Boots to Loafers

Finding Your New True North

By: LTC John W. Phillips

Narrated by: CAPT Kevin F. Spalding USNR-Ret

Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

The best military transition field manual. A no-nonsense process for any transitioning military member that is based on real experiences. This audiobook is a true guide for what you need to know, not what an ACAP or TAP instructor has in their script

Every military service member will experience three phases as he moves from a military career to a life outside the gate: transition, transformation, and integration. The foundation of Boots to Loafers is built upon these three concepts. They provide the structure for the advice and guidelines I want to convey to you. You may experience each of these to different degrees depending on your wishes, circumstances, goals, and surrounding environment.

These three stages will vary from individual to individual, and they will be shaped by one's attitude and inner strength as well as his ability to manage the hurdles of life. From the first day you set foot into boot camp, no matter what service you have been in, until the final days of pre-deployment training exercises or redeployment, you are taught to always pay attention to every detail in every situation.

Our military knows how to turn you on and get you fired up for a mission. Transitioning out of boots will require the same focus on details and the energy to get fired up for your next mission, getting a job. More than a decade of war in God knows where in the world and many of America's treasure, our young men and women, will come home and be lost when it comes to preparing for their next fight - finding a job!

Many will leave the military voluntarily; more than 1.5 million will leave in the next five years. Boots gives them a helping hand, a guide: their new field manual that I never had when I retired from the US Army and entered corporate America. Let me help them find their new true north.

©2014 LTC (R) John W. Phillips (P)2015 LTC (R) John W. Phillips

Pertinent and detailed. A great guide. BZ!

Would you listen to Boots to Loafers again? Why?

No. Am retired and listened to the audio book as a courtesy review after having spent a good deal of my post military career as an HR interviewer for a major utility.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The STAR system is relevant to both the hiring mangers and the candidates. The explanation of this system was very well done and appropriately emphasized.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

STAR

Any additional comments?

Quite thorough. Well outlined. Logically presented.

Great book for those transiting to new career!

Would you consider the audio edition of Boots to Loafers to be better than the print version?

I listened to the book on Aubible and then went to the printed version for the reference as a resource.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Boots to Loafers?

This book is more informational. I enjoyed learning how for-profit companies function. I have mostly worked in the non-profit companies.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Boots to Loafers?

Recently, I was laid off after working for the same company for 10 years. I quickly discovered that job hunting was quite different from 10 years ago. And, although I never served in the military; a veteran friend recommended this book. It covers EVERYTHING from where to begin looking for the next opportunity, to resumes, interviewing, negotiating the offer, understanding benefits and how to adjust to the new company culture. Boots to Loafers is a great resource for ANYONE transiting, whether that is from a military career to civilian job, new college graduate, or changing careers. The narrator also made the book very engaging and easy to follow.

This is a great guide for job seekers everywhere!

What did you love best about Boots to Loafers?

Boots to Loafers was a very interesting read. Or listen in this case!. As an HR professional, I found that the descriptions John Phillips gave of the recruiting processes in many companies was spot on. Any job seeker would benefit from the information in this book, but transitioning service members will especially find it helpful.

Which scene was your favorite?

Capt. Spalding's calm articulation and pronunciation while reading the book was pleasant. I thought that his advice to Guardsmen and Reservists is very applicable to this special set of veterans.

Any additional comments?

This book would have been most helpful to our family when my husband transitioned into the private sector. LTC Phillips has broken down the whole process into manageable steps with good advice and helpful tips along the way.

Read this book - well before you EAS or retire!

What made the experience of listening to Boots to Loafers the most enjoyable?

LTC Phillips was very thorough in the guidance that he provided for transitioning service members. He covers every aspect of the move from a military to a civilian career. CAPT Spalding provides a clear and concise reading of this book with tone and inflection when necessary. LTC Phillips was also very kind to allow CAPT Spalding with the outstanding opportunity to promote the great volunteer work provided by the volunteers and staff of the Department of Defense's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.

What other book might you compare Boots to Loafers to and why?

This is the first book that I've "read" related to transitioning service members.

Have you listened to any of CAPT Kevin F. Spalding USNR-Ret’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Have not listened to any of CAPT Spalding's works before this one.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Our service men and women really need to regularly thinking about their next chapter(s) in life. There are too many instances of, typically, junior enlisted members who wait until it's too late to begin their transition into the corporate sector, then they grasp at any job they can get rather than carefully planning out their next career moves. This results in a very low retention rate for veterans in new positions because they weren't prepared. This book is an incredible resource - please use it early!!!

Any additional comments?

Thank you LTC Phillips for the time and efforts that you dedicated to this very important topic! It was also great having Mr. Falcone (an HR professional and not a military veteran), contribute to the book as well. His experiences in this space and how it relates to transitioning military provided above-and-beyond credibility for LTC Phillips work.

This book is a must for those exiting active duty.

What made the experience of listening to Boots to Loafers the most enjoyable?

This book is a must for those exiting their active duty military life. The narrator brings alive the critical subject matter contained in the text. His narration also makes the nature of the transition to civilian life very real and understandable thus providing a “real person” to follow through this process. You can also feel that he has “been there” and that brings a level of confidence to the listener that can’t be gotten from reading the book alone. This book covers the full spectrum of activity, from mindset, resumes, interview/hiring practices, discussing salary and benefits, interoffice dynamics, to the value of continuing service as an active reservist. The latter being something that I wish I had been exposed to when I left active duty.

Which scene was your favorite?

Discussing salary and benefits and the value of continuing service as an active reservist

Good Good

What did you learn from Boots to Loafers that you would use in your daily life?

It Translates! Remember the experiences that one has in life translate into the workforce. Just make sure your resume says it and you can speak to it.

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed the insights from CAPT Spalding in the bonus section.

Must-read guide for vets going into private sector

What did you learn from Boots to Loafers that you would use in your daily life?

Boots to Loafers is chock full of valuable information specifically geared towards veterans who are transitioning out of the military and into private sector careers -- plus some great anecdotes that just about every servicemember will be able to relate to. As a veteran who was a Reservist, and now a military spouse who has had to do the job hunt many times, I can attest to the fact that this book is applicable to veterans, yes, but also military spouses and civilians -- essentially anyone who would like to gain a solid understanding of corporate culture, how to get your foot in the door, and how to succeed once you're there. I thoroughly appreciated the way in which the book gets down into the nitty-gritty of resume writing, interviewing, and even wardrobe choices. Once you've succeeded in making your way into the corporate world, the advice on culture and leadership style in the corporate world -- especially as it contrasts with that of the military world -- is eye-opening.

Any additional comments?

The audiobook has a bonus chapter at the end specifically geared towards members of the Reserves/Guard. FYI -- this chapter is not included in the paperback/Kindle versions of the book, but is a helpful resource for members of the Reserves and Guard.