How to Find Jobs for Army Rangers When Out of the Army
"Rangers lead the way" is not just a motto of the elite army unit. It is a way of life for many of the men who have served with the Army Rangers. The leadership skills developed during the rigorous training and on the job experience are highly sought after in the civilian business community, although matching the right man for the right job can be a challenge. When separating from military service to civilian life, Army Rangers have to be tenacious and diligent in order to get the job they want.
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Things You'll Need
- Resume
- Separation Papers (DD-214)
- Supporting documentation for training received
Instructions
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Army Ranger training provides soldiers with a number of tangible skills that can be of great benefit to the civilian community, particularly in the areas of leadership and the ability to make sound decisions while under pressure. The challenge is to translate the skills from military terminology into civilian-speak. Prior to beginning your job search, take inventory of the skills you have obtained and convert them into language that is understandable to civilian human resources professionals. TAOnline.com is a website that offers a skills translator to equate civilian jobs with military experience (see Resources).
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Contact other former Army Rangers and let them know you are looking for civilian employment. The camaraderie of arms extends beyond the military and many former Rangers will lend a hand to help with your job search. Organizations like the U.S. Army Rangers Association offer online job boards and links to military career fairs (see Resources), which can be a good source of leads in your job search.
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Consider getting professional employment counseling and testing to determine suitable matches for your particular skill set. Some outside employment agencies, such as Orion International, do not charge a fee to veterans and assign a dedicated recruiter who is skilled in placing prior military in civilian occupations.
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Network with family, friend, business acquaintances, and past military colleagues. Contact your local Veteran's Administration office and State Employment Commission for job leads. The Family Service Center on most military posts and bases offer workshops, seminars, and printed material that can help with your job search. The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act guarantees veterans the right to reclaim their old job once their term of service is over.
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Many private employment agencies actively recruit former and separating Special Forces soldiers such as Army Rangers for jobs with defense contractors, security organizations, foreign governmental agencies, U.S. disaster relief organizations, Homeland Security, law enforcement, and many other careers. These agencies are fee based and applicants should satisfy themselves regarding whether the fee will be charged to the applicant or to the employer before entering into any agreement.
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Tips & Warnings
Plan for the transition. Few people step out of the Army and straight into a new job. There will probably be a period of time when you have reduced or even no income. Make sure you have plenty of money in liquid savings, generally 6 to 12 months of expenses, to see you through the transitional period. Take into consideration such factors as housing, health care, food, utilities and any debt payments you may have.
Resources
- Photo Credit http://morguefile.com/archive/display/228635
