Margaret Smith, Ph.D.’s Post

So I have officially been retired for just over a month now and finally have a little bit of time in between school demands to write down some of my thoughts regarding #militarytransition. These are in no particular order and will reflect my experiences in hopes to help those who are about to go through the process as I believe it is important to pay it forward! - Start planning early and if you have a significant other get them involved early and with most of the planning. By early, I am talking roughly 3 years out. This gives plenty of time to pay down debts (probably one of THE most important parts) in addition to figuring out what you want to do when you get out. - There are no shortage of transitional services to: network, mentor, help you decide what you want to do in the next chapter, etc. If you plan on simply attending TAP to check the box and using the "I'm a Veteran so companies will hire me" you're doing yourself (and your family if applicable) a huge disservice! Once I knew what I wanted to do, I reached out to American Corporate Partners (ACP) who lined me up with a mentor and just talking to someone who's whole life wasn't revolved around Government work or military lifestyle was phenomenal! - Probably gonna catch some flack for this but Skillbridge isn't the end all be all, in fact I did not even do one and I do not believe that it has hindered my ability to be successful post-military life. Now my journey was slightly different as I am currently going through #nursingschool but the same may apply to your journey. If you can't make a Skillbridge work, it'll all work itself out! - Finally embrace the change. For me, the first two weeks of being just on terminal leave were different. Everyday I felt the need that "I should be doing something, anything" and eventually I just accepted that I needed to take this time to unwind and if a "honey-do" chore did not get accomplished today, tomorrow would be just fine as well. Enjoy the ride, your military career has set you up for success in the ability to simply get it done! #miltarytransition #veteran #veteranstudent #nursingschool

Took this from William Lennon on the “PNWVETS” page on Facebook… For those Veterans that are interested in teaching after serving there has been a considerable change in the requirements for being a JROTC instructor in high schools. Until recently, the requirement was for the service member to be retired from military service to be eligible. DOD has approved, for all services, a significant change. Not all services are online with this change yet but will be soon. Each service can adjust the requirements slightly, as long as they do not drop below DOD requirements. Right now, the Army and Air Force are certifying with the following criteria. Noncommissioned Officers who have separated/retired within the past 5 years with a minimum of 10 years cumulative honorable service in the grades of E-6 through E-9. Officers who have separated/retired within the past 5 years with a minimum of 10 years cumulative honorable service in the grades of W-1 through W-5 or O-3 through O-6. This is a significant change and great opportunity for those that have served, but not retired. As a first-year teacher after serving in the military, pay would drop significantly from active duty if you are teaching outside of JROTC (math, English, etc.) But as a JROTC instructor, DOD has produced a new pay scale, similar to the GS pay scale for instructors. I have attached the Air Force one below. It will be the same for all services. This is minimum instructor pay (MIP). Schools are required to pay at least MIP. But many instructors receive more than MIP from their school districts. The Marine Corps and Navy should follow suit soon. I teach in a Marine Corps program, not a recruiter or employer. There are a lot of misconceptions about what JROTC is. Most folks see it as a recruiting program. It is not. It is a leadership and character-based class in high school. I’ve been doing it for 16 years and love it. If you are interested in JROTC, I'd be happy to talk to you about the job. https://lnkd.in/gNehpqEd

“Over here, your time is not your time!” Started my journey in the National Youth Service Corps last week and resumed orientation camp, where I'll be for the next 21 days. The past 7 days? Let's just say, it's been a rollercoaster. But one important lesson I've learned so far is the importance of proper planning for achieving results. At orientation camp, every second of our time is planned out. From rest to parade ground activities, from meals to leisure time, everything is meticulously scheduled, making success much more attainable. Discipline is key to success in this environment and this, of course, flows into our lives outside. I won't say I'm absolutely enjoying camp, but I'm making the best of it. Anyways, that's the update on my life so far as I head back to my SAED lecture. See you in my next entry, (if I can get some time for it). #update #nysc #discipline #diligence

We love to hire veterans, but they often don't know about opportunities to work in the education sector. They can learn more at this Aug 31 webinar. As California’s school districts continue to hire for the new school year, one potential untapped source of new teachers as well as many other needed professions are those who have served in the military and their spouses. California communities, California State Government agencies (which have contact with Military veterans), veteran service organizations, and California Institutions of Higher Education and their veteran service departments are coming together with Heroes to Education and eight California School Districts/Offices of Education to reach out to those connected with the military to give them a second career opportunity through public education in which they can continue their service to their country, state, and communities. Military veterans, Reservists, California National Guard members, those planning to leave the service within six months, their spouses and spouses of active-duty personnel are invited to an August 31, webinar at 3 pm with Heroes to Education and the eight School Districts/Offices of Education (Los Angeles Unified, San Diego Unified, Travis Unified, Murietta Valley Unified, San Bernardino City Unified, Silver Valley Unified and the Orange County Office of Education and the Riverside County Office Education). During the webinar, they will learn about the second career opportunities in public education, including but not limited to teaching, paraprofessionals, skill trades, operations, IT, diesel mechanics, school resource officers, bus drivers, substitutes. Heroes to Education is a national non-profit organization that assists service members, veterans, and their spouses in transitioning into public education. The group highlights career opportunities and supports participants’ journeys from preparing applications through the placement process. Participants also receive support in their first few years on the job. TO REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR, the link is HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/HEROES2ED

Here’s an article about the Red Cross Summer Youth Volunteer Program here at BJACH, as told by one of our very own youth volunteers!

I went to several schools during my time as a #studentveteran. Including a for-profit, public, and private school.. And you know what, they are ALL valuable to me. I don't care about for-profit, public, or private titles- as long as the school is a fit for me and supports my personal and professional goals, and ALL three of those did that for me. AMU: was my first degree out of the military, and I was able to complete it while working full time, because of its flexibility- it gave me a start in a world outside of the military and the service-industry, and I am forever grateful to them for that. UH: Flexed on residency requirements for me as a mil-spouse and gave me an extremely supportive vet center AND the best damn VSOC Counselor EVER. USC: Could have never afforded outside the GI Bill. Gave me a competitive edge in the corporate world and I gained tons of brothers and sisters through the Master of Business for Veterans program. Lesson here? Don't let ANYONE try and determine your value based on your Alma Mater. Pick your school for YOUR reasons only. Do your research. Do what's right for you. P.S : I know a lot of mil-talent recruiters- and they aren't hung up on what school you attended.

We are delighted to share our latest report, working alongside The Centre for Social Justice, which we'll launch in #parliament on 8th November. The transition to a low carbon #economy has the potential to create over 700,000 net new #jobs by 2030 with the potential to create a positive future for left-behind #communities. Projections suggest that key #NetZero aligned sectors in the UK could contribute up to £60bn of gross value added a year by 2050, but #GreenSkills policy is yet to catch up with plans. Our key recommendations include: 💡 - Reorienting the #skills system towards the #GreenEconomy and #apprenticeships. 🏦 - Ensuring the UK Infrastructure Bank is equipped to support #retrofit at scale. 🌲 - Delivering a refreshed modern #IndustrialStrategy that has net zero at its core.

68Ws should log in to their Army Career Tracker this week and look at which schools are on there. 👀 I get it, many are not glamorous. Others are ridiculously hard and we risk failing. Boards feel silly. We all hear excuses. 🥱 This year you should work on improving your STP for your upcoming promotion. 📝 Who is planning to go to a school/board that THEY don’t want to this year? Let your first line know you are willing to go to these if they come up. Train up. Study. Raise your hand. Don’t let someone else get promoted ahead of you because they were willing to do the small things you don’t want to. 🙋🏼 These will also look good not just for NCOERs but also applying to Commissioning Programs such as Nursing, IPAP or Med School. 👨🏼⚕️ NCO’s give input on schools/boards you recommend! Any other tips or comments you would tell your juniors or younger selves. 🪢 https://lnkd.in/dz_RkYib?

Something to think about

With one child off doing adult things (US Marines) and my next oldest preparing to decide on her post-high school plans, I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting on what I would advise my younger self and, more pressing, what advice I should give my teen as she thinks about the path ahead. In no particular order, here is a series of the things I would tell young folks early in their career(s): Item 1) Until you get your hands dirty, you cannot know what you will and will not like about any particular career. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to know at 17 or 18 what you’ll do when you grow up. Take an educated guess and get started on whatever steps it takes to move forward.