Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/608109
November 23 - December 13, 2015 8 Working Veteran l WorkingWorld.com GENERAL'S ADVICE Next Assignment: The Civilian Workplace by Working World Staff W e asked Maj. Gen. Mary J. Kight, a retired Air Force officer and the former adjutant general of the California National Guard, what advice she would offer veterans entering the civilian workplace today. Here are three tips from the former Cal Guard adjutant General: 1. "Your transition from a military profession to a civilian profession continues the development of your career, which originated during your military experience as a leader, supervisor, technician or specialist. Regardless of the entry position in your new civilian job, look for those opportunities that allow continued growth in those skills and more. 2. "Understand [that] individual military experience differs among veterans. In addition, some of your civilian coworkers did not enlist into the military, but you must accept the fact that everyone serves. Remain proud of your service. 3. "Veterans highly skilled in their military specialty become a valuable resource for [their] new civilian employer. Veterans are more than capable of obtaining the same high level of skill in their new civilian duties, given opportunity, time and self-effort. Each veteran should take advantage of those new opportunities to contribute and improve their new team." Kight, who joined the Air Force in 1974 and the California National Guard in 1984, later became Cal Guard's first female general. In February 2010, then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed her Cal Guard's 45th adjutant general, the first woman — and the first woman of color — to hold that position. "I Don't Want Special Treatment" How a veteran can approach management about accommodations by Helen Rosenau I 'm a veteran who's been lucky enough to come home in one slightly damaged piece, and get a job in my field (technology). I'm smart and productive. The problem is that my injuries have given me serious back problems, so I cannot sit still for very long. I know that I might qualify for special treatment under disability laws, but I don't want to be treated as special because I am a vet or disabled. How can I talk to my employer about this? First of all, get over the idea that you are not owed whatever accommodation you need and deserve. Not just because you're a vet or a partially disabled person, but because good employers should have the sense to treat good employees well if they want them to stay, and to stay productive. Meet with your boss and the human resources officer. Explain that your injuries have left you with specific needs. Be as precise as you can be about the accommodations that are necessary, both infrastructural (chair, desk, computer station) and those that have to do with work time and habits. If you need time off for doctor or physical therapy appointments, work out a schedule so you can make up the time and/or the work. If it's a matter of needing to get up and walk around every 20 minutes or to have a place to lie down and do exercises, ask what kind of documentation your boss would need for the files so other employees don't think you're getting some special hall pass. If your needs are temporary, say so. But, if this is what you will always need, then be very clear that it's not just a short-run accommodation. And don't be afraid to play the wounded- warrior card. You earned it. There are laws to protect you. Be sure to put your requests and situation in writing, so if there is any attempt to target you, you'll have some documentation on your side. If you get pushback, consult an attorney who specializes in disability work. I hope you won't need to.