Neil: Welcome to your next big thing. I'm here with Benin Allen. Benin and I connected through a viral LinkedIn post about his career reinvention from the US Navy to the private sector after active duty tours. We'll discuss his career as a surface warfare officer and his transition to a general manager at Love's Travel Stops
Love's Travel Stops is a large, family-owned company with 40,000 employees, 600 locations, and $20 billion in revenue in 2019. Benin, welcome to the program
Benin: Thank you, Neil. I hope to inspire others looking to make a pivot, whether from the military or elsewhere
.
Neil: What was your mentality going straight from your bachelor's degree to the US Navy
?
Benin: I wanted to give back and be part of something larger
. My grandfather, uncle, and cousin served, and I wanted to challenge myself. I joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) in college to become a military officer
.
Neil: How did you handle being a leader of other brave men and women on a US Navy vessel straight out of university
?
Benin: It starts with self-leadership. One of the Navy's core values is to know yourself and seek self-improvement
. I trusted that I could do it and would get the support I needed. I believed my leadership principles, resiliency, and drive would take me far, and I’d learn the technical aspects along the way
.
Neil: You became a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO), which requires advanced engineering and operations knowledge. How did you tackle this knowledge base and show a willingness to learn
?
Benin: I didn't want to overwhelm myself, so I took it section by section
. I studied, read manuals, and consulted experts, including senior enlisted members. When dealing with superiors, I always did my homework and presented solutions, not just problems
.
Neil: How did you start thinking about transitioning to a civilian role after your service
?
Benin: I always plan my next steps. The values I learned in the Navy were invaluable, but I knew the military wasn't a long-term career for me
. As I gained confidence, I realised I could succeed in the civilian sector
.
Neil: How did you put these steps into action to start building a bridge to the private sector
?
Benin: I looked at my life long term, considering what I wanted it to look like at 40 or 45
. I compared that to the lives of people I knew who were still in the military. I grounded myself in my faith and did some deep, quiet reflection to make a clear decision. Our lives are the sum total of the decisions that we make
.
Neil: How did you engage other resources to help you build a bridge to your next big thing
?
Benin: Nine months before my intended resignation, I submitted all the paperwork
. A senior officer, a chief engineer, who was also transitioning out connected me with a military recruiting agency that offered training and civilian sector interview practice
.
Neil: Tell me about that final day when you had multiple job interviews
.
Benin: It felt like the Super Bowl
. I spent nine months training, recording my interview answers, and getting feedback from friends. I focused on articulating how my skills translated to the private sector and how I could add value. I had four interviews on the first day and three on the second. Love's offered me the job on the spot during the seventh interview
.
Neil: How did you feel when you told your family you had the offer in hand
?
Benin: It felt amazing and empowering
. My mom was initially nervous about me leaving the military but was happy when I got the offer
.
Neil: How did you find relating with your co-workers once you were out of the Navy
?
Benin: That was my biggest concern
. I was used to the military environment. I've always prided myself on being professional, which helped. I realised that many people in the civilian sector are similar to those in the military. It wasn't too hard, but I was nervous about communicating and relating in a different world, from worrying about enemies and ship duties to meeting metrics and managing schedules
.
Neil: Is there anything you learned about how to be approachable and authentic as a manager of a large organisation
?
Benin: Extend a hand first and let people know you're approachable
. Make it known to your team members that everyone is in it together. Create a cohesive, fun, and peaceful workplace. Involve them in decision-making processes, and help them understand how meeting goals benefits everyone. Understand that everyone is different and find the right roles for team members to utilise their strengths
.
Neil: How many years are you into your private sector transition
?
Benin: One year and eight months as of today
.
Neil: How do you continue to challenge yourself to grow and build career resilience
?
Benin: You never stop learning
. I read a lot about sales and communication, take courses, and learn about business acumen. My goal is to read two books a month and continue learning through YouTube and LinkedIn
.
Neil: Any special moments you've shared with your siblings in these past 18 months
?
Benin: Being home and having flexibility in my calendar has been great
. My wife and I enjoy travelling without needing to request approval. Being able to be present for important moments, like family events I previously missed due to deployment, means the world to me
.
Neil: Closing remarks – what would you say to someone serving who is unsure about pivoting to the private sector
?
Benin: Know in your heart and mind what type of life you desire
. Don't make decisions based on fear. Make a decision that is thought out and true to you. Take the leap of faith and go for it. You can do it
.
Neil: Benin Allen, thank you so much for being here
.
Benin: Thank you, Neil
.
