My transition to civilian life, assisted by the Army

VICENZA, Italy - Leaving the Army can be a stressful experience. But in my case, it offered me a chance to take part in the Transition Assistance Program and a four-month career skills internship.

The program promises service members the opportunity to gain work experience as a civilian to help them find employment after their service. For me, it did that and more.

I first learned of the Career Skills Program a year ago from a noncommissioned officer in my unit, American Forces Network Vicenza. That NCO went stateside and worked near their home.

For me, Los Angeles is home. But, being native to Italy, home is also here where I have been stationed for the past few years. I've been a broadcaster for AFN and worked closely with the U.S. Army Garrison Italy public affairs office. I'm not sure what to do after the Army, but I think it is something close to public affairs.

So, I made the decision to hang up the uniform. But before leaving, I took the TAP classes and learned more about CSP. The garrison public affairs office seemed like a good fit.

I learned that public affairs office has three pillars of the profession; community relations, media relations and command information. I got the chance to practice each of them.

My mentor, Randall Jackson, quickly had me in the deep end of the pool, so they say.

I led a high-visibility communication plan to support U.S. Ambassador Jack Markell's visit to Caserma Ederle. Then I was interviewing the mother of a fallen Soldier for a story on garrison support to Gold Star family members. During the garrison's "black start" exercise - a test of the garrison's ability to operate with a significant power loss - I was out in the community informing people of the situation.

On September 11, I helped the garrison commander share our Army story with the Italian press and local community officials during a 9/11 ceremony in nearby Padova. Knowing fluent Italian helped a lot.

What a unique experience for an Army NCO, to be able to expand my knowledge in such a variety of situations in the final months of my service.

Tony Forbes, the USAG Italy Transition Assistance program manager, works with Soldiers who are transitioning out of the military. The CSP program is an integral resource for servicemembers reentering civilian life, he told me.

"These Soldiers are getting out and they have a job, whether they're going to college or university they have a part time job, if they go home, they can learn a trade and eventually have a job," Forbes said.

Gregory Storch, the TAP contract installation manager, got me started on CSP. Programs like CSP have impacted the employment rates amongst service members who have transitioned out of the military, he said.

"This program is actually impacting the employment rate in the United States. We have helped Soldiers and military members from all branches of the service seek and find employment where they may not have had opportunities before," Storch said.

Participating in the CSP gave me the opportunity to learn skills that I was missing and will help me find employment and transition back to the civilian world. At the public affairs office, I received mentorship from my supervisors and help on writing a professional resume.

After completing my CSP I now feel more comfortable working in a civilian environment. As I hang up the uniform, I feel more prepared.

If you are local to USAG Italy and need more information on the Career Skills Program, please visit the installations official website.

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