When military members enter civilian life, they bring with them the wide range of skills they learned in their service. Aside from being well-disciplined, highly organized and excellent team players, military servicemembers learn specialized skills in their specific roles. These abilities are useful in civilian careers, but it is important to translate them into terms that civilian employers understand. Otherwise, you may be passed up for a position you are highly qualified for due to lack of understanding on the company's end. Below are some examples of military careers, which civilian careers they relate to and how to translate the skills involved to civilian terms.
1. Infantryman
Instead of writing that your military job was to shoot machine guns, you could say that you were responsible for operating dangerous technology in high-stress situations. Infantrymen are good at taking orders but also have the ability to think quickly on their own. This could be translated to strong team skills with an ability for self-direction.
2. Communication strategist
Roughly equated to a civilian career, a military communication strategist could pursue a job as a public relations manager. These individuals are highly organized with excellent communication skills. For your resume, you could write that you are gifted with planning, event coordination and public communication.
3. Commanding officer
When civilian employers see this title on your resume, they might be able to guess that you are a strong leader. However, it is your job to communicate what kind of leader the military has shaped you into. Give them an idea of how many people you were in charge of. Describe your demeanor under stress and pressure. You could also mention that your time as a CO gave you the ability to train a wide range of personalities to work together as a team.
4. Interpreter
A servicemember with this job title could pursue a civilian career as a translator or cultural awareness coordinator. Experience with learning and applying new languages and cultural customs makes these individuals excellent candidates for serving companies who do a large amount of overseas business.
5. Cyber warfare operations manager
The CWOM is responsible for planning and creating a security infrastructure for his or her unit's network. In a digital landscape that is constantly being threatened with cyberattacks, these individuals could pursue jobs as information security professionals. On your resume, mention that you have knowledge of the international threat landscape and experience with protecting highly sensitive information.
6. Corps engineer
Servicemembers who spent time as corps engineers have a vast array of technical, mechanical and infrastructure knowledge. Corps engineers have experience with building planning and development, flood prevention, hydropower and communication improvement. You could apply these skills to careers in construction or city planning.
7. Logistics officer
These individuals should have no trouble finding a civilian job as a logistician. On your resume, be sure to communicate that you are capable of analyzing and coordinating logistical functions of a unit that depends on accurate information. You could write that your experience working logistics with the military taught you the important of thorough analysis and accurate interpretation. Logistics officers also help the daily processes run smoothly and efficiently, a skill which may be appreciated in a civilian company.
The time and effort you put into learning the skills required to do your military job should not be wasted. Remember that they translate into skills that can be applied to civilian careers. You only need to write them on your resume in a way that employers outside the military will understand. The Military to Civilian Occupation Translator is a great resource for helping you with this process.
Children of active duty servicemembers and veterans experience difficulties that their peers may not have to deal with. They go through long periods without one of their parents, and this can sometimes mean they have to assume more responsibility than other children their age. AFBA has compiled a list of camps for military children where they can relax and be with other kids who understand what they are going through.
1. American Wanderer Summer Camp
Children of active duty personnel and veterans who are between the ages of 11 to 17 have a chance to camp out and explore the national parks in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. For two weeks, campers are able to enjoy the wilderness and bond with children of other military personnel.
2. Camp Corral
Founded in 2011, Camp Corral has served over 6,500 children of active and former military servicemembers. Kids aged 8 to 15 have the opportunity to spend a week engaged in outdoor activities like canoeing, hiking, fishing and horseback riding. The camp also offers counseling sessions and group therapy.
3. Military Teen Adventure Camps
These camps, which take place in a variety of locations across the nation, are designed for older children of military personnel. Military teens ages 14-18 can bond and participate in archery, rock climbing, backpacking and whitewater rafting.
4. Operation Purple Camp
This camp is specifically for children who have a military parent who is about to be or is currently deployed. Operation Purple Camp is designed to help children cope with the pressures and stresses of dealing with a parent's deployment in a safe, fun environment.
5. Air Force Space Camp
For 12- to 18-year-olds with an active duty military parent, the Air Force Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, is a great distraction during deployment. Campers will get the chance to participate in things like simulated Space Shuttle missions, rocket building and launches, training simulators, scientific experiments and discussions on the past, present and future of space exploration.
6. Camp C.O.P.E.
Offering therapy sessions and alternative coping methods, Camp C.O.P.E. was created to help children of active duty servicemembers, veterans and fallen military personnel find healthy outlets for their emotions. This weekend-long camp is free for military children.
7. HomeFront Equestrians, Inc.
This camp is for military children and their families. It allows them to relax and enjoy themselves while engaging in horseback riding and equestrian bonding. The camp also offers leadership courses and horsemanship classes.
8. Sisters Under Sail
Girls aged 13-18 who are members of the Daughters of U.S. Military and Canadian Forces can participate in this camp. Daughters of military personnel will learn leadership, bonding and coping as they learn to sail on the Great Lakes.
9. The First Tee
This program was created to teach teens the value of hard work and how to make healthy life choices. There is a specific camp for children of active duty military personnel and veterans where they learn to release their stress through the game of golf.
10. Camp Trotter
Located 7 miles east of Newaygo, Michigan, Camp Trotter is the VFW's program to assist children of military veterans. The calming environment along the shores of Lake Michigan is the perfect place for children to learn about things like post-traumatic stress disorder and how to deal with changes in their parents. Campers are also given the chance to be carefree while boating, swimming and hiking.
Being children of active duty military personnel or veterans can be difficult. Situations like deployment and issues like post-traumatic stress disorder can put a strain on military children. The camps above give these kids a chance to let loose and bond with other children in similar situations. For more camp options, check with your local base or VFW.
When a servicemember is deployed, his or her family members experience many different emotions. Deployment is especially difficult for children, as they will be faced with feelings they likely do not understand. AFBA has compiled five tips to assist you in helping your children cope with deployment.
1. Establish a routine
By bringing back an established pattern into your children's lives, you can help alleviate some of the stress that they are already experiencing. Having a parent leave for service can be a confusing time. A routine will give your children some sense of control and regularity. Try to stick to the same bedtimes and wake-ups if possible. You can also give your children daily chores to keep them busy and on-task. While routines may seem tedious, they can be a lifeline for children coping with a major life change like deployment.
2. Open lines of communication
The deployment of a parent may inspire some strong emotions in your children. It is important to let them know early on that you are available to talk about these feelings. You should also share your own emotions with them, so they realize that they are not going through the experience alone. Your chats do not have to be formal or scheduled. Just check up on them from time to time or ask them how they are feeling over dinner.
3. Allow for emotional outlets
One of the worst things you can do for your children during their parent's deployment is chastise them for expressing their emotions. This does not mean you should allow them to throw tantrums to get rid of their anger. Instead, you should help them find healthy ways to deal with their reactions to missing their parent. Buy your children journals and encourage them to write or draw what they are feeling.
4. Put them in a peer group
There will be times when your children do not want to discuss things with you. Instead of getting frustrated with them, understand that this is normal. Give them the chance to communicate with their peers who may be experiencing the same thing. There are a number of summer camps and activity programs designed specifically for children of military personnel. Your children may find strength and support by surrounding themselves with other children whose parents are also deployed.
5. Work through it together
It is important to let your children know that they are not alone in missing their mother or father. Deployment is a time you should help one another through. You can make your children feel important by explaining to them that you will need extra assistance around the house now that you are without your spouse. Additionally, there are a variety of activities designed to bring you closer, even during a tough time like deployment.
There are a wide range of emotions your children may experience during their parent's deployment. Your children may be unable to cope with all of these feelings on their own. That is why AFBA outlined some helpful ways for you to make sure your kids can work through these emotions in a healthy way.
When your spouse is deployed, it is not only tough on you, but it is also a difficult time for your children. They will be missing their mother or father, and they sometimes counteract these feelings by pushing away the parent at home with them. By doing activities together, you help them realize that you are all in the same situation but you are going to face it together. These experiences may even bring you closer and help your children learn coping skills that will benefit them later in life.
Visit a museum
Your bonding activities can also be a great time for your children to learn. Take the family to an art museum and discuss which pieces you liked best. This will teach your kids to form their own opinions. You could also take them to a war museum, so they can learn the history of their mother's or father's military career.
Scavenger hunts
This activity is fun for both you and your children, and because you can do it indoors and outside, it is perfect for any season. Create a series of clues and watch as your children look for the prize. This will help them develop problem-solving skills, and it will distract them from missing their deployed parent for a few hours. If your children do chores, you could make the reward a free pass from them for a day.
Go to a park
Whether it be an amusement park, a water park or a playground, getting outdoors is an excellent activity to bond with your kids. The fun and carefree atmosphere can be a relief from the stress of deployment and gives your children a chance to be young.
Keep a reading log
Reading is a tried-and-true form of distraction. Sit down with your children and create a list of books you want to read together every month. Try to stick to a reading schedule. For example, set goals like a chapter a week and log them together. Not only is keeping a reading log a great way to keep your children from worrying about their deployed parent, but it also teaches them to set attainable goals.
Have a 'date' night
This is an easy way to make your children feel special and alleviate some of their loneliness. Make them the center of attention and spend an evening having a nice dinner out and follow it up with a funny movie. Keep it casual and lighthearted so that everyone can enjoy a stress-free evening.
Do arts and crafts
During your spouse's deployment, your children will likely be dealing with many emotions. Arts and crafts are a good activity to help them communicate those emotions. PBS has some excellent projects for children that are designed to help them work out their thoughts and feelings.
Take a trip
Pack up the kids and the car for a small weekend trip. A change of scenery can give your children a small reprieve from missing their deployed parent. Road trips are also an amazing opportunity to bond with your children.
Make a video
For an activity that will benefit everyone in the family, consider recording a video together for your family's deployed servicemember. The kids will get a kick out of making a video for their mom or dad, and your spouse will appreciate getting to see them.
Deployment will come with challenges, but there are many activities you and your children can do together to help you get through it. More than a few of these will help your children express the difficult emotions they may be experiencing and teach them important life skills. Additionally, the activities you do together during your spouse's deployment can bring you closer to your children.
On Aug. 20, two female servicemembers will join the ranks of the Army elite as they become the first women to graduate Army Ranger school. In January, the Pentagon made the decision to include women in the training program. Since 1950, when the Army Ranger school was created, only men had been allowed to participate. It is a grueling program where participants are allowed one meal a day and only a few hours of sleep. Despite all that, they must endure some of the most strenuous combat training drills in the world.
The Pentagon was initially withholding the names of the female graduates. As of Aug. 19, their names have been released to the public. The women who have made military history are 26-year-old Kristen Griest and 25-year-old Shaye Haver. Both women, graduates of the prestigious West Point, will return to their units after their graduation at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Only 40 percent of participants finish the program. Of the 18 women who started the program in April, Griest and Haver were the only two who completed it. Because of their accomplishment, the Pentagon is considering allowing women to become a part of the Army Ranger school permanently.
Military deployment is a tough time for servicemembers and their spouses. Many military spouses count down the days until their servicemember comes home, but deployment does not have to be a waiting game. There are a number of ways to keep yourself distracted yet still make the most of deployment.
Join a family readiness group
Most military units have one of these military-sponsored groups. By joining, you can stay up to date on any news surrounding your spouse's unit. You may also form new friendships and find support from individuals who understand what you are going through.
Volunteer in your community
While your servicemember is serving his or her country, you can serve your community. Join a local service club or volunteer for an organization that needs extra help. This will keep you busy and you may even make new friends in the process.
Pick up a hobby
Hobbies are great ways to distract yourself during your spouse's deployment, and they are great for self-improvement. Consider starting a fitness routine to keep you busy and healthy while your servicemember is deployed. You could also learn a new language, take up a craft or start a blog.
Treat yourself occasionally
It is OK to enjoy yourself while your spouse is deployed. Take yourself shopping for a new outfit or try a new haircut. As long as you do not exceed your family's budget, the occasional spending spree can help alleviate the boredom
Eliminate excessive downtime
While some relaxation is good for you, too much can lead a spouse to focus on how much he or she misses his or her servicemember. Keep a crossword book or a puzzle around for those empty little moments.
Focus on the kids
If you have children, deployment is a good time to bond with them. They will likely be missing their parent as much as you are missing your spouse. Make a weekly plan to go to the movies or the park. By spending time together, you can eliminate some of the loneliness and support one another through your servicemember's absence.
Go back to school
The military offers many scholarships to spouses of servicemembers. Use your free time during deployment to further your education. By investing in your education, you can add peace of mind for your future. The school work will also keep you busy, and you may meet new friends in your classes.
Experiment in the kitchen
Cooking can provide military spouses with a delicious distraction. Do not be afraid to test out new recipes or even create dishes of your own. You can host dinner parties with your tasty new meals and surround yourself with friends and family. Additionally, you can try out your new menu on your spouse when he or she returns.
Get outdoors
Deployment comes with many stresses. Get outside and let nature relieve you of some of them. Try yoga in the park or find a new trail to hike. If you are looking for something that is a little less physical, you might consider starting a garden.
Do not be afraid to explore
There is no rule that says you have to stay at home while your spouse is deployed. If your budget allows, take the trip you have always wanted to take. Explore a new city, eat at different restaurants and experience a different culture. Your spouse will have plenty of stories to tell when he or she returns home, so you should have some of your own to share.
Any family that has experienced deployment knows that it is not easy. It is especially difficult for spouses who may have to cope with feelings of loneliness and worry. By finding activities you enjoy and joining groups of people who understand what you are going through, you can alleviate the negatives surrounding deployment.
On Monday, Aug. 17, the Pentagon announced it would be sending active duty military personnel to assist with wildfires in the western part of the country. About 95 fires are burning across seven states, including California, Washington, Nevada and Colorado. The wildfires have scoured over 1 million acres of land and have cost the Forest Service about $100 million every week. Many people have been forced to evacuate their homes in the areas. In California alone, 13,000 firefighters are stretched thin while combating 19 large fires.
The Pentagon has dedicated 200 active duty personnel to assist the firefighters. According to CNN, military servicemembers have only been engaged to fight fires 35 times in the last 30 years, and this is the first time since the early 2000s. The military personnel will take over the smaller, less aggressive fires.
"[The soldiers' assistance] is important because it frees up our more experienced crews to handle more complex dangerous fire situations," Ken Frederick, the National Interagency Fire Center spokesperson, told CNN.
The 200 soldiers will be divided into 10 groups of 20 members and deployed across the region. The soldiers' presence will not only take pressure off the civilian firefighters, but it will alleviate some of the stress on the Forest Service budget.
Aug. 21 will be a historic day for the Army Ranger program. For the first time since the school's beginning in 1950, a woman has finished the grueling 61-day training program. In fact, two women completed the training and will graduate with the rest of the class at Fort Benning, Georgia. The names of the women have not been released, but NPR reported that they are both in their 20s, graduated from West Point and are ranked as lieutenants.
For decades, the Army Ranger School admitted only men. In January, the decision was made to allow women into the program. Ranger School is an exhausting combat training course. Only 40 percent of the trainees graduate what is frequently referred to as the most difficult combat training program in the world. For two months, participants are subjected to combat drills in the mountains of Georgia and in the swamps of Florida.
"This course has proven that every soldier, regardless of gender, can achieve his or her full potential," Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh told CNN.
Of the 19 women who were part of the trial inclusion, the two program finishers will be given the coveted Ranger patch. However, the Pentagon has decided that they will not be allowed to apply for the 75th Ranger Regiment, an elite special operations force.
One of the most difficult parts of deployment is the lack of communication with your servicemember. Communication is important to maintaining a good relationship, and fortunately, there are many options available to help you stay in touch with your loved one during deployment.
1. Skype
For a free service, Skype is one of the best ways to communicate with your servicemember during his or her deployment. Even if your soldier is in an area where bandwidth does not support video services, you can still message without charge.
2. Handwritten letters
This form of communication is the most personal. There is something uniquely special about reading stories from home in the handwriting of those you love most. Handwritten letters can also be the most reliable if your servicemember is in an area with limited connectivity.
3. Smartphone apps
Mobile applications like WhatsApp and Viber allow people to connect for free, even without cellular service, as long as they are connected to Wi-Fi. Additionally, HeyTell allows you to record voice messages and send them back and forth. This can help you cut back on costly long-distance phone bills while still allowing you to communicate easily.
4. Email
Chatting via email is one of the most cost-efficient methods of communicating with your servicemember. Again, you will need to make sure that he or she has access to the Internet, but email is a fast way to share stories, pictures and videos with your loved one overseas.
5. Care packages
While this method of communication usually doesn't come with a response, servicemembers always look forward to items from home. Include your soldier's favorite treats from home as well as photographs, handwritten notes and entertainment items for his or her downtime.
6. Recorded videos
Your servicemember may not have access to the Internet, but you can still record a message and ship the DVD to him or her. Tell stories from everyday life and provide updates on family members. Whatever you decide to record, make it personal and conversational. You want your servicemember to be able to revisit the video and still get enjoyment from watching.
Deployment can be a difficult time for servicemembers and their families. It may not be possible to talk as often as you would like, but there are still ways you can keep in touch whenever you are able. Options like video services, free messaging apps and care packages are great ways to stay in touch without racking up a phone bill or waiting too long for a reply.
For the fifth year in a row, World Sport Chicago will host the Valor Games Midwest. This event is an adaptive sports competition for active duty military personnel and veterans who were disabled in their service. The competition is for veterans and active duty personnel who have had a limb amputated, are coping with post-traumatic stress disorder, have sustained brain injuries or experience visual and hearing disabilities. The participants compete in events like shot put, cycling, archery and indoor rowing.
The three-day event will take place Aug. 18-20 at Soldier Field, Armour Square Park and Marquette Park. At the opening ceremonies in Soldier Field, World Sport Chicago will display thousands of messages they are calling the Wall of Thanks. Gathered from various social media accounts, the wall will convey messages of gratitude and support from people around the country. The games are a chance for the men and women who have served and are serving the country to remain physically active and reintegrate into society.
"Sometimes the hardest thing when you get back from deployment is getting back to a sense of normalcy, especially if you've lost a limb or you've been injured," Kambium Buckner, executive director for World Sport Chicago, told the Big Ten Sports Network. "Valor Games gives them a chance to get back to normalcy and to be around folks with shared experience."
This year, over 200 former and active duty servicemembers are anticipated to compete.