Military News And Articles

That Work For You

Military Education News And Info

Stay up-to-date with news and information about your military education. You can get the information you need to make informed decisions about your online and military correspondence programs. Learn what's going on with military education and how you can make a smooth military transition. Your civilian career awaits you!

A Transition in Your Future? Plan Ahead for Your Civilian Career

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Each year over 250,000 military personnel and families leave their respective service and enter civilian life. While some decide to retire, most people intend to start a new career. The goal is to make a smooth transition from your active-duty military career to a new career in the civilian world.

The Transition Plan

A military transition plan will give your civilian career direction, and help alleviate any overwhelming or confused feelings you may have about your future. The military provided you with a strong skill set and favorable job traits. A transition plan can arm you with the extra training you need to become a professional in the civilian workplace.

Career Training

Be confident that many of the managing, motivating and maneuvering skills you learned in the military are applicable to the civilian workplace. With this solid skill set in place, it's just a matter of building on this foundation and getting new job skills. Here's how you can plan ahead:

1. Make a list of your military skills -- Write down your job title and duties from your military service. Include detailed tasks that you were required to perform. Be specific. Incorporate skills, qualifications, experience, awards, education and anything that is relevant to your military career.

2. Determine how those skills translate to the civilian workplace -- Match your military skills to jobs or professions outside of the military. You can use a military occupational classification (MOC) guide to help you identify these jobs. This information is readily available via the Internet, resource guides and books.

3. Get the extra skills you need -- You can acquire the additional skills that will make you marketable in your post-military career. Choose something with long-term potential, such as a real estate salesperson, home inspector, small business owner, or medical billing specialist. Your military training and new career skills will make you a well-rounded addition to the civilian workforce.

Job Preparation

Once you complete your career training, you need to focus on your job search. This is a vital part of the transition process when you bridge your military career with your new civilian career. Find a school that offers job assistance to make your transition easier. You'll learn how to:

-Create an effective cover letter -- This is the first impression you provide to a potential employer. Provide a concise description of how your skills will apply to a particular position in a company. Make it clear how your military experience is applicable to this job and what unique experience you can bring to a company.

-Write a stand-out resume -- This is a culmination of your work experience. Create an effective summary of your job history by listing all of the relevant work you have performed. Try to avoid using military terms, jargon and acronyms that employers will not know. Make your resume reader-friendly. Incorporate any awards, recognitions and achievements.

-Conduct a successful interview -- If you create an effective cover letter and resume, this will be the next step. Make sure you are prepared by practicing your answers to common interview questions. Dress in appropriate attire and conduct yourself in a professional manner.

You've had a successful military career. Now is the time to take the next step and mobilize your talents. Making the transition from military to civilian life doesn't need to be difficult. With careful strategic planning and preparation, you can successfully move into the next phase of your career.

Click here to learn more about Military Education.

Labels: , , ,

more>>

Posted by Heather Brunson @ 4:02 PM • 0 comments

The G.I. Bill Kicker Program May be Just What You Need for Your Military Education

If you are currently a service member or considering joining the military, you've probably heard about the G.I. Bill, but what you may not be familiar with is the G.I. Bill Kicker Program -- also known as the Army, Navy College or Marine Corps College Funds.

The G.I. Bill Kicker, offered by the Department of Defense through each service branch, is an educational benefit that is added to the G.I. Bill. It is an additional amount of money that increases your basic monthly benefit and is included in your monthly G.I. Bill payment from the VA. Think of it as extra money for your education.

College funds are only made available when you first enlist as a service member or as part of a re-enlistment contract. The amount that is received is determined by a number of factors, such as when you enlisted, length of enlistment contract, service that was joined, the job that was chosen and specific location.

The good news is that these kickers can increase your monthly GI Bill payment rate by hundreds of dollars a month -- putting your military education within reach. This means that you can actually boost your regular G.I. Bill benefit value and earn even more for your education.

The G.I. Bill Kicker Program is an incentive, not an entitlement; therefore you must apply for and be approved to receive it. There may be specific qualifications according to your branch -- contact your military education office for details. The VA does not determine eligibility of this additional benefit; each service branch determines who receives the G.I. Bill Kicker and the amount received. Remember, you can't get your GI Bill Kicker money without receiving the GI Bill -- it isn't a separate benefit, but an add-on to your GI Bill benefit.

The GI Bill Kicker is also available if you choose to join the reserve. You must meet the current requirements and accept the Reserve GI Bill to qualify.

If you think that career training is out of reach, think again. Combining the G.I. Bill Kicker with your G.I. Bill can cover 100% of the cost of your military education. This program is an ideal way to receive the maximum benefits and build up your education fund -- making career training possible. Use these funds to enroll in an accredited online career training program today and study anywhere, any time for a high-demand career.

Labels: , , ,

more>>

Posted by Heather Brunson @ 3:08 PM • 0 comments