Successful Transitioning Stories Michael Sipe

Michael Sipe is a 20-year retired Naval Aviator and airline pilot with a degree in Systems Engineering from The US Naval Academy. Michael is a Former Naval Aviator who trained Navy Pilots to land on aircraft carriers during the day and night, and an instructor for advanced weapons schools. Michael was also the Director Headquarters US Pacific Military. He’s also a former Airline Pilot Certified as an airline transportation pilot and holds several business certifications from UC Irvine.

I got out the Navy and interviewed with an airline the week before 9/11 happened. When 9/11 happened, we realized quite quickly the airline industry would be turned upside down, and shortly after 9/11 happened we were furloughed, and I was out of job. Suddenly, what I thought was a clear transition path was suddenly gone and I felt like the rug was pulled out from under me.

I did eventually get picked up by an airline and flew for about 2 ½ years. And I quickly realized I couldn’t raise a family off of $17,000 a year as a pilot. So basically, I then moved into being an investment advisor with a firm. And in 2000 many people were getting called back into active duty and I was one of those people who was called back into active duty. So, I had a second career in the Navy. Then I had to transition out of the Navy again for the second time and I ended up working for defense contractors as I knew I could do that, and I wasn’t planning to go back to the airline industry as that industry was still a mess.

I was working on a very large project with the government, and it was tough working with all the different agencies. When I finally got all these agencies to work together, as happy as I was on this project, I realized one day walking to my car that I didn’t really want to do this anymore and I wanted to focus more on what I was good at, which was working with people. And that is when I realized I was not really working the job I wanted and that I needed to change my trajectory and move into my current company which is coaching people in helping to restore relationships. I help overextended entrepreneurs save their marriage & family while improving life satisfaction.

What barriers did you face when starting your own company?

The biggest barriers I faced came from a military background, we want to be prepared for and know all the details. And I was ready to go, I had a plan and then covid happened and that really affected my business start up and I had to pivot like many others to make it work. But from all this an important lesson I learned is your network is your most important asset. Don’t be afraid to ask for help by getting a mentor, or reaching out to people who can support you.

What are some tips for Veterans who are transitioning out?

The tip I wish I had known years ago comes with decision making and what I learned is there are three lenses to look through when making a choice. The first one is the logic analytical reasoning mind. Then there are the emotional aspects, what is the emotion around that decision making. The third one is intuition, which comes in two forms, the gut instinct, and the non-local. But all three of these together are very important to making decisions when transitioning out. And I tell a lot of Veterans that they all have this, they just need to learn how to use it when they are looking to transition.

Final Word

Don’t underestimate the value of your relationships outside of work.

To learn more about what Michael is doing go to: www.sipecoaching.com www.strategicadvisorboard.com

#1 Best-Seller Out of Dad’s Box: How to Break Free From Parental Control and Transform your Life at Any Age www.amazon.com/dp/B08GGHKHKD

Also, Joe De Sena, the creator of Spartan Races has donated 300 Spartan race tickets to our organization, so if you donate $100.00 or more, you will receive a ticket.

You can make that donation @ https://synergylearninginstitute.org/donations/.

To learn more about how Synergy Learning Institute helps transitioning veterans visit https://synergylearninginstitute.org

Finding a job in the civilian world may seem easy at first. After all, you have learned skills, practiced leadership and demonstrated initiative that will make you successful wherever you go.

The reality, though, is that it can be difficult. In fact, it can be downright depressing, demotivating and you may feel totally disillusioned.

Veterans In Transition is dedicated to you and to helping you succeed in your transition.

For editorial & monthly columns regarding transitioning to business, career advice, tips, workshops, transition to education, entrepreneurship, straight-forward legal tips for Military and Veteran Business Owners and more visit Veterans In Transition at www.tinyurl.com/SDVM-Transition