BOOK AWARD WINNER: MISSION TRANSITION: NAVIGATING THE OPPORTUNITIES AND OBSTACLES TO YOUR POST-MILITARY CAREER

Nonfiction Book Award Status: SILVER

Synopsis

Mission Transition is an essential career-change guide for any transitioning veteran that wants to avoid false starts and make optimal career choices following active duty.

Every year, about a quarter of a million veterans leave the military – most of whom are grossly unprepared for the transition. These service members have developed incredible leadership, problem-solving, and practical skills that are underutilized once they reach the civilian world, a detriment to both themselves and society. 

Well-intentioned Transition Assistance Programs and other support structures within the armed forces often leave veterans fending for themselves. And the mission-first culture of the military results in servicemembers focusing on their active duty roles in the year leading up to their separation, leaving them little time to adequately prepare to join the civilian world. 

Mission Transition guides military personnel through the entire process of making a successful move into civilian professional life. This book will: 

• Guide you through the process of discovering what path you want to take going forward 
• Teach you the strategies that will make your résumé stand out
• Provide suggestions to help you prepare for and ace the interview
• Discuss ways to acclimate to your new organization’s culture and pay it forward to other veterans 

Each chapter includes advice from other veterans, illustrations of key concepts, summaries, and suggested resources. 

Author Bio

Matt Louis is one of the nation’s leading experts in career transition for veterans and public service professionals. He advises veterans on their transition efforts and employers on hiring programs designed to successfully assimilate these valuable talent pools. Matt serves as the veteran Transition Assistance officer for his West Point class and actively serves several veteran collaboratives around the country. 
 
During active commissioned service in the US Army, Matt served in the Southwest Asia combat theater and in the 194th Separate Armored Brigade. During reserve commissioned service, Matt served on the staff of the Army’s Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and commanded multiple regions around the country for the US Military Academy’s Admissions Office. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel. Matt holds an MBA in Operations and Finance from The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from West Point, and is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College. He is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, a Project Management Professional, and holds the ASCM organization’s Certified Supply Chain Professional designation. 

Learn more about the Nonfiction Book Awards.