Reflections on the Transition to Civilian Live

It has been a little over two years since I retired from the navy. Given that it’s Veterans Day, it’s probably a good time to reflect on my transition and offer insights to those that will transition to civilian life in the future:

1. Don’t be Overwhelmed. There is a lot to do, starting about 18 months prior to your final date of service. Administrative paperwork, medical examinations and disability applications, and in most cases, searching for a new job. What helped me from being overwhelmed was organizing everything into a checklist with due dates, and then whittling it down week by week, in small chunks. Find time during the work-week to make headway. Your command owes you at least that much.
2. Find the Tools that are Right for You. The good news is that there are countless organizations devoted to helping service members make the transition to civilian life. The bad news is that with so many options, it can be tough to figure out where to devote your limited time and efforts. Here are the organizations I tapped into:
   • Military Officer’s Association of America. MOAA offers several transition seminars and services, including experts who will assist in everything from maximizing your LinkedIn profile to building an impactful federal resume for government jobs.
   • American Corporate Partners. ACP provides service members and spouses with customized mentorships with experienced professionals who can assist in translating your military experience into what companies are looking for, as well as how to navigate the unfamiliar culture of the civilian workplace.
   • D’Anniello Institute for Veteran’s & Military Families. Syracuse University’s IVMF supports service members with free career training, including a professional certification of your choice. It can be very time intensive, but invaluable for those who would benefit from a specific certification.
3. Change your Medical Perspective. I spent my years in the navy trying to hide my ailments from the doctors (within reason) to avoid being grounded from flying. But you need to reverse that mindset as you approach transition. Get all your chronic and lingering medical issues (including mental health concerns) in your record before you transition, and leverage the expertise of a veterans service organization when applying for your VA disability benefits. The VFW was extremely helpful in navigating the process for me.
   • I also changed my perspective on applying for disability. My previous philosophy was that I didn’t deserve or need a disability designation. But I came to realize the toll that military service has taken on my physical and mental health. Seeking assistance was the right thing to do for me and my family.
4. You’re Not Figuring Out the Rest of Your Life. You will feel tremendous pressure, from yourself and others, to “Decide What You Want to Do” in an effort to narrow down the job search and focus your efforts. But that can be tremendously overwhelming. You do not need to think of the job search as finding your second career. Instead, think of it as finding employment for the near term, which will give you permission to experiment and grant you more time to “find your purpose.” For your first civilian job, prioritize what you’re looking for in terms of compensation, location, sense of purpose, and work/life balance (you probably won’t find a job that meets all four criteria) and go from there. Which leads me to my final bit of advice:
5. Cast Your Net Widely. Based on my experiences and areas of expertise, I knew that I wanted to find a job that was either a government role, or with a government-facing company or non-profit. Beyond that, I looked far and wide. I attended job fairs, I submitted resumes on usajobs.gov, I found experts on LinkedIn who were willing to give me their perspective, and most importantly, I reached out to my network.
   • On this last part, it can feel a bit awkward to reach out to friends and previous colleagues. But don’t approach it as though you are asking for a job. You’re not. Instead, you are seeking their advice and perspective: What do they like about their jobs? What don’t they like? Is their career field looking for people with your experience and expertise? If not, what would you need to add to your resume? If they transitioned from the military, what was the process like for them? What do they know now that they wish they knew then?

I was very fortunate in how my transition unfolded. I found a job that provides me a sense of purpose and a terrific work-life balance. I am grateful for the family and friends who supported me throughout the process.

For those who are approaching the transition to civilian life, I am always happy to discuss it in greater detail and provide my perspective. Don’t be afraid to reach out.