In fact, this is the toughest part of my job as a Public Affairs Officer managing communication for the Marine Corps.

As a PAO, I don’t “spin” the facts and I don’t “doctor” the news.  I tell the truth.  I have nothing to sell you; only to communicate facts and bad news doesn’t grow in a vineyard, nor does it get better with age.

My job as a PAO is to communicate factual information about the Marine Corps, good or bad to our constituents in a timely manner, while balancing your right to know with my need to survive.

As a Public Affairs Officer for the Marines, Danny is an innovative and forward-thinking executive, with a passion for leveraging effective communications to fuel employee-engagement, build community goodwill, and drive profits.

1. The Long Dinner
2. Reconnect and Connect
3. Get Branded
4. Wear It Right
5. Don’t Talk, Communicate!

If you forget everything, remember that in all five steps you are communicating.  The Long Dinner is setting the stage for proper communication; networking is communicating; branding is communicating… you get the idea.

Someone once said, you are ALWAYS marketing yourself.  I submit that we are always communicating something.  The boots you wear, the color of tie, even the perfume says something.

Do you carry an iPod or a Blackberry?  Do you drive a Camaro or a Hybrid?  Do you speak with an accent or a drawl?

Communication never stops.

Marketing on the other hand is wearing the loose-fitting jeans, boat shoes, t-shirt, un-tucked of course, and unkempt hair.

Marketing is wearing cuff links with slacks and dress shoes.

Marketing is selling; communicating is not.  (More on this later)

Know what to say; how to say it; and who you’re saying it to.  Be a professional communicator.  This is step 5.

As a Public Affairs Officer for the Marines, Danny is an innovative and forward-thinking executive, with a passion for leveraging effective communications to fuel employee-engagement, build community goodwill, and drive profits.

As a transitioning Marine Public Affairs Officer, I’ve found little in terms of resources geared for officers.  As such, unless you’re looking for a position as a defense contractor or to continue to serve as a civil servant, there isn’t much out there to help you make that professional transition.

While maneuvering my way through this jungle, I hope to document lessons learned and add some personal insights to help following Marines, officer or enlisted, make the right transition as efficiently as possible.

I truly believe our military retirees have strong potential in the civilian sectors of our society, yet few are willing to take that small leap of faith to hire on a military executive.  I hope to change that.

Semper fidelis and I look forward to your candid feedback.

-Danny

STEP TWO: Reconnect and Connect

One word: “LinkedIN“. (Click on it and you’ll see an example of what your LinkedIn page might look like.)

This is your launch pad; your starting point; your springboard into the world of connections.

Step 2.A: Register on LinkedIn.com

This is your online, professional resume website. Did I mention it’s free?

Step 2.B: Develop your professional resume.

Step 2.C: Proof-read your resume. Take a break – go out for a walk – then, proof-read it again.

Step 2.D: Post it. Now, you’re established on LinkedIn.  Congrats, you now exist.

Be advised, you will begin receiving requests to “connect”. There is an entire world of LinkedIn Etiquette that you should heed before rampantly going off and accepting anyone and everyone. But that’s for next time.

START EARLY – 2 YEARS OUT IF POSSIBLE.

As any good military officer worth his salt knows, you begin with the PLANNING PROCESS.

By the way, this is something “suits” don’t learn. There isn’t an MBA class on the planning process like the ones we learn about in Expeditionary Warfare School or Joint Command Staff. And whether you’re in the Army and call it R2P2 (no relation to C3PO) or a Marine, and call it MCPP (“mc-pee-pee”), it’s a valuable lesson so revisit it and refresh your skill set.

STEP ONE: Take your spouse to a long dinner at the nicest place you can afford.

Here’s the honest truth: you’re approaching your “half-life”. Yes, nearly half your life is over and by now you should have a spouse. We all need one. She or he is our better half and will keep us out of trouble or get give it to us to make us better. We all need one. This is the person who will keep you accountable and on track when you feel like procrastinating; this is the person who will listen to you rant and rave, then provide sound counsel; and this is the person who will tell you your breath stinks and your fly is open. This is the person you can trust.

So take her out to dinner. This is your first step.

But do it right. You’re a military officer for crying out loud! Do it right. Get some recommendations, read the reviews, study the menu and make a reservation. And plan on spending a long 2 to 3 hours eating slowly, sipping wine, and discussing your next life-step.

This is step one.

As a Public Affairs Officer for the Marines, Danny is an innovative and forward-thinking executive, with a passion for leveraging effective communications to fuel employee-engagement, build community goodwill, and drive profits.

This is your life! Your quality of life for at least the next 3-5 years. How a job search is conducted, unless you simply happen to have Donald Trump’s business card in your back pocket and he is expecting your call, will determine your willingness to wake up in the morning. It will determine your physical being as well as your emotional state of being every day. Will you long for the weekends to get away from it all, or will you think, dream, and calculate next week’s projects at work?

This is important!

So here’s the process, but realize first that seeking employment is time consuming, time consuming, and yes, time consuming.

As a Public Affairs Officer for the Marines, Danny is an innovative and forward-thinking executive, with a passion for leveraging effective communications to fuel employee-engagement, build community goodwill, and drive profits.

My life as I know it is about to change.  And it’s all my doing.

I’m retiring from the Corps, or rather “transitioning” as my corporate recruiter friends have asked me to term it.  As I trudge through this process, I’m learning.  And as any good leader will do, whether you want it or not, I will try to share what I know.

Good luck and Semper Fi!

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As a Public Affairs Officer for the Marines, Danny is an innovative and forward-thinking executive, with a passion for leveraging effective communications to fuel employee-engagement, build community goodwill, and drive profits.