FORT BLISS, Texas - A standing poster outside of the Army Trials Career Day event held at Fort Bliss asserted "Ready and Resilient, Be Army Strong." Hosted by the Army Warrior Transition Command Career and Education Readiness Branch (CERB)Career Day was organized on behalf of the more than 100 wounded, ill and injured Soldier and veteran athletes competing for 45 coveted slots on the Army team to compete in the June 14-22, 2016 Warrior Games taking place at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York.
The poster also emphasizes personal resiliency and readiness, fitting messages to Soldiers in addressing their immediate and enduring needs. Nonetheless, the very tenor of these words typify what is said to be the biggest task facing Soldiers who are transitioning from the Army into the civilian workforce-- translating the jargon and vocabulary of the military into language more appropriate in the civilian realm.
Among the several breakout sessions held within the Fort Bliss Centennial Banquet and Conference Center was that of employment preparedness. Two human resource specialists, one a transitioned veteran, the other a corporate recruiter, presented an in-depth tutorial to Army Trials athletes on the finer points of pursuing employment in the modern civilian workplace. A great deal of their discussion centered on the language of employment.
In addition to cautioning Soldiers about the use of military jargon the presentation addressed what is said to be the tired concept of individuals having an "elevator speech" at the ready, saying that this notion is rather outdated. In today's employment marketplace it's all about branding.
Unfortunately, many Soldiers and veterans might be unfamiliar with the precepts of establishing their very own professional image.
At its core is understanding oneself and in identifying your true passion. This can be more difficult than it appears.
One way to ascertain this is to get feedback from the people who know you, be it friends, family or those whom alongside of which a Soldier or veteran has served. It is said of life that sometimes the most obvious things are the hardest to see. The people around you, or individuals from your past, might well be the best in pointing out what it is that you personally value the most. Once you have figured this out, make it your very own brand.
It is also imperative that job seekers maintain a presence on social media, especially those specially geared for networking.
Soldiers frequently approach the civilian workforce skeptical that their military careers will translate well in this new environment. However, just because a person was an Army infantryman, or working on vehicles, doesn't mean that they don't possess desired skills in the civilian world.
It is here where the specialized training provided by the Warrior Transition Battalion to which a wounded, ill or injured Soldier is serving can be of tremendous value. Instruction on such things as resume writing and the conducting of mock job interviews, goe a long way in helping Soldiers to understand just how valuable their sense of discipline, self-confidence and understanding of procedures can be.
Soldiers bring other prized qualities to the civilian workplace… assets such as decision-making abilities, critical thinking skills, adaptability and a capacity for learning.
More than anything, however, it is the leadership abilities that are ingrained within each and every Soldier that's treasured the most within the civilian workplace. Indeed, leadership should be at the top of every wounded, ill and injured Soldier's branding effort… one that shouts out to civilian employers "I am here to solve your problems! I am here to help you out!"
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