Are Military Veterans Fit for Civilian Jobs ?

“Are Military Veterans Fit for Civilian Jobs...?

Maybe – I should paraphrase this question: 

“Is Military Experience of any use in “Civvy Street”...?”

Maybe this apocryphal story will throw some light on this issue...

“FAUJI” LOGIC – How to Appear for Job Interviews

A Spoof

By

VIKRAM KARVE

A “Fauji” military officer quit the “Fauj” after 10 years service and he decided to try his luck in the “Civvy Street”.

He was 30 years old.

[Most likely – he was a Short Service Commission (SSC) Officer]

The “Fauji” job seeker applied for a vacancy in the industry.

He was duly called for an interview.

The employer asked him: “How many years work experience do you have?”

“20 years...” the “Fauji” job-seeker answered.

The employer observed that the “Fauji” veteran looked relatively young – in fact – his age seemed to be around 30 years.

That is why he was surprised when the young veteran claimed to have 20 years experience.

So – the curious employer asked the young “Fauji” veteran: “Tell me – young man – how old are you...?”

“I am 30 years old...” the young “Fauji” job-seeker answered.

“When did you start working...?”

“I joined the Army in July 2005...” the “Fauji” job-seeker answered.

“You joined the Army in July 2005 – and now it is July 2015 – that means you have only 10 years service.”

“Yes,” the “Fauji” job-seeker said nonchalantly.

Getting exasperated with this answer – the infuriated employer shouted: “What nonsense is this? With only 10 years service – how can you have 20 years experience...?”

The “Fauji” job-seeker answered in a cool and matter-of-fact manner:

“In the Army – we work twice the amount as compared to you civilians. In the civilian world – you work 8 hours a day. But in the Army – we worked 16 hours a day – or even more – and – sometimes – on Sundays and Holidays too. We are always on duty 24/7. So – in my 10 years service – I have certainly gained 20 years experience – probably even more...” 

The employer had no sense of humour.

He could not understand this “Fauji” logic.

Hence – the employer was not impressed by the answer. 

And so – the “Fauji” job-seeker did not get the job.

Wondering why he did not get the job despite his brilliant answer – the “Fauji” job seeker spent the next one year reflecting in deep introspection and contemplation – trying to figure out the reason why he did not get the job.

Suddenly – one day – the “Fauji” job-seeker was enlightened. 

So – he immediately applied for a job at the same place again – and was called for an interview.

The employer – on recognizing the “Fauji” job-seeker – asked him: “So young man – how many years experience do you have now...?”

“One year – I have 1 year experience...” the “Fauji” job-seeker said – without batting an eyelid.

“One year...?  You are saying that you have only 1 year experience ...? Are you crazy or something...?” the dumbfounded employer asked, “Last year you said that you had 20 years experience – and now you say that you have only 1 year experience...”

The “Fauji” job-seeker gave the employer an astute look.

Then – “Fauji” Veteran said calmly:

“Actually – in the Army – they make you do the same thing again and again – so – I realized that – I had learnt my job in 1 year – and – after that – I was doing the same thing for the next 10 years. That works out to be 1 year of experience – 10 times – isn’t it...?”

He got the job.

Moral of the Story:

1. If your ultimate aim is to work in “Civvy Street” – is there any point gaining “experience” in the military? 

(I am baffled why some bright youngsters join the military as Short Service Commission (SCC) Officers when they know that they have get back to the Civilian World in 5/7/10 years. Why not join the corporate world/industry directly after graduation?)

2. If you are already in the military and want a good “second innings” in “Civvy Street” – the earlier you quit – the better for your career prospects in your “second innings”.

3. The longer you serve in the military – the more “unfit” you become for “Civvy Street”.

VIKRAM KARVE

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Disclaimer:

1. This story is a spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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This spoof is an improvised version of my story was written by me Vikram Karve around 30 years ago in the 1980s and posted online by me earlier in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/11/work-experience.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/07/humor-in-uniform-fauji-logic-how-to.html