The transition from military to civilian life is a profound journey for many veterans, filled with both opportunities and challenges. A recent survey conducted by BRK Strategies sheds light on how veterans feel about their post-military career prospects and the obstacles they encounter along the way.

Confidence in Transition
Our survey of 138 veterans revealed a mixed sentiment regarding confidence in transitioning to roles that align with their military experience. Only 14% expressed being very confident, while a larger portion, 33%, felt somewhat confident. The findings highlight the uncertainty that looms for many, with 37% feeling neutral to not confident at all about finding roles that leverage their military skills.

Top Challenges
The biggest hurdles in transitioning to civilian roles include translating military skills into corporate terms (57%), networking (57%), and understanding corporate culture (52%). These challenges point to a significant gap in preparing veterans for the corporate environment, where the language and norms can differ drastically from military settings.

Valued Resources
When asked about the most beneficial resources during their transition, 48% of veterans highlighted the importance of personalized career coaching and mentorship. Networking events with corporate leaders were also seen as crucial, acknowledged by 52% of the participants.

Preferred Roles and Mentorship
Veterans showed a strong preference for roles in operations and project management, reflecting their leadership and organizational skills honed through military service. Importantly, 92% of veterans deemed mentorship from those who have successfully transitioned as crucial, underlining the value of guidance from peers who have navigated similar paths.

Program Effectiveness
However, the effectiveness of current transition programs like RecruitMilitary and Hiring Our Heroes is perceived as limited, with only 4% finding these programs extremely effective. This suggests a need for more tailored resources that address specific needs of transitioning senior military leaders.

Education

The educational level of respondents is high, with 63% holding a master’s degree or higher, which may influence their expectations and perceived value of transition programs.

Conclusion
The transition from military service to a civilian career is a pivotal phase for veterans, fraught with unique challenges and opportunities. While many are confident and well-equipped, a significant number acknowledge the need for enhanced support systems. As a community and as service providers, it is our duty at BRK Strategies to bridge these gaps, offering targeted, meaningful support to ensure that veterans not only transition but thrive in their new civilian roles.

Visit us at www.brkstrat.com for more insights and support resources tailored for veterans transitioning to civilian careers.