Transitioning from military service to the civilian workforce is more than just swapping uniforms for business attire; it’s a leap into unfamiliar territory. For many veterans, the shift can feel disorienting, even daunting. The skills, discipline and leadership honed in the military don’t always translate neatly onto a resume, and finding a company that truly understands and supports this transition is critical.

I spent 10 years in the Navy, first as a sonar technician, then as a recruiter, before I made the jump to civilian life. That transition can feel overwhelming, and I won't pretend I had it all figured out. But looking back now, years into my career at Miner where I became the company's first national account manager, I can see what actually made the difference. 

These aren't just things that worked for me at one company. They're approaches that any veteran can use to find the right fit.

I didn't just start applying to random job postings. I worked with a recruitment agency that specializes in placing veterans in technical fields. They understood how to translate my military experience into civilian terms and, more importantly, they connected me with employers who actually valued that background.

Here's my advice: don't go it alone if you don't have to. Whether it's a specialized recruiter, a veteran hiring program or a company with a strong veteran culture, find organizations that already get it. You'll spend less time translating your experience and more time doing the work.

When I interviewed at Miner, I wasn't just evaluating the immediate role. I was looking at whether there was room to grow. Could I learn new skills? Were there examples of people who'd advanced? Did the company invest in training and development?

The position I took was as a service technician, similar to the technical work I'd done in the Navy. But what attracted me was seeing the opportunities to learn new skills and become whatever I set my mind to. That's exactly what happened. I moved from technical service to account management, creating a role that didn't exist before.

Don't settle for just a job. You didn't serve your country just to clock in and out somewhere. Find a place where you can build a career.

Here's something nobody tells you: Your dedication and energy won't be valued everywhere. Some civilian companies will see you as just another employee number.

In the military, if you work hard and show initiative, people notice. I found that same thing in the right civilian workplace. When I asked questions, stayed curious and put forth effort, it got recognized. Management invested in mentoring me. They saw my potential and helped me develop it.

My advice to fellow veterans is to bring that same intensity you brought to defending your country, but make sure you're bringing it somewhere that will actually see it and reward it. In the interview process, ask about mentorship, career progression, and examples of people who've advanced. If they can't give you good answers, keep looking.

I didn't initially see how my time as a Navy recruiter would help in the civilian world. Turns out that recruiting and sales have a lot in common. You're building relationships, understanding needs, communicating value. That experience, combined with help from people in the organization, helped me transition into account management.

Take inventory of everything you did in service, not just your primary technical role. Leadership, training others, logistics, communication — these all translate. You just need to learn how to articulate them in civilian terms.

The biggest mindset shift for me was learning to actively seek mentorship and ask questions. In the military, there's a clear chain of command and structured development. In civilian life, you often have to create that structure yourself.

I encourage any veteran in a new role to be curious and take direction the same way you did in service. Ask how things work. Request feedback. Seek out mentors. The right employer will respond to that initiative, and if they don't, that tells you something too.

I found stability, support, and genuine career growth after the Navy. I don't just have a job. I have a career I'm building, with room to keep growing. That's what I want for every veteran making this transition.

It won't happen overnight, and it requires being strategic about where you land and how you show up. But if you find the right fit and bring your military dedication to it, you can build something meaningful on the civilian side.

You served your country with excellence. You deserve a career that recognizes that and invests in your future. Don't settle for less.

Michael LeBlanc is national account manager at Miner. He served in the U.S. Navy from 2006 to 2016.