'SHOW UP, TRY HARD': Intangibles key for vets moving to civi sector

Article content

Members of the Canadian Forces learn many skills that are directly transferable to the civilian sector.

But retired Lt.-Col. Cliff Trollope says it’s the intangibles that really set military men and women apart.

“The hardest thing to do when you get out is find your first gig,” he told the Sun. “But once you get that first gig outside of uniform, then you just show up and try hard.”

“Military people can suck it up and that counts for something,” he said, explaining the ability to outwork the competition combined with the critical thinking and leadership skills instilled in the military have been key to his success as a civilian.

Trollope joined the military at age 19 and served 20 years as an officer with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light infantry, from 1988-2007, then spent another three years in the reserves as commanding officer of the Royal Regiment of Canada in Toronto.

“I was thrown into leadership roles early on,” said Trollope, whose service included multiple tours in Bosnia and Cyprus. “I had to be able to think through a problem, make a plan and lead people through it.”

He said the decision to retire was “hard” and the transition to the private sector was “tough” because there were no supports available at the time.

“I was punching in the dark,” he recalled.

In an effort to make the transition easier for other veterans, he became one of the original members of the ex-military business networking group Treble Victor. He’s also a member of Canada Company and a supporter of Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur and Wounded Warriors Canada.

Today, Trollope is a partner at MNP and leads the firm’s Enterprise Risk Services practice for Eastern Canada, as well as MNP’s national business continuity and emergency management consulting practice.

“I owe the military so much,” he said. “It gave me an avenue that was well suited to me and helped me grow.

“I’ll always be an army guy, I just wear a suit now and have a business.”

He also believes it’s important to “help educate” corporate Canada on the value of hiring ex-military members.

Trollope, a Treble Victor board member who does a lot of mentoring, advises outgoing CF members to start planning their transition before leaving the military.

“Decide where you want to live, build your network and expect it to be hard,” he said. “But if you do the right things, you will succeed in your second career.”

cdoucette@postmedia.com