What’s Next: Ratings Matter

WHAT’S NEXT

Transition to Civilian Life

By Eve Nasby & Kristin Hennessy

Abilities and Disabilities: Ratings Matter!

Last month, we were delighted to write about the power of the movie, Maverick. This month, we spoke with Tim Fedrick to get his advice on transition. Tim spent over 30 years in the Navy. His journey began from one military movie: Navy SEALS.

Tim Fedrick credits this movie to his decision to join the Navy. He watched the much acclaimed Charlie Sheen flick as he was graduating high school. Before seeing it, he planned to play baseball for a small college in Louisiana, and immediately changed his course to join the Navy after seeingit. He eventually made it to BUDs and enjoyed a 30+ year career doing what he loved, before deciding to transition out. He shares his experience to help you transition successfully.

Repetition is a good teacher.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again. And again. You must start EARLY to plan for a successful transition. Starting early will ensure all of your bases are covered, and you’re making the right choices with the right knowledge to propel you forward so you’re not drowning.

Choose the right boat to take you to shore.

Some say veterans in transition are drowning in a sea of goodwill. This means you’re still drowning! Tim says, “there are thousands of life rafts out there. You need to know which one will take you to the right shore.” Translation - there are thousands of organizations out there that will purport to help you transition well. But do your research and make sure it’s the RIGHT one. It’s easy to feel lost and drowning, and grasp on to the islands of opportunity in the horizon. Some of these organizations do mean well, but some may take advantage of your ignorance of the civilian world. So, you must network! Ask questions, be curious, and be diligent in getting information you feel is trustworthy before you follow any path that seems promising.

Be concerned about your health.

What? This took a turn. (Well, repetition is boring!) Tim notes that in addition to doing your research on what types of employers are a fit, and what location would best suit your needs, you need to be very concerned about your health. Tim states emphatically, “most veterans short change themselves as they transition out when it comes to getting a correct disability rating.”

Get the RIGHT DISABILITY RATING!

The all-caps is meant to emphasize! If you underestimate your health, you will pay for it later, and it can greatly impact the earnings you are entitled to receive. You need to get the right rating! Tim highly recommends going to a doctor outside of the VA to go over your medical paperwork and history to assess your disability status BEFORE starting communications with the VA. This ensures that everything is accounted for and nothing falls through the cracks.

Doctors and corpsmen in med school don’t major in handwriting. If something is scribbled, or can’t be read, it’s not accounted for. If something goes unaccounted for, and then it’s signed off, you are stuck with that rating. Meaning, you won’t get compensated for as much as you should have. Get as many non-military doctors to assess you before going to the VA.

Tim was fortunate to have the services of the R4ST to help him organize all he needed to get his disability rating; however, he recounts instances where veterans only received 50% rating when they should have received 100% because of poor preparation on their part. Once that rating is decided, it’s decided.

Be wary of overpromises.

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you have a buddy wanting you to work for his startup, you may put all of your eggs in one basket and end up disappointed and back at square one.

Tim advises to be aware of the risks of going full force towards a startup. He recounts an opportunity with a startup that had raised millions of dollars and the new employee was promised 20% of the company. Two months later, they had only made $400. If you’re going to go this route, have a back-up plan. Or, if you want to jump into a startup, do that while also investing your time into a full-time opportunity.

Jim Gruny

Tim is an Executive Producer and host of a show called “Veterans In Transition” TV Series. He is also a leadership coach and advocate for his fellow veterans. He’s been featured on many podcasts talking about his transition and his success today. He is very well connected with dozens of fantastic nonprofits across various branches of services and areas of expertise, and is happy to have a personal conversation with you to help you find out exactly what you need and make the right connections for you.

www.linkedin.com/in/timfedrick/

For more information or help transitioning contact Eve Nasby at eve@bandofhands.com www.linkedin.com/in/eve-nasby-given-hiring-expert www.bandofhands.com