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- Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
- Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
- Sprache: Englisch
All the things you need to know when you're putting the military in your rear view In Military Transition For Dummies, you'll talk a walk through how to transition from active military service to civilian life as smoothly and easily as possible. You'll discover how to make the nuts-and-bolts changes to reach your potential in your new lifestyle. From finding a job you love to navigating educational opportunities and keeping yourself mentally strong, this vital book shows you how to: * Find your next career, including how to write an effective resume and conduct a thorough job search * Protect your mental and physical well-being by seeking out and accessing the supports you want and need * Manage your money and make the financial adjustments that are necessary for succeeding in the civilian world Perfect for active service members who are expecting to transition out of the military in the near future, Military Transition For Dummies is also ideal for anyone who's recently left the service and hopes to make the most of their new life.
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Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021
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Military Transition For Dummies®
Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com
Copyright © 2021 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2021943089
ISBN 978-1-119-82478-7 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-82480-0 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-82479-4 (ebk)
Military Transition For Dummies®
To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “Military Transition For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
About This Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Beyond the Book
Where to Go from Here
Part 1: Getting Started with Saying So Long
Chapter 1: Kicking around the Idea of Moving to Fort Couch
Looking for Greener Grass on the Other Side of the Perimeter Fence
Extending Your Commitment: Waiting a While Longer to Decide Is Okay
Sweeping for Common Landmines That Can Derail Your Plans
Preparing for a Relaxing Retirement
Involuntary Separation: Getting Out When You Have No Choice
Dueling with ETS as a Dual-Military Couple
Making the Most out of Terminal or Separation Leave
Considering Special Circumstances That May Affect Your Transition
Chapter 2: Diving into Transition Programs
Getting in the Trenches with Your Branch’s Transition Program
Checking in with the Curriculum of Transition Programs
Exploring Pre-Separation Resources
Chapter 3: Organizing to Prepare for Civilian Life
Replicating Your Military Records
Banking on Financial Preparation for Your First Days as a Civilian
Exploring Employment Opportunities
Studying Your Educational Goals
Managing Your Medical Past, Present, and Future
Taking Control of Your Mental Health
Migrating toward Your ETS Move
Chapter 4: Eyeing Your ETS Process
Attending Your Pre-Separation Brief and TAP Offerings
Clearing Your Unit: Standard Operating Procedures
Raising Medical Concerns
Making Mental Health a Priority
There’s Only One Thief in the Military: Returning the Military’s Stuff
Scheduling Your Relocation Appointments
Working with JAG or Legal Assistance to Update Your Information
Passing Your Housing Inspection with Flying Colors
Reviewing Your Discharge Papers before You Walk out the Door
Lining up Separation Leave
Chapter 5: Ain’t No Discharge on the Ground (It’s in Your Hand)
Dispelling Discharge Myths: The Major Types of Military Separations
Recharacterizing Your Discharge
Reading into Reentry Eligibility Codes
Registering Your Discharge Documents with the Local Government
Part 2: Finding a Job
Chapter 6: Engaging Yourself in Employment Programs
Pinpointing Helpful Programs
Tackling U.S. Government Career Transition Programs
Chapter 7: Getting Your Foot in the Door with a Strong Resume
Identifying the Four Most Common Types of Resumes
Detailing Your Achievements to Find Your Strengths
Filling in All the Details on Your Resume
Composing a Compelling Cover Letter
Drafting a Federal Resume
Keeping Tabs on Your Federal Resume After You Submit It
Chapter 8: Familiarizing Yourself with Civilian Employment (and Pay)
Getting the Job You Want versus Getting the Job You Need
Contrasting the Military Ladder and the Corporate Matrix
Comparing Types of Employment
Starting on the Bottom Rung of the Ladder
Making Sense of Money Matters
Delving into Job Market Statistics
Joining Forces with a Labor Union
Finding Civilian Jobs
Cruising into Career Fairs
Using an Agency to Find Work
Searching for Gig Work to Tide You Over
Getting Two (or More) Jobs
Chapter 9: Getting the Skinny on Government Jobs
Investigating Why Some Troops Choose Federal or State Government Jobs
Using Veterans’ Preference to Get a Government Job
Skipping the Confusion with O*NET
Ferreting Out Government Jobs
Interpreting Federal Government Job Vacancy Announcements
Eyeing the Differences between Competitive and Excepted Service
Acquainting Yourself with OPM Assessment and Selection
Distinguishing Government Pay Scales and Grades
Bringing in Background Checks, Drug Tests, and Security Clearances
Chapter 10: Connecting with Civilians in Your New AO
Making a Great First Impression
Pushing through Discomfort in Social and Professional Situations
Cooking up a Good Elevator Pitch
Checking out Networking Events
Using Social Media to Your Advantage
Joining Military Associations
Doing Your Own Informational Interviews
Standing Out from the Crowd
Chapter 11: Working Your Way through Interviews
Getting Familiar with Common Types of Job Interviews
Creating a Favorable First Impression in Your Interview
Navigating through Interviews
Knowing When to Walk Away
Following Up after the Interview
Chapter 12: Negotiating Your Salary When You Get a Job Offer
Getting Over Negotiation Fears
Fearlessly Asking for What You’re Worth (without Demanding)
Negotiating through Email
Avoiding Negotiation Pitfalls (or, How to Lose Negotiations Every Time)
Closing the Door on an Un-closeable Deal
Chapter 13: Assimilating into the Civilian Workforce
Opening Your Eyes to the Big (Civilian) Picture
Applying Your Military Skills in the Civilian World
Discovering Right-to-Work Laws
Knowing Your Rights as an Employee
Perusing Union Protections
Chapter 14: Starting Your Own Business
Running a Veteran-Owned Business
Considering Programs Designed to Help Vets Open Up Shop
Finding Funding to Start a Veteran-Owned Business
Surveying Special Franchising Opportunities for Veterans
Contracting with the Federal Government
Part 3: Gearing Up to Go Back to School
Chapter 15: Advancing on Your Scholarly Career
Facing Down Common Challenges and Finding Military-Friendly Schools
Surfing for Online Educational Opportunities
Applying for College Admission
Taking Advantage of CLEP Opportunities
Chapter 16: Cashing in on Your GI Bill
Knowing Which GI Bill Is Yours
Finding Places to Use Your GI Bill
Applying for GI Bill Benefits with the VA
Perusing Other Programs to Get You Back in School
Finding Financial Aid
Chapter 17: Fitting into Your New Role as a Student
Tapping into Your Academic Advisor’s Knowledge
Visiting On-Campus Veterans’ Resources
Utilizing Your School’s Career Services and Job Placement Opportunities
Getting in Touch with the VA about Problems with Your School
Finding Civilians on the Map
Part 4: Adjusting to Civilian Life
Chapter 18: Managing Your Money as a Civilian
Comparing Military versus Civilian Pay
Making Rent without BAH
Side-Eyeing Housing Discrimination
Buying a House with (or without) a VA Loan
Scoring Your Own Health Insurance
Taking a Wise Approach to Credit
Creating a Smart Budget
Chapter 19: Zeroing in on the Benefits You Earned
Navigating Access to Your VA Benefits
Determining Which Benefits Are Yours for the Taking
Making the Most of Military OneSource and Other Avenues of Support
Chapter 20: Transitioning as a Wounded Warrior
Tackling Transition Programs for Wounded Warriors
Figuring out Your VA Disability Pay
Exploring Extra VA Disability Benefits
DOD Programs to Give You a Head-Start
Seeing about Social Security Disability
Exploring PTSD Resources
Getting Military Sexual Trauma Help
Working with Civilian Organizations
Finding Family and Caregiver Resources
Chapter 21: Getting Help When You Need It
Battling Your Demons: Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention
Accessing Resources for Financial Help
Receiving Help for Disabilities
Combating Loneliness and Boredom
Being Part of Veterans’ Groups
Reaching out When Life Is Ugly: Legal, Addiction, and Housing Concerns
Doing an About-Face: What If You Want to Get Back In?
Part 5: The Part of Tens
Chapter 22: Ten Tips to Help You Find a Job
Assess Your “Work Wants”
Search Early and Search Often
Create Tailored Resumes for Every Job
Make Your Cover Letter Count
Network like Crazy
Dress to Impress at Job Interviews
Charlie Mike without Military Jargon
Follow Up with Interviewers
Look for Work on Multiple Websites
Consider Different Avenues
Chapter 23: Ten Tips to Help You Score a Job
Stay Flexible
Use Your Veterans’ Preference
Stay Away from the Us-versus-Them Mentality
Work Hard at Civilianizing Yourself
Write an Effective Resume
Figure out How to Be a “People Person”
Pay Attention to Your Body Language
Use the Career Programs Available to You
Don’t Be Above a Job
Ask for Help
Chapter 24: Ten Tips on Filing a Successful Claim with the VA
Apply for a Rating Early
Use a VSO
Understand What’s Required for Your Claim
Use the Right Forms
Back up Your Application with Facts
Write a Statement in Support of Your Claim
Go to Your C&P Exam
Be Prepared for All Your Exams
Meet All Your Deadlines
Don’t Give Up
Appendix: Civilian Terms for Military Experience
Cozying up to Civilian Terminology
Translating Military Experience to Civilian Terms
Index
About the Author
Connect with Dummies
End User License Agreement
List of Tables
Chapter 1
TABLE 1-1 Major Differences between Military and Civilian Life
Chapter 4
TABLE 4-1 What You Can Ship for Your ETS Move
Chapter 5
TABLE 5-1 Military RE Codes
Chapter 8
TABLE 8-1 Work Values to Look for in Your Next Job
TABLE 8-2 Work-Related Dissatisfactions
TABLE 8-3 Vocational Interests
TABLE 8-4 Major Differences between Military and Civilian Jobs
TABLE 8-5 Differences between Contractors and Employees
Chapter 11
TABLE 11-1 Lawful and Unlawful Interview Questions
Chapter 13
TABLE 13-1 Military Soft Skills in Civilian Applications
Chapter 16
TABLE 16-1 Percentages the VA Covers
Appendix
TABLE A-1 Basic Skills
TABLE A-2 Social Skills
TABLE A-3 Technical and Other Skills
TABLE A-4 Resource Management Skills
TABLE A-5 Work Output Skills
TABLE A-6 General Terms
List of Illustrations
Chapter 2
FIGURE 2-1: Sample personal assessment for the military’s Transition Assistance...
Chapter 3
FIGURE 3-1: Sample budget worksheet.
FIGURE 3-2: Veterans in the first few years after leaving the military.
Chapter 4
FIGURE 4-1: Sample DD-214.
FIGURE 4-2: Sample blank NGB-22.
Chapter 7
FIGURE 7-1: Sample chronological resume.
FIGURE 7-2: Sample functional resume.
FIGURE 7-3: Sample combination resume.
FIGURE 7-4: Sample targeted resume.
FIGURE 7-5: A skills table for an education professional’s resume.
FIGURE 7-6: Sample traditional cover letter.
FIGURE 7-7: Sample impact cover letter.
FIGURE 7-8: Sample career-change cover letter.
FIGURE 7-9: Job announcement for a cook position at the U.S. Air Force Academy....
FIGURE 7-10: Job elements for a cook position at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Chapter 8
FIGURE 8-1: Tax brackets.
Chapter 9
FIGURE 9-1: The first four sections of a federal job announcement.
FIGURE 9-2: The Duties section of a federal job vacancy announcement.
FIGURE 9-3: An abbreviated Requirements section of a federal job vacancy announ...
FIGURE 9-4: A sample Required Documents section of a federal job vacancy announ...
FIGURE 9-5: A sample How to Apply section of a federal job vacancy announcement...
Guide
Cover
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Begin Reading
Appendix: Civilian Terms for Military Experience
Index
About the Author
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Introduction
Military transition is inevitable; everybody has to get out sometime. Whether you’ve served one enlistment contract (or fewer) or you’re retiring with 30 years (or more) of service under your web belt, it’s probably been a while since you were part of the civilian workforce, got to sleep in past 0530 regularly, and lived your life without a direct line supervisor keeping an eye out for you. You may never have had a civilian job or been to college, paid rent without receiving housing allowance first, or dealt with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or a private health insurance company, either.
The U.S. military discharges around 200,000 people every year, give or take, and if you’re reading this book, your number is likely almost up.
I won’t sugarcoat it: Leaving the military is hard. I’ve done it myself. That’s true even if you don’t like your job, your unit, your branch, or the military in general. But the good news is that you can do it, and you may even be good at the whole civilian thing. You’re equipped with a unique skill set, body of knowledge, and set of habits that will help you get up to speed in no time.
About This Book
Military transition isn’t a one-shot deal. It’s a process that starts when you decide to request a release from active duty, to resign your commission, or not to renew your enlistment contract and ends when you finally become accustomed to working or going to school in the civilian sector.
Military Transition For Dummies is the one-stop resource you need to get a handle on your entire transition process. I explain everything from your options to continue military service and the transition programs available to you to finding a job, enrolling in college, getting used to working with civilians every day, and tapping into the benefits you’re entitled to receive as a veteran of the U.S. armed forces. I even cover where to go to find help when life starts firing lemons at you on burst.
This book also contains answers to your big questions — including things your branch’s transition programs may not cover — such as
What if I’m being forced out or involuntarily separated?
Are any mental health resources available for transitioning service members?
What can I do to prepare a year before I separate from the military? Six months? One month?
Are employment programs worth the time?
How do I write a resume for a federal job? What about a civilian job?
How do civilians get health insurance?
How do I negotiate a salary when I’m used to being paid according to my rank?
What happens if I want to use my GI Bill?
How can I fit into the civilian workforce or assimilate at school?
Now, what this book isn’t: It’s not full of war stories or complaints about the military, a bunch of stuffy and outdated advice that doesn’t apply to your generation of warriors, or a glossed-over guide that tells you the grass really is greener outside your installation’s perimeter fence. It’s not a retention tool for the armed forces, either. None of those things are going to be useful to you — and I like you, so I want to make sure you have a good grasp on what’s in store for you when you say goodbye to the military for good. Plenty of books out there focus on how you can write a resume or get a job after you get out of the military, but this book is more than that. It’s a well-rounded look at your entire transition from military life to a civilian future so you’re prepared for whatever life throws your way. And as a civilian, that’s going to be plenty.
Foolish Assumptions
While writing this book, I made a few assumptions about you — namely, who you are and why you picked up this book. I assume the following:
You’re getting out of the military (or at least weighing your options).
You want to find out what the transition process is like.
You want to position yourself for success after you have your discharge paperwork in your hot little hands.
Icons Used in This Book
Throughout this book, you find icons that help you pick up what I’m laying down. Here’s a rundown of what they mean:
This icon alerts you to helpful hints. Tips can help you save time and avoid frustration before, during, and after your transition out of the military.
This icon reminds you of important information you should read carefully.
This icon flags actions and ideas that may cause you problems. Often, warnings accompany common mistakes or misconceptions people have about the transition process.
This icon points out information that is interesting, enlightening, or in-depth but that isn’t necessary for you to read.
This icon points out samples of things like emails you may send or references you may receive.
Beyond the Book
In addition to what you’re reading right now, this book comes with a free, access-anywhere Cheat Sheet that includes tips to help you prepare for military transition, including how to apply for federal jobs, advice for assimilating to civilian culture, and resources that can provide additional help when you need it. To get this Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and type “Military Transition For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.
Where to Go from Here
You don’t have to read this book from cover to cover to successfully transition out of the military. I suggest that you begin with Chapters 1 and 2 to familiarize yourself with the military transition process and the resources your branch has provided for you. Then, you can start exploring the chapters that are most relevant to you. Depending on where you are in the transition process, you can gather intel on how to get a job, how to enroll in school, or how to take advantage of the benefits you’re entitled to receive when you complete your term of service in the military.
If you’ve already decided what your next steps will be, you may want to skip entire chapters. For example, if you already have a college degree and you’re only interested in getting a job, skip ahead to Part 2; if you need some guidance on adjusting to civilian life, fast-forward to Part 4. If you’re in crisis, call 800-273-8255, text 838255, or visit www.veteranscrisisline.net to connect with someone immediately.
Not sure where to start? Grab your favorite drink, kick back on the sofa, and start at the beginning.
Part 1
Getting Started with Saying So Long
IN THIS PART …
Strategize your exit from the military so you’re set up for the best possible outcome.
Explore your options — and what’s available to you — with your branch’s transition assistance program.
Get all your proverbial ducks in a row by stacking the odds in your favor before Uncle Sam gives you your walking papers.
Take a good look at the processes you’re required to complete when you officially want to leave the military.
Figure out how your discharge type will impact your ability to claim benefits and decode your DD-214 or other discharge documents.
