U.S. Marine Corps, CH53 Crew Chief, Gunnery Sergeant
Service Technician, Siemens Building Technologies
I separated from the United Stated Marine Corps in 2003 and acquired a job before my terminal leave ended. After working in the construction field for seven years, I was ready to make a career change. The biggest factor in this decision was the economy. Work in the construction industry really slowed from 2003 to present. I found that I needed to re-evaluate my future and find something that would be better suited for me in the years to come.
I turned to Orion in February 2010. By June, Orion had placed me with Siemens Building Technologies as a Service Technician. Orion and Matt Clingon were instrumental with helping me achieve this goal and fitting me with a company that not only fit my personality but also met my needs.
In the Marines, I was a CH53 crew chief and Gunnery Sergeant and was posted at MCAS Kaneohe Bay. The work I will be doing with Siemens working in critical environments is similar to the work I did in the military, due to the nature and importance of the job, plus the use of troubleshooting and technical skills to keep a variety of systems online and working properly. Through my time in the Marines, I was exposed to and trained in many areas of technical, mechanical, and management.
I have experience ranging from being a wrench turner to being a Quality Assurance representative. I think this experience opened many doors and allowed me many opportunities across a variety of fields. Though my mechanical and electrical experience on helicopters did help, it was mostly the fact that I was a proven commodity with a successful military career that made me an attractive candidate to Siemens.
My transition was a bit unorthodox. My wife at the time had some medical issues that required more of my personal attention and help than I could provide and still serve my country. Due to this issue, I left very abruptly and was not as prepared as I could have been. My main focus during my transition was all about taking care of my family. I was most concerned with making sure their needs were met.
When I separated from the military, I did attend a TAP class but found it leaving me with more questions than answers, because it was just so much information in such a short period of time. When you leave the military, it is difficult in so many ways, from a complete lifestyle change to just the basic worries about your future. I think that TAP tried, but there is just so much information in so little time, not to mention that you are one of many trying to utilize the information.
Additionally, your unit is still in full mission force, and the guy who is leaving is not their biggest priority. When I began to work with Orion, it was very nice to work with people who were professionals at dealing with not only the military but the civilian world, as well. That is one of the biggest benefits of working with a company like Orion.
My final move from Hawaii went smoothly. At first, financially it took some getting used to. I had to tighten things up a bit until I became accustomed to life outside. I leaned on family but my three months of terminal leave helped, because it allowed me to still draw the paycheck while giving me the time to look for work and establish housing.
The biggest difficulty I found in transitioning came when I had to integrate myself into the customs of a civilian work force. It is not all hurry up and wait. You cannot, for the most part, order someone to do what needs to be done. Most of all you are no longer wearing any type of rank. There is a rank structure, but it is not always clearly defined. You have to be smart, take time to fit in, and remember for the most part, nobody is really concerned where you have been or what you have done. I found it useful to remember that I was fitting into their world not the other way around.
One thing I have found, especially in my newest civilian job is that while some in the military will tell you that you cannot get the same benefits out in the civilian world, it is not true. You have to be responsible for more, but my current company has excellent benefits that are very comparable to those I had while in the service.
Currently, I am in an entry level position, but the sky is really the limit. If you get with a company that has room for growth there really are no limits to where you can go with your career. I think I am prepared for advancement, because I have a better perspective. When you have been shot at, it is hard to get flustered by a simple mechanical problem. I work with a lot of young men and women straight from college. They often seem to think that every little thing is the end of the world. On the other hand, I know that there is a solution for every problem, and if it can be fixed, then I am sure I can fix it. I learned that confidence in the Marines.
One thing I have had to learn in the civilian workforce is patience. Things do not always happen right away like they can in the military. I have also had to learn to keep myself in check a bit, because people who have never been in the military can be intimidated by what veterans would describe as just being assertive.
When interviewing a veteran, I would advice Hiring Managers to explain to the veteran what it is they are looking for. Veterans can adapt to all sorts of situations. At first glance they may not appear to be a fit, but there are many layers to someone who has served. They have vast experience at adapting and overcoming. Look beyond the "stiff upper lip", and you will find a variety of abilities.
With a veteran, you get all the intangibles. In so many ways you get the best of both worlds by hiring a person whom has served. The education that one receives while serving is a higher level of education that I believe is hard to duplicate in a classroom environment. If hiring managers look beyond the tough, get it done, no nonsense exterior, they will find a very deep well adjusted man or woman that has an intelligence and capability that will surprise. You will also find that they will be a very normal personable adapted person, as well. After all, we have learned to be masters at fitting into our surroundings.
As for veterans, do not think for one minute that you will not be able to make the transition. It is a huge life change but one that can be done and quite smoothly. As a veteran, you are proven and battle tested. You have solved problems, repaired what was broken, met goals, transported material, and so much more. And you did it in the worst possible conditions imaginable. If it needs to be accomplished, you can do it.
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