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Hey Amanda, I remember a similar struggle when I got out 20 years ago. Here is what worked for me when I left the Army, your mileage may vary.
1) Figure out what it is you want to do and then figure out a plan to get you there. I don't imagine you ever approached anything in the military without some kind of objective in mind and a plan to get there. The civilian world is no different. If you don't have an objective and a plan to get there, you're going to make things a lot harder than they need to be.
2) Figure out how to tell your story, both in writing and out loud, in terms a civilian audience will understand. Practice it... A lot... In my initial months and probably well into my first year, I had to work very hard to break myself from the military jargon pattern of speech.
If you talked to me back then, it sounds like the military was my entire identity. That wasn't a good thing. It was off-putting to people who didn't get it, and initially I made the mistake of thinking they needed to adapt to me, when the reality was I needed to adapt.
I also learned that it was good to lighten up and be a bit less regimented. Sure it's good to be timely, prepared, and a solid team player, but you don't want to come off as robotic.
3) If you didn't complete your education prior to joining or while you were in, take advantage of those VA Education benefits... I cannot stress that enough. Even if college isn't your thing, there are so many other ways to make use of those benefits. That BAH is an absolute godsend.
My experience, employers were nowhere nearly as interested in me until after I completed my degree, so that BAH subsidized things a bit while I was doing what I would call work that was less meaningful to me.
4) Lastly, don't get discouraged. Initially I remember thinking my military service was going to be an asset and allow me to sail into some great six figure job. Now maybe it is for some people, but in my case I had to do a bit more work. I had to go snag that education. I also had to try a few different things. Eventually though I landed exactly where I wanted to be.
Those traits such as perseverance, resilience, and enthusiasm will serve you well, not only today, but also in the future. Don't be afraid to lean on them as they will take you far.
Good luck, Amanda
What’s up fellow squid! What ya need? How can we help?
Not to rain on anyone's parade but the direct hire schickt means nothing. Look at your competition. They're all veterans too. That's why I don't understand why everyone points veterans to govt service as if they're a shoe-in. I'm located in DC. EVERYONE here is a veteran. All of the other applicants are veterans. I'm exaggerating but it's true. OP, I suggest you get a marketable skill. Experience working in office settings and security isn't enough, sorry.
Look into IMVF education benefits. Skillbridge
Ok I'll go rhere
👋🏽👋🏽 what are your concerns ?
Getting a stable job again. It's been hard to get anything stable.
What job did you have in the Navy?
ABF.
Did you apply for VA benefits and veteran benefits in your state?
I'm on there.
Have you plugged into Fourblock or VETLANTA? If not, message me, and I'll be happy to help make those connections.
I'm a Navy Vet as well. It sucked. It still sucks. I live in San Francisco. I checked in with the VA and quickly stopped dealing with them. I hate dealing with the VA soo much that whenever I get sick I just tough it out and wait for it to go away in order to avoid dealing with them. I started off getting jobs by posting resumes on Craigslist in the early 2000s saying that I'm a veteran. People did hire me based on my being a Veteran. If your skills aren't transferable to the real world like my skills weren't (Machinist Mate) and you aren't able or willing to finish college do Security. Security companies hire Veterans. In hindsight it's what I should have done first. Instead I did random dead end b.s jobs. Currently I don't use any Veteran services or resources.