Setting sail in a new direction: Career transitions of US Navy Admirals to the civilian sector

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to discuss why organizations who are looking for toprnexecutives, should enlist former military officers and senior enlisted leaders, who make excellentrncandidates.rnDesign/methodology/approach - Questionnaires with both closed- and open-ended questionsrngenerate responses from more than 300 former Navy admirals. This paper reports the qualitativernfindings emerging from the open-ended questions.rnFindings - The authors identify the perspectives that enable a smooth transition from the structuredrnmilitary to a civilian career. Embracing the new environment proves essential, while clinging to thernpast has detrimental outcomes.rnResearch limitations/implications - It is yet to be determined whether former military leadersrnrepresent the wider population of executives at traditional organizations moving to a businessrnenvironment.rnPractical implications - The admirals' career shift should shed light on broader questions of transition into a business environment, as well as the specific element of embarking on a second career at a late age and the impact of organizational support mechanisms.rnOriginality/value - Careers in industry since the last quarter of the twentieth century have become boundaryless, turbulent, even chaotic. Many people have to change their approach to careers, yet few studies examine mass transition from traditional systems to a second career in business. This paper should assist HR theorists and practitioners who deal with such career transition.