Mission Transition: Navigating the Opportunities and Obstacles to Your Post-Military Career

by Matthew J. Louis

Overview

Mission Transition is an essential career-change guide for any transitioning veteran that wants to avoid false starts and make optimal career choices following active duty.

Every year, about a quarter of a million veterans leave the military - most of whom are grossly unprepared for the transition. These servicemembers have developed incredible leadership, problem-solving, and practical skills that are underutilized once they reach the civilian world, a detriment to both themselves and society.

Well-intentioned Transition Assistance Programs and other support structures within the armed forces often leave veterans fending for themselves. And the mission-first culture of the military results in servicemembers focusing on their active duty roles in the year leading up to their separation, leaving them little time to adequately prepare to join the civilian world.

Mission Transition guides military personnel through the entire process of making a successful move into civilian professional life. This book will:

• Guide you through the process of discovering what path you want to take going forward
• Teach you the strategies that will make your résumé stand out
• Provide suggestions to help you prepare for and ace the interview
• Discuss ways to acclimate to your new organization’s culture and pay it forward to other veterans

Each chapter includes advice from other veterans, illustrations of key concepts, summaries, and suggested resources.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781400214754
Publisher:	AMACOM
Publication date:	09/24/2019
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	620,804
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Matthew J. Louis is an Associate Director at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, serving senior firm leadership in addressing complex enterprise-wide transformation and business development issues. Louis holds an MBA in operations and finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and a BS in mechanical engineering from West Point. He’s also a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College. Additionally, Louis served in the Southwest Asia combat theater and on the staff of the US Army’s Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.

Table of Contents

Preface: Why Write This Book? xi

Foreword xv

Introduction: Hope Is Not a Method 1

1 Understand Who You Are 15

2 Understand Who You Want to Be 29

3 Define Your Career Preferences and Personal Brand 59

4 Get Your Resume into Fighting Shape 79

5 Document Your Network 123

6 Engage the Network 133

7 Apply for Roles 155

8 Interview for Roles 171

9 Close the Deal 203

10 Acclimate to Your New Culture 223

11 Assimilate and Pay It Forward 253

Appendix A Suggested Transition Plan Timing 281

Appendix B Action Checklist 283

Acknowledgments 291

Notes 293

Index 311

Editorial Reviews

'Matt Louis has created the Ranger Handbook of military transition guides. This book provides a concise pathway for service members to translate the skills and character they developed and forged in the military, so they can adapt to a new life mission and personal purpose after career service.'

-Geoff Davis, Retired Member of US Congress,Former US Army Ranger and Aviator, USMA Class of 1981

'I have read many transition guides and attended a host of transition seminars for military service members. All have value, but all fall short in some way. Matt Louis has captured the most important points of each of those experiences in one comprehensive guide. Mission Transition is thoughtful, well-researched, and extremely helpful not only to service men and women leaving the military, but for those veterans already in post-military careers who are seeking new opportunities.'
-Guy C. Swan III, LTG (USA Retired), Vice President of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), former Commanding General of United States Army North (Fifth Army), and West Point Class of 1976

'Mission Transition is not just a book, it is a life guide you'll return to again and again throughout your transition from the military to civilian success. As a veteran services organization leader who's assisted thousands of service members to a successful transition, I've never had a guide that covers all the bases. Mission Transition is easy to follow and is as applicable for a transition to New York City or a rural Midwest community. Mission Transition is a must-have guide for every government or non-government transition or training program.'
-Jim Lorraine, CEO/President, America's Warrior PartnershipFormer Special Assistant for Warrior and Family Support to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Founder and Former Director of USSOCOM Care Coalition

'As someone that served for 25 years in the Marine Corps and now leads a military recruiting team, I can attest that the insights provided in Mission Transition are spot on. Transition is hard and having a plan is a critical element to making a successful transition. Matt has laid out an excellent framework of mostly commonsense but often overlooked steps for maximizing your success in transition. I would highly recommend this to any transitioning veteran as it is never too soon to begin your planning for the next phase of your career.'
-Beau Higgins, Senior Manager, Amazon Military Recruiting

'Occasionally a piece of work comes along that resets expectations in its field. It becomes the new standard. Mission Transition is that book for transitioning military personnel. Comprehensive, contemporary, and actionable, it is the indispensable tool and companion for anyone that has ever served and is trying to apply their character and experience in the civilian world. Whether your goal is that career-starting entry-level position or a capstone CEO role, Mission Transition is your strategic field manual to help achieve your objective.'
-Ted Russ, author of Spirit Mission, Army veteran

From the Publisher