Transitioning from a military career to civilian life can be a challenging and transformative journey. It requires strategic thinking, adaptability, and a forward-looking mindset.
I use the phrase “playing chess, not checkers” to aptly describe the mindset necessary for a successful transition, as it highlights the importance of thoughtful planning, patience, and anticipating moves in advance.
For retiring or transitioning military personnel, understanding this concept is crucial to navigating the complexities of civilian life and achieving the long-term success you crave.
Chess and checkers are both strategy games, but they differ significantly in their complexity and depth.
Checkers is straightforward; each piece moves in similar ways, and the game focuses on short-term tactics.
Chess, on the other hand, is a game of strategy. Each piece has unique movements, requiring players to think several moves ahead, anticipate opponents’ strategies, and quickly adapt to changing circumstances.
In the context of transitioning from the military, the chess mindset symbolizes the need for a comprehensive approach. It’s about considering your long-term goals, evaluating potential obstacles, and making decisions that align with your broader objectives.
This contrasts with the “checkers” mindset, which often prioritizes immediate gains without considering long-term implications. Sadly, too many of you think like this and end up in dead-end jobs with no real career aspects. Then you start hating your life.
But why? Strategic thinking is a core principle ingrained in military training. Trying to apply it to civilian life feels weird.
In the military, decisions often have clear structures and predictable outcomes. In the civilian world, however, success often depends on navigating uncertainty and ambiguity.
Let’s put it into context to make it easier. Thinking like a chess player involves:
Long-Term Goal Setting: Identify where you want to be in five, ten, or twenty years. This includes career aspirations, financial stability, personal growth, and community involvement. You rarely had to think about that during your service, as much of your long-term movements were out of your reach.
Resource Management: Assess your skills, experience, and networks. Determine how to leverage them effectively to achieve your goals. It boggles my mind how few retiring military will simply ask someone in their network for support.
Anticipating Challenges: Recognize potential hurdles and plan how to overcome them. This could mean pursuing additional education, seeking mentorship, coaching, or building new skills.
Adapting to Change: Be prepared to adjust your strategy as circumstances evolve. Flexibility is a key trait of successful transitions. Try new things, and be open to new experiences.
A well-thought-out transition strategy mirrors the steps of a chess game—from opening moves to mid-game maneuvers and endgame tactics.
Here’s how you can approach this: start with your opening moves and lay the foundation. You can do this through:
Self-Assessment: Begin by evaluating your strengths, interests, and passions. What skills did you develop in the military that can translate to civilian roles? Leadership, discipline, teamwork, change management, and problem-solving are highly valued in most industries.
Research and Exploration: Investigate career paths that align with your skills and interests. Look into industries with growing demand and opportunities for advancement. Get to know the value you bring to new organizations and the problems you can help them solve.
Networking: Start building connections in your desired field. Attend networking events, join professional organizations, and connect with veterans who have successfully transitioned. Ask questions. Get advice. Learn.
Then, move on to your mid-game and start navigating the transition.
Education and Certification: If necessary, pursue additional education or certifications to meet the qualifications for your target career. I’ve said this for years, but certifications are incredibly valuable to show your skills to a new marketplace. Yes, I know I run a certification company, but I do so because I believe in it (believe it or not, I do have other skills I could take to market…)
Resume Building: Translate your military experience into terms that civilian employers understand. Focus on achievements and skills rather than military jargon. Do not randomly translate your position into the equivalent you think it would be in the civilian world. O3s and E7s are rarely COO equivalent (I’m not picking on the rank, just stating a fact). Also, do NOT just copy your NCOER or OER bullets into your resume; it’s lazy, people know it’s lazy, and it doesn’t help you out.
Job Applications: Tailor each application to the specific job and company. Highlight how your military experience adds value to THAT role. In my past life, I was super guilty of this. I threw out hundreds of applications and was flummoxed that no one gave me a shot.
Interview Preparation: Practice answering common interview questions and articulating how your background makes you a strong candidate. Be prepared to talk during the interview. I don’t mean telling all the “no shit, there I was” stories you’ve acquired, but let them know you with the goal of ACTUALLY wanting to work with you. Few people want to work with silent robots who claim on paper they can lead “hundreds of subordinates through complex and diverse conditions.”
Then look to your endgame focusing on longterm and sustainable success.
Continuous Learning: Stay updated on industry trends and continue developing your skills.
Mentorship: Seek out mentors who can guide you through challenges and provide valuable insights. Quit recreating the wheel. You aren’t the first person to retire or leave service.
Community Involvement: Engage with veteran organizations or community groups to stay connected and give back. You may not think it does, but your community matters; without it, you will suffer. But that’s self-inflicted. There are HUNDREDS of organizations dedicated to helping you out.
Personal Well-Being: Transitioning can be stressful. Prioritize your mental and physical health, and seek support when needed. Don’t self-medicate, and don’t become a grumpy f*ck when you leave service – that will do little more than cost you your family.
But you need to learn to avoid the checker’s mindset. The checker’s mindset may lead to impulsive decisions prioritizing immediate benefits over long-term gains.
Don’t accept the first job offer without considering growth potential, neglecting to build a professional network, or failing to invest in personal development. While these actions may provide short-term relief, they will hinder your long-term success.
Adopt a proactive and strategic approach.
Think about how each decision impacts your overarching goals. Ask yourself: Will this choice move me closer to where I want to be in the next five or ten years? If not, consider alternative options.
As mentioned, transitioning military personnel possess a unique set of skills that provide a competitive advantage in the civilian workforce. These include leadership, discipline, problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork. They also include things like loyalty, integrity, selfless service, force multiplication, and more.
Highlighting these skills during job applications and interviews can set you apart from other candidates.
Employers value the qualities that military service instills, but it’s essential to communicate them in a way that civilian audiences understand.
Transitioning is not a journey you have to undertake alone. Building a robust support system can ease the process and provide valuable guidance.
The transition from military to civilian life is a significant chapter filled with opportunities and challenges.
By adopting a chess mindset (one of strategic thinking, long-term planning, and adaptability) you can set yourself up for sustained success.
Remember, it’s not about making quick moves to achieve immediate gains; it’s about crafting a strategy that positions you for a fulfilling and prosperous future.
As you embark on this journey, take the time to assess your goals, leverage your unique skills, and seek support from those who have walked a similar path.
With patience, preparation, and perseverance, you can navigate the complexities of civilian life and achieve your aspirations. Remember, few people are good at chess when they start playing.
It takes time, but playing chess will allow you to start winning.
