My father served in the Navy from 1960–1964. Since he left the Navy three years before I was born, I didn’t grow up particularly familiar with the military. Although he often shared stories of his time in the Navy—stories that captivated me—it still always felt very distant from me and my civilian life.
Things changed when I met my husband, John, who served in the Army for 8 years. Now a civilian and a middle-school science teacher for the past 20 years, I still see the Army’s influence on him in his daily routine and how he walks through the world. John came from a military family. His grandfathers, father, and uncles all served in the military and were active in the Second World, Korean, and Vietnam Wars. And his son Victor, my stepson, has carried the torch by recently serving in the Marines.
Victor joined the Marines right after high school. He finished his duty a few years ago, moved back home, and went to nursing school. After graduation, he explored nursing opportunities and expanded his job search beyond nursing into other specialties in the private sector. However, he was discouraged because he didn’t think his experience as a Marine provided him with the skill set needed to be competitive in the corporate world.
With my background as an executive recruiter, Victor reached out to me for support. It was immediately apparent that his skills as a Marine were not only very transferable, but that when positioned correctly, they would make him a powerfully competitive candidate in the private sector. We spent a month going through a coaching process to help him clearly see how the Marines had empowered him with exceptionally transferable skills.
- Tremendous resilience
- Strong crisis management skills
- Ability to quickly adapt to a variety of environments
- Detailed organizational skills
- Ability to communicate effectively across levels of an organization
- Outstanding supervisory and motivational skills
Victor identified three specialty areas that he wanted to pursue in his job search. We then created a tailored resume to match each of the areas. In addition, we prepped for interview questions targeted to each area, allowing him to formally begin his job search powerfully equipped for success. In less than a month, Victor got several requests for interviews and at least three job offers. It was clear that his skills as a Marine were very appreciated in the private sector and seen as a strength and an asset. Ultimately, Victor decided to take a job as a nurse. He told me he sees how his experience as a Marine has positively and powerfully impacted his ability to succeed in his new role every day.
If you’re getting ready to transition out of the military, remember there are people and resources out there to help. Reach out to a professional like a career coach or a private recruiter. Check out the information and support at Military OneSource and VA for Vets too.
About the Author
Lindsay P. Conn Pekar, CPCC, is a Certified Career and Life Coach.
Disclosure: *The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) or DoD. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. Mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. The author has no financial interests or relationships to disclose.
