Transitioning from the Military to Civilian Life
Thank you to Benji Menez, Director of
Marketing, Concealment Express www.concealmentexpress.com for writing this guest post. He has another informative post on the way, 22
Things Military Personnel Wish Civilians Knew.
Separating
from the military after a career of service and returning to civilian life
brings about unique mental, financial, and physical challenges for military
personnel. You may be asking yourself where you will live, what you will do,
and how you will afford life after service.
If you are at
this point, these worries may make the dangers and demands of military service
seem preferable to the daunting reality of readjusting to civilian life—but it
doesn’t have to be that way! While it might feel overwhelming at first, there
are various tips and tricks you can utilize to make the transition as
successful and pain-free as possible.
Don’t
underestimate the cost.
One of the
biggest shock factors many veterans fail to anticipate when reacclimating to
civilian life is the change to their personal finances.
Necessities
like food, clothing, and housing never have to be considered while you are in
service, as these things are determined and provided either for a young soldier
living in the barracks or for the cost of living and housing allowances of
those living off base. While the cost of these living expenses can be a shock
to veterans, the huge selection and variety of choices in the civilian world
can also be overwhelming for individuals who are used to a dress code and
predetermined meals.
On top of the
cost of basic necessities, many vets fail to anticipate things like taxable
income if they were frequently deployed, and the cost of medical insurance if
they are separating from the military before securing these benefits.
This makes it
extremely important to plan ahead and learn how to utilize veterans’ benefits
from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Though navigating the paperwork may
seem overwhelming, obtaining these benefits can help to alleviate the financial
pressures of your post-military life.
Take advantage
of resources such as The Military Wallet and The Military Guide to help you anticipate this financial
change and successfully navigate your transition.
Don’t be
afraid to take a step back.
Have you
bought-in to the myth that you will leave the military light years ahead of
your civilian counterparts?
Think again.
While it’s true that military service will enable you with rare skills and a
unique mindset, the truth is that while you were working, so were they. They
were out in the real world developing sought-after skills in today’s job market
that, quite frankly, you might be lacking.
Yet your
experience gap does not have to be a major hindrance. Recognize your
limitations when it comes to job market navigation and pinpoint the crucial
skills that hiring managers are looking for and which you can improve upon.
It is
important to enter the job market with the expectation of starting at a lower
position than you may have anticipated, but there’s nothing like a game of
catch-up to make you motivated and driven. You’ll likely have to work harder
and smarter than your civilian peers to get to their level of competence, but
your military training has certainly equipped you with the capacity to do so.
Find an
outlet.
Getting into
the service, living the regimented life of military personnel probably seemed
intimidating. Now, it’s most likely second nature.
Leaving the
structure and stability of a military battalion can be one of the biggest
adjustments to civilian life, where you have the freedom and time to do—well,
whatever you want.
Many
servicemen and women find that picking up hobbies and pastimes related to the
military is a great way to transition and maintain their skills. This can
include kickboxing, weightlifting, guns and tactical hobbies, and camping.
If you have a
lasting interest in guns and tactical skills, consider investigating these
hobbies. Because ex-military personnel are expert gunmen who retain an interest
in the topic, many local concealed carry organizations and clubs are run by
vets. Don’t forget to properly outfit
your firearm with a concealed carry holster from a reputable manufacturer
that takes pride in their American-made products.
Market
yourself.
Of course, the
strengths you gained in the military speak for themselves. Vets are
sought-after in the workplace for their communication skills, accountability,
and inherent leadership qualities.
However,
hands-on skills matter. One of the best things that you can do for yourself and
your career as an ex-military job-seeker is to learn to translate your military
experience to the corporate world.
Were you
involved in training and preparing other personnel for specific missions? That
is valuable preparatory, management, and organizational experience in a
corporate setting. Did you help administer travel accounts for the military?
That know-how is invaluable for helping you find a position in the financial
field.
Additionally,
many companies actively recruit ex-military personnel for civilian jobs, such
as Home Depot, General Electric, and P&G, among others. Not only will you find
other ex-military employees among these military-friendly companies,
but they also often offer transition support services for vets.
Seek out
face-to-face interactions with potential employers when possible. While
applying for jobs online is convenient, approaching employers in-person sets
you apart from the hundreds of online applications they receive.
This also
gives you the opportunity to play up your military-endowed strengths, such as
ingenuity, a composed nature, and impeccable execution and to make good on the
reputation of military personnel for upstanding accountability and poise.
Keep on your
guard.
For
many servicemen and women, the mental transition can be just as taxing as the
financial and lifestyle shifts. After years of extensive self-defense and
tactical training, civilian life may leave you feeling unguarded and
underprepared.
Keep
up-to-date on your self-defense skills, pick up a self-defense course at your
local gym, or consider trying out a new form of martial arts, such as Krav Maga
or Tai Chi.
Additionally,
investing in a concealed carry is an excellent way to maintain your shooting
skills. Head to the range with your firearm; you’ll be surprised at how easy it
is to network and develop a community among other gun enthusiasts.
Many
states waive the fee for veterans to obtain a concealed carry permit, allowing
you to invest in outfitting
your firearm with IWB holsters, OWB holsters, and top-of-the-line
Kydex holsters from top-of-the-line manufacturers here in the U.S.
Attend
transition assistance program workshops.
TAP, or the
Transition Assistance Program, was developed to offer employment and training
services to separating military members within 180 days of retirement. The
three-day workshops they offer cover topics such as career exploration, resume
and cover letter prep, and practice interviews.
Final Thoughts
Not becoming
overwhelmed at the idea of being in this short-lived limbo is the most critical
aspect of acclimation. Take each problem one step at a time, do your research,
and make a plan for handling each challenge the transition throws your way.
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