Military to Civilian Transition Articles

Life after military service is tough. I believe it’s tough for everyone, regardless of employment, marital, economic, or social status. Although it can be tougher for some, no one is spared from these challenges. I retired after 29 years of service near the top of my field, and immediately started a good job in a […]

The military experience stretches far beyond the soldier in uniform – it encompasses his/her spouse, children, friends, families, and local communities. Each TDY, deployment, and temporary duty assignment has ripple effects that shifts a greater burden onto those at home, which presents challenges for the military spouse hoping to make strides in his or her […]

As I look, some of the most important lessons I’ve learned, whether it’s been as a leader, family member, or educator, have been on how to communicate properly. Years ago, when I was a developing as a young leader, I remember looking at a problem and then issuing guidance with my soldiers in a raised […]

The final installment of our discussion on a successful transition from the military will focus on service. People join the military for many different reasons (benefits, security, service to nation, etc.), but the one thing we almost always leave with is serving something bigger than ourselves. That culture simply doesn’t dissolve because we leave the […]

The transition from military to civilian life can seem like stepping into a different world. If you’ve been a service member for decades, leaving the Armed Forces may raise a lot of questions – especially when it comes to your career. I know exactly how you’re feeling – I felt the same way when I decided to […]

After 21 years of service in the Army, I became a veteran in 1997. I chose to dedicate the next chapter of my life to service as well, teaching leadership to high school students. So, I wore my uniform for an additional eight years, motivating and educating these young men and women to be better […]

We’re all faced with challenges in life, some greater than others. For me, it was balancing duties as a single mother and serving in the the United States Army. While my children were my number one priority, my career could not take a backseat. As my children grew, so did my responsibilities in the Army. […]

The strict, top-down command management method seems to have fallen out of favorin today’s workplace. The idea of one person at the top who has all the answers doesn’t fit with the diverse abilities, perspectives, education, and experience of the current workforce in many organizations. A more modern approach is to utilize those with coaching […]

Once you’ve submitted your application, the waiting game begins. If you’ve done everything right up to this point, you have a good shot at advancing in the review process. This is what you can expect after you submit your application on USAJOBS. Good luck, and hopefully you make it through all four steps! 1. Application […]

Both military and civilian professionals have found that working for the federal government was the right choice to advance their careers. If you are considering this option for yourself, here are more tips to help you get your foot in the door for a federal government job. 1. Create a USAJOBS profile – First, you […]