Transitioning from military or first responder service into civilian life can bring new challenges, opportunities and questions about what comes next. Purpose Beyond the Uniform is an original APOD series exploring real experiences, practical insights and personal stories to help members navigate life beyond service and discover new pathways with confidence.
Realising this was a turning point for me. Instead of focusing on what I lacked, I started recognising everything I had already gained.
In fact, the skills that you have honed and developed along the way are often qualities employers struggle to teach. Qualifications can be gained through study, but qualities like leadership, resilience, teamwork and performing under pressure are developed through lived experience. Once I understood this, I really started to unlock my potential and recognise my own worth.
When I left service I felt like everyone else had degrees, corporate experience and spoke a different language I did not understand. Everywhere I looked, I felt under qualified. Then I realised something important. I had something that many other candidates didn’t, lived experience.
I had experience leading people, making decisions when it mattered, remaining calm under pressure, adapting to changing situations, taking responsibility and being accountable.
Most people never receive formal training in these things but we did, every single day.
One of the biggest surprises after leaving service is realising that employers are not focused on your rank. In fact outside of the uniform you begin to understand that rank is far less important than the person behind it. Employers are not recruiting your rank. They’re recruiting you. They want to know whether you can lead, solve problems, communicate and work independently as well as part of a team. Those qualities exist for most of us regardless of whether you were a Private, Sergeant or a Colonel.
Before you can convince an employer of your value, you first need to recognise it yourself.
Until next time,
Remember this….
Knowing your worth is the first step.
Learning how to communicate it is the next mission.
– Wes
The story continues in Chapter Three, coming soon.
