I'm not Transitioning...or maybe I am?

I unofficially started my transition from military service over 10 years ago. I'm still happily serving on active duty.

It started with a conversation with my supervisor around my 10 year anniversary with the Air Force. He asked if I was going to re-enlist or separate. I said I didn't know and next thing I knew he had scheduled me to attend the Transition Assistance Program.

I spent a week learning about transitioning. I learned about resumes and interviews, job research tools, VA benefits, and more. I attended two job fairs and handed out dozens of carefully worded resumes. I received 3 job offers. 

1) An 8-month guaranteed contract position with a option to role into a 3 year position if the contract was later renewed. The starting pay was nearly $60,000 more than I made in the military after taxes, healthcare, and other deductions.

2) An entry-level position with options to grow in a solid company. Benefits included tuition assistance, paid healthcare, and 10 days of vacation each year. The starting pay was about the same as what I made in the military after taxes and deductions.

3) A 3-year contracted position with a requirement to get a certification I didn't currently hold in 6 months or I would be let go. The starting pay was less than what I made in the military, but included a pay raise that would make it competitive once I earned that certification.  

After careful consideration and review, I realized I didn't have the education and certifications required for the jobs I was most interested in.

I received some offers, yes. None of them were the right fit and aligned to my interests and desires. So, I re-enlisted with a goal to focus on the skills I thought I was missing.

My supervisor was chastised by senior leadership for allowing me to "waste time in TAP". I will be forever grateful he saw it differently.

The information and knowledge I gained in TAP changed my direction and allowed me to impact others.

In the last 10 years, I have used what I learned to directly aid the transition of 32 military members and counsel and educate hundreds more.

Every Airman I've counseled says the same thing, "I can make 'double-digits' on the outside". Sometimes, it is a true statement, sometimes it is not. Sometimes it is true, but not quite what the Airman was thinking. 

There's a big difference between $101K and $201K, yet both are 'double-digits'.

I've attended TAP twice since then. Once using my personal leave because my leadership wouldn't approve my attendance. I'll attend once more in the next few years before I retire. I might end up using my personal leave for that one too. 

Trust me, it's worth it. 

I recommend it to everyone, at various times in their career. If they're unsure of what's next, contemplating separation, or just in their retirement window.

It's never too early to attend...but it can be too late. 

Go before you have to. 

Go before you think you're ready to retire or separate. 

Go before it's a box to check on the way out. 

Go while you can use the information to be a better leader.

Go now.