Note to vets
Since my discharge in '92, these are the most important things I learned about working in the civilian sector:
1. Teamwork in the military world and civilian world are completely different beasts. Everybody on a civilian team without a military background is out for themselves. Some will intentionally work to cause a project to fail. Those same people will arrange it so the failure will appear to belong to someone else, so keep records of EVERYTHING. Former military make easy targets, at least initially.
2. Even an excellent technical background from military service does not guarantee an equal shot at employment once outside. I lost several opportunities to far less experienced and knowledgable people because of some distorted perception of the military and military service. In fact, one job I failed to get as a technician was given to an individual who had ZERO experience with electronics and a Liberal Arts degree. I found this out directly from the person who was hired once he realized he was in way over his head.
3. From my own experience and talking with other vets in the area, it seems most employers believe that a compensation package 30-40% less than the going rate for the job position in that area is an acceptable ceiling for former military members.
