Navy Supply Corps Foundation

 Transition Program                                                                                                   

Transitioning from the military to civilian life is a process best managed with a few great resources at your fingertips. Finding your post-military career has never been easier—read, research and engage to ensure a smooth transition. 

 Professional Certification/Licenses Grant Program

Professional certification is the process by which a person proves that he or she has the knowledge, experience and skills to perform a specific job and the tasks in which they have been trained. Having a professional certification also shows potential employers that you are committed to your profession and are well-trained. It gives them confidence in your abilities and knowledge. Certification makes you more valuable to employers, so you can expect to earn more than someone without certification. Certification also offers advancement opportunities and management opportunities. Additionally, you can have a competitive advantage over candidates without certificates, earn higher wages and receive tuition reimbursement for continuing education. 

Examples of some of the professional logistics certificates that are available for Supply Officers and enlisted supply personnel are: Supply Chain Professional (CSCP); Foodservice Management Professional (FMP); Certified Professional Contract Manager; and Financial Management Certification.  Attaining a professional certification can be costly. Examples of the costs for these certificates are:

• Supply Chain Professional (CSCP): Exam Preparation: $1,380 & Exam: $965
• Certified Professional Contract Manager: Exam Preparation: $410 & Exam: $125
• Certified in Transportation and Logistics and Distribution (CLTD): Exam Preparation: $1,245 & Exam: $1,195
• Certificate in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM): Exam Preparation: $550 & Exam: $690

If you’re a Veteran and you qualify for the GI Bill, you may be able to use part of your entitlement to cover test fees up to $2,000 for a job that requires a license or certification in order for you to work. The VA.gov site provides detailed information on how to apply for reimbursement up to $2,000. Even after VA reimbursement for exam fees this can leave a substantial bill for the individual.
 
The Navy Supply Corps Foundation has developed a Professional Certification/Licenses Grant Program to assist with the costs incurred attaining a certification or license to enhance a civilian logistics career opportunity, after VA reimbursement, up to $500.

Eligibility: For all, the applicant must:

1. Be an Active-duty or reserve Supply Corps officer.
2. Be an Active-duty Enlisted Sailor in a supply enlisted rating (e.g., CS, CSS, LS, LSS, or RS).
3. Be registered on the Navy Supply Corps Foundation Website with current email and mailing address.
4. Pass* the applicable certification/license exam and include a copy to the Foundation.
5. Have attained the professional certification or license to enhance a civilian logistics career opportunity.

Application Process: To be considered for this grant the applicant must fill out and submit an online application. Once the application is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Transition Committee and notification will be sent on reimbursement determination.                                                             
*NOTE: failed exam attempts will not be eligible for reimbursement.

     

Preparation The Role of Research The hardest part of transitioning from the military is knowing where and when to start the planning process. Check NSCF LinkedIn and Facebook pages for job opportunities, resources and community support as you navigate the military retirement process and prepare your plan of action in the civilian world. The Military Life Cycle The National Resource Directory highlights programs for our Military, Veterans and their families to help identify applicable benefits and appropriate agencies for issue resolution. Transitioning to the civilian world after several years, or a career, serving in the military is a change that may cause anxiety for many military families. And for good reason—deciding where to live, where to work, the type of work to do and where the kids will go to school are life-changing choices. Though moving from base-to-base often involves a change in lifestyle, transitioning to the civilian workforce brings an additional set of challenges. Fortunately, there is help. Take advantage of the military’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to make the process easier. To combat the transition challenge of “You don’t know what you don’t know”, especially now during a global pandemic, VBA has launched a new video series called Transition Talk to bring critical information and resources to transitioning service members and Veterans. The inaugural episode discusses topics that matter most to those in transition, or those facing anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: GI Bill payments, filing compensation claims, accessing possible state-based cash assistance programs, and more. All episodes can be viewed at: “Transition Talk” video series: Military to Civilian support during COVID-19 - VAntage Point.  Setting Family Expectations For many kids, just like their parents, transitioning out of the military means adopting a new lifestyle. Families may no longer have the built-in support system available on or near military installations. Kids may experience concern over the uncertainty of a parent’s employment, fear of the unknown, or adjustments to their own lifestyle. Many resources for transitioning families are   available on the Department of Defense (DoD) website. Market Research The adage “knowledge is power” is especially true when conducting a job search. A successful job search campaign requires gathering intelligence data, just as a military operation would. Your research activities should focus on four major targets: alternative jobs and careers, organizations, individuals, and communities. Documenting your military experience and training can be a powerful tool as you transition from military to civilian life. The VMET (Verification of Military Experience and Training), or DD Form 2586, documents and verifies service member military experience and training for use and application in the civilian workforce. Marketing Material Need new business cards? The US Navy Supply Corps Foundation’s Business Card Reimbursement Pilot Program will pay for an initial set of templates and business cards for those Supply Corps officers transitioning from the military. To participate in this program, visit Vistaprint.com to create, design and order your business cards. Email a copy of your order receipt to foundation@usnscf.com. In the email with your receipt, please include a copy of the business card template(s) you design and use. The Foundation will reimburse you up to $50. Take advantage of this program now!

Networking 5 Steps to Building a Winning Network   Networking can take on many forms and is an essential tool in the transition process. Regularly engaging acquaintances and associates alike through regular communication offers benefits beyond today. Discover 5 simple steps to effective networking and learn the advantages of a strong network. Transitioning and Social Media The fundamental process of networking has not changed and is still the best way to find a job. However, what has changed are the tools that expedite the networking process – namely, LinkedIn and Facebook, along with other online resources where you can identify people you know and people you want to know through the industry and/or profession you are targeting. LinkedIn is a great social media tool for building and maintaining a professional network, showcasing accomplishments, and staying current on industry trends. Learn how to leverage your LinkedIn profile to benefit and expand your professional network.

Application and Interview Professional Certifications Depending on the professional field in which you hope to be employed, you might need a professional certification to increase your hiring opportunities. The GI Bill provides eligible applicants reimbursement of applicable fees that require a license, certification, or admission test to an institute of higher learning. The VA.gov site provides the detailed information on how to apply for up $2,000 reimbursement. While the process to document the jobs held in the military can be a very daunting task, the effort may be worthwhile as some professional certificates may be attained through the accumulation of military experiences and skills. There are a variety of opportunities to obtain a professional certification related to the skills of a Supply Corps Officer and many of these programs are discounted or even free for veterans. Resume Development Many job seekers spend a lot of time creating a résumé, and applying for jobs, but never get called for an interview. Why? For veterans, the struggle is often aligning the skills and experiences they’ve gained in the military with the types of jobs that exist outside the military. On top of that, long-serving veterans don’t have a lot of experience with resume making.  Here are two tools that can help in bridging that knowledge gap.  The first is from ResumeBuilder.com to help active-duty military and veterans craft the perfect cover letter and resume to help them successfully transition back into civilian careers. They’ve created a detailed guide that will walk you through every step of creating an effective military to civilian cover letter and resume, from choosing the correct format to avoiding red flags that may cost getting that dream job. Below are the links to the tools to help you develop the perfect resume & cover letter: https://www.resumebuilder.com/how-to-write-a-cover-letter/ https://www.resumebuilder.com/military-to-civilian-cover-letter-examples/ https://www.resumebuilder.com/military-to-civilian-resume-examples/   The second is from Bridge My Return (Home | Bridge My Return)  which offers a skills translator that assesses your military talents/experience and converts it into a resume in the language and skills an employer will instantly get.  It works with your hard skills, of course, but also things like strategy, teamwork, leadership, and forthrightness. Job Interview After Action Review While on active duty, you likely participated in many after action reviews (AAR). Creating an AAR for your job interviews is a great way to be focused and successful in your post-military career pursuits.

Employment Offers You've applied for jobs, and you're finally getting an offer — what’s next? The truth is, companies expect you to negotiate their offer, keeping in mind the salary range authorized for the position. With preparation, you can better assess any offer against your needs and your personal value. This exercise will help you find a “win-win” scenario where both you and the employer are satisfied – the ultimate objective of the negotiation process.

Reference Veteran Job Sites As a veteran, you can take advantage of many job-search websites and apps; but there are quite a few sites devoted exclusively to helping veterans.  Here are some of the better resources that we have found for your use:   Bridge My Return Career OneStop Feds Hire Vets  Four Block Hire Heroes USA Hire Veterans Military.com Military Hire Military Times Job Board My Next Move US Department of Labor Veterans Employment & Training Services US Department of Veterans Affairs Employment Services Transition Assistance Online Vet Jobs Women Veterans Resources

Check out the job postings specific to the skillset of our Supply Corps community! Additional Resources Military.com - Pentagon Rolls Out New Spouse Transition Program VA App US DEPT OF DEFENSE - Changes Roll Out for Transition Assistance Program Scholarships & Resources for Student Military Veterans | EduMed.org   Read more about Transition featured in The Oakleaf An Interview with Author Tom Wolfe ~ Out of Uniform: Part 1 An Interview with Author Tom Wolfe ~ Out of Uniform: Part 2 An Interview with Author Tom Wolfe ~ Out of Uniform: Part 3 Transitioning to a Civilian Career: Part 2 ~ Joe Purcell Joe Purcell: 2 Factors to Consider when Transitioning