From Partnership to Progress
There’s a universal truth we all learn in childhood: Sometimes it takes a few tries to get things right. It’s one of those lessons that greets us at every stage of life, from mastering tying our shoelaces to finding the right career. When making a major life transition like retiring from the military, it helps to maintain that persistence and patience until you settle into a path that feels right for you and your family. One of the best things you can do as a transitioning service member is find a guide who can help you evaluate your options and course-correct if things go awry.
A couple months into his ACP mentorship, U.S. Army First Sergeant Patric O’Keefe thought he’d checked all the boxes: He’d recently retired after 20 years in Special Forces, with a dozen deployments under his belt, and he had a new job that looked great on paper.
With two decades of high-tempo operations behind him, Patric and his family craved a more sustainable work-life balance. He quickly realized that the pace of his new start-up gig wasn’t providing it. Unhappy with constant work trips and absences from home, Patric and his ACP Mentor, Expert Technologist Jim Champion of American Water, dug into Patric’s underlying values and motivations so they could collaborate on the next move.
Jim advised Patric to focus on steadily completing his Bachelor’s Degree, one class at a time, as he restarted the job search. Patric appreciated this measured approach, and pacing himself eventually paid off: he recently accepted a new position with a much more manageable workload.
Reflecting on their success so far, Jim highlights how crucial it was for him to be open and honest with Patric. By creating a framework of mutual trust, the ACP mentorship program allows Veterans to formulate a long-term career plan that accounts for their unique personal circumstances.
