Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Should I Mention I'm Retired Military?

Posted by Anonymous on 10/10/2009 at 8:55 PM ET 250 Points
I am just getting started as a new real estate sales agent and getting ready to have business cards made up. I live in a lake community in the Midwest. I'm wondering if it would help me or hurt me to include "U.S. Navy Retired or Chief Petty Officer, Retired" included on my card. All opinions most welcomed.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 10/11/2009 at 9:13 AM Accepted
    Unless your target market is military-adverse, adding it may make you more desirable to your target market. It's like saying "Member of Rotary" - people in the "club" will seek you out (given all things equal). If you're unsure, make two sets of cards, and see which produce better response.
  • Posted on 10/11/2009 at 11:40 AM Member
    As an ex-Marine, I could never do business with you, but other than THAT... ;-)
  • Posted on 10/11/2009 at 4:09 PM Accepted
    It's a two-edged sword. Some will see your military service as an advantage, while others will see it as a turn-off.

    I've been dealing with this issue for a long time, and I have decided NOT to actively promote my military experience, even though there are many advantages I still enjoy as a result of my service experience. Instead I "save" that element of my credentials for a face-to-face meeting in which I can get a sense of how my client or prospective client might react.

    Since your role as a CPO does not have a direct bearing on your new career, I'd leave it off the cards, but Jay has offered a great way to test the waters and see if it might be helpful.


    P.S. As a former naval officer, I learned a long time ago that Chiefs run the Navy. I'd have been totally lost without my CPOs. Thanks for your service, and congratulations on your retirement.
  • Posted on 10/11/2009 at 7:05 PM Moderator
    FWIW, there's an aspect of being in the military -- especially for a long time -- that labels you as being a follower, not a leader. It's not totally logical, I know. But people not intimately familiar with the military find it mind-boggling when I tell them about how much I benefited from Navy leadership training. They almost find it to be an oxymoron.

    Also a military background has a connotation with many people of not being very creative or innovative. "Don't you just follow orders in the military?"

    And then there are those who still think that anyone who voluntarily served in the military must not be aware of unjust wars and diplomatic options, so they must not be very knowledgeable about the political world we live in. "The military is a war machine, right?" (Especially true of those who were around while we were still in Viet Nam.)
  • Posted by steven.alker on 10/14/2009 at 9:29 AM Member
    Hope you don’t mind a late response and from someone who is English and therefore unable to make an informed comment – I can only go with what I’ve seen on visits to the USA.

    I was staying in an up-market hotel where uniformed young marines were helping to organise a Vet’s conference. When these young soldiers walked into the restaurant, everyone spontaneously rose to their feet and applauded. I felt moved, despite being an “Outsider”

    Then travelling business on an internal flight a soldier in uniform was ushered into our half full section – probably having been upgraded. Again, every person in the cabin stood and applauded. You just don’t get that so often in the UK and we should be able expect is over here as a mark of gratitude and recognition.

    Personally, I’d go with the declaration – most people will approve and those who don’t probably have personal reasons which won’t impact on any relationship they might develop with you.

    One of my old university friends was the Brigadier General in charge of British Troops, Iraq. I know that he wishes that our boys could get 50% of the recognition ordinary Americans afford to their soldiers.

    Sir, I take my hat off to you


    Steve Alker
    Xspirt
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