Room for Improvement: Leaving the Military

Imagine a world, where regardless of your upbringing, the college you went to, or the degree you pursued, you were accepted. You are a civilian who has every bit of possibility and can engender success merely because you have resources and a history of education or experience. Sounds fascinating right? Now, imagine skipping all of that and there’s 10-20 years that go unanswered. You wonder into the Bermuda Triangle, full of thickening mist, all to be erased from the domestic world we once knew. Suddenly like a sci-fi movie, you return out of the same entrance back to society. This time, everyone is grown, has careers, and a set path to success.? You on the other hand, are still figuring it out like you were before entering the Twilight Zone

?This is a common feeling for #military service members as they venture back into the civilian world post-service. The value of military veterans to society and large companies is thin. Some who I interviewed, would say that they are judged? beyond the pale, or told they don't have the education or experience to further improve an organization in the private sector. This is only one of many challenges that these individuals face while entering their transition into the civilian lifestyle they once had.?

#veterans face many challenges that civilians don’t experience that affect their wellbeing and success as a reintegrated human into the new society. Some face relational challenges, some #psychological , professional, personal development, and some even face cultural challenges. I have met a few veterans who have taken nearly a lifetime to fully transition.

Psychologically, veterans can suffer from trauma and battle-driven exposure to horrific encounters, leading them to an unfocused or uncomfortable life of #PTSD . When relations become an issue, it’s usually split into two types, relations with people and marriage, or a relationship with self. A broken home or self-identity crisis can become burdening when looking to fit in.

A military #transition usually starts within the last 360 days of the individual’s career. The process becomes further from your actual daily duties as a veteran may be geared towards planning for their move. There are some classes you must take prior to saying goodbye to your time in uniform that are designed to prepare you for your next journey. There’s an underlying problem however, the process itself, is still improving. The process and curriculum hardly exist and is poorly structured. There is a check-the-box method, where you attend a few short meetings, sign a few things, turn in your gear, and then here comes that last wave to the military police gate guard as you drive off into the sunset right? Well, the sunset may sound nice however, the sunrise will remind you that you are left with the unknown.?

Luckily, many bases are taking the transition as a serious portion of one's career. Bases such as Nellis Air Force Base and the Nellis MFRC Employment Hub in Las Vegas, are contributing much effort to incorporate classes about the transition and programs like #SkillBridge or certification courses. Sarah Payne, Ed.S. , an Education Specialist for the base, is ensuring that these important programs and resources are taught to seperating men and women throughout the installation.

For the United States Department of Defense to improve their readiness, retention, and #morale , they need to ensure that the one's who train the veterans, have their six as well. Before the problem can have generated solutions to analyze or implement, the problem itself, needs to be addressed. The cat is out of the bag and more individuals are joining the team to handle this issue both private sector companies and military internal individuals. The future, looks better!