World Veterans Post - March 2023

The March 2023 edition of our newsletter covers World Veterans blogposts, and veteran NGO of the month that have been published for our veteran community.

Transition from Military to Civilian Life

Blogpost by Mehmet Dagci

One of the greatest challenges veterans face is the transition from military to civilian life. Although there are many programs designed to make this transition easier, we still read failure stories and struggles in the news. That’s why, as a veteran, I have decided to share my tips and best practices with you.?

First of all, we should all admit that starting a new life is not easy. There are certain challenges in adjusting to new routines, finding a new job, and changing careers. On the other hand, in the military, we learn many skills that are easily transferable to many jobs. Planning and programming, leadership and management, complex problem solving, risk and crisis management, teamwork, training, and development are just a few examples. These skills act like a parachute, even when you feel like you're falling off a cliff.

The first step is putting together your resume. When I compiled my resume for my first application after twenty-four years of service, I was completely amazed at the amount of experience and skills I had learned in the Navy. At first, I was thinking about what to put on my resume but I easily had three pages ready. For this reason, I strongly recommend you start writing down your accomplishments, skills, and experiences and you will actually see how much you take away from military life. This helps to gain confidence and increase your motivation to apply all your insights and learn to start something new.?

The second step is deciding on your new career path. The possibilities are endless and please make sure to choose something that makes you genuinely happy and motivates you. That's why it's important to take some time to talk to friends and read articles about the industry or company you want to be a part of. Once you have made the decision, it would be easy for you to prepare for the interview. I recommend taking some time to understand the requirements of the position you are applying for. It is important that your CV matches the job requirements. If the job requires specific certifications or skills that you don't have, don't be discouraged. You can easily find many online courses and trainings on almost any subject.

The following step is to apply for the job and prepare for the interview. Every company has its own interview questions or style, but they all have the same goal. They all look for the right match for the job. It is therefore important to understand the requirements and relate your previous experience to the position. So, list your accomplishments and projects to prepare for interview questions. It's also important to structure your thoughts and story. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can be a great way to tell your story. I also recommend you not to use too many adjectives, but to use numbers and data. Regarding the details of how to prepare for an interview, online videos can be consulted. But I highly recommend being confident, positive, and focused during the interview. Finally, don't forget the importance of body language, including eye contact, smiling, and gestures. Your body language should not distract the interviewer.?

Assuming you had a great interview and got the job offer, the next step would be to celebrate the moment. Don't rush into starting to work, take a short trip, relax, digest the news, plan your new life, and prepare your family. I remember that one of my friends asked me for my recommendation to prepare for his new role. I told him that during onboarding you will have time to learn company or job-specific things. Now just enjoy this great moment. This will also help your family to prepare for the next journey in life.

When you finally start your new role, please focus not only on the technical aspect of your job but also on the culture and the people. It's important to transfer your skills, but just as important to embrace the new culture. I've seen some of my veteran colleagues pretend they're still in the military. Unfortunately, they failed because they didn't pay attention to the company’s culture and expectations. As you are learning the business and role, building trust relationships with people, and embracing the culture, you will definitely find excitement in your new career. You will also find how much you have learned in your military service.

Listening to appease the world

Blogpost by Emmanuel R. Goffi

Most conflicts are the product of a lack of dialogue. The tendency to identify an enemy and to polarize confrontations in terms of good and bad actors, does not help solving tensions. Quite the contrary it amplifies them, makes them escalate, and hampers the peaceful settlement of the conflict.

In any form of confrontation listening is key. Pointing the finger at one actor is counterproductive. It contributes to maintaining tensions and, in some instances, it speeds up escalation.

The absence of willingness to listen all stakeholders impede the possibility to identify the root causes of the situation and to attribute responsibilities objectively and fairly.?

The current conflict between Ukraine and Russia is a case in point. Some commentators, building their analysis on the Just War Theory, consider that this war is not morally complex: the Russian aggression is deemed unjust and then Ukraine is regarded as morally entitled to self-defend. Consequently, Russia has no excuse and is rejected in the “bad guy” side as a persecutor, while Ukraine is welcomed in the “good guys” camp and labeled a victim. Once this simplistic dichotomy established it becomes difficult to listen to Russia or to criticize Ukraine, not to mention its allies.?

This kind of superficial analysis is ethically disputable for it is highly arbitrary. First, the Just War Theory is not the only ethical lens through which wars can be analyzed. Second, considering that the Russian aggression is unjust is highly subjective and depends on which stance it is considered from. Third, putting the blame on Russia only, absolves Ukraine and other parties (mainly the NATO) from their responsibilities in the situation. Fourth, approaching the conflict through a “just vs unjust” prism polarizes it and impedes any attempt to end the conflict. Fifth, such an approach is biased and hinder the possibility of an objective analysis that is essential to the resolution of the conflict.?

Such a Manichean approach is unfortunately common, and dangerous. Denying the right to some actor involved in a conflictual situation to be listened to, is experienced as a form of violence by this actor, leading to conflict escalation.

The point here is not to deny the responsibility of one actor, nor is it to absolve the other. The point is to fairly consider the situation and to objectively distribute responsibilities to meet in the middle of the bridge and solve the problem. Addressing the roots of a conflict necessitates such an effort and to avoid the ostracization of one party to the conflict.?

Short of such an endeavour, only negative peace can be reached as Norwegian sociologist Johan Galtung demonstrated it in the early sixties. But negative peace is a mere plaster on a wooden leg. It is pointless on the long run. It might stop physical violence, but it does not address the structural and cultural underpinning issues.

This is where listening becomes key. Listening to others. Listening to what they have to say even if we might feel uncomfortable with what are listening to. Listening to understand why a specific actor reacted in a specific way at a specific time. Listening honestly to understand the structural and cultural roots of a decision instead of merely condemning it from a Manichaean and biased perspective.

World Veterans might become a forum for discussions that go beyond mere political considerations, that would foster mutual listening and understanding, and promote peace through multicultural dialogue.

Fighting Angels Behind Bars

In the month of The International Women's Day, I would like to mention the three female air force cadets Nagihan Yavuz, Nimet Ecem G?nüllü, and ?uheda Sena ??ütalan. They were at their early twenties when they were arrested along with other military cadets on the night of the failed coup attempt in Turkey on July 15, 2016.?

In May 2018, they were sentenced to life in prison on charges of attempting to overthrow the Turkish government by use of force. They said they were not aware of the coup attempt and were only acting on orders from their superior officers, who told them there was a terrorist attack. Their lawyer, Kemal Ucar, who believes in their innocence, call them "Fighting Angels" on his social media accounts.?

The below is from the three female imprisoned cadets' letter to Euronews Turkey:?

????????????"Like many, we were left in an unknown darkness with the night of July 15, where we were dragged against our will and which was not revealed."

????????????"However, although our indictment, which could be prepared 11 months later, is full of pages, not a single page mentions us. Our trial process, which started at the Heavy Penal Courts in the 16th month, ended in the 22nd month. 6 months is a very short time for some of us to receive life sentences and some of us to receive aggravated life sentences. During these 6 months, nothing has been done by the authorities to shed light on the incident we have fallen into. For example, although there are camera footage of the crime scene, it was not watched. All requests made in this context were denied. By extrajudicial executions, our lives were plunged into darkness just like that night. While all this was going on, we were not supported by any high-ranking commanders, who knew that the military cadets did not have the authority to intervene in anything, and who continued their duties at the time."

????????????"Despite everything, we are trying to keep our hope alive even though it gets harder as time goes on."?

The July 15 coup attempt turned the lives of millions upside down. According to the Interior Ministry of Turkey, more than half a million people have been detained and more than 70 thousand people have been arrested since the failed coup for their role in the coup attempt. Opposition and human rights organizations say these trials have turned into a witch hunt with the allegations that thousands of people are on trial with insufficient and unlawful evidence. More than 125 thousand public servants including doctors, teachers, judges, prosecutors, policemen and military officers have been dismissed from duties by governmental decree laws due to their alleged direct or indirect links to the failed coup. While the July 15 coup attempt left many questions unanswered behind, many believe that the failed July 15 coup was staged by Erdogan to consolidate his power and convert the democracy to an authoritarian regime. According to Sweden based Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance 2021 report, Turkey turned from a backsliding democracy to a hybrid regime, which is a combination of democratic and autocratic features in the same polity. Similarly, The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) categorized Turkey as a "hybrid regime" based on its 2022 data.?

Sources: Euronews Turkey, Deutsche Welle Turkey, International IDEA, Economist Intelligence Unit

Fatigue

Blogpost by Daniel O. Livvarcin

I never thought I would feel tired after years of working tirelessly in the navy.

Life was tough as a young cadet, but I didn't have to decide anything. Like any soldier, I had programmed myself to follow orders. Getting up at 4 am, running 10 km, and being dehydrated for hours tired me physically, but it was not challenging at all mentally. While on active duty, I made critical decisions, but I always knew that my superiors and team were with me. During my service, I worked very hard and did my best. I've never been burnout, even though I sometimes work late and get exhausted. I think the military profession prepares us to be resilient.

I thought a veteran’s life would be much easier when I retired. Physically it was, but now I was alone. I had no superiors or subordinates to support me. At first, it was fun to do everything the way you wanted, get up whenever you wanted and work as much as you wanted. Later, I realized that the main thing that makes me happy is to be able to produce a benefit.

Sometimes I feel fatigued. I guess that's the typical feeling of many veterans. The solution is not to linger lazily at home but to engage with society and create value for people.

We are not machines. We served in an institution with strict rules, and we have hearts of steel. But we are human, after all. It's not a shame to be fatigued. Even if we fall, we can get back up and keep running because we are world veterans.

Veteran NGO of the Month

In this month's newsletter, we introduce?Gary Sinise foundation. As one of the top charities for Veterans, the Gary Sinise Foundation helps Vets in many different ways. Their mission is “to serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.” They do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities. For example, their R.I.S.E. (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment) program provides mortgage-free housing to heroes across the country. The Relief & Resiliency program is there to help Veterans overcome some of the hardships that can arise from serving in the military. The foundation also has a Community Outreach & Education program to help build relationships between military and civilian communities. For more information, visit:?https://www.garysinisefoundation.org