The Story of Notre Dame s Legendary Rudy Ruettiger Began in Vietnam
Defensive end Daniel Eugene Rudy Ruettiger is carried off the field by his University of Notre Dame teammates after Ruettiger sacked Georgia Tech quarterback Rudy Allen on the final play of the game, Notre Dame, Ind., Nov. 8, 1975. Notre Dame won the game. (Courtesy of Notre Dame) DoD News, Defense Media Activity | By David Vergun
Daniel Eugene Rudy Ruettiger became a famous college football athlete, but he got his big start by joining the Navy in 1968 and serving two years at sea as a yeoman.
Using his GI Bill benefits, he enrolled in Indiana s Holy Cross College in 1972 and then at the University of Notre Dame in 1974, playing in the Orange Bowl in 1975 and the Gator Bowl in 1976 the year he graduated.
(U.S. Army/Spc. Tynisha Daniel)
For some of us, getting to the end of the year feels like we ve run a marathon. We just want to rest before kicking off the new year. If you re transitioning out of the military, however, this isn t your finish line. Rather, the end of a calendar year means investing time and effort to set clear and measurable goals for the new year.
As you articulate your goals, considering the long- and short-term needs for each allows you to put them into the larger context of your career and life, and then manage expectations along the way.
(Defense Media Activity)
For many, the turning of the calendar page means assessing and evaluating how we re managing and directing our careers and goals. Whether you re just now exiting the military or have been in the private sector for some time, setting goals and identifying opportunities for how you show up online is critical.
Perhaps you re reluctant to share and engage with others online. During your time in uniform, your focus was elsewhere, and now as you exit the military, it might feel like everyone around you is building LinkedIn profiles, sharing personal information on Facebook, and recording dance videos on TikTok.
4 Ways All Veterans Can Get Used to Transitioning
Henry Chong, a recruiter with U.S. Customs and Border Protection speaks with military job seekers about career opportunities with his department. (U.S. Army/Christine Cabalo)
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your transition from the military to the civilian sector is not a date, an event or single occurrence. It s a process laborious and challenging, enlightening and wonderful, that will happen over and over throughout your next career.
As adults, we transition in our jobs, relationship status (spouse, parent, child, sibling, ex-partner), community and focus. Today, you may be exiting your career in the military and moving into a private-sector job. Later, you may move into entrepreneurship, higher education or a different job.