Careers after the Armed Forces: How to Decide on the Right Career and Make a Successful Transition

Citation

Moats, J.B. (2010), "Careers after the Armed Forces: How to Decide on the Right Career and Make a Successful Transition", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 34 No. 4, pp. 396-398. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090591011039126

Book synopsis

This book is aimed at helping those who are transitioning from the armed services to a civilian career. The intended audience is middle and senior non‐commissioned and commissioned members of the armed services and recent veterans who are moving into a civilian career, however, it is applicable to a much wider audience, including those not in the military. Throughout the book, the author provides a set of activities that, if completed, provides the reader opportunities to identify his or her career needs, establish goals, and develop a plan for a successful transition. The process that unfolds in this book is based on the author's extensive experience in career transition coaching.

This book is deliberate and pragmatic as it guides readers to find the careers best suited for them beyond the military. The book is divided into three parts that represent a logical progression through a process of discernment. The first part of the book (chapters 1‐3) asks readers to consider their current life and career health as well as reflect on the reason(s) for the decision to leave the armed forces. This section is largely a guided reflection on the factors that have led to the need or desire to transition away from the armed services. The exercises lead the readers to examine their personal career history, as well as their life and their work‐life balance.

Part two (chapters 4‐6) leads readers through a process of discerning what an appropriate future career might be by focusing on personality and professional traits. Throughout this part of the book, the author asks readers to consider essential items that guide the reader to the best decisions to a new career beyond the armed forces. Chapter four directs readers to identify the essential work considerations such as motivations and favorite work skills through a series of simple, but practical exercises. Chapter five guides readers to focus on key life considerations such as personal strengths and core values. Chapter six provides a series of exercises that transition from looking at the past to thinking about the future. In this chapter, readers are led to start brainstorming about what jobs and careers might be best suited to them and why these are attractive.

Finally, part three (chapters 7‐20) provides insight into the traditional tactics of job hunting in practical and meaningful terms. This part of the book is laden with practical advice and exercises that guide the reader through the more mechanical considerations needed to make a transition to a new job or career. The chapters in this part range from the concept of futuring to writing resumes (CV's) and letters to evaluating the job offers and negotiating a salary.

Evaluation

The author provides a pragmatic guide for service members to navigate through what is often a very trying and disorienting time – transitioning out of the armed forces. The book is written in a clear and concise manner with short bite‐sized chapters. However, the author has also made an effort to construct the book to speak in the language of soldiers, sailors, and marines. The author clearly understands the intended audience and is able to speak to their core almost immediately by discussing the importance of individual values such as honor, courage and commitment.

The author's experience in working with service members is evident in the stories sprinkled throughout the book. The stories of clients offer a real insight into the challenges of transitioning to a civilian career. These stories make the book relevant to readers. In fact, the practical exercises, the pragmatic approach, and the relational stories make this a valuable workbook for those considering making the transition from the armed forces to a civilian career.

A criticism of this book is that the author does not fully appreciate the power or use of social networks in transitioning to a new career. While this is a seemingly minor failing, it is significant given the increased usage of social networking sites by potential employers. The author does provide a few sentences to discuss social networking sites, yet he fails to mention the importance of social networking sites in the quest for a job. Moreover, the author fails to explain how to use these sites and networks as a tool for finding a new job. Most importantly, there is no mention of the challenges created by the misuse of these sites.

It is important to note that this book is useful to anyone transitioning careers and not only those transitioning away from the military. The process within and the corresponding exercises work in either case. The author's emphasis on reflection and discerning the right career applies universally. This book offers clear and meaningful insights that will help the veteran have an easier transition into a civilian career. The book is not just for veterans of the European Armed forces, but applies to those who are transitioning from the USA's armed forces, or most other country's armed services. Moreover, this book fills a great need. In discussions with veterans and in my own experience as a veteran, this book would have been a welcome resource.

In the author's own words:

If you have been in the armed forces all your working life, it can be challenging to answer all the questions that may arise, as you haven't had exposure or experience of anything else. However, based on what you know and where you are in your life now, answer them as thoroughly and accurately as possible. Things can change – and may indeed do so – as you get experience of new ways of working. But you need a starting point, and you can work that out on the experience you have to date (p. 21‐22).

About the reviewer

Jason B. Moats is a Training Manager for the TEEX Incident Management Program. He is an active scholar‐practitioner in training and development. He is also a veteran of the US Navy where he served as a Hospital Corpsman aboard the USS VINCENNESS (CG‐49). Jason is a doctoral student at Texas A&M University. His research areas include the use and diffusion of technology in training and development, learning transfer and knowledge retention, identifying and exploring the role of human resource development in homeland security, and exploring the role of human resource development in crisis management.