What service were you in and how long did you serve?
I enlisted in 2018 and still serve in the US Army Reserves. I am currently a Staff Sergeant serving as a Civil Affairs Specialist.
What motivated you to join the military?
I come from a military family so serving my country was something I had thought about since childhood. My dad served 32 years in the US Coast Guard, my uncle and paternal grandfather served in the Army, and my maternal grandfather and great grandfather both served in the Navy. However, I think the most influential person was my dad’s cousin Debbie who served in the Army, retiring as a Colonel. My dad used to tell stories of her while I was growing up, and looking back, I realize that she is the reason I was able to see myself joining. She was a trailblazer, serving in the 10 th Mountain Division decades before women were “technically” allowed in combat. She truly helped pave the way for future women to serve, especially in combat roles. She proved she could hold her own and perform to the highest standard. Her decorated career and continued work with the Pentagon is proof of that.
Were you aware of opportunities in the maritime industry? If you were, how? If not, how did you find out?
My great-grandfather served in the Navy before becoming a longshoreman and then a San Fransico Bay pilot. My mom still has his hand-drawn charts of SF Bay. Family stories about him were my only familiarity with the maritime industry, since unfortunately, he passed long before I was born and could ask him about his career. I never considered a career in the maritime industry until I heard about The Pasha Group through a friend. After looking into the company further, I was eager to apply. It ended up being a great fit.
What elements of your service career have helped you in transitioning to a private sector US-flag maritime position?
This may be a very boring answer, but it is honest. The military is very particular about how you do things, especially when it comes to documentation. This has made for a surprisingly seamless transition into private sector government compliance and ESG reporting. In a broader sense, the discipline the military instills in you gives you a leg up in the private sector. Employers who are military friendly, and have a history of hiring veterans, know they are hiring an employee who is going to be punctual, work hard, and meet deadlines.
Please explain the process you took to get your credential, and any recommendations you have for others leaving the military and transitioning into the maritime industry.
While I was in the military, I pursued and completed my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, providing me with a solid foundation and career path. I also attended certification trainings in my first few months on the job. My manager is a big believer in upskilling and recognized my willingness to learn new things and hit the ground running. This was very reminiscent of what we experience in the military. The military expects you to learn quickly and be able to execute what you learned right away. To others transitioning, my recommendation is to use the resources and benefits that you have earned. Trust that your experience in the military is valuable, even if you are transitioning into a field that is new to you.
What training have you received in your new position — and what new skills have you developed through on-the-job training?
My first few months on the job were a whirlwind of certification trainings. Beyond this, one of the most important new skills is the ability to juggle multiple projects at the same time. Being able to effectively pivot from one project to the next has been critical in this position.
What is most familiar to you in your current position relative to your rating in the service?
I am a Civil Affairs Specialist in the Army, so our MOS tasks translate pretty easily to civilian side careers. This is by design as well, as civil affairs utilizes skills you’ve learned from your civilian side expertise and experience. As far as what is most familiar, it’s working in a small team. The department I am in has 4 people (coincidently, the same size of a civil affairs team) and we work collaboratively on most projects. This is a very familiar style of work to those of us in Civil Affairs.
What similarities have you found in the way the maritime industry operates in comparison to the military? Has this helped in your transition process?
As mentioned in my response to an earlier question, if you end up working on anything government related, you will find yourself on familiar ground. Processes that may seem complicated or confusing to others will feel very familiar to any prior military personnel.
How does the pay, benefits, and working conditions of your current job compare to your military career?
All of the above is better. I am still a reservist, so I am very appreciative of how supportive my manager is of my military obligations. It has never been a burden or obstacle to my civilian career.
What advice would you have for a separating service member interested in this field upon leaving the military?
If you know someone in the maritime field, talk to them! Make the connection and go from there. Don’t be afraid to apply for something that is new to you. As I said previously, trust that your miliary experience is valuable, even if your MOS/rating was in a different field.
Be like Rose and share your #MilitaryToMaritime story!