Transitioning at the Speed of Trust* – The Three Networking Levels** (& San Diego!)

Understanding the networking levels will help you properly plan, prepare, and conduct some critical requirements necessary for executing your successful military transition.***

Sophisticated military service members spend entire careers pursuing knowledge on the various environments they could conduct complex and often dangerous global operations – also known as: intelligence preparation of the battlefield, or IPB. I was comforted by the IPB concepts developed over a career as I began my transition and realized this muscle memory would benefit me in dealing with professional networking “operating” environments. In the several years of lead up to transition from my beloved Corps, I identified three important levels or tiers of networking. But why is this important? Who really cares?

It is important to remind ourselves networking is professional code for trusted relationship building over time. When done correctly, networking is a slow and deliberate process – a slow tempo, if you will. As such, you can spot those transitioning service members who are entering the process very late in the game… and they are trying to sprint through the three levels at a breakneck pace. Often, ending back at the lowest level, dispirited and wondering why someone so qualified like themselves is in a position of unemployment?! 

Thus, I submit, if networking is trusted relationship building over time, it would stand to reason you need to give yourself plenty of time at the requisite levels of networking in order to properly prepare yourself to land the coveted interview, and ideally leading to your next great career.

Level/Tier Three: This is the classic “support” group -- often found at respective Officer and Enlisted Clubs. In general, this is your homogenous Team of likeminded service members who encourage and applaud your efforts, while often lamenting they will be in your shoes one day and coming to you for transition advice. This tier is 96% military, and where you begin to refine the “marketing of your brand.” In San Diego -and outside of the Club environment- organizations like the Veteran’s Beer Club provide a “safe space” for transitioning veterans. Although the VBC does not pass out crayons or coloring books, it does provide a place to drink a beer and discuss myriad nuances of military transition in a relaxed environment; rotating monthly across the constellation of Brew Pubs in America’s Finest City.

Level/Tier Two: This is where you are just now really starting to step out into the networking operating environment. Level Two events have a nice blend of military veterans, veteran friendly local professionals, and those local patriots who truly want to assist in your transition. This level provides a mixture of comfort, anxiety, and the realization that transition takes a tremendous amount of effort to properly “market your brand.” I found these events are solid if you are pursuing jobs in the Government sector or at lower penetration levels than what you are currently working while in uniform – you have to understand, your ability to go from Commanding Officer to Chief Executive Officer is not impossible, but, unrealistic at this time in your new career. Going from CO back down to “Battalion Staff” Operations Officer in a non-military organization is much more realistic. If you are comfortable with this, Level Two is your goal networking tier. In San Diego, the Marine Executive Association (MEA), the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP), and The Navy Network (NAVNET) do a tremendous job assisting veterans in their respective transitions – and we are grateful to them!  Furthermore, for our special operators, The Honor Foundation (THF) provides world class transition assistance and top tier Level Two networking opportunities prior to releasing their graduates into the wilds of the operational marketspace. 

Level/Tier One: I often refer to this as your networking Super Bowl. You are now networking “alone, and unafraid” without your “arm flotation devices.” In reality, if you are truly not uncomfortable when you walk through the door, this is probably not a Level One networking event. These networking events are where you have the highest potential of meeting those individuals who can vector you to your private sector “dream job.” This tier is typically 96% unfamiliar with the capabilities of military service members – to no fault of their own. These professionals will absolutely respect you for your service, but, are very keen on appreciating you for what you can do for their organizations – time to sell your brand! In San Diego, organizations like Six-Degrees and the North County Chamber of Commerce promote monthly events, which I submit, truly hit the Level One criteria. In reality though, anytime you are working outside the confines of the military cocoon you are in a Level One networking environment; thus, you should always put your best forward while advertising your brand since you never know who could facilitate an interview opportunity.

In summary, as you progress through the networking levels you are seeking to completely dissect yourself, truly understand what you bring to the table, know where you want to end up, have the proper amount of repetitions conveying your brand, and present the complete image of your desired job level. If you want to be an executive, you need to talk, dress, and act like one. You do not just show up at one of these events without preparing – if you do, you are doing so at your own peril. Akin to showing up at a gunfight with only knives, you could create an unsavory reputation for yourself amongst your target networking population. In short, no interview – and no job opportunities. Good luck in your journey of understanding and leveraging these networking levels during your military transition. 

Brian Grana | Follow me on Twitter: @granab81

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*Title inspired by comments from General Jim “Mad Dog” Mattis, USMC, Retired… and now, nominee for United States Secretary of Defense!

**I use the terms levels or tiers interchangeably.

***Transitioning veterans are wise to identify their city and industry, get after the local Chamber of Commerce, subscribe to the Business Journal, and find veteran programs embedded in industries; like Juliana Mercer’s MVPVets for BioTech… Phil Dana, The Honor Foundation