Networking In Military

12x things I would have done differently if I was transitioning now: 1 - started earlier Should have started 18 months out, but would have loved to had 2-3 years...allowing me to space things out Doesn't mean "I'm getting out & going to job fairs" for 2-3 years Means I'm getting my LinkedIn profile together, growing my network, having exploratory conversations about careers & working on education (if necessary) It took 200+ phone calls & cups of coffee to figure out what I wanted to do...it would have been MUCH less stressful spread out over a few years (instead of 10 months) 2 - take TAP as soon as possible It isn't an amazing course (unless you luck out & get one of the absolute angels that teach it + have experience) But it is designed to give you a FOUNDATION Almost like transition Cliffs Notes 3 - request a mentor from American Corporate Partners (ACP) (14 months) Gives you full year to work with them before you get out Hint: ask your mentor to introduce you to other people if things are going well 4 - work on ethics memo (12 months out) for senior leaders Visit local JAG or ethics office You'll need an ethics letter for many senior defense sector jobs, so better to know now (and maybe even start the cooling off period earlier...while still in) 5 - get free LinkedIn Premium (12 months out) Google "free LinkedIn Premium for veterans" and hit the first link 6 - conduct informational interviews (12 - 6 months out) You ideally start way earlier, but here is where you really narrow down the answer to the question: what do you want to do? I recommend at least 2x calls a week to learn more about what people do, ideally you are doing 3-5x a week 7 - Sign up for USO Transitions (12 months out) Get a USO Transition Specialist that will work with you one-on-one, and they also have some cool webinars 😎 8 - get life insurance quotes (12-6 months out) Do it BEFORE you document everything that has ever been wrong with you for your disability (or get a sleep study) VGLI is #expensive & designed to ensure everyone (even medically discharged) can get it This can save you hundreds a month (easy) 9 - get free cert from Onward to Opportunity (6 months out) Ideally you've done enough informational interviews to choose the best one for your next career (not the automatic PMP everyone says to get) O2O will give you (+ spouse) free training for 1x cert AND pay for the exam They will also give you a career workshop, coaching & help with your resume 10 - take extra TAP classes Visit your transition center & see what else they offer They hold events and have specialized training beyond the minimum required classes 11 - work on resume (4-6 months out) with mentors It doesn't make sense to write a resume until you figure out what you want to do 12 - start applying for jobs (2-3 months from day you can start) Ideally with referrals from your mentors, giving you 11x better odds of getting job) Questions? #quinnsights HireMilitary

I was recently asked what I would do today if I were in the military and made the decision—or had the decision made for me—to transition out before retirement. Whether you’re in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard, my advice is the same. Here’s what I’d focus on to set myself up for success: 1️⃣ Eliminate Debt: I’d make getting out of debt a priority—everything except a mortgage. If possible, I’d pay that off too. Debt limits your options and can force you to compromise on critical decisions. Freedom from financial burdens creates flexibility. 2️⃣ Max Out My TSP Contributions: I’m a fan of Roth, but whether you choose Traditional, Roth, or a combination, the key is to save aggressively. Your future self will thank you. 3️⃣ Leverage Tuition Assistance (TA): If you don’t have a degree, get one. If you have a bachelor’s, pursue a master’s, and focus on something value-added to your goals. For those in tech, chase certifications with the same determination. TA covered 100% of my BA and MS when I was in the Marine Corps—take full advantage of it! 4️⃣ Network Relentlessly: Create a strong LinkedIn profile. Post 3+ times weekly about the field you want to enter—cybersecurity, business, defense contracting, etc. Attend seminars, trade shows, and any networking opportunities available. Respond when people reach out, and always follow up with a thank-you note. Networking isn’t just online; it’s face-to-face too. Build a large, strong network to maximize opportunities. 5️⃣ Document Everything: Complete and document your medical, dental, vision, and hearing appointments. Keep a copy too. 6️⃣ Protect Your Reputation: Finish strong. Nothing is more important than your last name and professional reputation. Stay 100% committed to your assignment. Dropping your pack in uniform will hurt your endorsements and recommendations. Excellence until the end sends a message: you’re someone worth investing in. 7️⃣ Weigh SkillBridge Thoughtfully: This is personal. I wouldn’t choose SkillBridge because I’m not interested in working for free. Instead, I’d save my leave and use those 60+ days to focus on my transition. PTAD/PTDY can also provide valuable time to reset. 8️⃣ Learn from Fellow Veterans: Reach out to those who’ve transitioned successfully. Ask questions, seek advice on resumes, interviews, starting a business, consulting, contracting, or government roles. Follow up and implement what you learn. 9️⃣ Plan Time Off: Whether you served 4 years or 20+, you’ve earned a break. Take time to decompress, reflect, and think clearly about your future. Be proud of your service—it’s a foundation for what comes next. What Did I Miss? This list reflects what I’d do, but I’d love to hear your thoughts. What would you add? Where do you disagree? To all of you who have served: thank you for your service and sacrifice.

One of the top mistakes people make whilst transitioning out of the military? Approaching networking without a strategy. The truth is your next role is likely just 2 or 3 connections away, but making random connections won't get you there. Three tactics that actually work: - Find your "bridge contacts", the people who understand both military and corporate worlds. They can help translate your value. - Connect with veterans already working in your target field. Their experience can provide shortcuts you won't find elsewhere. - Consistency beats intensity, reaching out to 2 or 3 targeted contacts weekly is far more effective than mass connecting. Submitting applications on career sites may get you some traction eventually but relationships are the real doorway to opportunities.

Starting a New Career: The Landscape of Opportunity This post is designed to pass on career advice to retiring servicemembers. This is for NCOs and Officers of all grades who are retiring- I've seen NCOs and Officers succeed in all of the areas that I list below. I started preparing for retirement about 2 ½ years before leaving military service.  I don’t call it Retirement, I call it Leaving Military Service- as I want to keep working, and retirement sounds like you hang out in a rocking chair at home. I built a Word document and titled it Operation Inherent Danger- because all transitions are inherently dangerous.  I started making phone calls- I considered each one to be an informational interview- and took notes during each call. Informational Interviews are key, and they are enjoyable because there is no pressure.  2 ½ years before retirement I started to schedule about two informational interviews a week.  You are not asking for a job. You are learning. I outline how I did it in the attached pdf. Everyone’s journey is different, and mine is continuing, but at the end, I saw my Realm of Opportunity as: Professional Speaking Engagements.  What do you want to speak about?  Who will your audience be?  Will you arrange your own engagements or use a speaker’s bureau? Consulting.  What do you want to consult on?  How can you establish your brand now while you are in uniform?  How will you get business? Starting your own Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business.  Lots of opportunities here if you have the courage to be an entrepreneur.  Small Business Administration is a great place to start. Buying a small business.  There are many small businesses out there trying to find a succession plan.  This can be incredibly lucrative, you can get financing from the current business owners, banks, etc.  You can borrow millions and start making the same. Working in the start-up ecosystem.  Venture Capital?  Start-up advisor?  Board member?  You can be paid in salary, equity, or both. Board Work.  Join the National Association of Corporate Directors, the Private Directors Association, and BoardProspects. Corporation.  Join a company. I work at USAA, where I still am today. The company's leadership, culture, and mission all align with my value set, and I enjoy every moment there. I decided to take the opportunity because it would expose me to the profit/loss world and fill in the gaps that I had in my skill set, making me more useful in the future as a speaker, consultant, board member, or entrepreneur. Portfolio Career.  This is what I found to be most appealing- it’s really a combination of the above- consulting and speaking engagements go hand in hand.  You can start a small business at the same time. As you develop this landscape of opportunity, you can take steps that will open doors to where you want to go, as shown in the pdf. What advice would you add? #career #opportunities #informationalinterviews

15 years since my DD214. 10 applications submitted. 13 companies interviewed me. The math doesn't work unless you understand the unlock. Every interview that wasn't tied to one of those 10 applications came from the same place. Someone in my network put my name in a room I wasn't standing in. That's the part TAP doesn't teach. Veterans spend a decade-plus building the highest-trust network most professionals will ever be part of. Shared hardship. Shared mission. Shared standards. Then we transition, and the first thing most of us do is pretend that network doesn't exist. We open Indeed. We have AI rewrite the resume for the eighth time. We submit into the void and wonder why nothing comes back. Meanwhile the job we actually want is being filled by someone who knew someone. Here's the reframe. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲. Three moves to start this week:  • List 10 people from your service who already work in the civilian world. Reach out to one a day. No ask. Just reconnect.  • Stop sending resumes to strangers. Start sending introductions to friends of friends.  • Build visibility before you need it. Post once a week about what you actually know. Make it easy for people to remember why you're worth recommending. I have not submitted an application in years. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘮𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯. Not because I'm above it. Because the network works, and I trust it more than I trust an algorithm. If you're transitioning, the network you already have is bigger than you think. Use it. #VeteranHiring #MilitaryTransition #CareerTransition #NetworkingTips #VeteranEmployment #VeteranLeadership #JobSearchTips

Here is some advice I wish I had implemented about a year before I retired from the United States Marine Corps. I know you think you have plenty of time before you transition. You have told yourself; I will deal with that when the time comes. I know, we have all been there and felt that exact same way before. Unfortunately, it's not until you find yourself on the other side that you wish you could have done a few things differently. These things are easy, and some you may already be doing. I personally believe it will only make you more effective in your current role. 1. Join a professional civilian organization in your military occupation specialty (MOS) or the specific industry sector you want to enter after the military. You will learn the language, create connections, and build rapport with people outside DOD. 2. Support a Nonprofit. I'm not saying to drop off a check. That would be nice, but show up and support the mission personally. Please make a point to attend the events and help them carry the message. Again, you will connect with like-minded people who support causes you believe in and build relationships with people outside DOD. (If you really want to donate, USMC MEMORIAL FOUNDATION is a good one to donate too. 😀) 3. Make intentional connections within the community you want to work. If you are a year from transition, try to set an obtainable goal of once a week to have coffee or go to dinner with someone new. You can always start with Veterans in the roles you want to be in. They will always say yes and they will have great advice about things you should be doing or certificates you need (and, more importantly, the ones you don't need). Listen, we (Veterans) are decades behind on building a civilian network that we can tap into for help. These three actions will help you grow your network so it is in place when you transition out of the military. These connections will help you build credibility and trust. It takes time to build the rapport you need to get a job. You can not hold up your retirement certificate and think you will get the job. Genuine connections are how people get jobs, from the referrals of people they know. It is not by uploading your resume into a portal and hoping you hear back. It's from relationships and authentic interactions. These are only a few of the ways you can expand your network into the civilian world before Retirement +1 day. I hope this helps. What are other ways transitioning service members can expand their professional network? What practices did you use to grow your network when you left the military? #marinecorps #navy #army #airforce #coastguard Concierge on Call (COC)  

People love to tell you: “𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁.” Cool. Reach out and say what? 🤷♂️ If you’re leaving the military (or changing careers), here’s a simple way to network on LinkedIn without asking for a job. Not “Can you hire me?” Not “Can you refer me?” Not “Can I pick your brain?” Your goal is: 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and earn the right to keep it going. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝟯-𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵: 1) Connection request (300 characters) Keep it specific, respectful, and low-pressure. 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: Hi [Name]. I’m leaving the the military this year into [field] and I’m learning from people doing the work. Your background in [specific thing] stood out. Open to connecting? 2) After they accept (the “no ask” message) This is where most people mess up. Don’t pitch. Don’t ask for time. 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: Appreciate the connect, [Name]. I’m not asking for a job, but trying to learn the landscape. What’s one skill, habit, or credential you’ve seen separate top performers in [role/industry]? 3) If they respond (go deeper, still no job ask) 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲: That’s helpful, thank you. When you were hiring or working with someone new, what would make you say, “This person is ready”? Then: 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, apply what they said, and stay connected. Make sense? Look-- Here's what I've learned from 7+ years on this platform: Most people aren’t active on LinkedIn. So if you message 10 people and 3 respond… 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝟯 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲. Focus there. Build real relationships with the ones who 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦. Networking isn’t a volume game. It’s a 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲. So... If you’re transitioning or pivoting careers: What’s the hardest part of “reaching out” for you? 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝘆, 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴, or 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀? P.S. You can send about 𝟮𝟬-𝟮𝟱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘆 on a free LinkedIn account. But it's best to spread them out to stay under the weekly limit of roughly 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀, as LinkedIn monitors for spam. Was this valuable? 💾 Save this for later (...) ♻️ Repost for your network. 🔖 Follow Matt Quick for more Military to Project Management advice. #QuickNote #Networking #MilitaryTransition

In the wars of tomorrow, the side that wins the data fight creates an advantage in war. I am proud to share a new article published today in RealClearDefense, co-authored with my friend Colonel Arnel David, where we dive into the true revolution happening on the ground in Ukraine. While the imagery on our screens looks like a grim distortion of mid-twentieth-century warfare, muddy trenches and grinding artillery duels, the reality is entirely different. Beneath the mud and behind the smoke lies a hyper-connected digital nervous system. The era of platform-centric military dominance is officially dead; tanks and drones are merely the hands, while ambient, live data has become the brain and the new center of gravity. Ukraine has fundamentally collapsed the traditional "kill chain" into a continuous, hyper-velocity "kill web" using data fusion and AI algorithms to compress hours of legacy bureaucracy into seconds. For the NATO Alliance, this carries profound, uncomfortable implications. We cannot treat digital overhauls like the Maven Smart System as a routine IT refresh or slow-rolled procurement project. Building a cloud-agnostic digital backbone capable of digesting civil and commercial data at the tactical edge is a strategic emergency. Milliseconds now dictate survival. Read our full analysis on why we must adapt our institutions, procurement, and doctrine to this new baseline of conflict: https://lnkd.in/esYpqdTK #Military #Defense #NATO #Innovation #DataFusion #AI #FutureWarfare #NationalSecurity #Ukraine