A Transition Story: “Plan Your Dive and Dive Your Plan”

By: Allison Stevens

Retired Army Col. Larry Perino’s first combat experience was a trial by fire—in the most literal sense of the word.

Three years after graduating from the US Military Academy at West Point in upstate New York, Perino found himself in the crosshairs of the bloodiest firefight since the Vietnam War. His life-saving efforts during the infamous Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia (captured in the book and award-winning film “Black Hawk Down” and retold in a new Netflix documentary “Surviving Black Hawk Down”) launched a celebrated 25-year career and earned him a Silver Star for combat valor.

In honor of National Hire a Veteran Day on July 25, Perino—now Assistant Vice President of Business Solutions at Navy Federal Credit Union—shares lessons learned from his transition a decade ago to corporate life.

Q: Why did you decide to retire from the Army?

Perino: Retiring from military service was admittedly a challenge. Military service was all I had known for almost three decades. It made me who I was as a person, so figuring out what to do as a second act was daunting. But when it came down to it, I knew it was time to make that transition. I loved serving with soldiers. And, if that was all there was to consider, I would have stayed until they made me retire.

This was not my only consideration, though. My wife had a career and did not want to move away from her hometown here in Pensacola, Florida. To he honest, for the last 15 years of my career, I moved pretty much every 18 months. That’s a lot of permanent changes of station (PCS). We were tired.

Lastly, for the last five years of my career, I was either deployed to a combat zone or serving in a different state than my family, and living the life of a “geographical bachelor” wears on a family. Lastly, we were about to be empty nesters. I was ready to step out of uniform.

Q: How did you prepare for your departure?

Perino: For me, figuring out what I was going to do for a second act was a tough one, as it is for many who make the transition.

My first task was to figure out what I wanted in terms of a career field and then narrow that even further to location of the job. I then figured out my compensation requirements to sustain the family. That was it. It was a bit more difficult when I retired, as fantastic programs like SkillBridge didn’t exist back then. To prepare, I researched and thought deeply about how to leverage my 25-year career into a new job where I would be able to both apply my skills and feel fulfilled.

Q: How did you find employment in the civilian world?

Perino: I was lucky early on. I started out working for a government contracting company as a 1099 employee, and that was fine, and then rolled straight into another government contracting position, but for a larger company managing multiple contracts across the Department of Defense. I soon discovered I didn’t like being a program manager. But it was not the work; it was the culture. So, I jumped ship after 18 months and landed at Navy Federal, which operates a major campus in Pensacola.

Q: What challenges did you face as you transitioned?

Perino: There were several: Finding a job that I truly enjoyed and left me feeling fulfilled. Identifying skillsets that would translate to a corporate environment and allow me to prosper in a civilian job. Communicating how my skills could bring value to a hiring manager who had little to no military experience—that may have been the most difficult one. In the end, it is all about finding a new mission.

Q: Did Navy Federal help you adjust? If so, how?

Perino: I worked in a different career field before coming to Navy Federal—and learned where I did not want to work and what was truly most important to me. I learned I wanted a mission where I felt fulfilled and a job where I could add value. Ultimately, I went with culture, which is why I’m still here.

Q: How does your military experience support your success at Navy Federal—and particularly your work with “Vetrepreneurs” and other business owners?

Perino: I know where our members come from. I understand their challenges and needs. I help my teammates at Navy Federal better understand our members as well. I do believe that my military experience gave me the ability to be mission-focused toward a common goal or objective.

Quite a few of my former colleagues are still serving in senior leadership positions in the military, and many are now business owners themselves. I feel that I bring credibility and trust and can help make connections.

As for Vetrepreneurs, I know where they come from and what qualities and attributes make a Veteran a successful business owner. It is because of this that I really think that Navy Federal has the potential to really help these Veteran business owners thrive across ALL stages of a business lifecycle. There are over 1.6 million Veteran-owned businesses, and, given our mission and our field of membership, there is no reason why we should not be their financial institution of choice.

Q: What advice do you have for others making the transition—and particularly those pursuing entrepreneurship?

Perino: Have a plan. Period. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate plan, but you have to prepare. Do your research well ahead of time. Don’t think for an instant that a 6-figure salary will drop in your lap the minute you resign from service and get your discharge papers.

When I talk about research, I’m not talking about the industry or field. I’m talking about what is most important to you. Is your salary most important? Or is finding a culture where you can thrive (like I did here)? Do you want to be your own boss? If so, then starting and running your own business may be where you go.

In short, preparation is always key. A well thought-out and researched business plan separates dreamers from successful business owners. As they say in parachuting: “Plan your dive and dive your plan.”

Learn more about Navy Federal’s efforts to help military members find new careers and Navy Federal’s resources for Vetrepreneurs and other business owners.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Vets/disability.