Translate military jaron into civilian terms
Entry level jobs
Government jobs
Criminal record

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QUESTION 

Where could you find information on how to translate military jargon into civilian terms? Also, how does a person find out what the "in" hairstyle is? 

Lance H. 

ANSWER 

Lance, 

Thank you for your question, and thanks for serving. 

I've provided a couple of links to tips on how to translate your military jargon into "civilian speak." 

www.gijobs.com/civilianize 

www.gijobs.com/jargon 

Regarding the "in" hairstyle, I would suggest you look at current men's magazines (Men's Health, GQ, ESPN, etc.), or even catalogues, for ideas on what hairstyle to adopt in the civilian world. You could also consult a civilian hairstylist or two. 

Good luck.

Dan Fazio
Managing Editor
G.I. Jobs 

QUESTION 

I am looking for a job since I will be separating in July this year, but the one problem is I do not want to do intel outside of the military because I hate that career. I want to find an entry level job where I can be trained to start a different career path. So, I have been looking at college student jobs and entry level jobs and I have had no luck. Any suggestions?

Michelle G.

ANSWER

Michelle,

You are truly at a point in your career where you can make a very important decision. Ask yourself: "If I were given a chance to select a new career, what would it be?" Actually, you are at that point. We are testing a program here at Fort Bragg that may help you. You take a skills assessment. There are about 14 questions. Based on your answers, not related to your MOS, it will provide a list of suggested careers. If any match a career that you might be interested in, then network for the employer requirements. NO FEE OR COST !!

Bill McMillian
Transition Services Manager
Fort Bragg, N.C.

QUESTION 

I was active duty for 5 years. My question is after transitioning over to the cilvian side, can I pursue any career in the U.S. government and still keep the 5 years of service and retire in 15 years of working for the government outside the military?

Jordon J.

ANSWER

Paul,

This is addressed in the Vet Guide at: www.opm.gov/staffingportal/vetguide.asp#ServiceCredit-LeaveRateAccrua

Extract:
For non-retired members, full credit for uniformed service (including active duty and active duty for training) performed under honorable conditions is given for leave accrual purposes, and for retirement purposes provided a deposit, as required by law, is made to the retirement fund. 

Veterans first employed in a position covered by the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) on or after January 1, 1984, must make a deposit to the retirement fund of 3 percent of basic military pay to obtain retirement credit.

Credit for uniformed service is substantially limited for retired members. In enacting the Dual Compensation Act in 1964, Congress adopted a compromise between the view that retired members should receive preference and full credit for their service and the view that there should be no advantage for retired members.

An employee must waive military retired pay to receive any credit for military service unless the retired pay is awarded based on a service-connected disability incurred in combat with an enemy of the United States or caused by an instrumentality of war and incurred in the line of duty during a period of war as defined by 38 U.S.C. 301, or awarded under 10 U.S.C. chapter 1223 (previously chapter 67).

The member can also refer to 5 U.S.C. 6303, 8332 and 8411(c).

I hope this information is helpful.

Christopher C. Alfano
Community Readiness Consultant
Transition Assistance Program Manager
Airman & Family Readiness Center
USAF Academy, Colo.

QUESTION

I have been in the Navy for 10 years and I am in the process of being administratively separated from active duty because of an incident that happened 6 years ago. Will this hurt my job chances by having a felony on my record?

Mitchell S.

ANSWER

Mitchell,

The basic answer to your question is: it depends.  It will depend on who you are working for, what you are doing for them, and what the felony was for.  As more time goes by, the felony won't matter as much. It sounds like you were pretty young at the time.  If you are looking to work for Uncle Sam again in a position where you could get a clearance, it could negatively impact you.  However, if you are just going to work for a company with no govt. contract etc., they probably won't care.
 
To give you some background on why I say that, I know a guy who spent 2 years, 2 months and 22 days in the Navy.  He had more NJPs than you could count, had a court martial, brig time and got a General Discharge.  Since he got out he's owned his own business, held a government job WITH a secret clearance and has worked for Bill Gates.  Every employer he ever worked for he was blunt honest about his background and why he got kicked out.  Every employer said the same thing, "We don't care.  Can  you do what we are hiring you to do?"  That was what they cared about.
 
Your military career is only a "blip" on the screen of your lifetime career.  It doesn't have to stop you. Learn from it, grow from it and move on to be a better person and a better employee.  Best of luck to  you.
 
By the way, that guy I mentioned........I've been married to him for 35 years!

Gale Kennedy is a former Transition Assistance Program Manager. She has been a Department of Labor contract TAP instructor for two years. She continues to write and currently works for Columbia College as a test proctor, including CLEP and DSST tests.