Not knowing when the right time is to focus on your transition instead of your military obligations is one of the many struggles for many transitioning service members. One of the requirements of the Onward to Opportunity program is a document that requires battalion-level leadership approval. I believe this document creates an understanding for the service members and their units.

This is a great program with great resources, and your commitment to success is vital to make the best use of time. My advice would be to make the program your mission. Set your study plan and create weekly small wins for yourself. You must commit to your goals and hold yourself accountable to make up your shortfalls to remain on schedule.

With that mindset I knew that completing my certification on time was a must and I held myself accountable to meet my study goals. I took the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam and passed. Soon after, the referrals and job opportunities were flooding in. Some of the offers were within the six figures. I was able to secure a job as a Transportation Operations Manager at the United States Air Force Academy. The employment market during COVID-19 did not change, but my marketability did with the O2O program.

Alange Castelly
Sergeant First Class (E7), U.S. Army
Onward to Opportunity – Fort Carson, CO
Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) Participant