Retiring from the military from overseas.

As I get closer to my transition from military to civilian life, I wanted to share some of the best tips and resources I’ve learned throughout the journey. I hope this post can be especially helpful for those who are attempting to retire from overseas and/or from a non-traditional/austere location.

Before I start, I just want to say that the transition/military retirement process isn’t scary, its humbling. Once you get started, you’ll be struck by how many people and organizations are willing to help you.

(1)   Start Early: this whole thing takes time. Be deliberate. Reach out to organizations like The COMMIT Foundation FourBlock , Leader Transition Institute and American Corporate Partners (ACP) to get help from the beginning. These organizations offer support from executive coaching, to resume support, to LinkedIn optimization, to interview skills… and on, and on, and on. When you start working with these organizations, your path forward will not be clear, and you will undoubtedly face a scatter of disorganized thoughts and fears. However… each element of support and coaching you receive will help you find clarity about the what, the why, and the how.

(2)   Networking, Networking, Networking: When you start, you will have some version of a LinkedIn profile and it’ll need some work. That’s ok. Start examining your network and look for folks who are in industries or locations that you think may interest you. Reach out to them! You’ll be amazed at how willing people are to make time for quick call or to facilitate an introduction to someone else. On that point, don’t limit your networking to your 1st level connections. Speak to your 1st level connections about introducing you to their connections – especially if you see a 2nd level connection that is in an industry or location that interests you. In my experience, most networking calls lead to more networking calls and the opportunities that materialize for you will likely result from this.

(3)    Be Organized, but, take a deep breath: Make a spreadsheet or checklist with all the things you want to accomplish listed. Everything from networking calls, to medical appointments, to classes you want to take, to books you want to read. Be iterative and don’t focus on it all at once. You’ll get through it.

(4)   Interviewing is a skill and requires practice: You should never go into an interview without research, prep, and rehearsals. Enlist the help of organizations like Candorful who provide an invaluable service to transitioning veterans.

(5)   You are not alone: Lean on your peers and colleagues who are either in the same position as you are (transitioning and looking for help) or who recently completed the process and can share best practices. You will take immense comfort in knowing that other people are walking (or have walked) this path successfully. Again, you will be amazed at how willing people are to help you. On that point, the best thing you can do after you’ve received all this help and support is PAY IT FORWARD. Offer to mentor, help someone prep an interview, offer book suggestions, make connections etc.

(6)   Garbage In, Garbage Out: I’ve had some people tell me that this or that service was not helpful or not useful or a waste of time. Each program has its own pros and cons but in my experience they all positively support the process and are all helpful/useful/a worthy application of time. You get out of it what you put into it and it’s a commitment. It requires adjusting your scheduling, traveling for events and sometimes waking up in the middle of the night to accommodate a time difference. If you throw yourself into it, you’ll benefit immensely from it. On a similar note, people ask me: which is better – non profit x or non profit y and which one should I do? Do them all! You only hit the pitches you swing at and don’t leave anything on the table. At the end of this, you’ll land well if you do the work.

(7) Medical: Go to the doctor. Be seen for everything you have been putting off throughout your career. If you are at an Embassy, enlist the help of the health unit and Tricare International SOS. Some people avoid this because they are not near a military medical clinic etc. That's the wrong approach. It may require you to travel from where you are stationed to go see a specialist but with the proper referrals, Tricare will pay for it and its not that hard. Again, its a commitment of time and effort but its worth it. Landstuhl is not the only place you can get a sleep study in Europe etc. Compile your medical records from the State Department, DOD, and any private appointments you go to on the economy (typical in places like Ukraine, Albania, Georgia etc.). Then talk to a Veterans Services Organization and enlist their help to submit your VA claims ahead of your retirement date.

Thank you to everyone who has helped me so far and thanks in advance to those who have yet to help me but I know will. I couldn't have done this alone and I feel great about the switch because of all the help and support I've received. Michele O. Gary Slyman (PCC) Reggie Mills JC Glick Annie S. Brock Brunilda (Brunnie) Garcia, MBA, MSS Matt Sivacek Ashley Owens Andre Aponte Gary Guzman Queta Rodriguez Jayson Feeney Mike Abrams Chris Daehnick Robert Fetters Michael Wisecup Dan Hawkins and to all my cohort mates, peers, friends, and other mentors who have steered me along the way! Onward and upward!