Compilation of Pros/Cons/Lessons learned from those separated

[BACONATOR]

I'm sure this has made it to many circles, but haven't seen it around these parts. For those thinking about getting out, it has a lot of good advice/perspective from those recently and far-removed from their separation from the Navy.

The spreadsheet breaks down each entry by time served, years since separated, and then comments about what they should have done better to prepare, what's better in civvy street, what's better about the military, and advice to those thinking about separating.

Mods, my apologies if this is a repost, and please delete. Just thought it was a good read for those on the cusp of a decision.

Since I can't attach .xls files with this forum software, please PM me, or post if you're daring and I can email it to you, or if a mod can explain to me like a small child how to attach it, I can do that too.

 

[bert]

You may already have tried this, but you can save it as a .pdf directly in excel and post it (but if there is a column with names I'd delete that). You also might have to play around with the column width.

I've just gone through the job hunting process and can probably answer questions about engineering jobs, helo flying jobs, management jobs, and recruiters if people have them.

 

[phrogpilot73]

...or if a mod can explain to me like a small child how to attach it, I can do that too.

The forum software allows you to attach PDF files. With it open in Office 2007/2010 - select "Save As" and there's an option for PDF.

 

[BACONATOR]

Good call. Let's revert to the good old days of emailing a FITREP/EVAL and rename it so you can email it. The attachment is PDF, but you MUST re-name it with an .xls file extension and it should work. I tested changing it and changing it back. If it doesn't work, PM me.

 

[BACONATOR]

The forum software allows you to attach PDF files. With it open in Office 2007/2010 - select "Save As" and there's an option for PDF.

Good call, Phrog, however I'll just keep it renamed and allow people to rename it back to XLS because since the spreadsheet was arranged so poorly and you have to click on individual blocks to read all the text, the export to PDF is just a disaster and you'd have multiple pages width and length and it's all cutoff. I think the rename place is the most feasible for people to get the info.

 

[phrogpilot73]

I think the rename place is the most feasible for people to get the info.

I'd disagree. In order to change the file extension, you have to go into the command prompt to do it - and I would argue that in this day and age not everyone knows how to do that. With the FITREP renaming - you can do that in explorer, because it's generally file extensions that Windows doesn't recognize. I recommend MediaFire or something similar.

 

[BACONATOR]

I'd disagree. In order to change the file extension, you have to go into the command prompt to do it - and I would argue that in this day and age not everyone knows how to do that. With the FITREP renaming - you can do that in explorer, because it's generally file extensions that Windows doesn't recognize. I recommend MediaFire or something similar.

Sorry, I'm a MAC guy at home... I can just change the extension in the filename and it swaps file type. Is this not the case for windows peeps?

/momentary computer noob.

 

[phrogpilot73]

Sorry, I'm a MAC guy at home... I can just change the extension in the filename and it swaps file type. Is this not the case for windows peeps?

/momentary computer noob.

Nope. If it's a file extension that Windows recognizes - the ONLY way to change the file extension is via the command prompt (Windows doesn't give you the full filename in explorer, just the part before the extension). Mac/Linux guys no problem - but I'd argue that you're still not in the majority. I downloaded it and renamed it, becuase I'm savvy, but I'm at work so can't access MediaFire or the other file hosting sites. Again, that's probably the easiest way to get something on here with a file extension that the forum won't accept.

 

[BACONATOR]

oooook, problem solved. Here's the link, everyone.

http://www.mediafire.com/view/?f92jbi0km4fqj0z

ANNND.... format still sucks.

 

[Gatordev]

@Phrog,

Not that it negates your point that most struggle with renaming a FITREP file, you can actually change file extensions in Windows, you just have to change a setting in the view preferences to tell Windows to display all file extensions. As you said, even that might cause issues.

Otto, unless there's a reason not to, I'm moving this over to the Private Transition section (everyone with Wings can see it). I can always move it back if that's a problem.

EDIT: Okay, that's weird, I could have sworn the Transition area was called something different in the previous software version. Since we occasionally have privilege issues with this software, I'm just moving this to Misc.

 

[phrogpilot73]

Not that it negates your point that most struggle with renaming a FITREP file, you can actually change file extensions in Windows, you just have to change a setting in the view preferences to tell Windows to display all file extensions. As you said, even that might cause issues.

Yeah, I know - but I think only the more computer savvy are going to know that. The older/less computer savvy are likely going to know how to use a DOS command prompt, since it was an almost integral portion of your Windows experience until probably Vista.