Army Strategist Association

Strategist - know yourself and more – the elements of discernment:

• What makes you tick – your personality (introvert, extrovert), how you self-actualize, locations – where to live and work, salary – how much is enough, etc.

• What market sectors interest you – education, government, aerospace & defense, consulting, etc.

• What types of jobs do you see yourself doing – strategy, business development, communication, finance, operations, teaching, etc.

• What is your desired Work / Life Balance – less work than a typical 59 billet? Chance to see family or travel more?  What will be your motivation and personal drive toward a new career?

 

How does being an Army Strategist help in Transitioning from the Army to Civilian Life?

• Leadership – leading teams, leading projects, and being responsible for people and missions.

• Strategy Development – creating, implementing, and articulating strategy to achieve organizational goals.

• Planning – creating, managing, and assessing plans.

• Risk Management – evaluating and mitigating risk.

• Delivering Solutions to Hard Problems – critical thinking, developing options, and offering flexibility.  Ability to move from White Board to Product.

• Teaching and Fostering Intellectual Curiosity – imparting lessons, methods, and ideas to the next generation of national security professionals.

• Emotional Intelligence – reading the audience.  Don’t forget the soft skills of staying cool in crises.

• Military Experience directly related to the Defense Industry.

 

Your Responsibility:

• Start Early – trust us.  Go to TAP, listen.

• Priorities – set them, adjust them as you go.

• Networking – get out there, ask for help, and always ask for another new contact.

• Confirm affiliations – professional, personal, faith, etc.

• Lock down Credentials – education, PMP, SHRM, Coaching, etc.

• Resume and LinkedIn profile – your calling card, self-marketing documents the door opener – seek second opinions, remove “Mil-Speak.”

• Sign up for help and/or coaching with various jump start programs and other available resources.

• Seek job fairs (e.g., Military Mojo; Service Academy Career Conference), seminars, and other networking forums.

• Update wardrobes – get out of the 90s!  Look sharp.

• Apply for jobs, prepare for interviews, follow up, seek help on negotiating offers, breathe, etc. 

• Be humble, be open minded, and be a listener.

 

Jump Start Programs:

• ASA Transition Program – The ASA Transition Program connects Coaches with Transitioning Strategists to help Strategists see themselves, the transition, and what comes next.  Interested Strategists will be aligned with a Coach, ordinarily, a retired or former Strategist, to get a jump start on success.  Coaches will have viable experience and can continue to serve by helping others as they go through one of their toughest planning endeavors.  (See Transition Tab on the ASA website)

• FOURBLOCK  - FOURBLOCK is a nation-wide community of veterans and employers dedicated to transforming the veteran transition process. They aspire to look beyond transition to equip veterans to achieve their potential. They look beyond landing jobs to equip veterans to pursue careers that fit their calling.  

• MOAA Transition and Careers  MOAA offer a range of resources for service members seeking to take the next step in their professional life: career consulting, transition guide, resume critiques, webinars/events, job board powered by Indeed, and LinkedIn. Whether you plan to enter the workforce or maximize your GI Bill benefits MOAA can help.

• Corporate Gray - Corporate Gray is a Northern Virginia-based webportal that works with transitioning officers on job fairs, resume help, blogs, newsletter, and a detailed Corporate Gray Transition Guide.

• American Corporate Partners (ACP) - ACP aims to ease the transition from the military to the civilian workforce. ACP is the only nonprofit organization engaged in national corporate career counseling for our returning veterans and active duty military spouses.

 

Resources:

• NDIA Career Center - Connecting Talent with Great Opportunities.

• AUSA Jobs Central - Connecting Talent with Super Opportunities.

• LinkedIn.  The best networking website/app out there.  Old bosses, colleagues, high school, college, Army, Joint, professors, family, your associations (e.g., ASA), etc.

• Glassdoor – Knowing your worth, this is a great website to help navigate salaries – for sectors, for locations, for companies, diversity and inclusion, etc.

• JobScan - Resume optimization, match job listings to your resume (first 5 are free), and cover letters.

• Get a book – try new things – set aside Clausewitz during transition (but don’t forget Sun Tzu)!

  • Strengthsfinder 2.0 from Gallup and Tom Rath.  Get after knowing yourself.

  • Ego is the Enemy, Ryan Holiday.   Your second act is not all about you.

  • Beyond Half Time, Bob Buford.  After your military career, your second act may have less time.  Slow down and think about the rhythm of the rest of your life.

  • What Color is Your Parachute?  A practical manual for job-hunters and career-changes.

  • Personal Branding for Dummies.  Distinguish yourself, build you brand, create an online identity, and evaluate progress.

 

Credentialing for Strategists.  Army Strategists hold many government-recognized “strategy certifications (6Z, BSAP Grad, etc.),” but these certifications don’t always translate to the civilian world. In a highly competitive employment environment, obtaining a civilian recognized designation in strategy offers an opportunity, much like PMP, to further define yourself in both your current and next career.

• The International Association for Strategy Professionals (IASP) is a non-profit professional society whose mission is to lead and support people and organizations through the promotion of a holistic approach to strategy management and by setting standards for strategy through thought leadership, professional development, and certification.

• The IASP offers two pathways to certification in the field of strategy:  Strategy Planning Professional (SPP) Certification (Level I) and Strategy Management Professional (SMP) Certification (Level II).

• Currently these certifications are under evaluation in the DoD Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) platform, but there is already an opportunity to seek funding through ArmyIgnitED, which provides a registration tool to help both Tuition Assistance (TA) and Credentialing Assistance (CA).

• LBL Strategies, a certified Veteran-Owned Small Business, also provides proven training to prepare for IASP’s professional certification in strategy planning and management. They can help navigate both the funding and application process for strategists seeking new credentials.

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Once your transition is complete you are no longer an on-duty Soldier or an Army Strategist…but your Strategist skills and experiences will be your keys to success in your Second Act and beyond.  Best Wishes!

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