Maximization vs. Optimization and the Question We Fail to Ask When Leaving the Military.
How we go farther by asking the right questions about employment and the space it holds in our post-military life.
One of the many things that make military separation difficult is the idea that after years of distraction, one must answer highly consequential questions with very little first-hand experience, and do so according to a timeline. Luckily due to the success of transition assistance programs, scholarship opportunities, and the rise of Skillbridge, I feel confident stating that today’s Vets have greater resources than ever before. By way of my own transition and speaking with Veterans, two ideas about this process have become increasingly apparent:
Ninety percent of transition resources focus on the period that exists 6 months before end of service and day one of civilian employment. However, many feel as if they’re still transitioning 2-4 years later.
Many of us focus too narrowly on the job hunt, what our next vocation will look like, and not nearly enough on what we want our lives to look like.
For myself, the first idea presented itself by way of the second. It wasn’t until I was 12-months post-service that I even asked myself, "What function do I want my job to play in the context of my overall life?" Perhaps a product of having a ‘beggars can’t be choosers’ mindset; I never considered this idea that now seems like such an obvious first step. Today, when I speak with Vets in search of their second role post-service, it’s almost always connected to this question and some sort of misalignment between themselves and their current employer.
Defining how much of our lives we’re willing to give to our profession is not something you think about a single time and have the answer. Rather, it’s a process of asking questions and identifying priorities that might bring you closer to knowing more about what you don’t want, than what you do. I’ve found it useful to think of the answer existing somewhere on a line between "optimization" and "maximization".
For some reason this question seems to be avoided by transitioning Vets, perhaps connected to the idea that typically, while serving, if ever asked “How much of yourself are you willing to give to this job?”, the expected answer is always “all of myself.” I suspect any alternative feels a bit self-serving to most of us. The good thing is, numerous opportunities exist in the civilian sector where total self-emergence or “maximization” is appropriate. Entrepreneurship, some start-ups, and advanced degrees being examples. For others who seek more balance, or wish to regain lost time as a parent, work on their health, or travel more often, accepting a role that expects maximization when you truly seek optimization, might be short-lived. While there’s no wrong answer, having never considered the question almost certainly feels like the wrong approach, and it certainly was for me.
To take this further, it may be equally as important to align with your employer with respect to their expectations. In my first role post-Navy, I not only failed to answer this question for myself, but I also failed to identify my employer's ideas on the topic. I'm not suggesting anyone ask, "how much do I have to dedicate myself to this job?" or explain how you’d “really like to have an optimal work/life balance” during an interview, but you can identify clues and determine some of this information through networking. Different compensation structures such as incentive vs. base pay, remote work policies, or asking questions around culture are all ways to determine the extent to which a role expects its people to maximize output.
What's most important here is clarity and reducing the unknown, both within ourselves and in our potential job opportunities. As Vets, I think we’ll be better off if we always strive to exceed expectations and maintain the reputation that Vets’ have as potential hires. However, we leave the military for a variety of reason, many in pursuit of the non-work related areas of life. If our transition takes us to a place with undefined expectations, or demands more of us than we're willing to provide, we may find ourselves feeling less satisfied than was the case on active duty.
Optimizing employment post-service isn't easy; it requires honesty and is always subject to change. At some point or another, we likely gave all of ourselves to the military, and the idea of taking a step back can feel unnatural. Even among fellow veterans, it can be hard to admit that perhaps we don't want to do the most demanding thing possible. Particularly for those in the leaving the Special Operations community. However, the civilian sector is not the military, and fulfillment, if found post-service, will likely come from multiple outlets.
Where I went wrong, and what I encourage others not to do, is avoidance of this question altogether. Perhaps it's time to maximize your output, break barriers, and achieve new professional heights, or perhaps it's not. Have the conversation with yourself; both options are acceptable.
The art for this piece was created by Sarah Rossetti “Invader Girl” and can be found at
https://www.invadergirlart.com/
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