Challenges and Rewards of the Transition from Military Life
Two decades ago, Tim Salverson was operating anti-aircraft missile systems for the United States Marine Corps. After leaving service and joining the public workforce, he went on to become a CPA, then corporate auditor, and now vice president of GridLiance, the nation's first independent developer of power infrastructure. It’s not unusual to see military veterans like Tim Salvesen drawn into careers involving security, technology, communications, logistics, or leadership, since military life can develop qualities that translate well to many career paths, though it can bring its own unique challenges.
It’s commonly understood that the transition from a military to civilian life can be difficult, but not necessarily in the ways many would expect. When veterans struggle in the workplace, the problem is typically assumed to be one of fitting in with corporate culture, or relating to coworkers. While this can occur, it’s not as widespread as often believed, accounting for roughly one-third of military employees leaving a new job in less than a year. In many cases, veterans are simply moving on to better-paying or more fulfilling positions, particularly since one of the more common concerns is underemployment - doing work that falls far below one’s level of expertise. Veterans themselves may be unwittingly contributing to this, as they are reported to be much less likely to negotiate for better wages and promotions when compared to civilian employees.
On the other hand, while service may be no guarantee of gaining an advantage in the workforce, there are excellent odds that it will work in favor of an applicant. A study of human resources executives shows a strong tendency to perceive veterans favorably, with many managers assuming a veteran is likely to be more disciplined, trustworthy, ethical, and detail-oriented than others. Only a very small number, less than 4 percent, believe military service can a drawback in any one of these measures. As for qualifications, military service is just as good as a college education in many situations.
It’s commonly understood that the transition from a military to civilian life can be difficult, but not necessarily in the ways many would expect. When veterans struggle in the workplace, the problem is typically assumed to be one of fitting in with corporate culture, or relating to coworkers. While this can occur, it’s not as widespread as often believed, accounting for roughly one-third of military employees leaving a new job in less than a year. In many cases, veterans are simply moving on to better-paying or more fulfilling positions, particularly since one of the more common concerns is underemployment - doing work that falls far below one’s level of expertise. Veterans themselves may be unwittingly contributing to this, as they are reported to be much less likely to negotiate for better wages and promotions when compared to civilian employees.
On the other hand, while service may be no guarantee of gaining an advantage in the workforce, there are excellent odds that it will work in favor of an applicant. A study of human resources executives shows a strong tendency to perceive veterans favorably, with many managers assuming a veteran is likely to be more disciplined, trustworthy, ethical, and detail-oriented than others. Only a very small number, less than 4 percent, believe military service can a drawback in any one of these measures. As for qualifications, military service is just as good as a college education in many situations.
