After a 20-year career in the Air Force, Jason retired and moved with his family to Wyoming. Shortly afterward, he was hired into a remote, entry-level business development role with a medium-sized aerospace and defense company. Within 14 months, Jason was promoted to Managing Director for Japan, Korea, and Taiwan—an executive-level position.
While this rapid rise within the company was flattering and exciting, Jason quickly realized he was unprepared for the demands of these roles. He struggled to understand the specific actions needed to succeed, how to collaborate effectively with colleagues, and how to leverage his skills within the organization.
Lacking a clear roadmap or tools to navigate this new environment, he resorted to an ad hoc approach: working tirelessly, talking to as many people as possible, and attempting to piece together an understanding of how to operate effectively.
This approach brought its own set of challenges. Who should he consult? What questions should he ask? Could he be fully transparent with his boss about his uncertainties?
In hindsight, it took Jason 3-4 years to gain a solid footing in the aerospace and defense industry and this trial-and-error process came at a significant personal and professional cost. On a personal level, it created substantial stress for him and his family. Professionally, the learning curve led to missed business opportunities, which translated to lost revenue and earnings for the business.
Motivated by these experiences, Jason founded PreVeteran to address the challenges of military transition. PreVeteran delivers scalable, individualized training to service members and veterans, helping them optimize their post-military lives and careers.