Cletus Hammer ⋅ Gainesville, GA Business Leader for the Shaklee Corporation ⋅ 37 years experience

Hi, Neil,
First, I want to express my thanks for the 7 years of service you have given to our country. It is my wish that what I can offer you may be an option for you to consider seriously.

Here are some thoughts I have that may move you out of this position of feeling "stuck and with few options".
1. You have years of sales experiences. Have you ever consider being involved in the marketing side of a business? This is a business that you own in which you create market shares. There's no limit to how many market share you create, and thus, no limit to have much you earn.
2. There is a marketing/sales business in which you can function from your home. With a
computer and a phone you can do business in any State and in other countries, too.
3. The beauty of this business is that you don't need employee, either.
In truth, this is a marketing/leadership development business.
Finally, you can take advantage of a Free Distributorship because you are a veteran.

If you want more information about this opportunity, please contact me by a PM.
Thank you!
Cletus Hammer

Paul Fallace ⋅ Baltimore, MD Morgan Stanley ⋅ 14 years experience

Neil,

Suggest you take a look at VSE Corp in Northern Virginia. They have hired a lot of Veterans and disabled veterans. They have retired Colonel runs the hiring of Vets for the company CEO took out of hands of HR. Good company. Here is link to website and email for Frank Wickersham. Good luck.

fgwickersham@vsecorp.com
www.vsecorp.com

Ray Martinelli ⋅ Flanders, NJ U.S. Marine Corps, Sergeant ⋅ 8 years served

Neil,

I am in very similar shoes & agree with a lot of the above comments.

If you are not already get on LinkedIn (free), maybe apply for a mentor though here, and have you thought of going back to school for undergrad degree &/or Certificates?

Contact your State VA Rep and discuss the VA Disability Vocational Rehab & Education (VR&E) program. If accepted to the VR&E they pay for your schooling &/or Certificates to help you transition into civilian life.

Hope this helps.

Semper Fi

Ray Martinelli
If you would like feel free to send me a connection request.
www.linkedin.com/in/rmartinelli1/

Marc Krass ⋅ Kansas City, MO Procter & Gamble Company ⋅ 37 years experience

I agree with Bill and Angela, and want to build on their points. First you need to identify your capabilities and passions. Then, establish the employment goals you want to achieve, keeping in mind--and trying to avoid the trap--that most people set their own limits. Aim high. Then figure out which employers probably offer the best environments for you to achieve those goals. Search on the Internet for the names and addresses of their CEO's/presidents and/or their top Human Resources officer, and write them a personal letter capturing on one or two pages who you are, what you want to do and how you can deliver in that role. Disclose your disability and explain why you believe you can be successful in that employment setting. Attach your resume, focusing on your skills and what you can deliver based upon your education, work and military experience. Conclude your letter by asking them to call you so they can learn more about you and figure out how their company/organization can best utilize you. If you don't hear back within 10 days, start calling the people to whom you wrote and leave word who you are and that you are following up on the letter you previously sent. Be determined, energetic but respectful. Expect that only a fraction of these letters will result in a conversation, so make the most of those opportunities and be open-minded to what they have to say. Have confidence that you will ultimately be successful, and that will become your self-fulfilling prophecy. Good luck!

Bill Nobles ⋅ Basking Ridge, NJ Exxon ⋅ 30 years experience

Neil, thank you for your service. Your posting says nothing about what you have been selling or what type work/industry would excite you, so you may be a candidate for self-assessment before taking your next step. One exercise would be to think about yourself in the HR organization in an interesting sounding industry or two, and self-assess what type entry position/career would you hire Neil for? Is there a position/career that Neil would fit well with additional education or certification(s)?
Another option would be to try some of the free/low cost tools available on the Internet for self-assessing you aptitude, capabilities, and interests. These have helped other veterans better understand themselves, provided new ideas for next steps, and new information for resumes. My prior posting lists several: "What are best tools for veterans to self-assess their aptitude, capabilities, and interests?"
The key point is that this next step will likely affect your long term success and happiness, so homework at this time can pay great benefits.
Regards, Bill Nobles