Work to define the objectives you want to achieve: type of role you are seeking, industries you are interested in working. Few companies are looking for leaders or problem solvers. What are you passionate about and what skills do you possess? They want people who can fill specific roles and have the hard skills and experience to fill these roles. Reach out to people in those industries. Consider finding some places to do some volunteer work to get experience and to expand your network.

Nobody keeps the first job they take after they transition. If that happens to you great, you are the exception. Almost everyone has to get out there and try things out before they figure out what they like/want. Don’t beat yourself up if things don't initially work out. Learn lessons, adjust fire, and continue moving forward. You’ll land where you need or want to be.

Do what you want to do now, not what others think you should do.

Very overwhelming and stressful. But just understand that it is a work in progress that is specific to you. Do not compare your progress and plans to others' transition goals. Understand what it is that makes you happy after your service, make goals off of that, and then execute.. one step at a time.

Lower your expectations of co-workers. They are not always like us. It will be a big change from the people you are used to working around.

Immediately develop skills relevant to the job market you seek to participate in.

Don’t shy away from the trade jobs. Most of the trade schools required for those jobs are fully funded by the G.I. Bill, are only 1 semester, and will have a starting pay similar to a bachelor’s degree.

Don’t chase the dollar. Do something you enjoy and success will follow.

Your first job after the Ranger Regiment will not be your last job. Not much of my initial plan happened. Lots of changes, just like Regiment be flexible because the only constant is change.

Look at all the benefits of a job, not just the money. Education, Health, Travel, ease of doing your job; not is the job easy but does the company make it easy to do your work. Many benefits might make a job paying $5000 less more attractive.

You started as the new guy when you first joined the Army and throughout your career. Just when you started to be confident in a position, you were moved and usually up to the next level, and once again, you were the new guy. When you retire or transition, you end an era and begin a new one. Once again, you chose to start over. This is nothing new as you have repeatedly been the new guy throughout your career; it is part of the growth process. Embrace the newness; it is a challenge, and there should be no complacency. Like in BN, you will only be the new guy until the next one appears. SUA SPONTE!

SkillBridge program. Please use these resources as they will expose you to many companies. I interned for a company in Tampa and received numerous offer letters upon completion.

There are no Infantry Platoon Leaders/Company Commander positions in the civilian sector, but there are Project and Program Manager positions requiring similar skills. Take the time to learn how your military skills translate into being marketable for positions outside the military.

Security Contracting Advice

Do not get disappointed if the leadership in your civilian job is not as good as your experience in the Regiment, every leader there was the top 1%. Do not catch yourself saying “When I was in BN we did it this way.” No one cares and you will just make enemies who will try to derail your forward progression.

On USAJobs search for "location negotiable". Those tend to offer the telework options.

Steve Dalton's book "The Two-Hour Job Search" is for guys who know exactly what they want to do and give them definitive steps to execute a search. The result is a list of people to conduct informational interviews with to get to the hiring managers. 

This video is about how to conduct an informational interview. Key takeaway: end every call with "who else should I talk to." I always tell guys to ask this question and not one has asked me at the end of the call.

Candorful - Interview prep is free for veterans. This is ideal for guys who have interviews scheduled. They get to knock out mock interviews with really good feedback at the end.

PA School Application - A graphic to review for those interested in becoming a PA.

Is PA School Right for You? - One Key to Deciding: The Intersection of Money, Time, and Purpose

Degree vs. no degree: Most job postings will cut the “years of experience” requirement in half (or more) if you have a bachelor’s. A high school diploma alone makes it brutally hard to even get past the automated filters.

Certifications you’ll actually need: For any real cybersecurity role (even junior analyst), plan on getting an IAT/IAM Level III cert. The two that open the most doors are CISSP or CISM (Security+ alone won’t cut it anymore at most serious shops). If you’re leaning toward the network side (Junior Network Engineer, NetAdmin, etc.), get your CCNA. Skip Network+ entirely — it’s basically worthless now compared to CCNA, and even CCNA is losing some shine, but it’s still the minimum ticket for most network postings.

Location matters: Do your homework on where you want to plant yourself. I moved to Las Vegas and love the city, but the IT job market here is rough. I’m currently stuck in a job I hate where nothing else comes close in pay, and the overall quality of life for IT pros here is pretty bleak right now. Pick a place with a strong contractor presence (DC area, San Antonio, Tampa, Colorado Springs, Huntsville, etc.) or a booming commercial tech scene if you want options.

Research the company thoroughly before accepting any offer: Dig into Glassdoor reviews and focus on the ones with lots of likes. They tend to be the most honest. Also, check recent news, Reddit threads, and anything else you can find. If you spot red flags during the interview process (toxic vibes, yelling, evasive answers, etc.), trust your gut and walk away.

Farming/Ranching Career:

• Learn how to do as much as you can yourself. I've told many people that the smartest man I ever met (my grandfather) had an 8th grade education. He was a farmer, rancher, carpenter, electrician, plumber, veterinarian, mechanic, etc etc etc and he was proficient at all of those things. 

• If it rust, it starts depreciating the day you buy it. In northeast Texas, it’s pretty easy to find someone riding around in a new dually truck pulling a new aluminum cattle trailer pulling into a ranch with a new tractor parked by the barn. I promise you that's not where they started so don't try to start there because you will more than likely fail if you do. 

• "Behind every successful farmer/rancher is a wife who has a good job in town that pays the living expenses". There are exceptions to that rule, but they are few and far between in my opinion. I'm able to do what I do because I have a wife that has a " good job in town".

• Start small, grow organically. For example: If you want a ranch, don't run out and buy a bunch of cows and a bull, buy a handful of bred heifers, sell the male off spring and keep the females. 

• Understand that you are signing up for a low paying job where the hours are 24/7/365 and more importantly make sure your spouse understands that. How do you take a vacation if you own livestock? Livestock have to be fed and cared for daily regardless of the weather, your physical health, etc. and if there is a problem it’s going to come at the absolute worst time.

Applying to business and/or law school is a long, difficult, and nuanced process and I heavily leaned on my veteran network to achieve success.

College helps, and do not underestimate the value of doing courses while you are in. Your wallet will thank you and it will give you a leg up.

Bad grades can be explained in a supplemental letter.

The undergraduate degree is not important, mine was in psychology and my friend was in Geology. The GPA and prior school holds more weight. My friend was accepted to MIT, Harvard, Columbia, Yale and Dartmouth. Most programs offer Executive MBAs, which allow for full-time employment and are often better networking opportunities as the cohort is usually filled with established people.

Don’t shy away from the trade jobs. Most of the trade schools required for those jobs are fully funded by the G.I. Bill, are only 1 semester, and will have a starting pay similar to a bachelor’s degree.

From Ranger to Attorney - A Practical Guide to Law School After Military Service

At a macro level, unless you are going into a specific industry that requires it, such as a doctor, lawyer, engineer, etc., what your degree is in doesn’t really matter. It DOES matter that you have a college degree (for the most part) but not really what it’s in. Most companies just want to make sure that you have an education and will pay you very differently if you don’t. For example, I was able to get a job making 100k but my coworker, who was hired internally and does NOT have a degree, only makes about $60k even though we do the exact same job. Graduate School also matters for advancement and to round out your experience. You can be hired as a mid-level manager if you have a BA in Interpretive Dance but if you want to move to senior management, a master’s in business or similar field will help separate you from your peers. Again, corporations want to make a profit, so they prefer their senior management to know how a business works. For example, in Corporate Security, your bachelor’s doesn’t matter as much as your experience when getting into it. However, to move up, you are going to have to be able to explain why budgets need to be allocated, what the risk impact (to profits) of not doing something is, and how to explain this to non-security management using business language. A good way to close this gap is certificates.

Certificates can be valued more than a degree. Take a look at what industry you want to go into and what Certificates are valued. If you want to go into project management, you will need your PMP. If you want to go into security, you will need CPP from ASIS. If you want to go into IT or CYBER, your degree is completely optional as all they care about is the Certificates that those industries require for you to even be considered. Syracuse University has a program called Onward 2 Opportunity (O2O) that will give you a bootcamp and pay for you to sit for your certificate. Udemy is an online platform where people can upload classes and practice tests for just about any certificate and you can study using what you find on there for much cheaper than just about any other bootcamp or company promising to get you to pass on your first try. I used Udemy to study for my Certified Protection Professional (CPP) from ASIS and passed without ever having to crack open a book. It saved me thousands of dollars. I know people who have used it for PMP as well with the same result. DO NOT assume that your experience will trump any certificate. Think of them as a “Ranger Tab” when pursuing jobs. The mere act of going to Ranger School probably didn’t teach you how to seize an airfield or clear a room, but that Tab allowed everyone who you came into contact with in the military know that you went through something important and without knowing anything else about you, trust that you would likely be able to accomplish whatever task they assigned you. That’s what certificates do for you. It allows employers to take a look at your resume and make calculated assumptions that you will probably be successful as compared to other candidates.

FEDERAL PENSION: Buy Back Program, still have to do 20 years but each year in the military is 1% or “1” year on the back end of your 20 years. Essentially, it’s like being in the federal government since age 18 or when you joined the Army, which is a cheat code since a regular Special Agent cannot join until they are post-college with life experience (25-28).

ROTH TSP: You continue to add to your Roth TSP for as long as you stay in the federal government. Currently, it is $23,000 per year. Combined with your military ROTH TSP (if you were smart and invested).

ANNUAL LEAVE: Leave is based off time in the government, military years included. After 8 years, you make 6 hours per 2 weeks of work. After 15 years, you make 8 hours per pay period. So if you come in with 12 years, in 3 years on the job you’re already making max leave days per paycheck. Also, some federal agencies have extra days off allocated for VA appointments if you are over a certain VA disability. That’s a TON of leave, which you might lose due to not being able to use it all.  

GI BILL: You can use your GI Bill for the Federal Academy. I made $18,000 after my training was done. 

Army’s Last Move: The Army owes you one last move equivalent to your home of record. I did a DIY move from Columbus, GA to Atlanta, GA (2hrs) and made $8,000.

NATIONAL GUARD: If you choose to go SF Guard Program, your grade/pay in the federal government still increases when you are on “military orders”. If you’re gone for 3 years, your pay when you come back is equivalent to you being there the last 3 years and will be at a higher pay grade when you are back.

6C positions refer to retirement as well.  It’s reserved for some (most) federal law enforcement and firefighter positions. If you are in a 6C position, you only have to work 20 years (25 years if you are under age 50)  until you are eligible to retire instead of 30 years (like most fed employees have to work). You also get your pension computed at a different rate per year 6C gets 1.75% per year of 6C service instead of the 1% per year of a regular fed job. Basically, you get a larger pension in less time. Going back to the federal clock;  If you take a job with DOE babysitting a trainload of nukes (not a 6C job)  for a few years and then go to USBP which is 6C. Those DOE years will count towards your 30 standard fed retirement years- but will not help you retire at 20 years. However, you will get an additional 1% per each DOE year you served.

AUO (administratively uncontrollable overtime) is somewhat similar to LEAP. You get paid 25% over your (base pay + locality pay). Both LEAP and AUO exist because the agency frequently needs you to work over 40 hours. So they automatically pay you for 50.  If you end up having to work over 50 (unscheduled)- you are basically working for free. If you work under 50 you get paid for 50 anyways. Sometimes you bite the bear, sometimes the bear bites you. (BTW; Scheduled overtime is treated differently from this). There are pros and cons to LEAP vs AUO.  Certification requirements and flexibility to name a few. But I would not turn my nose up at either of them until I stopped the federal clock and started my G-man career.

Take your credit score seriously.

Get control of your spending; clear all debts.

Find something you enjoy, preferably interesting and/or active. Fishing, competitive shooting, surfing, sky diving, metal work, boating, golf, scuba, mountain biking, and triathlons are just some of the hobbies I’ve seen guys take up. Last year I was talking to recently retired Master Sergeant, who had just taken up wood working. He realized he was drinking too much because he didn’t have anything else to do and was bored, so he filled the gap productively. Do something for yourself, have fun with it, and don’t let yourself get bored.

Of course, the Regiment and the creed have been my North Star all of my life.

Transitioning is difficult, you will feel obsolete when you’re not contributing to the same mission as when you were in. I’ve been there, other vets that I have managed have been there. It is something you get through as a team. Reach out to your Ranger buddies, ask for help, look for guidance. Never quit on yourself. Be a professional. Trust me, I had to learn the hard way. RLTW!

If you apply what you learned in the military and as a Ranger you will be ultimately successful in whatever you do. The Bible is my life guide however I live and breath the Ranger creed today. Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert and physically strong. The intestinal fortitude. I will shoulder more than my share of the responsibility whatever it may be 100% and then some. I shoulder my weight as a husband, father and business partner. Nobody will outwork me or out hustle me. If you have grit, you will out hustle anybody in whatever industry you are in. Prioritize, make wise decisions and DON'T BE LAZY!

Humility isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a path to success and a leadership trait, ask questions, seek advice, call for help.

Transition is a team sport. If you are single build a team of mentors, both military and civilian. If you are married. Have open and vulnerable conversations with your spouse. Don’t forget they’re in transition too. If you are have kids. Involve them in the process. Let them have a voice. Find out what scares them about the next step, new school, leaving friends and family. Building a team will give you new perspectives and highlight blind spots.

Fitness...don't take a break when leaving service. Keep a focus on fitness. I see so many veterans who took 'a break' from fitness but never get it back. Being unhealthy is a very slippery slope and best to just avoid the issue. And the issue gets more and more important as you get older.

Get involved in your community, volunteer, coach, join a group. Find some people outside that you can relate to one thing other than Army.

Be patient. The pace and sense of urgency of the Army and war does not exist at the same level in the Civilian life.

You are a leader! Take the lead… keep a journal. You will miss the rangers. Tell your story!

Transitioning is a struggle we all battle internally and daily.. it’s okay to reach out and ask for advice now & you don’t have to explain anything we understand.

Maintain your PT, it’s not just for war. It keeps you sharp.

Don’t lose the built in structure to your life that Battalion gave you. Stay regimented, keep a schedule.

Know that nothing will be as exciting as battalion from an adrenaline sense. Plan adventures and exciting things to fill the void that battalion did for you( TDY, schools, rotations, shoot houses, jumps etc). Feed your brains ADHD with new things constantly or else you’ll feel stuck in place

Always strive to improve yourself, education, seminars, books, technical training etc. Civilian life is different than Regiment life, but 1 thing is similar the person who is always growing and improving usually gets a head.

Find a hobby or something to provide enjoyment and relieve stress. Shooting, Hiking, PT etc. Civilian life has many good things, but you will likely not get the same relationships you had in your squad, platoon etc. and you can't tell the same jokes.

What is in it for you? Your personal physical, mental, and emotional health is your consistent bank of wealth. Making withdrawals for the service up front requires planning what your 90-year-old self will look back on and enjoy recalling. Invest now in your transition to manage expectations to keep stress low and enthusiasm high for the next leg of your life's journey.

Maintain your physical, spiritual, and mental fitness; set aside and protect predictable family time. Put it all on your calendar so nothing preempts it without a decision.

Reach out to others if you are unsure or feeling alone – someone else is or has been there.

Find a meaningful volunteer activity that gives you a sense of purpose.

It is important to start finding internal purpose and motivation to drive you. Within the military, you ALWAYS have a purpose. Your sole existence centers around the fact that you are preparing to defend the nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Your job is to defend the people of this great nation. When you retire, that changes. A corporation’s job is to make money. That’s it. Full stop. Even in Corporate Security, defending people is a by-product of the real goal, which is to defend the company’s ability to make a profit. This is not me railing against the evils of capitalism or some other nonsense, but a very cold, very real fact. Many Veterans grow extremely frustrated in this because they are used to caring for their Soldiers, driving towards a goal to better society, and given latitude when they develop a plan that may cost more but make things safer and better for everyone around them. In the private sector, it’s critical to understand that no company starts out with the goal to break even or operate at a loss. This is in direct contradiction to the federal government that IS designed to break even as it is funded by taxes and not revenue. The private sector is governed by Profit & Loss Statements, budgets, and quarterly summaries. I say this because I highly doubt that most Rangers will find fulfillment making Acme, LLC the biggest widget maker in the world. So you have to find new purpose and new motivations and my advice is this: you no longer have to sacrifice your wants, your family, or your personal goals for the greater good. For the first time since joining the military, you can set your own purpose and strive for that purpose. Whether that is new hobbies, education, passion projects, or just spending time with your family, YOU have to find that internal motivation to drive on and become fulfilled based on what YOU want, not what an organization that you belong to wants.

Close your eyes. Imagine how you want to live (city, country, acreage or small place, quiet or noisy); decide how much you want to spend. That will drive where you live. Work will find you if you work at it.

This is easily the most overlooked, but most important, consideration. When determining where to finally settle, it is extremely important to look at the local economy, access to competent medical facilities, and cost of living.

An expanding or growing local economy means there are more job opportunities and it’s much easier to switch jobs quickly. Around 44% of Veterans leave their first post-military job within the first year. This happens for a variety of reasons but usually boils down to the simple fact that most Veterans are eager to take the first thing that comes along, get some stability, and then realize that either the company culture doesn’t fit, they are underutilized, or the job itself isn’t what they thought. The ability to leave one job and go straight for another with higher pay, better work/life balance, or more purpose is a new concept and one that is taken advantage of pretty frequently.

Pay and cost of living is another huge consideration. I have seen Rangers take a “great job” in the DC area making $100k a year, only to find out that for them to really live comfortably it takes around $130k for a single individual and around $250k for a family. Conversely, for a family to live comfortably in Las Cruces, NM it only takes a median income of around $64,000. Make sure that the jobs that you are looking for will allow you to close that gap. Especially if you are not receiving a retirement or disability income.

Medical is also incredibly important. Being a Ranger is very hard on the body, even if you don’t feel it now. My body started to seriously break down at around 35 and now that I’m 44, I am having a lot more issues with my joints, bones, and health. Las Cruces, NM is a good example of a place that is cheap to live, but very hard to get medical treatment. New Mexico has a serious issue right now attracting and keeping competent medical professionals. Most people I know there travel to Tucson or Phoenix, AZ to receive medical treatment for themselves and their families because there are no specialists and the Primary Care Physicians are overbooked. Traveling 3+ hours every time you need to see a doctor gets really old, really quickly.

I cannot stress enough the importance of leveraging TRF Mentors to aid your transition. Relationships matter!

No ONE person has all the advice you need to be successful. So talk to many people who've transitioned and poach one or two nuggets from each person. Spend a lot of time learning about different roles and job descriptions, talking to people in those roles to really make sure you know the exact job or jobs you want to do then viciously pursue those opportunities.

My Dad has conceded that even as a Harvard grad, Harvard Business School doesn't compare to the network you have coming out of Regiment.

Someone's knowledge, Rolodex, and assistance are why we all got our jobs!

I can certainly appreciate the frustration associated with breaking into a market. I can also appreciate having a good network of people when times get tough.

You are in great hands with all of the Rangers that will reach out to you, something I did not have when I got out. All it takes is one person to look out for you and you have every Ranger that has come before you that will do just that.

I think Rangers will persevere no matter what is thrown at them. Still, if we can get them to stay in touch with the group, I think we can help them in the future with so many decisions, retirement planning in the civilian world, good groups/agencies to work with, etc.

Do not hesitate to ask for help and reach out to others! There are so many available resources out there at your disposal. Creating a network of support is one of the keys to success! Building an initial transition plan may seem

Rangers aren’t individuals; they are team players. They get stronger by transferring their strength to others, no other creature like it!

I know things can appear daunting to the young Rangers now. I hope they realize there is a virtual battalion of teammates willing, eager, and able to support them in their respective journeys.

Through my transition, I've gained valuable insight into the importance of building your network and capitalizing on all the free resources available to veterans.

Network to develop Partnerships to build Resources.

You don’t have to know everything, surround yourself with people who are experts in their own fields.

Define what success looks like to you and surround yourself with those people

Plan to reach your goals with phase lines to ensure you are on track. Build a solid support network.

Surround yourself with successful people and learn the good and bad from the leaders over you. Never burn your bridges and if you've survived, then utilize your training, leadership, and experience to continue to grow and develop others for your team or organization. Never stop learning and helping others.

Use your network; especially Ranger-centric organizations. When talking or emailing with Rangers, I often hear that they feel like a bother or "sorry to ask". Here is a news flash we like helping YOU and all Rangers; we get something out of it too.

Stay in touch with this team. Networking will get you across this bridge, It has helped me and now it's my time to give back!

Observe how others interact on LinkedIn if you are new to it; Send personal messages to make new connections; Be genuine in the content you post and your conversations. Be thankful for the time others offer you to support your transition.

Get a LinkedIn account, learn how to use it, and work it a few days a week.

Cast your net wide, be honest, follow-up and follow-through.

Never talk poorly about any company or person – you don’t know who is connected and how.

Find mentors who have walked a similar path on which you are headed.

Mentorship is not a one-and-done, much like mentoring a young Ranger when he is a private and continuing to mentor them through your retirement. CSM to SFC relationship.

We’ve all heard the saying, "It’s not what you know, it’s who you know". But it’s really who you get to know that’s willing to put their name behind yours where the good opportunities come from. The Ranger network is made up of people willing to do exactly that. Your Ranger buddy may not be the hiring manager, but he can get you in front of the hiring manager. Most organizations have internal referral systems, and a referral from someone already in the organization, someone who is a proven asset, is a huge advantage. Resumes are important, but only if you can get someone to look at them.

Join professional networks. I’ll speak about Corporate Security since I know it best but I made huge strides in getting into otherwise denied industries through ASIS International and the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP). I also make a point to go to regional fusion meetings and other professional events. This is where you will meet and network with people in your field. You may not decide to live in Tacoma, Savannah, or Columbus but those people may know people in the area you DO decide to move to and can put in a good word for you. Industries are smaller than you think and networking goes a long way.

It's got to be tailored for the jobs for which you're applying, so you're tweaking it each time you apply. The HR folks are doing a word search and not looking at them/reading them like we would an NCOER or an OER during a promotion board. It is a glorified business card to get you in to talk with a job manager. Your "elevator speech" to tell why hiring you would make their company better, is key.

Note there are many different kinds of communications these days, as you build your resume warehouse of skills and comments, they can be used for intro letters, focused resumes, emails, elevator speeches, and whatever else. Writing and rewriting the resume is not a waste of time because, like planning, it is the process of planning, not the plan that matters. The more you think about and write down your skills and experiences, the better you'll be able to communicate them written and verbally when needed.

Read the job description! If you don't meet the minimum requirements for the role...probably not a great idea to apply. Not all, but most hiring managers won't look at you if you don't meet the minimum requirements.

Don't use a generic resume. Tailor the resume to meet the job requirements. If you're looking for a job in logistics, your CBRN skills from your time in service will probably not land you the job.

Unless you're applying for a GS position, a government contracting role, or a role that deals specifically with the military, take the military jargon out of your resume. Less than 1% of the nation has served in the military. That leaves another 99% who aren't necessarily going to understand what a Platoon Leader or an Operations Sergeant Major does. Find the civilian job titles that best describe what you did in the service and use those. Director of Operations will get you further in the screening process than Operations Sergeant Major.

Even after someone finishes the "perfect resume," they will still have to customize each submission with the keywords posted for the job they are applying for. Yes, that means creating a new resume for each application. Keywords come from the company’s exact job posting. When their computer finds “keywords” in your resume, their computer will flag your resume as a ‘good fit.’

Tailor your resume towards the job you going after & never sell yourself short. Your experiences in Rgr Batt are valuable to an employer.

Reach out to the SOCOM Coalition Care Program. They have many programs that will help you with your transition, resume building, etc

Target your cover letters. A business knows a generic form when they see one.

Work your resume before you get out. Hire a professional if need be. Consider a resume focusing on your skill set and another on your leadership abilities.

Don’t pad your resume. Many former military members know what a first sergeant or XO does and is responsible for.

The Army will do an absolute crap job teaching you to write a resume. Also, there are a lot of companies out there that will charge a RIDICULOUS amount of money to write one for you. I paid a company over $800 to write my resume and tune up my LinkedIn account and the resume they wrote me was worthless.

To understand resumes, it’s important to understand their purpose and who is reading them. A resume is a marketing document that is advertising YOU. Resumes should be short and concise, no more than two pages, and list only applicable information. Veterans typically write Resumes as if they are award write ups or old school NCOERs. Lots of bullet points that list out how amazing you are with a bunch of fluff. They will list a bunch of acronyms that don’t translate, every cool school they have ever been to, and bullets that don’t translate well into corporate language. These are all really bad habits to use when writing your resume.

The first hurdle you have to get over when submitting a resume is the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). The ATS is an automated system that scans your resume for key words and then scores it before pushing it to a recruiter. If your resume isn’t being scored at 90%-95%, then your resume is going to go into the discard pile. Especially if it is a position that has thousands of applicants applying, such as a position with a company like Google, Apple, Amazon, etc. That’s why most resumes start with a short introduction paragraph and then list a bunch of qualification buzz words. That is for the benefit of the ATS. ChatGPT is incredibly useful for scoring your resume. Copy and paste the job description into ChatGPT, then tell it to act as a ATS and score your resume. Then drop the resume into the dialogue box and see what your score is.

The next hurdle is the recruiter or “hiring manager.” We would like to think that our resume will be forwarded to the supervisor that we will be working for and this is absolutely not the case. Your resume will be forwarded to a recruiter. This is an entry-level HR underling that usually just graduated college or otherwise gets assigned. They are typically 22-25 years old and have very little experience outside of their childhood or college. They have NO CONCEPT of what it means when you say “oversaw and directed over 50 Rangers during combat operations in denied areas resulting in the capture/kill of over 200 terrorists during the Global War on Terrorism” And that’s best-case scenario. Worst case, is that they are intimidated, they see GWOT which is something that kicked off before they were born, and they feel you are too old for the position. Ageism is a real thing. Also, they usually don’t have very good attention spans. That’s not a dig at the younger generation. That’s a real thing. If they see your resume that has a bunch of really dense, tightly packed words at a 9 point font because that’s what you had to make it in order to get your whole career on those two pages, they will literally get bored and send you to the discard pile. Remember, your resume is an advertising document. It needs to put the bottom line up front and do it concisely. Your resume should follow this format:

Name

Position you are applying for (this helps them sort through when they print your resume off)

Phone Number

Email Address (Professional email. DemonRanger69@hotmail.com is not a good email)

Linkedin URL

Area you live in (so they can automatically see if they have to pay relocation costs, or not)

Short Introduction paragraph (2-3 sentences)

Qualification Words

5-6 major career accomplishments written in corporate language

Experience (these are your job positions. Preferably on the second page. They are not likely to read them)

Education (Highest level of academic education achieved)

PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS APPLICABLE TO THE JOB (Listing Ranger School or MFF sounds great on the surface but they don’t know what that is and unless the job is asking for it, it takes up space)

Key words applicable to the job. Again, this is for the benefit of the ATS system.

The Resume exists to get you an interview. Once the recruiter thinks your resume is good, he forwards it on. Then and ONLY then does somebody who actually knows anything about the job you are applying for takes a look at it. The whole point of the resume is to get you an interview. Think about the last time you went into a shooting range and took a look at the courses it offers. The flyers likely had basic information: Length, topics covered, cost, and location. If it had more than that and was densely packed, you probably didn’t read it. Your resume is the same thing. If it is too much, it doesn’t get read by the recruiter.

Getting to my current position since retirement has been an interesting journey. I am glad I did not compromise and took the challenge to prove myself in a new environment once again. I strongly believe the lessons learned as a Ranger were instrumental in my success, I would also argue we forget at times that what makes a Ranger is our ability to take challenges head on and not expect the easier path but take the right path and accept/welcome the challenges.

Continue to set high standards, as soon as you tell somebody you’re a former Ranger they’ll expect more from you and see you in a different light

Below are some life goal areas. I recommend you put some criteria against each and prioritize. What are hard lines for you, where are you flexible and what are some goals; define success. Job opportunities will naturally disqualify themselves based on the criteria you establish.

Life Goals: 99% will be in these categories.

1. Professional

2. Personal

3. Educational

4. Financial

5. Amusement/Hobbies

6. Civic contributions

7. Spiritual

8. Health & Fitness

Research and identify VSOs in your final destination. These Veteran Services Officers will be able to assist you through your process of the disability claim. I was lucky enough to be referred to and represented by the Wounded Warrior Project when fighting the VA on certain claims. Appeal what you receive initially, it will help increase what you deserve, you earned it. Having a VSO provides you with further insight that can be beneficial through the processes.

If you did not transition to the National Guard or Reserves, be cautious with VA benefits. If you receive VA benefits and try to re-enlist, it will be difficult (not impossible, but difficult).

The last thing I will say isn't for everyone but take a hard look at the NG or Army Reserve; especially if your future plans involve medicine or technology. The benefits are really very good, $200 a month Tri-Care for your family, education benefits, retirement, networking are just a few. It isn't for everyone and not even NG SF is like Regiment. You will miss b-days, family events etc. but a retirement check and medical for life at age 60 isn't all that bad. I also used the NG as a "go to hell" plan; if things got real bad economically I could always take a mobilization to pay my bills and take care of my family.

Make sure that your medical is all covered. If you have not started, you will need to put together a VA disability claim. This is very important for the fact you can receive many benefits to include some of the certs you are seeking free of charge. I would recommend that you speak to your doc and he/she should get you all the appointments you will need to start your packet. If you receive 100% disability, in addition to financial benefits, you can get free education and certs. e.g. In Florida you do not have to pay property taxes. Research Disabled Vet benefits by state.

VA Disability Exams & Transition Care Question & Answer

Create a business-only email account. You’ll know that anything that hits the inbox has something to do with your future.

As I continue to learn, it’s often the most basic step that causes the breakthrough, not the advanced or sophisticated solution.

Create a business card. Name, email address, cell phone number; consider adding LinkedIn URL, QR code with current resume.

The biggest accomplishment in my life was serving in the Rangers. One takeaway while being in 2nd Battalion, is that all Rangers learn to adapt and accept hardship, which makes us stronger, both physically and mentally. If you survived the battalion, you can accomplish anything if you put your heart into. When you are a young Ranger, you feel invincible, but when you get out and try to find your niche in life, it ain't always easy. But remember to apply all your skills, especially in leadership. Find something that you really want to do, and go for it. There might be failures, but always have a contingency plan, then regroup and do it again. Do your best and never give up.

For better or worse, you're married to the Regiment the rest of your life. Hell, even the actual Regiment doesn't even comprehend this because it's full of Active Duty guys. But you will forever be connected to and a reflection of; the 75th Ranger Regiment. This almost seems like an obvious concept at the same time. But once you're out, and word gets out that you were in this fraternity, everyone you will ever meet will be judging the Regiment based off of their own ambassador to RGT: you. So straighten up your back, clean your shit up. There are men that you have never met that you represent, same as when you were active, and the older alumni carried the torch. It's our turn.

Always maintain your awareness of your surroundings, do not let go of any standards, demonstrate the skills you bring to any employer you may be with. Your determination, ability to adapt, see the mission through is something that civilian employers appreciate. You are an asset and businesses need the people from our community, people who never quit, and sets the standards.

Sometimes a step back is the best way to take 2 steps forward if it is on track to your long-term objectives. Bet on yourself, you’ll rise to the top.

Nobody owes you anything. Just like when you started basic or your first day. In your new unit, you have to learn and earn your new duties.

Always know what you did in Batt will fit out here leadership is hard to come by and the civilian world needs it in the worst way!! LFG ALWAYS MOVING

1) Take the same approach with your new job as you did with the RGRs. 2) Ranger standards never disappear. 3) Make sure you continue to fight for tasks, conditions, and standards.

Now for some advice: since you have already reached out for help you are on a good start. Use all the tools to get right in the: head, physically, relationships, finances and spiritually. Anyone of these things can ruin us. Surround yourself with enablers and cut ties with people that drag you down, sounds corny but it has got me through everything that could have ruined me. GallantFew and Three Rangers Foundation have great resources to guide you in your decisions and through any difficult times. Biggest suggestion I can give is plan your life like an operation, with clearly defined intent and what success looks like. Have phase lines you can check your progress and make corrections/adjustments. Network, meet new people (help them out where you can) and maintain the healthy ones. Don’t get too frustrated, it is called a transition for a reason. Best of luck on all your endeavors.

Do not stress over this transition, I know at times a transition can feel uncertain but research and develop a plan of action. Having a plan allows you to be in control of the situation and never hesitate to reach out to us.

It's my experience that transitioning is a life-time process; doing this by oneself, is not as effective as with working alongside others who care about you and your journey in life.

Like all Rangers, we're gifted at planning and executing. So, my approach was to develop a Transition Campaign Plan. It consists of 4 Lines of Effort (LOEs) and 4 Major Objectives (MOs) with numerous tasks required in between to achieve those MOs. I still have it on my whiteboard. Why you might ask? Transitioning is a process that doesn't stop. I'm still working on my 4th LOE, towards achieving my last MO. Transition doesn't stop at Army retirement, it's just beginning.

The value of your technical military skills have a very short shelf life as military technology, tactics, and warfare is constantly evolving. (I’m now an infantryman working on a new US Air Force Tanker). The people and leadership skills you learned are portable and durable... they will serve you for decades.

Anything inside of 12 months from transition would be considered "Hasty" (In my opinion); I made my decision at about 7 months from my planned transition date. I was still in Command and it was PAINFUL, stressful, and challenging.

Read job search books (these are only suggestions). They are probably in your local library.

• What Color is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers, by Richard N. Bolles

• Knock ’em Dead: The Ultimate Job Search Guide, by Martin Yate, CPC

• How to Find Fulfilling Work, by Roman Krznaric

• Life Reimagined: Discover Your New Life Possibilities, by Richard J. Leider and Alan M. Webber

• The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success, by Nicholas Lore

Transition book recommendations:

• Necessary Endings

• First 90 Days

• From Hero to Zero and Back

Understanding how social media is also very important. For starters, regardless of whatever the internet says, LinkedIn is still very important. Most companies still list jobs on LinkedIn and a lot of professionals still network on LinkedIn. Having a well-developed LinkedIn profile with a lot of connections can be hugely beneficial. Getting connections is easy: find someone in the industry or company you want to get into and ask to connect. You don’t need to send a clever note with your request, just add them. Most people will connect with you. Also important, most people will RESPOND to you if you message them. Don’t be afraid to reach out via LinkedIn to ask people about a company or job industry. As long as you aren’t selling them something or offering a free financial consultation, they are usually more than happy to chat with you.

SCRUB YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS. Corporations view all of their employees as representatives of their brand. Posts that are political, inflammatory, utilize dark humor, or go against the company’s values WILL be found. They will check your LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and any other social media you have out there and will use data miners like Been Verified to find them. They will also check the accounts of people that you are connected to in order to see who you associate with.