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. 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.
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:
- Be an Active-duty or reserve Supply Corps officer.
- Be an Active-duty Enlisted Sailor in a supply enlisted rating (e.g., CS, CSS, LS, LSS, or RS).
- Be registered on the Navy Supply Corps Foundation Website with current email and mailing address.
- Pass* the applicable certification/license exam and include a copy to the Foundation.
- 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.
Partnership with a Mentoring Company
By CDR Bob Dolan, SC, USN, (Ret.), Transition Committee Chair
American Corporate Partners (ACP) is a national nonprofit organization focused on helping veterans, transitioning military members and active-duty military spouses find their next careers through year-long, customized, one-on-one mentorships. ACP provides career counseling and networking opportunities—focusing on meaningful employment opportunities for veterans and developing long-term career and professional goals. ACP connects vets with professionals participating through their organization’s partnership with ACP.
ACP’s staff supports the program with customized resources and training to assist pairs in building a successful relationship, many of which carry on well beyond the defined year. It begins through a personalized pairing process where ACP’s staff carefully selects a mentor for each protégé based on career compatibility, experience level, location, and personal interests. ACP has served hundreds of Navy veterans, active-duty Sailors, and spouses of active duty service members. Currently, there are more than 1,400 active-duty Sailors and Marines and Reservists enrolled.
With more than 20,000 success stories from veterans who had positive experiences during their mentorships, ACP’s customized program is designed to assist you on the path toward rewarding, meaningful employment. To determine if an ACP mentorship is right for you, visit acp-usa.org.
FREE BUSINESS CARDS!!!
Transitioning from military to civilian life? Let the Navy Supply Corps Foundation help you! We provide FREE BUSINESS CARDS to transitioning members– all you have to do is ask!
Why are business cards important?
REASON 1: Swapping contact information digitally is impersonal.
Sending contact information via text or email on the spot is convenient, but it is also extremely impersonal. Engaging in eye contact and actual conversation is how real relationships begin.
REASON 2: They are your most effective self-marketing tools.
Exchanging business cards in person is one of the most direct and effective ways of introducing yourself to and opening a conversation with people. Potential employers are more likely to call you back due to the way you gave out your card and introduced yourself–it shows sincerity.
REASON 3: Business cards get shared.
A business card is physical and portable. A phone contact exchange ends when you walk away. Handing over a business card gives the receiver an opportunity to share it with other people–putting you in front of additional prospects.
REASON 4: Business cards show you are prepared.
You can encounter a potential job lead or contact at any time–tradeshows, industry conferences, happy hour, airport lounges. Arming yourself with business cards at all times will ensure you never miss an opportunity to make a connection. Keep some in your pockets, wallet, and laptop bag so you are prepared.
Take advantage of FREE BUSINESS CARDS! Here’s how:
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!
Creating and Refining Your Perfect Resumé
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:
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 which will instantly resonate with an employer. It works with your hard skills, of course, but also things like strategy, teamwork, leadership, and forthrightness.
Bridge My Return is a Military Hiring Platform that effectively connects Veterans, Transitioning Military, Guard and Reserve members to career opportunities with Military-ready employers looking to recruit, develop and retain military talent.
Service members leverage BMR’s technology to translate their military skills into civilian skills, create a professional resume and get matched to jobs via the BMR algorithm.
This short video captures the aim, mission, vision and value of BMR.
Your time is valuable. We recognize that. But we think creating a BMR profile would be an excellent use of your time. Consider what you’ll get in return:
- Your military skills will be captured and converted into language employers will understand
- A resume will be automatically and instantly produced from your completed profile
- You’ll see job matches immediately upon profile completion; the software works 24/7, so new matching job opportunities with companies will surface without any additional effort
- You’ll have access to online video content to increase transition readiness and confidence
- And all services are provided at NO COST to you
BMR has provided a Profile Assistant (a guided tour) so you can cruise through the profile-building process with ease. To get started, visit www.bridgemyreturn.com.
After you have created your BMR profile, we (the Foundation and BMR) would like to get your feedback on the user experience. This information will assist in improving the BMR product as well as providing the Foundation with important input as we explore the possibility of an expanded partnership. You can send feedback to the Transition Committee at transition@unscf.com or to info@bridgemyreturn.com.
Build and Use Your 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.
Explore Available Employment Opportunities
Visit our Job Postings for a current listing of opportunities in your area. And follow us on LinkedIn for of Job Fairs and related information. See the bottom of this page for links to Job Sites. Check out the job postings specific to the skillset of our Supply Corps community!
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:
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.
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.
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.
Also, the Department of Veteran Affairs service, Heroes Linked, provides digital and virtual professional growth for Veterans. Resume advice, networking tips and assistance with finding Veteran-friendly jobs are a few of the professional development tools to those enrolled in the no-cost program Heroes Linked provides professional growth for Veterans – VAntage Point
Read more about Transition featured in The Oakleaf
Prepare for Your Financial Transition to Ensure You Don’t Get Short-Changed
Separating or retiring from the military poses many challenges. In addition to job and location changes, it is common for veterans to accumulate unexpected, mounting debt due to unforeseen and/or miscalculated circumstances. Some such circumstances include pay equity, cost-of-living adjustments, tax considerations, and lifestyle changes. Although the military attempts to help service members prepare for career and financial adjustments, the majority of veterans experience one or more costly oversights.
The Navy Supply Corps Foundation “From Sailor to Civilian” webinar, sponsored by TheProsperity Solutions Group®, does an outstanding job detailing your financial transition considerations. It also lays out an easy-to-follow financial transition plan to help make a seamless shift to civilian life. You can download the speakers notes for the financial transition webinar as well.
Whether you have already transitioned to civilian life or are planning to in the future, this webinar can help you! It contains financial strategies and information applicable to enhancing your money skills and cash flow–including important skills to help you pay off debt and keep more of what you earn.
To facilitate a smooth and well-planned financial transition to civilian life, do the following:
- Watch the “From Sailor to Civilian” webinar. Take lots of notes.
- Download and follow the Military to Civilian Financial Checklist from The Prosperity Solutions Group’s YourDebtFreeFuture.com website.
- Download and submit the Debt Payoff Analysis Form to get a FREE debt payoff savings report from The Prosperity Solutions Group.
- Take The Financial Acumen Course® to gain the financial literacy and strategic money management skills to pay off debts fast, enhance your credit score, and build a secure financial nest egg for retirement. (Be sure to use the coupon code NSCF-20 for a 20% Navy Supply Corps Foundation discount. A donation matching the discount will be made to the Navy Supply Corps Foundation.)
Thank you to our webinar sponsor, The Prosperity Solutions Group. The Prosperity Solutions Group helps people and businesses improve their financial picture– to get “money smart”.
Enjoy viewing the Webinar and please consider supporting our mission through a donation to the Foundation.
