WHERE DO I
GO FROM HERE?
CIVILIAN TRANSITION
Where Do I Go From Here: Civilian Transition
Published by:
InCharge Debt Solutions
5750 Major Blvd., Suite 175
Orlando, FL 32819
Copyright © 2012 InCharge Debt Solutions
This guidebook is a compilation of articles by various authors intended to help
military service members transition back to civilian life. All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced – mechanically, electronically, or
by any other means, including photocopying – without written permission of
the publisher or the author of the article.
Requests to the publisher for approval should be addressed to:
Administrative Department, InCharge Debt Solutions
5750 Major Blvd., Suite 175, Orlando, FL 32819.
Disclaimer: This compilation of articles is intended to provide general information relative
to a military service member’s return to civilian life and reflects only the opinion of the
author. It is presented with the understanding that the author, publisher, and publisher’s
agents are not engaged in rendering legal, investment, accounting, or other professional
services; and this book is not a substitute for such services. If legal advice or other expert
assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. The
information, methods and techniques described in this book may not work for you. If
you need advice tailored to your particular financial or legal situation, please contact a
licensed attorney, accountant, or financial advisor. Please note that federal, state and
local laws change often and the current state of the law may not be reflected in this book.
The author, publisher, and publisher’s agents make no warranties with respect to the
information contained herein and assume no liability or responsibility to any person or
entity in connection with any loss or damage whatsoever caused or alleged to be caused,
directly or indirectly, by such information. There are no warranties as to the results that
may be obtained from using this guidebook or the information contained therein. While
every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of all content contained herein, there
may be errors (typographical, mathematical, or in content).
Cover design and book layout by: Devin Joy
All logos, trademarks, services marks, images and copyrighted words and/or
titles used in this guidebook remain the intellectual property of their owners
and are used with permission.
Printed in the United States of America
by Progressive Communications, Lake Mary, Florida.
www.incharge.org
DEDICATION
This guidebook is dedicated to the men and women of the U.S.
Armed Forces and Reserve who put their civilian lives on hold
to serve and protect our nation. It is also dedicated to service
families who make daily sacrifices in support of their loved one
serving in uniform.
It’s our sincere hope that the information herein is useful in
making the transition back to civilian life. Thanks for your
service and best of luck!
www.incharge.org
Table of Contents
Forward
Your Military Service
Will Serve You Well.....................................Gen. Norris Overton.........1
Welcome Back to Civilian Life...................Etta Money.......................3
Translating Your Skills Into Civilian Terms
Marketable Skills? You Have Them!..........Janet Farley......................5
Translating Your Resume into English.......Janet Farley................... 12
Planning a Civilian Career
Getting the Job You Want...........................June Walbert..................19
Top 10 Best Jobs
Overall for the 21st Century.......................Laurence Shatkin..........21
7 Tips for Nailing the Job Interview...........Janet Farley....................24
Transitioning to Civilian Service
Profiles in Courage: Alexandra Jansen......Tammy Maas..................31
Your Transition Checklist............................June Walbert................. 36
Life After Service
The After Life ..............................................Janet Farley................... 38
Getting the Most Bang
for Your Post-911 GI Bill Buck....................Darryl Owens................. 45
Staying Covered: Life Insurance.................June Walbert..................51
Military to Civilian Retirement Tips ..........June Walbert................. 53
Will Your Credit History Pass
Employer Screening?..................................Karen Carlson............... 55
Budget Worksheet......................................Karen Carlson............... 56
Transitions Resource Directory..................Karen Carlson............... 58
About The Authors. ............................................................................... 69
Your Military Service Will Serve You Well
Your Military
Service Will Serve
You Well
I was honored to wear the uniform
for over 32 years, and I’d like to take
this opportunity to thank each of
you for your service to our nation.
You have faced tough challenges
while in uniform. Transitioning back
to civilian life will be a challenge, but
not as great as those you’ve already
overcome! It takes a little work, yes.
You’ll have to learn how to translate
military skills into civilian terms. You’ll have to get used to the
“civilian way” rather than the “military way.” You’ll find in this
fast-paced world that a lot has changed since you traded in
your civvies for a uniform. I made the transition to the civilian
business world after serving for many years as a career officer.
I’m confident you can too.
Remember to always value the BIG things your military experience
brings to your skill set and your resume. Things with great value
no matter what endeavor you pursue; things that position you to
succeed in any field. The words themselves don’t reflect their
true value. People sometimes talk casually about “discipline,”
“commitment,” “camaraderie,” “can-do attitude,” “teamwork,”
“loyalty” and “calmness under pressure.” You’ve experienced the
true and absolute value of these characteristics; you’ve embodied
them and you’ve seen them in trusted comrades on the front lines.
Page:1
Your Military Service Will Serve You Well
As a corporate executive, I sought these qualities in the people
I selected for employment in my company just as I did for those
in my military commands. I can tell you that all savvy business
leaders want these qualities. So remember not to discount the
discipline you learned, the teamwork skills you mastered and
the ability to do complicated and difficult tasks while under great
stress. Though the jargon and type of work you’ll be doing may
be different, the qualities you’ve picked up or honed while in
the military can positively differentiate you as you transition to
civilian life in a depressed and difficult economy.
I hope the information you find in this collection of articles will
help you with your transition and position you for great success
as you return from the field of honor.
Thank you for your service and my best wishes for success in
the future.
With warm regards,
Brig. Gen. Norris W. Overton, U.S.A.F. (Ret.)
InCharge Board of Trustees (1999-2012)
“Remember to always value
the BIG things your military
experience brings to your skill
set, your character and your
resume. ”
Page:2
Welcome Back to Civilian Life
Welcome Back to Civilian Life
It is a delight to be able to publish this transition guidebook for
service members preparing to return to civilian life. We are so
grateful for the sacrifice that your service represents, not only for
yourself but for your husbands, wives, mothers, fathers and the
many other family and loved ones who also carried the burden of
your absence and deep concern for your safety and well-being.
Your service to our nation required you to enter and learn all the
particulars of an entirely different world. You learned so many new
things: different terminology; different policies and procedures; a
different culture and doing extraordinary and complicated tasks.
You learned how to work as a team to get the job done no matter
the weather, no matter the circumstance and often with a lot riding
on the outcome.
We salute you for that! Now, though you were a civilian before,
you’re facing another tough transition. You put
your civilian life on hold and, lo and behold,
a lot’s changed since you first donned the
uniform. Businesses change, skills and
requirements for various jobs change,
the economy has been in flux, and
you’re not “tuned” to the realities
of today’s civilian life.
That’s
why
we
published
this collection of articles, all
written by very experienced and
knowledgeable experts who we
think can help you as you begin the
re-integration process.
Page:3
Welcome Back to Civilian Life
“You learned how to work
as a team to get the job
done no matter the weather,
no matter the circumstance
and often with a lot riding on
the outcome... ”
I’d be remiss not to tell you
that this effort was generously
funded by the Bank of America
and much of the material was
graciously supplied by USAA.
We are so thankful for their
help and support in getting
this collection of articles
to print.
On behalf of all of us at InCharge, along with Bank of America
and USAA, we again thank you for your service and hope that the
information you find herein will be very helpful as you retire your
uniform and reenter civilian life.
We wish you great success!
President, InCharge Debt Solutions
www.incharge.org
Page:4
Marketable Skills? You Have Them!
Marketable Skills?
You Have Them!
By Janet Farley
You have the in-demand technical skills that any employer would
love to hire. You know it. When you find yourself knee deep in job
search mode, however, it’s easy to overlook those other skills
you may possess, compliments of a life in uniform.
Disdainfully call them your soft skills or the touchy feely ones
if you must. Whatever you do, however, don’t discount the
importance of them in your job search. After all, not everyone
has the right fluff.
You can see the big picture.
“Both officers and enlisted [service members] are particularly
adept at figuring out what is important to accomplishing the
relevant tasks in working toward a goal without being distracted
by the hurdles that are often placed in our path,” said Dr.
Darryl Ahner, an Assistant Professor and Professional Engineer
stationed at the Air Force Institute of Technology on WrightPatterson Air Force Base.
Ahner is an active duty Lieutenant Colonel facing his own military
retirement and career transition.
“In short, we can see the big picture clearly while accomplishing
critical tasks,” said Ahner.
Page:5
Marketable Skills? You Have Them!
You can inspire and lead others.
“We have strong leadership skills. We are able to know what
drives people to do things, I think, in a weird way because of
the War in Afghanistan where we have worked to ‘win the hearts
and minds of others’ psychologically or otherwise,” said Craig
Preston, a Navy Lieutenant Commander (a Sub Officer) who is
also in the process of retiring and transitioning into the civilian
workplace.
Preston is currently stationed in Portsmouth, England where
he works with the Royal Navy. He hopes to land a civilian job
soon as an engineer, a program manager or an efficiency expert
within the nuclear energy industry. His dream job would be one
that allowed him to build
components that fit inside
“Teamwork involves personal
of nuclear power plants.
sacrifice for the greater good
and anyone who has worn
the uniform honorably lives and
breathes this skill knowingly
or not.”
“You can imagine, after all
the issues in Japan with the
reactors, that there is plenty
of need to do things better,”
said Preston.
“I’ve applied for a huge number of jobs within the private sector
and some within the defense industry as well. I’ve already
turned down two jobs on the defense side. It’s easy to go back
to something you know and I just want to do something different
now,” said Preston.
You can be a true team player.
Hidden within the art of being a good leader lays the skill of
being a true team player as well.
Page:6
Marketable Skills? You Have Them!
“Being in the military teaches you have to effectively work with
others towards a common goal,” said Preston.
“This is a highly marketable skill that can apply across career
areas,” he said.
Teamwork, indeed, is critical to any organization’s success and
the best employers to work for understand that concept. Not
everyone can work around the personal drama and individual
agendas that all too often override the organizational goals.
Teamwork involves personal sacrifice for the greater good and
anyone who has worn the uniform honorably lives and breathes
this skill knowingly or not.
You know how to manage diversity.
“Having the ability to understand and appreciate diversity
among people or cultures is also important,” said Preston.
Ahner, who hopes to land a teaching job soon, agrees.
Page:7
Marketable Skills? You Have Them!
“Military members learn people
skills that are seldom learned
outside the military. They must
interact with people from all
walks of life and likely do not
have the option of changing
co-workers, roommates, etc.,”
said Ahner.
The global workplace is just
that: global. Having an understanding, an appreciation and
the skill to effectively navigate
diversity is a plus for any
employer today.
You know how to effectively communicate with others.
You have excellent communication skills but you don’t always
recognize that fact, according to Ahner.
“Service members habitually discount their communications
and organization skills when talking to employers. It’s not
because they can’t communicate, but rather because it’s the
norm in their day-to-day military lives,” said Ahner.
Ahner offers fellow job seekers a bit of helpful advice to help
employers and others understand what you did in the military.
“Don’t communicate your skills [to employers] in military terms
but as if you were talking to your distant uncle back home who
did not have a military background,” said Ahner.
Page:8
Marketable Skills? You Have Them!
You strive for the next level.
In your military career, you set the bar high. Whether your
goal was to reach the next rank or to be involved in a specific
career-enhancing mission, you creatively took it upon yourself
to get there somehow. In the process, you may have committed
yourself to learning and mastering new skills.
Strangely enough, not everyone shares that desire to learn and
achieve new personal or professional levels.
“Transitioning military personnel are life-long learners
that adapt to accomplishing new unfamiliar missions by
independently learning new knowledge and effectively applying
that knowledge,” said Ahner.
What employer doesn’t want to hire someone like that?
For More Help Channeling Your Inner Fluff…
While you may have these marketable skills, you may not always
be skilled in clearly identifying all of them that apply to you.
You may need help to further clarify your particular skill set.
Lucky for you, help is available.
Visit the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) on the installation
nearest you and tap into (pun intended) the services of trained
career transition counselors.
Take advantage of the oneon-one career counseling
services and attend the job
search workshops. You just
“Transitioning military personnel
are life-long learners...”
Page:9
Marketable Skills? You Have Them!
might learn a thing or two in the process to better market all of
your skills, soft and otherwise.
You can also access DoD’s TurboTap online for more help or if
logistics prevent you from visiting a transition center in person.
Consider working with a no-fee (to you) military placement agency.
Preston has been working with one such agency, BradleyMorris, Inc. (BMI).
“It has bought me a certain level of continuity that wasn’t there
before in my job search. BMI gets you in front of employers very
quickly,” said Preston who has found that process beneficial.
“As you go through interviews with potential employers, you start
to realize what you’re really interested in yourself. You begin
to hone in on specific jobs, focusing your job search more,”
said Preston.
Page:10
Marketable Skills? You Have Them!
Eric Salzman, a BMI Executive Consultant based in Austin, Texas,
agrees that using a military placement firm can be helpful.
“We have the direct connections to the hiring managers. We
know how to word and quantify particular training, qualifications,
awards and certificates in ways civilian hiring managers can
understand,” said Salzman adding that some of their company
clients will even pay for certifications and training, for candidates
that have particular backgrounds such as a PLC certification, Six
Sigma certifications, and Project Engineering (P.E.) license.
Visit your installation education center.
Finally, make an appointment with the education center
counselor and ask to take any number of available skills
inventory instruments designed to analyze your unique skills.
And never, ever underestimate your fluffabilties.
“It has bought me a certain
level of continuity that wasn’t
there before in my job search.
BMI gets you in front of
employers very quickly.”
Page:11
Translating Your Resume into English
Translating Your Resume
into English
By Janet Farley
You’ve served your country proudly and now it’s time to move
on professionally. More than anything, you want your transition
from boots to suits to be a smooth one. You want to land a good
job that pays well. The only thing standing in your way is your
so-called resume.
Explaining to would be employers what you did in the military in
a way that makes sense to them can be difficult. Often, skills,
experiences and accomplishments get lost in translation or in
the lack thereof.
To Translate or Not to Translate?
That is the question to answer before you start drafting your
resume. Will you be sending it to someone within the defense
industry? Or will you be targeting employers outside of it?
If the answer is yes to the former, then you may not need to spend
a great deal of time translating your job titles, descriptions,
awards and training into English.
“Often, skills, experiences
and accomplishments get
lost in translation or in the
lack thereof.”
Page:12
Those
within
the
defense industry usually
understand what you are
communicating, but not
always. Keep in mind that
there are a lot of people
who work in the industry
Translating Your Resume into English
who have never worn a uniform and may not fully understand
what you’ve accomplished.
If you are targeting a job outside of the defense world, then you
most certainly need to translate your skills, experiences and
accomplishments into the English Language.
It can be challenging, but not impossible.
From a Tank to a Cubicle
“You have to be patient because there is no such thing as a
perfect resume,” said Philip Lapple, a former M1 Main Battletank
Crewmember (19K-Armor Crewman) in the U.S. Army.
Lapple wants to switch career gears completely and get a job
in business. To reach that goal, he is currently attending the
University of Maryland, University College and working on a
degree in Management Studies.
“I really don’t think I will get a good job until I finish my degree but
I’m trying,” said Lapple.
Page:13
Translating Your Resume into English
IT CAN BE
CHALLENGING,
BUT NOT
IMPOSSIBLE
In the mean time, he is working on creating a basic master
resume that he can tailor to individual job opportunities as
they arise.
“On my resume, I try to show that I am a well-rounded package of
education and expertise,” said Lapple adding that it continues
to be a work in progress.
Lapple has attended the Army Career and Alumni Program
(ACAP) courses and has also used the services of the local Army
Community Service Center’s Employment Readiness Program.
“You’re not going to get it right the first time or the second time
you write it,” said Lapple who finds himself revising his resume
each time someone else critiques it for him.
Lapple understands that he needs to translate specific words in
order to make his resume work. Rather than say he was a tank
crewmember, he says that he was a heavy equipment operator.
Page:14
Translating Your Resume into English
To highlight his skills without over emphasizing equipment
operation, he puts strong emphasis on leadership.
“My latest version shows words like mentoring, efficiency, and
work load planning. I also use the word “team” instead of
platoon or squad,” said Lapple.
“I am also physically counting and adding up the dollar value
of items that I was in charge of in the military and noting the
number of people or employees I supervised,” said Lapple.
“Right now, school is my priority. In my case, I feel like my resume
has to show not only practical experience but a degree as well,”
said Lapple.
Staying in the Same Career Field
“I have a resume, but it’s horrible. I want to make it better in order
to be competitive,” said Gary Heinstrom, a U.S. Army Specialist
who currently serves as a medic with the 554th Military Police
Company based in Germany.
Heinstrom is knee deep in the process of transitioning out of
the military. He is considering staying in his career field, but
he wouldn’t rule out getting his foot in the door to federal
employment in any field either.
“I just started the process
of getting out and there is so
much information coming
at me at one time. It’s
overwhelming but it seems
necessary at the same
time,” said Heinstrom.
“In my case, I feel like my
resume has to show not only
practical experience but a
degree as well,”
Page:15
Translating Your Resume into English
If Heinstrom does indeed try to stay in the medical field, he may
find that the level of translations needed for his resume differ
from those needed by Lapple.
In some military career fields, such as those in the medical field,
there may not be as strong a need to translate some of the skills,
abilities and experiences for its civilian counterpart.
In or out of uniform, patient care, record-keeping and specific
medical procedures and protocol are universally understood
with the career field.
“Instead of saying that I was a medic, I am writing that I was a
health care specialist. I am also a certified Emergency Medical
Technician (EMT), and that is the same in or out of the military,”
said Heinstrom.
Heinstrom says that he also making it a point to quantify his
accomplishments and avoid the use of personal pronouns.
Page:16
Translating Your Resume into English
For More Assistance
Translating the military words on your resume into civilian ones
can be challenging. You don’t have to do it alone, though.
Visit your transition assistance office or the family services and
support center’s employment readiness program. On either
doorstep, you’ll find expert one-on-one counseling assistance or
available classes, free of charge.
For your own research the following websites offer excellent
military-to-civilian translation tools:
Military to Civilian
Occupation Translator
Check out O*Net Military
Crosswalk at
onetonline.org/crosswalk/moc/
You can also get ideas on
how to effectively translate
your military experiences
by looking at the civilian
job descriptions or vacancy
announcements for the jobs
that interest you.
Page:17
Translating Your Resume into English
WORD FOR WORD
COMMON TRANSLATION EXAMPLES
Job Titles
Commander = Director or Senior Manager
Executive Officer = Deputy Director
Field Grade Officer= Executive or Manager
Company Grade Officer = Operations Manager or Section Manager
Warrant Officer =Technical Specialist or Department Manager
Senior NCOs= First-Line Supervisor
Infantry= Security Force
First Sergeant= Personnel Manager
Squad Leader= Team Leader or Team Chief
Supply Sergeant = Supply Manager or Logistics Manager
Operations NCO= Operations Supervisor
General Terms
AI= Additionally skilled in
Combat = Hazardous conditions
Company = Company, department or section
Medal = Award
Military personnel office = Human resources
Mission = Task/function/objective
Military occupation specialty/classification = Career specialty
Squad/platoon = Team or section
Reconnaissance = Data collection and analysis
Regulations= Policy or guidelines
Security clearance= Security clearance
Service members = Employees
Subordinates = Employees
TAD/TDY = Business trip
Page:18
Getting the Job You Want
Getting the Job You Want
Courtesy of USAA.
By June Walbert, Certified Financial Planner™
Many military retirees haven’t interviewed for a civilian job in
decades, if at all. Just like calling for fire, jumping from planes or
piloting a jet, interviewing is a specialized skill. You have to learn
the ropes and practice.
Government programs such as the Transition Assistance
Program and Transition Boot Camp are a must. Hiring a resume
writing pro, enrolling in an interviewing skills class and using
tools such as Military.com’s skills translator can help you
summarize your military skills and experiences that will make
sense to a civilian hiring manager. Finally, don’t underestimate
the power of friends and acquaintances. Networking with them
can produce wonderful tips and ideas, maybe even a job. Know
that all paychecks are not created equal.
In the military, stacked on top of base salary is an array of
allowances including a generous tax-free housing benefit. So, as
you compare civilian employment offers to life in the military,
don’t forget about those
additions to your military
“If you’re very lucky, you’ll enjoy
base pay. As a retiree, you’ll
your hail and farewell on Friday
have access to TRICARE, but
as a civilian you may now be
and walk into your new civilian
paying for life, medical,
job on Monday”
dental
and
disability
insurance expenses that
could put a significant dent in your pay. Be sure to consider this
as you negotiate your salary because pay in the civilian world
is negotiable.
Page:19
Getting the Job You Want
If you’re very lucky, you’ll enjoy your hail and farewell on Friday
and walk into your new civilian job on Monday. But in this
economic environment, such a scenario may not be realistic.
Your job hunt should start well before you retire from service. It’s
a wise idea to have nine to 12 months of living expense money
saved to bridge any potential financial gaps.
Page:20
Top 10 Best Jobs Overall for the 21st Century
Top 10 Best Jobs
Overall for the 21st Century
By Laurence Shatkin
Today’s job seekers face numerous obstacles: a recession that
has eliminated countless positions and crowded the job-seeking
field; ever-changing technology; and pressures to do more with
less. It can be difficult for anyone to decide which career to
pursue.
Before making major decisions about your future career, you’ll
want to be armed with good data related to earning potential,
job security and competitiveness. Below, find the top 10 best
jobs for the 21st century, chosen based on pay, job growth and
number of openings.
1. Software Developers, Applications
Annual earnings: $87,790
Percent growth: 34
Annual openings: 21,840
2. Physicians and Surgeons
Annual earnings: $165,279
Percent growth: 21.8
Annual openings: 26,050
“Today’s
“Today’sjob
jobseekers
seekersface
face
numerous
obstacles...”
numerous obstacles...”
3. Software Developers, Systems Software
Annual earnings: $94,180
Percent growth: 30.4
Annual openings: 15,340
Page:21
Top 10 Best Jobs Overall for the 21st Century
4. Management Analysts
Annual earnings: $78,160
Percent growth: 23.9
Annual openings: 30,650
5. Computer Systems Analysts
Annual earnings: $77,740
Percent growth: 20.3
Annual openings: 22,280
6. Registered Nurses
Annual earnings: $64,690
Percent growth: 22.2
Annual openings: 103,900
7. Civil Engineers
Page:22
Annual earnings: $77,560
Percent growth: 24.3
Annual openings: 11,460
Top 10 Best Jobs Overall for the 21st Century
8. Medical Scientists (except Epidemiologists)
Annual earnings: $76,700
Percent growth: 40.4
Annual openings: 6,620
9. Physical Therapists
Annual earnings: $76,310
Percent growth: 30.3
Annual openings: 7,860
10. Dental Hygienists
Annual earnings: $68,250
Percent growth: 36.1
Annual openings: 9,840
Courtesy of Best Jobs for the 21st
Century by Laurence Shatkin,
Ph.D. and JIST Publishing.
Page:23
7 Tips for Nailing the Job Interview
7 Tips for Nailing
the Job Interview
By Janet Farley
No one understands and can handle stress quite like you. While
in uniform, you’ve survived and excelled in countless situations
that would make those having less of a constitution crumble
right on the spot. That’s why the pre-interview jitters seem so
unnerving and foreign to you now.
TIP 1: Be serious about
getting the job. Dress the part.
Show up fashionably early for the
interview. Wear a confident, not
arrogant, attitude and be willing
to put yourself out there for
closer inspection. In other words,
be serious about expanding your
potential opportunities.
Unlike a military review
board, the job interview is a
totally different animal. And
you need to nail it if you want
the conversation about your
future career to continue.
Here are seven must
embrace tips for making
that happen.
Tip 1| Be serious about
getting the job. Dress the
part. Show up fashionably
early for the interview. Wear
a confident, not arrogant, attitude and be willing to put yourself
out there for closer inspection. In other words, be serious about
expanding your potential opportunities.
One way to do that is to use your available resources. “Go to
the transition assistance program job search classes and stay
Page:24
7 Tips for Nailing the Job Interview
for the mock interviews,”
said Karen Wright, an Army
military intel analyst who
recently interviewed for
and landed a position as a
technology researcher with
a defense contractor.
“The program lasts a
couple of days, and by the
time the interview practice
comes around, suddenly
everybody in the class has
something else to do,” said
Wright.
TIP 2: Make a personal
connection with the employer.
You’ve accomplished the basics. You
said hello. You shook hands. Now
you are easing into make or break
territory. Your goal at this point, job
seeker, is to become memorable.
Use your charming personality to
make that happen by taking it to
the next level and understanding
the basic premise at hand.
According to her, that is a big mistake.
“You can’t be good at what you don’t practice,” said Wright.
Tip 2| Make a personal connection with the employer. You’ve
accomplished the basics. You said hello. You shook hands. Now
you are easing into make or break territory. Your goal at this
point, job seeker, is to become memorable. Use your charming
personality to make that happen by taking it to the next level and
understanding the basic premise at hand.
“Employers want to surround themselves with a group of like
minded individuals and not someone who is going to be a slacker
or try to take over the company overnight,” said Wright.
Take a closer inspection of the setting and put those analytical
skills of yours to work. If you are interviewing in the employer’s
actual office and not in some non-descript conference room,
Page:25
7 Tips for Nailing the Job Interview
TIP 3: Be able to walk the
talk. Your resume is awesome.
Your friend gave you a glowing
recommendation. Now it’s up to
you to back up the buildup. You can
do this by studying your resume
carefully prior to the interview.
Yes, you may have written it, but
now you need to look at it from an
employer’s perspective.
then you have a good
chance of making that
connection easily.
Based on what you see,
what appears to be
important to this person
and how can you show that
it is important to you too?
Is his desk organized or
not? Are there pictures of
his family nearby? Does
he have a love-me wall full
of awards, an exhibit of
personal travel photos or a shrine to some famous sports figure?
Notice it. Find your connection with it and share it if the moment
allows it. You may create a memorable personal link.
Tip 3| Be able to walk the talk. Your resume is awesome. Your
friend gave you a glowing recommendation. Now it’s up to
you to back up the buildup. You can do this by studying your
resume carefully prior to
the interview. Yes, you may
“Now it’s up to you to back up
have written it, but now you
the buildup.”
need to look at it from an
employer’s perspective.
What looks interesting and what doesn’t? Where can you add in
examples of how you accomplished a particularly daunting task?
Inquiring minds (and potential bosses) want to know if you can
truly do all the things your resume and your well-meaning friends
say you can do.
Page:26
7 Tips for Nailing the Job Interview
Talking the walk may also
involve addressing perceived military stereotypes.
TIP 4: Listen. During the
interview, chances are good
you will be slightly on edge.
That’s a good thing. It’s your
body chemically preparing
you for the fight rather than
the flight. In that process,
however, listening to what the
employer says is crucial.
“When you interview with
a defense contractor, they
understand the world
you came from. If you are
interviewing outside of that
world, you may run into
employers who say that
they want to hire veterans
but they don’t understand
them and they may even be afraid of them,” said Wright.
“You have to get them to see you as a person and not as a
stereotype,” said Wright.
Tip 4| Listen. During the interview, chances are good you will be
slightly on edge. That’s a good thing. It’s your body chemically
preparing you for the fight rather than the flight. In that process,
however, listening to what the employer says is crucial. Active
listening prevents you from asking stupid questions and saying
stupid things. It facilitates the conversation in a positive sense.
It also allows you to figure out what is important to the employer
and gives you the opportunity to address it whether the issue is
verbally mentioned or not.
“Sometimes you have to volunteer information that you sense
is of importance to the employer. In one interview I had, the
employer knew I was a single mother and I had the feeling
that he was concerned about my missing work because of
Page:27
7 Tips for Nailing the Job Interview
TIP 5: Ask intelligent
questions. Answer questions
thoughtfully. Listening plays
a big part in your interview
success or lack thereof.
Asking intelligent questions
and answering them thoughtfully play equal roles.
that fact. In that case, I was
ok with volunteering that my
mother lives with me and serves
as backup child support,”
said Wright.
Tip 5| Ask intelligent questions.
Answer questions thoughtfully.
Listening plays a big part in
your interview success or lack
thereof.
Asking intelligent
questions and answering them
thoughtfully play equal roles.
To make the best impression, come prepared with a short list of
real questions that can help you make a good decision about the
job if it comes to that. Avoid the kind of amateur questions you
could find the answers easily to on the company’s homepage.
Before you go to the interview, prepare for it. Review a list of
commonly asked questions and brainstorm ways to answer them.
“Employers will ask you
questions like what is your
five year plan? You have to be
TIP 6: Keep your nerves
able to hit those answers out
in check. Despite your glowing
of the ballpark so to speak,”
credentials and charming personsaid Wright.
Tip 6| Keep your nerves in
check. Despite your glowing
credentials and charming
personality, sweat happens.
Nerves do that to you. Do
your best to keep yourself
Page:28
ality, sweat happens. Nerves do
that to you. Do your best to keep
yourself physically relaxed and
odor free during your stage time
in order to minimize distractors
of the bodily kind.
7 Tips for Nailing the Job Interview
TIP 7: Follow through after
the interview. For better or
worse, you survived the interview.
Don’t make the mistake now of
sitting by your laptop or phone
waiting for that life-changing
email or call. It’s over. You either
nailed it or you didn’t. Lucky for
you, however, you can still make
a good impression by following
through after the interview.
physically relaxed and odor
free during your stage time
in order to minimize distractors of the bodily kind.
Get plenty of rest the
night before. Give yourself
ample time to get dressed
and mentally prepared for
the day’s interview. Don’t
forget your deodorant and
forgo your signature scentmarking cologne or perfume
for the day. Don’t forget to
breathe. Breathing is good
and greatly enhances your
employment opportunities.
Tip 7| Follow through after the interview. For better or worse, you
survived the interview. Don’t make the mistake now of sitting by
your laptop or phone waiting for that life-changing email or call.
It’s over. You either nailed it or you didn’t. Lucky for you, however,
you can still make a good impression by following through after
the interview.
“After my interviews, I always tried to find a way to run across the
employer again and offer my thanks,” said Wright.
Incidental meetings aside, you can also do the following to
ensure follow through and closure:
Immediately send a short but sweet thank you note to the
employer. Reiterate your desire to become a part of the team.
Page:29
7 Tips for Nailing the Job Interview
Before you go to the interview,
prepare for it.
Immediately type up a
longer thank you note and
remind the employer of all
of your good points and
reiterate your desire to
become a part of the team.
Give it a week and if you haven’t heard from the employer, call to
find out how the selection process is progressing. Reiterate your
desire to become a part of the team.
Page:30
Profiles in Courage: Alexandra Jansen
Profiles in Courage:
Alexandra Jansen
by Tammy Maas
I was uncertain how I should address a U.S. Soldier so I decided
to call her by her first name, Alexandra. Then I thanked her
for serving our country. She addressed me as ma’am. It felt
awkward. Here was an American soldier showing me a sign of
respect by addressing me as ma’am - an American soldier who
was once responsible for making sure the widows of suicide
bombers in Iraq did not get recruited. She was the recipient
of several military awards, and she was calling me ma’am.
There is really no way to “pay back” a soldier for their service
to our country, but I decided that I would try by telling the world
about Alexandra.
Page:31
Profiles in Courage: Alexandra Jansen
She is a twenty-five year old 1LT, Alexandra Jansen, Army Nurse
Corps, Army Reserve and Emergency Room Nurse at Iowa Health
Systems in Des Moines. She joined the Army Reserve in 2008,
was deployed to Iraq in June of 2009, and returned home in July
of 2010. Her goal was to care for people who truly deserved it
and to gain skill that was not obtainable in the civilian world.
While deployed, she was selected for a Civil Affairs mission. Her
projects focused on empowering local women and assisting
widow’s organizations in Diyalo Province. Her biggest project
was decreasing the number
of widowed women recruited
Here is the advice Alexandra
for suicide bombers, in turn
funding a sewing class for
offers for returning veterans:
women in which they would
Take a break.
learn a valuable trait and
take a more predominant
role in the society. While deployed she was awarded the Bronze
Star, Combat Action Badge, and the Department of State
Meritorious Honor Award.
Page:32
Profiles in Courage: Alexandra Jansen
Alexandra describes military life as “simple living:”
“You quickly learn to live without most things you once thought
were necessities - things like walking barefoot on carpet, using a
bathroom down the hall from
your bedroom, being able to
You are so much more than
drive anywhere at anytime,
sleeping in, cooking dinner,
a soldier and nurse; you are
personal privacy, and being
an inspiration...
my feminine self. These were
the things I greatly missed.
These things might sound ridiculous to most people, but when
you live without them for a year you understand. While I enjoyed
my career as a soldier, I really missed the simple pleasures in
life - things I never thought I would miss. After my deployment I
realized material things like these are nice but not essential to
happiness.”
Here is the advice Alexandra offers for returning veterans:
“Take a break. I took a few months off after deployment to
spend time with my family, vacation, and get things in order. Talk
about what happened and your experience. It really helped me
to talk about what happened with those I felt comfortable with.
Sometimes it’s hard to find people who understand what you
went through, so lean on your fellow soldiers and communicate
with them.”
Alexandra’s employer, Iowa Health Systems, held her job while
she was deployed. She described her first day back at work:
“I was very nervous about returning back to the Emergency
Department. Since I hadn’t been actively practicing nursing while
deployed, I felt like it would be a rough transition. I was honest
Page:33
Profiles in Courage: Alexandra Jansen
with my employer and expressed my concerns with them prior to
returning. They were very receptive and allowed me to reorient
back into the ER. Things went really well and within a few weeks
I was working independently and felt very comfortable.”
When asked about her return from Iraq, Alexandra shared
the following:
“I learned a lot about the army, myself and life while serving.
I also felt different as an American citizen. I felt closer to my
country and was very glad I got the chance to serve. It took this
deployment for me to realize how lucky Americans have it and
why things should never be taken for granted. “
How did you manage your bills and financial obligations back
home while you were deployed?
“I set most of my bills (mortgage, utilities) up for automatic
withdrawal. This way I did not have to worry about them. My
sister also helped me managed my finances while I was deployed
so I did not have to worry about these things will in Iraq.”
Did you come back to any unexpected bills/financial
obligations? If you took a pay cut to serve, how did that
impact your overall budget?
“I did not return to any unexpected bills. I did take a pay cut
while overseas but because the pay was tax free and because I
wasn’t spending much money while deployed, it did not impact
my budget. I saved a lot of money while on active duty.”
Page:34
Profiles in Courage: Alexandra Jansen
If you had one piece of financial advice for other reservists –
what would that be?
“Plan ahead and delegate the managing of your bills to
someone you trust. Money is the last thing you want to worry
about overseas. Also, save as much money as possible. When
you return you will have plenty of time to spend money and will
appreciate the extra money in your account.”
Alexandra’s future goals include: continuing her education,
becoming a nurse practitioner, continuing Military service for as
long as she can, and striving to be the best soldier she can be.
My message to Alexandra: Thank you ma’am! You are so much
more than a soldier and nurse; you are an inspiration, a hero
and the epitome of what an American should be.
Post Script.
There is some controversy in the military world
today regarding the use of sir and ma’am. Some
believe that employers and co-workers see the
use of sir and ma’am as an inability to adapt to
civilian life. I believe they are teaching the rest of
the civilian world a lesson on respect.
Page:35
Your Transition Checklist
Your Transition Checklist
Courtesy of USAA.
By June Walbert, Certified Financial Planner™
The term “life event” often conjures up images of wedding
dresses, binkies and diapers or even sailboats that will carry
you through the golden years to exotic locales.
Here’s a life event that may not be as obvious: swapping
military boots for civilian shoes. That’s a big change no matter
when it happens but one that’s manageable and full of exciting
prospects. Being prepared is critical though, especially in this
era of high unemployment.
Nearing Military Retirement
Page:36
• C
reate an estimated “civilian” budget. Don’t forget
to add in costs for items like rent or your home
mortgage payment.
• If needed, start saving funds to bridge any gaps that may
occur during your job hunt.
• R
esearch and determine your last PCS (check out www.
usaa.com/BestPlaces for a few ideas).
• D
etermine the cost benefit of buying versus renting a
home post-retirement.
• Evaluate your needs for life insurance.
• R
esearch alternatives for a commercial life insurance
plan and how to replace SGLI so there’s no gap in
coverage.
• C
onsider signing up for the Survivors Benefit Plan (SBP)
as you exit the military.
Your Transition Checklist
Starting Your Civilian Job
• R
esearch alternatives for medical and dental insurance
provided through your new employer.
• Compare to TRICARE to find the best value.
• Evaluate your employer’s offerings for disability insurance.
• If your new employer does not offer coverage, research
additional alternatives:
• E
valuate your new employer’s retirement plan and
associated benefits against your TSP.
Consider the benefits of rolling:
• Your TSP into your new employer’s retirement plan.
• Your TSP into a separate IRA.
• Any tax-free combat pay into a Roth IRA.
• U
pdate your budget and adjust your emergency fund
savings, if necessary.
• U
pdate or create a retirement plan based on
your new earnings.
• L ook for an advisor that can help you with your retirement
planning such as a fee only Certified Financial Planner™
practioner.
• If you move to a new state, assess
your estate planning documents
for potential changes.
BEING PREPARED IS
CRITICAL
THOUGH, ESPECIALLY
IN THIS ERA OF
HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT.
Page:37
The After Life
The After Life
By Janet Farley
You have counted down the years, the months, the days and the
seconds. The time for your career transition from a uniformed
one to a civilian one has finally arrived.
You may be ready to leap boldly from one chapter of your life into
the next. Whether you look forward to it or dread it, you’re sure
to experience a few surprises along the way.
What You Leave Behind
When you transition out of the military, for whatever reason,
there are some benefits that you don’t get to take with you on
your way out the proverbial door.
Some of those benefits are of the intangible variety while others
are more concrete in nature. Regardless of their forms, you may
find yourself longing for
them in your life after the
“The people that you serve
military.
with, for better or worse, are
special to you whether you
realize it or not.”
The Camaraderie
The people that you serve
with, for better or worse, are
special to you whether you
realize it or not. You share a common bond with them that isn’t
easily formed outside of military service.
“The thing I missed the most about being in uniform was the
camaraderie found in the Marine Corps. There’s nothing quite
Page:38
The After Life
like it on the outside,” said Chip Holliman, a retired U.S. Marine.
Holliman served in the Marines for 20 years before retiring in
2007. He enlisted in 1987 and later was given a meritorious
commission to be an intelligence officer.
“In my first job out, I worked for a division within the Internal
Revenue Service where I helped with the hiring and placement
of military veterans and disabled individuals within their
information technology workforce,” he said.
According to Holliman, the level of esprit de corps wasn’t quite
the same as he found in uniform.
YOURS
WASN’T A JOB;
IT WAS AN
ADVENTURE.
Page:39
The After Life
“I was lucky, though. I ended up with an organization where I
worked with really nice people and they became kind of like my
family as well,” said Holliman.
A Real World Mission
The Madison Avenue word rangers said it best. Yours wasn’t a
job; it was an adventure. You know, however, that it was more
than that. Big or small, you
worked on a mission having
a worldwide impact. Your
“...the level of esprit de corps
contribution may have been
wasn’t quite the same as he
miniscule or monumental. It
found in uniform.”
didn’t matter whether you
made the evening news or
not. What you contributed mattered in some shape or form and
you didn’t have to punch a time clock or fill out a timesheet in
the process.
PCSing Every Three Years
When you were in uniform, you and your family may have
dreaded the inevitable three year, or sometimes sooner, PCS
moves. Depending upon the job you take as a civilian, you may
not have to suffer them ever again.
On the surface, that seems like a reason to celebrate, at least,
until the mediocrity of no end in sight sets in.
“Every three years, I get the urge to move. You have to resolve
yourself to stability,” said Holliman.
Page:40
The After Life
The Hidden Perks
Somewhere along the line, you’ve been told that the money and
the benefits are far superior on the outside than they are in
uniform. To be fair, there are situations that support that but not
as many as you might want to be believe.
To get a civilian view of your active duty pay, visit the Regular
Military Compensation Calculator. Enter in your pay grade, years
of service, location, family size, itemized deduction estimate,
state marginal tax rate and other income.
Page:41
The After Life
Click the button and the calculation will quickly show your
monthly and annual basic pay, basic allowance for subsistence
(BAS), basic allowance for housing (BAH), cash totals and tax
advantage all adding up to your regular military compensation.
This figure, theoretically, represents your civilian pay equivalent.
It should give you a starting
point for figuring out what
“...genuine job security is
you need to make on
the outside.
becoming an economic artifact
from yesteryear”
Depending on the nature
and location of your next
job, you may not have the advantage of housing and/or cost of
living allowances. And while your morning commute to the city
might be a rough one, chances are good you won’t be offered
hazardous duty, hardship or combat pay for it.
TRICARE is also a benefit you may no longer enjoy unless you
are retiring. Say hello to high monthly healthcare payments
(assuming your employer offers the options) and be prepared to
do a lot of claims paperwork. If you are retiring, TRICARE morphs
into a different version and you still may find yourself paying
more out of pocket.
Kiss 30 days of paid vacation goodbye along with many paid
holidays as well. Chances are good that you will never experience
that level of paid time off generosity again.
With the added benefit of selecting your own style of clothing
now comes the added detriment of paying for it in full, sans a
clothing allowance.
Page:42
The After Life
The Illusion of Job Security
To be fair, no job is 100% safe these days. Unemployment is
still hovering around the 9% mark and genuine job security is
becoming an economic artifact from yesteryear. Even with the
occasional proposed reductions in force, you have to admit
there is at least the illusion of job security in uniform.
You have to do something pretty stupid or sorely misunderstood
to get kicked out of uniform. In a civilian job, people get fired, laid
off and downsized every day with little or no warning.
Minimizing the Pain of Transition
For all the good points you leave behind in a military-to-civilian
career transition, there are many good ones to be found in the
after life.
Page:43
The After Life
“Career-wise, my transition out of the Corps was a fairly easy
one. I was able to secure a job right away and that made the
transition stress less of a factor for me,” said Holliman.
Holliman advises those in the transition process to plan for it.
“In our current economic state, I think anyone getting out of the
military needs to start the planning process as early as they
can. Visit your Transition Assistance Program (TAP) as soon as
possible,” said Holliman.
He also suggests you take advantage of the educational
opportunities afforded you while on active duty and afterwards
through your GI Bill.
“I wished I’d taken advantage of getting my degree while I was
on active duty. I truly believe that would have helped me now
and would have allowed me to bring a broader background to
the table so to speak,” said
Holliman.
“In our current economic state,
I think anyone getting out of
the military needs to start the
planning process as early as
they can.”
And the esprit de corps?
“You don’t ever get over
missing the camaraderie
you enjoyed in the military.
As a civilian, you just find
other ways to feel it. I involve myself in the military community,
giving back to it several times a year and that helps to ease that
loss for me,” said Holliman.
Page:44
Getting the Most Bang for Your Post-911 GI Bill Buck
Getting the Most Bang for Your
Post-911 GI Bill Buck
By Darryl Owens
After serving their country, many U.S. service members come
marching home from Iraq and Afghanistan eager to trade
combat boots for calculus books.
No wonder.
In the past few years, standing in financial aid lines on college
campuses held considerably more appeal than stalking the
unemployment line.
Credit the Post-911 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of
2008, or simply the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which provides benefits
such as full tuition and book and housing stipends.
“This version,” says Edward J. Dennis, military relations manager
with Bryant & Stratton College, “will go a long way to creating the
next ‘Greatest Generation’.”
“The Post 9/11 GI Bill will go
While considerably more userfriendly than its predecessor,
a long way to creating the next
the packages’ benefit options
‘Greatest Generation’”
still are as bewildering as
they are generous. A recent
American Council on Education study found that while veterans
largely applauded the Post-911 package, for 38 percent of
veterans the benefits might as well been written in Pashto.
Page:45
Getting the Most Bang for Your Post-911 GI Bill Buck
Given how individual nuances affect your benefit mix, a Cliff’s
Notes take on how the ins and outs of the Post-9/11 GI Bill
would leave many with more questions than answers. Instead,
we present a practical battle plan for making the about-face
from combat to college. Here are some practical dos and don’ts
for getting the most out of your hard-earned benefits.
DO:
Determine Eligibility and Apply.
If you have college in your sights, you should determine whether
you qualify for benefits. In general, service members who served
at least 90 days on active duty after Sept. 10, 2001, whether
as a full-time member of the Armed Forces, or a reservist
called to active duty are eligible. Chat up a local Department
of Veterans Affairs representative. If you qualify, surf to www.
gibill.va.gov to apply online. The site also provides more details
that may address your individual benefit level. Or you can call
1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551).
Ask Questions.
While it “often runs contrary to what you are taught to do while
in the military,” says Sanford Kingsley, director of student
services and registrar at the University of California, Irvine
Extension, “being passive
could be a disservice when
“...it’s important not only to
transitioning out of the
figure out what kind of school
military and into civilian
you want to attend, but where.”
life.” You don’t have to
come on strong like a drill
Page:46
Getting the Most Bang for Your Post-911 GI Bill Buck
sergeant. But you must serve as a strong self-advocate. Whether
grilling a VA representative, or interrogating professors about
courses or school financial aid counselors about unpacking your
GI Bill benefits, remember that knowledge is the power to make
your benefits go farther.
Consider a “Veteran-Friendly” School.
Want to know the secret to making a quick transition from “boots
to books?” Target a school tuned into supporting the specific
academic, social and health and wellness needs of veterans,
says Jill Stone, director of veteran outreach at the University
of New Haven in Connecticut. New Haven, for instance, uses
veterans as faculty liaisons, sponsors an active veterans’
student club, and recently launched a Veteran Success Center.
It’s an one-stop shot where community veterans’ organizations
assemble on campus to provide services. Such supportive
environs not only help bolster success, but also minimize the
prospect of wasting time and benefits because of a bad fit.
Page:47
Getting the Most Bang for Your Post-911 GI Bill Buck
Plan Your College Transition.
While the thought of having bragging rights over successful
sports teams often is enough to sway the college choice of many
freshmen, Eric Kann, military outreach coordinator for Central
Penn College in Pennsylvania, says veterans must consider
other issues to maximize their GI Bill benefits. For example, it’s
important not only to figure out what kind of school you want to
attend, but where. The Post-9/11 GI Bill provides a basic college
housing allowance. However, benefits are based on the zip code
of where you attend school — not where you reside. Squeezing
every drop from that housing benefit means you should consider
schools with the highest benefit rates. Likewise, carefully
contemplate your ultimate
career goals. Investigate
the job prospects for career
“...reserve your GI Bill benefits
fields that interest you.
for graduate study while relying
Make sure your passions
on more traditional sources”
and skill set mesh with your
prospective major. And pay
attention to details. Not all courses are VA-approved — and thus
covered by the GI Bill. Remember, the Post-9/11 GI Bill affords
veterans 36 months of schooling. “Changing majors or changing
schools will waste time and money,” Kann says.
Consider Alternative Funding Sources if You Plan on Graduate School.
Graduate school’s often pricier than the undergraduate years.
So Joyce A. Rivers, director of veterans affairs at Norwich
University in Vermont, says it makes sense to reserve your GI
Bill benefits for graduate study while relying on more traditional
sources of student aid during your undergraduate years.
Page:48
Getting the Most Bang for Your Post-911 GI Bill Buck
DON’T:
Lose Track of Critical Service Documents.
Your DD 214 (Report of Separation) papers provide proof and
dates critical to determining your eligibility for benefits. Stash
those and other documents related to your military service in a
safe and accessible place.
Limit Yourself Only to Schools You Think You Can Afford.
Under the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program,
a provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, colleges whose tuition and
fees exceed the new $17,500 annual cap can strike voluntary
agreements with the Department of Veterans Affairs to cover
half the gap between the GI Bill benefits and the actual costs.
The VA covers the rest. You can check for participating schools
at: www.gibill.va.gov/gi_bill_info/ch33/yellow_ribbon.htm
Drop Classes Willy-Nilly.
Once your classes have been reported to the VA, dropping them
has “significant ramifications,” says New Haven’s Stone. If the
VA has already paid for the classes, students often have re-pay
the cost. And students on
the Post-9/11 GI Bill who
neglect to make repayment
“...a college degree can mean
arrangements
may
be
more than over $1 million
shocked to see their monthly
more in lifetime earnings”
housing/living
stipends
automatically docked. “The
last thing you want to have
happen is a veteran who has made a commitment to being a
full time student suddenly faced with financial hardship,” she
says. Save yourself a headache. Ask a financial aid or veterans
Page:49
Getting the Most Bang for Your Post-911 GI Bill Buck
outreach representative to walk you through the consequences
and your options.
Let your GI Bill benefits go to waste.
Numbers don’t lie: a college degree can mean more than over
$1 million more in lifetime earnings than a just a high school
diploma, says Andy Person, executive director of Veterans
Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness at Mercy College in New
York. “The GI Bill,” he says, “is a game changer for life and money
in veterans’ pockets.”
Page:50
Staying Covered: Life Insurance
Staying Covered: Life Insurance
Courtesy of USAA.
By June Walbert, Certified Financial Planner™
Life insurance is often overlooked during transition, likely
because it’s unpleasant to consider one’s premature demise. But
it should be evaluated as a component of a solid financial plan.
The military offers a maximum of $400,000 Servicemembers’
Group Life Insurance and $100,000 for spouses while serving.
Veterans’ Group Life insurance is an option upon leaving the
service and if applied for within 120 days of retirement, no
medical underwriting is required. But due to cost, VGLI is
generally best only for tobacco users and the chronically ill or
injured.
Retirees in good health should consider a commercial life policy
at least six months before retirement to ensure they can get
the coverage they need to protect
their family at a more affordable
price. An added benefit of a nonemployer provided policy is it goes
wherever you go meaning if there’s
a lapse in employment your family
is still covered. The life insurance
calculator at va.gov can help you
to determine your need for life
insurance.
THE ONLY
TRUE WAY TO
REPLACE SBP IS
VIA PERMANENT
LIFE
INSURANCE.
In addition to evaluating life
insurance consider whether the
Survivor’s Benefit Plan makes
sense for your situation. In many
cases, it can provide a cost
Page:51
Staying Covered: Life Insurance
effective way to provide a monthly income from your retired pay
for your spouse should something happen to you. The premiums
are paid with pre-tax dollars, and the beneficiaries’ benefits
receive cost-of-living adjustments.
The only true way to replace SBP is via permanent life insurance.
After crunching the numbers countless times, I’ve determined
there’s no way to beat SBP’s price and peace of mind. It’s
important to note that this is generally a permanent decision that
has to be made on the spot as you sign retirement paperwork.
If you decide to sign up for SBP, you can opt out between months
24 and 36. On the other hand, if you decide against SBP, you’re
likely out of luck. There have been rare occasions when a sign
up “window” has opened, but you would then be required to
pay all back premiums in after tax dollars while making current
premium payments as well. It’s best to make a well-thought-out
decision from the get go.
Page:52
Military to Civilian Retirement Tips
Military to Civilian
Retirement Tips
Courtesy of USAA.
By June Walbert, Certified Financial Planner™
Many military members take advantage of the Thrift Savings
Plan, a tax-advantaged way of saving for retirement, and wonder
what to do with the investment account upon leaving the service.
You have three tax-free courses of action to consider:
• Leave the funds within your TSP account.
• R
oll your TSP into a traditional Individual
Retirement Account.
• Roll your money over to your new employer’s plan.
Again, all of these choices are tax-free and allow for the
continuation of possible tax-deferred compounding. Any taxfree combat pay contributions included in your TSP balance can
be rolled right into a Roth IRA to maintain their tax-free status
and, over time, accumulate tax-free earnings. This would not
generate any income taxes.
The third choice makes sense if your employer’s plan offers
a quality investment selection as your accounts would be
streamlined and you would retain borrowing power from the TSP
balance. You may be able to access your money at a younger
age if you roll them over to a future employer’s plan. An added
benefit of many civilian retirement plans is you may be offered a
“matching contribution.” That means if you contribute a certain
percentage of your salary, your employer will match it.
Page:53
Military to Civilian Retirement Tips
There is a fourth choice, but one I reluctantly mention: cashing
in your TSP. That is generally never a good choice particularly
for those under age 59½ as income taxes would be due plus a
possible 10% penalty. However, I generally suggest maintaining
the account’s tax-deferred
status and the opportunity
“This transition period is
for continued growth.
an ideal time to take a
retirement snapshot and
assess your goals.”
This transition period is
an ideal time to take a
retirement snapshot and
assess your goals. Putting a
financial plan in place will help you understand what your true
retirement’s lifestyle expenses will be. And you’ll have a clearer
picture regarding whether you need to pay down debt or save
and invest more during your remaining work years. The good
news is your military retirement paycheck could be effectively
leveraged to do just that. Congratulations on ending one career
and starting another.
There may be tax consequences associated with the transfer
of assets. Indirect transfers may be subject to taxation and
penalties. Consult with your own advisors regarding your
particular situation. Withdrawals made before age 59½ may be
subject to a 10% federal penalty and ordinary income taxes.
Page:54
Will Your Credit History Pass Employer Screening?
Will Your Credit History Pass
Employer Screening?
By Karen Carlson
A significant number of employers now check prospective
employee’s credit history, as part of the job screening process.
Along with pressing your interview suit and updating your
references, you should review your credit history when looking
for a job. Here are five tips to making your credit employer-ready.
1. Get copies of your credit report: go to
www.annualcreditreport.com. This is the
only authorized online source for a free credit report.
2. Correct inaccurate information on your reports with the
credit bureaus, in writing.
3. Pay your bills on time: on-time bill payment history is
the number one most important component of your
credit score.
4. Do not apply for new credit. New credit applications
can negatively affect your score.
5. Do not use a credit repair agency. There is nothing that
a credit repair agency can do for you that you can’t do
for yourself. Accurate negative information cannot be
removed from your report.
Page:55
Budget Worksheet
Budget Worksheet
Month
Monthly Income
Take Home Pay (self)
Take Home Pay (spouse)
Alimony / Child Support
Social Security
Other Income
A: Total Income
Rent / Mortgage
Rent
Mortgage
Home Maintenance
B: Rent / Mortgage Total
Transportation
Car Payments
Auto Insurance
Gas / Fuel Costs
Parking / Tolls
Vehicle Maintenance
C: Transportation Total
Utilities
Telephone
Cellular Phone
Electric
Water
Natural Gas
Cable / Satellite Television
Trash Services
D: Utilities Total
Page:56
Budget Worksheet
Worksheet Continued
Month
Food & Clothing
Groceries
Eating Out
Clothing
Laundry / Dry Cleaning
E: Food & Clothing
Health & Personal
Medication / Prescriptions
Doctor Bills
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Alimony / Child Support
Education
Childcare
Contributions
Savings
Other
F: Health & Personal Total
InCharge Payment
Student Loans
Other
G: Secured & Unsecured Debts Totals
Monthly Cash Flow
H: Total Income (Total From Line A)
I: T
otal Expenses
(Add Totals From Lines B,C,D,E,F & G)
J: Disposable Income
(Subtract Line I From Line H)
Page:57
Transitions Resource Directory
Transitions Resource Directory
Veterans World
About veterans, military personnel, career transition, job search
tips, employment, resources, resumes, cover letters, military to
civilian transition, etc.
www.veteransworld.com
Military
Military.com’s free membership connects servicemembers,
military families and veterans to all the benefits of service —
government benefits, scholarships, discounts, lifelong
friends, mentors, great stories of military life or missions,
and much more.
www.military.com
Vet Jobs
VetJobs is the premiere military related job board on the
Internet. The VetJobs website connects transitioning
military personnel, veterans and their family members with
organizations who are searching for highly trained, reliable and
mission-oriented employees.
www.vetjobs.com
Corporate Gray
We link employers with transitioning and former military
personnel through our Corporate Gray Series of military-tocivilian career transition books, Corporate Gray Job Fairs, and
Corporate Gray Online resources.
www.corporategray.com
Military Connection
The most comprehensive directory in the country for ex-military,
veterans, military spouses and family, and on duty to civilian
transitions to use for job search by posting your resume to
our online fairs and employment listings. We are proud to help
ex-military search for government jobs, apply for military school,
find federal jobs and receive vital information on loans and pay.
www.militaryconnections.com
Page:58
Transitions Resource Directory
FedWorld
FedWorld.gov is a gateway to a wide variety of helpful
government information.
www.fedworld.gov
Transition Assistance Online
Transition Assistance Online, TAOnline.com, is the largest source
of transition assistance information, jobs, and tools for today’s
separating military. On this career site for military veterans,
service members can find the resources needed to transition
from their much appreciated military service, to the perfect
civilian career.
www.taonline.com
Recruit Military
RecruitMilitary is a veteran-owned firm dedicated to helping
you achieve your dreams: education, veteran jobs and civilian
careers, new business and franchise ownership, training, and
much more.
www.recruitmilitary.com
Make The Connection
Make the Connection is a public awareness campaign by the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that provides personal
testimonials and resources to help Veterans discover ways to
improve their lives.
www.maketheconnection.net
Career One Stop
Career Success Web site is sponsored by the U.S. Department
of Labor through the CareerOneStop project as part of the
department’s assistance to service members, military families,
employers and the workforce staff serving them. The web
site helps people find resources for life after service. Four
sections focus on critical areas: Finding a job, planning
education and training, transition to civilian life, and
disabled/injured resources.
www.careeronestop.org/militarytransition/transitionResources
Page:59
Transitions Resource Directory
Turbo Tap
TurboTAP.org is the Department of Defense’s official website
providing information for servicemembers on transitioning
from military service. This site is also supported by the
Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs. TurboTAP.org is
intended to supplement the services offered by the Transition
Assistance Offices and other groups.
www.turbotap.org/
Military Homefront
Military HOMEFRONT is the Department of Defense website for
official military community and family policy (MC&FP) program
information, policy and guidance designed to help troops and
their families, leaders, and service providers.
www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil/
You Military
This website offers resources for military personnel and their
families making the transistion to civilian life.
www.youmilitary.com
BaseOps
Baseops is short for Base Operations. Baseops.net is your
virtual online version of the Base Operations. Beaseops
provide pilots the best flight preparation tools, mission planning
information, and data available on the Internet.
www.baseops.net/transition/
Military Handbooks
Military Handbooks was launched with one simple goal – to give
the Military community the very best information available about
pay, benefits, retirement planning, education benefits, career
decisions, and much more! And to provide it to you in a series of
straightforward, easy-to-understand handbooks – for FREE!
www.militaryhandbooks.com
Page:60
Transitions Resource Directory
US Military
This website provides resources for each military branch to
assist in the transition from a military to a civilian career.
http://usmilitary.about.com/
Military One Source
Military OneSource is a free service provided by the Department
of Defense to service members and their families to help with a
broad range of concerns including money management, spouse
employment and education, parenting and child care, relocation,
deployment, reunion, and the particular concerns of families
with special-needs members. They can also include more
complex issues like relationships, stress, and grief. Services
are available 24 hours a day — by telephone with professionally
trained consultants and online.
www.militaryonesource.com
1.800.342.9647
JOB SITES
Military Hire
A site for Hiring Managers to find qualified, experienced Military
Veterans who are seeking employment.
www.militaryhire.com
Jobs 4 Vets
A site for hiring managers to find qualified, experienced military
veterans who are seeking employment.
www.jobs4vets.com
Hire A Hero
Hire A Hero is a nationwide resource that connects the
growing number of unemployed veterans with job opportunities,
education, and social services to help them re-integrate back
into the civilian workforce.
www.hireahero.org
Page:61
Transitions Resource Directory
Military Exits
Career and job listings for veterans and discharged military
personnel returning to civilian employment.
www.militaryexits.com
Troop Transition
Troop Transition offers industry leading job training and
education for military transitioning to civilian life. We provide
on-base job courses for active duty servicemen and women,
reservists and National Guardsmen transitioning from military
to civilian careers in one of these great industries: trucking,
transportation & logistics, roughnecking oil & gas drilling,
renewable wind & solar energy training.
www.trooptransition.com
Helmets to Hardhats
Helmets to hardhats connects military, reservists, and
guardsmen to transition from active duty to a career in the
construction industry.
www.helmetstohardhats.org
GI Jobs
G.I. Jobs magazine is publication for military transitioners. It
provides education, transition assistance, and job opportunities
for military personnel.
www.gijobs.com
Career Command Post
Specializes in bringing transitioning active duty military
personnel and armed forces veterans together with civilian
employers hiring for executive, managerial, professional,
technical, skilled and semi-skilled positions, from the Military
Transition Group, Inc.
www.carrercommandpost.com
Page:62
Transitions Resource Directory
Midwest Military
A comprehensive online recruiting source for former military
candidates, where you can post your resume and search job
openings.
www.midwestmilitary.net
Fed Jobs
Federal research service is the leading source for federal jobs
and resources.
www.fedjobs.com
Law Enforcement Jobs
Law Enforcement Jobs is the leading career website for police
officers, deputy sheriffs, federal agents, law enforcement,
corrections and security professionals in the United States.
www.lawenforcementjobs.com
USA Jobs
USA Jobs is the one stop source for Federal jobs and
employment information with resources covering laws for
hiring veterans, veterans’ preferences, and special appointing
authorities for veterans.
www.usajobs.opm.gov
Job Fed
This website provides listings and resources for federal vacancy
announcements (vacancies worldwide are reported) along with
news of federal hiring.
www.jobfed.com
Job Cop
Provides a directory with information and resources
regarding training for police, FBI, cops , sheriffs, and law
enforcement careers.
www.jobcop.com
Federal Government Jobs
Free, accessible federal government job search and e-mail alerts.
www.federalgovernmentjobs.us
Page:63
Transitions Resource Directory
Government Jobs
Website provides information and resources on federal
agency jobs, federal agency careers, state-by-state resource
information, state-by-state resources, national association
web sites, etc.
www.govtjobs.com
Government Jobs
Website offers information and resources for jobs with city,
county, and other public agencies.
www.governmentjobs.com
VetCentral
Direct Employers Association is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to helping veterans find employment.
www.vetcentral.us.jobs
STARTING A BUSINESS
VETERAN ASSISTANCE:
SBA
Website maximizes the availability, applicability and usability
of all administration small business programs for Veterans,
Service-Disabled Veterans, Reserve Component Members, and
their Dependents or Survivors.
www.sba.gov/vets
Vet Biz
Federal government web portal for veteran owned businesses.
Supports the implementation of the Veterans Entrepreneurship
and Small Business Development Act. Support in starting,
managing and marketing veteran owned businesses. Provides
a database that lists businesses that are 51% or more owned
by veterans or service-connected disabled Veterans.
www.vetbiz.gov
Page:64
Transitions Resource Directory
VBOC
The Veterans’ Business Outreach Center (VBOC) helps create,
develop, and retain veteran-owned small business enterprises.
www.vboc.org
Department of Veteran Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs has created the Center for
Veterans Enterprise (CVE), which is solely dedicated to assisting
veterans in starting and building businesses.
www.va.gov/osdbu/veteran/
Veterans Corp
The Veteranscorp.org mission is to help collaborations between
nonprofit and for profit small business entities and veteran/
service disabled veteran-owned small businesses.
www.veteranscorp.org
Small Business Notes
Website providing information and resources to assist veterans
in starting their own business.
www.smallbusinessnotes.com
Buz Gate
Website offers a public service initiative created to facilitate
awareness, access and use of free small business help
offered by America’s government and nonprofit small business
assistance agencies on a local, regional and national scale.
www.buzgate.org
Page:65
Transitions Resource Directory
MILITARY SPOUSES
AND FAMILIES SITES:
Department of Defense
Offers news, background information, a database for military
systems and equipment used, multimedia, and a photo gallery
along with links to other government resources and websites to
assist military personnel and the families.
www.defense.gov
Career One Stop
The website is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and
is the source for employment information, managing careers,
and providing pathways to career success. The website
offers resources and tools to assist job seekers, students,
businesses, and career professionals.
www.careeronestop.org/militaryspouse
Military Wives
Military Wives is among the largest military spouse support
networks on the internet today. It is a network of world-wide
websites exclusively created for the support of all military
service spouses, regardless of their branch of service.
www.militarywives.com
National Military Family Association
The National Military Family Association is the leading nonprofit
organization committed to strengthening and protecting the
families of the men and women currently serving, retired,
wounded, or fallen. The mission is to fight for benefits and
programs that strengthen and protect uniformed services
families and reflect the Nation’s respect for their Service.
www.militaryfamily.org
Page:66
Transitions Resource Directory
Jenny the Military Spouse
This site is for military spouses. “Drawn from the real lives of
both contributors and the cartoonist, Jenny’s experiences reflect
the humor, ingenuity, and sheer determination necessary to be
successful as the spouse of an active duty military member.”
www.jennyspouse.com
Military OneSource
Military OneSource is a free service provided by the Department
of Defense to service members and their families to help with a
broad range of concerns including money management, spouse
employment and education, parenting and child care, relocation,
deployment, reunion, and the particular concerns of families
with special-needs members.
www.militaryonesource.com
Military Moves
Military Moves is dedicated to helping military members and
their families find military housing close to their installation. We
are proud to offer a unique online resource that allows you to
search for homes near your new installation before the actual
PCS. MilitaryMoves.com works tirelessly with realtors, landlords,
and homeowners in more than 200 military bases and military
locations to show you the best that each location has to offer.
www.militarymoves.com
National Military Spouse Network
Pre-eminent networking, mentoring and professional
development organization committed to the education,
empowerment and advancement of military spouses.
www.nationalmilitaryspousenetwork.org
My Army One Source
Website that provided information, support, and resources for
military personnel and their families including healthcare, jobs,
education, transition services, etc.
www.myarmyonesource.com
Page:67
Transitions Resource Directory
4 Military Families
Website that offers services and resources for military
personnel and their families.
www.4militaryfamilies.com
MILITARY FINANCIAL HELP
Military Money
Military Money.com is a leading personal finance resource for
service members, their families and veterans. From the GI Bill
to VA Loans, Thrift Savings to the financial challenges of PCSing, MilitaryMoney is the go-to website for practical tips, advice
and encouragement.
www.militarymoney.com
InCharge.org
InCharge Debt Solutions is a nonprofit organization dedicated
to changing lives through financial literacy education and
counseling. Providing credit counseling, bankruptcy education
and housing counseling, InCharge helps consumers take
control of their financial situation, make positive change and
start down the road to financial prosperity. Visit Money 101
on InCharge.org for free personal finance games, interactive
calculators, articles and videos.
www.incharge.org
Page:68
About The Authors
About the Authors:
The articles published herein are authored by published writers and subject
matter experts on topics relevant to service members transitioning back to
civilian life. Here are their profiles.
Karen Carlson
Karen compiled the extensive Transitions Directory found
near the end of the book. Karen is Director of Education
and Creative Programs for the InCharge Education
Foundation where she oversees development of online,
print and interactive financial literacy education resources
for clients, consumers and students. She also oversees the
foundation’s primary outreach tool to the military community, Military Money,
a comprehensive online portal that addresses the unique financial issues
faced by active duty military, their families and veterans. She is an Emmywinning television producer and has served as writer, producer and executive
producer on numerous nationally airing television series for The Discovery
Channel, TLC and Discovery HD, online multimedia for Barnes&Noble.com
and WebMD and e-learning materials for Pearson, Scott Foresman.
Janet Farley
Janet, who wrote four articles included herein, is one of
today’s leading experts on career transition issues involving
veterans and military spouses. She is author of six books,
including the soon to be published Quick Military Transition
Guide: Seven Steps to Landing a Civilian Job (Jist Inc, June
2012) and the recently released book The Military Spouse’s
Employment Guide: Smart Job Choices for Mobile Lifestyles (Impact Pubs,
March 2012). She has contributed to major military publications, such as
Stars and Stripes, Military Money, Military Spouse Magazine, and Civilian
Job News among others. Janet is a proud U.S. Army military spouse, a U.S.
Marine Corps brat, and an advocate for all those who serve in uniform or
are married to servicemembers. Follow her on Twitter @mil2civguide or @
smartjobchoices or visit her website at www.janetfarley.com.
Page:69
About The Authors
Tammy Maas
Tammy Maas wrote the article “Profiles in Courage:
Alexandra Jansen” which is an insightful article about one
soldier’s return from Iraq and what she learned in making
the transition from a warzone and back into a civilian job.
Tammy is an author who moonlights as a domestic Goddess.
She resides in Iowa where she watches her children and
the corn grow. Her debut novella, A Complicated Life in a Small Town, was
published in February 2012. Tammy ghost writes for several online clients.
She was published by Oatmeal Studios and was a writer/photographer for
Houston County News. Check out her blog at: http://animaasity.weebly.com
Darryl E. Owens
Darryl Owens is an Orlando-based writer and columnist
who covers military affairs for the Orlando Sentinel and
wrote the article “Getting the Most Bang for Your Post-911
GI Bill Buck.” As Editorial writer and Columnist, Darryl is
responsible for producing editorials on subjects that involve
state politics, education, the military and criminal justice.
He writes a once-weekly column on these subjects. Darryl earned a degree
in Journalism at Howard University and has written for the Orlando Sentinel
for over 20 years, winning various state and national awards. He is on the
Sentinel’s Editorial Board.
Page:70
About The Authors
June Walbert
June, who contributed four articles to this compilation,
is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner with
USAA Financial Planning Services. June helps families get
financially fit by sharing practical financial guidance on
topics such as tackling credit card debt, saving for college,
planning for retirement, leaving a legacy and other longterm goals. June’s passion for making smart financial decisions has created
demand for her as a speaker at conferences and conventions around the
world. Her advice has been featured in national media including CNN, FOX
Business News, CNBC, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, The New
York Times, The Washington Post, Kiplinger’s magazine, Kiplingers.com,
SmartMoney.com, MSNBC.com and Forbes.com. She writes an advice
column, “Ask June” on military.com and can be heard on Enlisted Spouse
Radio and ArmyWifeTalkRadio.com. In addition to her CFP® designation
and membership in the Financial Planning Association, June holds FINRA
Series 7 and 63 securities registrations. She earned her bachelor’s degree
in journalism from the University of Central Oklahoma. June has 20 years of
military service and serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Laurence Shatkin
Laurence Shatkin, Ph.D., is one of the nation’s leading
occupational experts and appears regularly on national
news programs and in major print publications to share his
expertise about trends in the world of work. He contributed
the article “Top 10 Best Jobs Overall for the 21st Century.”
He is a Senior Product Developer at JIST Publishing, has
30 years of experience in the career information field, and
is an award-winning career information systems developer. He has written
dozens of books about job-hunting and finding the right career, including
2011 Career Plan (Career Plan the Best Moves Now for a Solid Future) and
The Sequel: How to Change Your Career Without Starting Over. His many
books can be found on Amazon. He is also a frequent presenter at career
development conferences.
Page:71
Housing Counseling
• Pre-Purchase Counseling
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• Prefiling & Predischarge Courses
• Available at MilitaryMoney.com
• Available in English and Spanish
• Education and advice for the
military and their families
• Free E-book upon completion of
second course
• Informative podcasts and videos
5750 Major Blvd., Suite 175 Orlando, Fl 32819; Arizona residents: InCharge Debt Solutions is NOT A LOAN COMPANY; Illinois and
Indiana residents: we do not lend money; Maryland license number: 14-4; Vermont residents: InCharge Debt Solutions is licensed by the
Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration; New York residents: InCharge Debt Solutions is licensed
by the New York State Department of Financial Services; Mississippi residents: InCharge Debt Solutions is a licensed debt management
service provider. Delaware, Rhode Island, and Colorado residents: Establishment of a plan may adversely affect the individual’s credit
rating or scores. Nonpayment of debt may lead creditors to increase finance and other charges or undertake collection activity, including
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CREDIT COUNSELING
KEEP YOUR PEACE OF MIND
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InCharge Debt Solutions is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
Se Habla Español | Nonprofit
Where Do I Go From Here: Civilian Transition is intended for
military service members who are preparing to make the transition
back to civilian life. The book is a compilation of relevant articles
covering areas such as translating your military experience and
skills into marketable civilian job skills, planning a civilian career,
transitioning to civilian life, and planning for life after the service.
An extensive, categorized transitions directory of resources points
the way to over 50 agencies, government offices or services that
can provide assistance.
Brigadier General Norris Overton (U.S.A.F.
retired), retired after 32 years of active duty
military service and successfully transitioned
into senior management positions in business
ranging from Vice President of Information
Systems to Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer with Amtrak. In his forward, he describes
how military training, experience, skills and
attributes can bring value to your resume.
Forward
Your Military Service Will Serve You Well
Welcome Back to Civilian Life
Translating Military Skills Into Civilian Terms
Marketable Skills? You Have Them!
Translating Your Resume into English
Planning a Civilian Career
Getting the Job You Want
Top 10 Best Jobs Overall for the 21st Century
7 Tips for Nailing the Job Interview
Transitioning to Civilian Life
Profiles in Courage: Alexandra Jansen
Your Transition Checklist
Life After Service
The After Life
Getting the Most Bang for Your Post-911 GI Bill Buck
Staying Covered: Life Insurance
Military to Civilian Retirement Tips
Why A Good Credit Score is Important
Will Your Credit History Pass Employer Screening?
Budget Worksheet
Transitions Resource Directory
Lighten your load.
Pass me to a friend.
Access my eletronic
version by scanning
this QR Code