Military Transition: Stories of Struggle and Strength

This series is presented by the Power Veterans Initiative. 

The transition from the military is jarring to say the least. We leave behind our identity, our support structure, our mission and maybe most importantly our community. We walk into a world where we are misunderstood, undervalued and often patronized. That disconnect often means we veterans are underemployed or spend the first few years out of service bouncing from job to job. (You can read more about my 'rock bottom' period and how I climbed out here.)

I've only seen this not be the case in one place: Israel; one of the few countries with mandatory military service. In a world where everyone not only understands military life, but has also experienced it, there is no disconnect, no misunderstanding and no feeling of being undervalued. Given that's likely not in the cards for the good ol' US of A, I thought I'd try to bridge that gap. Over the next year, I'll be sharing the stories of veterans from all over the country. Each individual comes with their own unique transition story, and within each story lays valuable lessons for us all regardless of where we may be on our own story of transition from the military.

I spent my eight years in the Marine Corps as a photojournalist, traveling the world telling the stories of service and its impact on the world. Over the past four years at Power, I've had the honor of getting to know some of the most inspiring veterans and military spouses each with their own unique stories. This year, I mean to connect those dots by telling the stories of these unique and inspiring people from across the military community. 

Some have struggled with substance abuse. Others have lost brothers and sisters to suicide. Some are military spouses who gained their own grit and flexibility serving alongside their partner sometimes a world away. We veterans and our families are no stranger to discomfort and struggle. We were taught to face them both head on and then learn from the experiences along the way. By sharing our own stories of transition and how we found our own successful careers, we can send the ladder back down for those about to face some of the same struggles. 

If you're a service-member, veteran or military spouse, I hope this series speaks to you. I hope you’re able to find some of yourself in these stories of triumph. I hope they ignite the spark within you that you’ve always know was there. I hope you’re able to start writing the next chapter of your own unique story unburdened by the fear of the unknown. 

A few things we should all agree on though before we get started:

You're a badass. The grit, determination and mental fortitude you’ve earned through your own unique military experiences are critical assets for any organization. How often have candidates led combat missions, or moved entire families across the world? Lean into what you bring to the table — even when it’s different.

You aren't owed a damn thing. When you walk into a new role, you will be starting with a fresh slate. Everyone who works at the company you've just joined also earned their spot at the table. Use it as an opportunity to impress the hell out of them. They’ll see the value, put your skills to use and likely hire more veterans and spouses.

The ground will not open and swallow you whole. A misstep during your transition can lead to a period of time known as the face-plant, or more widely known as rock bottom. Those times are tough — you slide into a victim mentality and start blaming others for your issues. I've been there. It's not pretty, but it's also not the end. With the right mentality and some time to execute, you can turn things around and find yourself living the full and thriving life you envisioned after your transition.

You have support. The concept of "Got Your Six" doesn't disappear when you shed the uniform. We veterans take care of each other. Whether it's counseling, employment or just finding your way, there are hundreds of individuals and organizations ready to assist veterans in their journeys.

Ultimately, life is just that — a journey — full of triumphs and setbacks. The goal of this article and the ones that follow is to help our military community experience a few more triumphs and better navigate the setbacks. Till next time...fair winds and following seas.

Series so far:

• Michelle Barrett: The Military Spouse Identity
• John Stramiello: Don't Do It Alone
• Anthony Williams: Don't "Embrace The Suck"
• David Hixon: Humor and Humility
• John Oppici: Willing to Dream. Able to Adapt

If you are a veteran or military spouse who is seeking a workplace where everyone’s collective goal is to grow, improve, and serve, look no further. At Power, we’ve built a culture that mirrors the values and sense of community we experienced in the military, and we’re actively hiring across our 17 U.S. territories. Come write the next chapter of your journey at powerveterans.com.

#militarytransition #veteranhiring #militaryfriendly #veterancareer