

Mike Cottell ⋅ Glen Head, NY Michael T Cottell Consulting ⋅ 42 years experience

Hi Matthew, try this website to explore some ideas and opportunities. Good Luck to you and Thank You for your service , Best Regards, Mike
https://www.mynextmove.org/