Green beret returns home and finds employment success
It’s a joy to highlight Mission43 members that have owned their transition out of the military and found success in their new civilian careers. Austin Overacre is one of these people. Austin reached out to Mission43 while he was still on Active Duty (highly suggest everyone does this) as he was preparing for his transition back to civilian life in his home town. He took full advantage of the resources available to him, received a professional certification (PMP), and now has gained employment with one of the largest Idaho-based employers doing exactly what he set out to do! Read more and take notes…Austin has some AMAZING advice!
briefly describe your background?
Austin: I was born and raised in Kimberly, Idaho. I enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 20 with an 18x (Special Forces candidate) contract. I was able to successfully navigate the Special Forces Qualification Course and became a 18B (Special Forces Weapons Sergeant). I was assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in 2013 and spent the next 10 years as a Senior Weapons Sergeant as a member of 2nd and 1st Battalions. I spent my last 3 years in the military as an instructor in the Special Forces Qualification Course where I taught Unconventional Warfare in Robin Sage, the culminating exercise for the Special Forces Qualification Course. I was medically retired from the military in 2023 after serving for 12 years in the Special Operations Community.
what brought you back to Idaho?
Austin: When I joined the Military, like most I assume, I never wanted to go back to my hometown. I wanted more out of life and an adventure that I was certain meant never moving back. I found my adventures and experienced the ups and downs of life while living in a lot of different countries and states. As I grew older and had a family of my own, I realized just how great Southern Idaho is to raise kids, enjoy nature, and live. My hometown looks much different then when I enlisted and has grown a lot. The main reason I believe is because the secret of Idaho has gotten out.
What value did Mission43 and Hire Heroes USA bring to your job search?
Austin: My first impression of the services and resources was a sigh of relief. I had never had a resume prior to joining the military and did not know how to translate my military service to civilian terms. Hire Heroes USA was able to pair me with a counselor who helped to tailor my resume, format it correctly, and give me constructive feedback as I began refining the resume to specific job postings. Mission43 was instrumental in networking in my local area. They were able to get my foot in the door to talk with HR professionals in my local area and really helped to bridge the gap and introduce me to potential employers. I also utilized the mock interview prep prior to interviewing for the position I currently hold today. This was by far the most useful tool that was provided. I had interviewed for countless other positions before this, and what they don’t tell you after an interview is…how you did and how to improve! The interview prep really set me up for success because they were able to tailor it to the specific job posting and give industry advice at the same time.
What professional role are now in?
Austin: I am currently a Project Manager for St. Lukes Health System in Magic Valley.
What was the best part about working with hire heroes usa and mission43?
Austin: The key factor was the constant contact and legitimate feeling of caring about me during my transition.
describe the overall impact our services had on your personal/professional life?
Austin: Overall, I do not believe I would have had as great of success during my transition without Mission43. Professionally, I feel that I have a growing network of Veterans that I can always reach out to for advice as well as refer those struggling to utilize their services.
What ADVICE would you give to Military members and their spouses as they transition out of the military?
Austin: The best advice I was given when I was saying my farewells to [my military] friends and co-workers was not a step-by-step guide that worked for them or unsolicited advice on what I should do for a living. The best advice I was ever given was to simply “build your network”. As a Green Beret, I was taught, and have taught hundreds of students, the importance of building networks for a Resistance movement to survive in an Unconventional Warfare environment. Building a network takes time, requires vast amounts of resources, and must be vetted, redundant, and tested for it to be a viable option to accomplish your mission. In retrospect, his advice was the same as the network requirements I just listed out. Transitioning is not just about the job, it is about building networks of friends, family, and professional contacts. These networks grow slowly over time and give you the opportunity to vet them and see if they are worth pursuing. In the end, my journey is no different than most veterans, but my advice is to utilize an “unconventional” mindset and focus on the quality of your networks and the career will become the byproduct of your investment.
The success that Austin experienced during his transition back to civilian life is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He formulated a plan and worked that plan, part of which included leveraging the Idaho-based employment team at Mission43 and Hire Heroes USA. Our mission is to assist military members and their spouses as they find meaningful employment in Idaho after the military. It’s never too early to contact our team and begin planning your transition back to civilian employment.