"I needed to be armed with as much information about the release process as possible" - Corinna Heilman

1. What inspired you to transition from military to civilian life, and how did you prepare for this significant change?

I was very fortunate to have had an amazing career in the Army – I know my experience differs from that of many others, particularly women, so I’m very grateful.? ?Although I loved being in uniform by the fall of 2021, as I looked at what the next 5 to 10 years held for me, I began to realize that a change was needed.?? After over 27 years of putting service ahead of my personal and family needs, I began exploring options outside of uniform that would allow me to continue to serve in some capacity while also offering a work environment that would positively contribute to my well-being.? But the first thing I needed to figure out is what I wanted and needed – I needed to be honest with myself about what I needed to feel satisfied and fulfilled personally, professionally, familial, and financially.? I knew I needed a plan, so I started with an article by Chris Ayotte, A Walk in the Snow, and began the hard work of defining what I needed and wanted my future to look like, with a view to retiring from the CAF in 2024/2025.? However, as many in the CAF know, no plan survives first contact and I found myself accelerating my plan in the spring/summer of 2023 in order to take advantage of an opportunity that was too good to pass up.

2. Could you describe your current role in civilian life and how you arrived at this path?

Figuring out what I wanted out of my second career (not my retirement job) took a lot of self-reflection and honesty.? As I explored what I wanted to do in my next career, it was easier for me to figure out what I didn’t want to do and the type of work environment that I didn’t want.? I wasn’t particularly interested in working in an area directly related to my military occupation and as I tried to focus on what really interests me and on the things I’m passionate about, I realized that I wanted my focus to be on people – not just any people, but those affiliated with service.? I also needed to acknowledge and accept that I required a professional environment where I would have more direct control over my work (and my calendar!) and where I’d have the ability and authority to make decisions, implement change, and embrace innovation without needing to jump through excessive hoops.? From a personal perspective, it was important for me to find work that would reignite a sense of purpose, provide meaning, deliver tangible results, and allow me to work hard without it being all-consuming.

I was fortunate to join the team at Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) as Senior Vice President Personnel Support Programs, an organization that delivers fitness, deployment support, recreation, health promotion, messes, sports, and special interest activities to CAF members and their families at home and abroad.? CFMWS is an organization committed to serving those who serve, so it fit perfectly with what I was looking for.

3. During your transition, what obstacles did you encounter, and what strategies proved instrumental in overcoming them?

I learned very quickly that I knew little about the CAF pension and the benefits available through VAC even for those not medically releasing.? Although I attended a SCAN seminar, it wasn’t early enough in my career to allow me to take a long-term view and plan for retirement/release so I needed to play catch up.? Reaching out to the Pension Centre and to SISIP for financial planning and insurance advice were instrumental in enabling me to come up with an accurate financial plan.? It was through these discussions that I realized that a predictable, steady income was important to me, which reinforced that striking out on my own was likely not the best option for me. ?Although being an entrepreneur appealed to me, as a single mom of two young adults and with aging parents, having a reliable income stream was important.

It also became apparent that I needed to be armed with as much information about the release process as possible.? I needed to be my own advocate and I needed to own the process – to do that, I needed to understand the process, the decisions that needed to be made and the key activities that needed to be completed.? There are checklists available through VAC and CAF TG which, when taken together, pointed me in the right direction and kept me on track.

4. In what ways have your military skills and experiences been an asset in your civilian career?

The networks that I built inside the CAF have been very useful in my new position, along with skills related to leadership, planning, communications, conflict resolution, and collaboration.? As I built my CV, I struggled to translate military skills and experience into desirable assets in the civilian sector but by reaching out to human resource and recruiting experts, I found a community very willing to provide advice and guidance.

5. Are there any resources, networks, or strategies you found invaluable during your transition that you’d recommend to others?

Research and planning are key – read all of the information packages and checklists, research the processes and benefits that will apply to you, and ask questions of the experts at CAF TG, VAC, and SISIP.? I was fortunate to have been paired with exceptional advisors in all of these areas who were very thorough and took the time to make sure I was exploring all of the options and benefits available to me.? I wrongfully assumed that these services were only for ill and injured CAF members, so in hindsight I wish I had reached out to them earlier.

Reaching out to veterans who had recently retired from the CAF was very beneficial and helped me create a plan.? Having folks who have recently made the journey and are willing to discuss the challenges, opportunities and feelings honestly and transparently are invaluable.? I also reached out to colleagues who knew me well to have honest discussions about what I needed to have in my second career to feel fulfilled – I didn’t always like what they told me but sometimes we need to be told what we need to hear not what we want to hear!? This assisted with my self-reflection to make sure that I set myself up for success in my second career by not importing aspects of my military career that were no longer meeting my needs.

6. Reflecting on your transition, what piece of knowledge or advice do you wish had been shared with you beforehand?

I underestimated the value of talking with a CAF TG Transition Advisor and a VAC Advisor – the information they provided was very useful and I wish I had contacted them earlier in the process instead of waiting until I’d submitted my release paperwork.? I also undervalued the importance of tax planning but thankfully a colleague who had retired a number of years ago mentioned this to me at my DWD so I was able to meet with a SISIP financial advisor and make some important decisions prior to the end of the calendar year.

7. How did you navigate the shift in identity from being in the military to reintegrating into civilian life, and what helped you through this process?

Having landed in a civilian position that is still closely linked to the CAF has helped with the transition as it allows me to reflect fondly on my military career while at the same time embarking on a new one.? The military didn’t define me as a person – I’m still the same person and leader today as I was 6 months ago, I just do a different job and no longer wear a uniform.? Aside from part-time jobs as a young adult, the CAF was my only employer so as I prepared to make the transition, I reached out to women executives in the public service and industry to discuss their career paths, challenges and current realities to get a better understanding of what my new life would look like.? This helped me figure out a variety of things from how I wanted to be addressed (I have a first name again!!), to what to wear (it doesn’t involve mint green shirts or winter weight wool pants), to how to approach onboarding (don’t rush it – if all goes well, I have more than two years in this job).

I also think that having a Depart with Dignity ceremony of some sort is an important step in the transition process.? My original plan wasn’t to have one but on the advice of a good friend and mentor, I planned a relaxed gathering that allowed me to express my appreciation and gratitude for my time in uniform in a manner that was consistent with who I am as a military member and a person.? It provided a sense of closure on one chapter of my life that then allowed me to fully embrace this new chapter.

Staying connected to those who have been constants throughout my military career and with those who I’ve leaned on heavily during the last few years of my career have also eased the transition – they’ve proven to be my trusted inner-circle who at times know me better than I know myself.?

8. What aspects of military life do you find yourself missing the most, and how do you keep those memories alive?

I’m fortunate to still be closely connected with the CAF, so although I’m no longer in uniform, I feel like I’m still part of the broader CAF community.? I do miss the sense of belonging that comes along with wearing the uniform – entering a room and immediately feeling part of the group based on shared experiences and connections.

To remain connected and to honour my experiences, I’m an active follower (not always a participant) of defence and security issues and forums.? LinkedIn provides access to a number of great forums, articles, blogs and groups that help keep me stay connected to former colleagues and current issues.? Some of my current interests include: Northern Sentinels podcasts, The Spark: A No-holds Barred Guide to Saving the World, The Greater Good – stuff to help you citizen better, Team Rubicon Canada, and Veteran Cup of Joe (of course!).