How Military Personnel Can Transition Back to Civilian Life was originally published on Firsthand.
People decide to join the military for a variety of reasons. Some enlist due to a sense of duty to their country, while others will join because they want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. A military career can fulfill all of these aspirations, but it's also the sort of career that can take a toll – not only on the veteran in question but also on the family supporting them.
And that toll is eventually paid when soldiers transition back into civilian life. Those patriotic heroes deserve the best when they get back home, but transitioning to civilian life can be extremely difficult. The following guide can help vets get back to living.
A Well-Being Focus
Those who serve can experience trauma both physically and mentally. An important thing to consider when attempting to assimilate back to civilian life is how much a vet’s emotional health can affect him or her. Good emotional health gives people the desire to assimilate, but to get a good grip on emotional health, a veteran has to rekindle personal connections.
This means making an effort to connect with old friends even if those friends already have families of their own. It is all about scheduling and having the will to connect. Of course, seeking out support groups that help folks who've just returned home might be a good idea. These individuals are all dealing with similar issues, and seeing that could help vets feel less alone. A focus on personal health is also important. Plus, it keeps vets active, and that's good.
The College Life
One program that can help vets transition into civilian life is the G.I. Bill. This is something all those who have served are given access to. It's simply one way the American people have decided to give back to veterans for their service to this country.
The G.I. Bill will cover tuition for those who want to go back to school and get a degree. The good thing about going back to school is it offers vets an opportunity to interact with folks, and it gives them a chance to feel normal again.
An Employment Push
Another effective way to help vets get back to some kind of normalcy is to give them a chance to earn the skills needed to work in dependable fields. There are a lot of programs that focus on this need, like 3M's Hire Our Heroes campaign that focuses on giving vets grants and other tuition services to help them get into the collision repair industry.
Those who want an even more focused path towards job placement may want to consider Caliber Collision's Changing Lanes Program, which is offering an accelerated course plan that should result in job placement within the company's large and diverse location network.
Career Counseling
Sometimes, a vet needs a little counseling. There are a lot of people who don't want to go to college just yet because they aren't sure what they want to do with their lives. The idea of choosing what one will be doing for work can feel overwhelming for some, so it's no surprise that some folks just feel stuck.
This is the reason American Corporate Partners has taken it upon itself to provide some support. The organization formed to give vets access to career counselors who can help people find the right path. These counselors look at the academic interests, skills a vet might have learned in service, and other tools to help him or her figure out the ideal career path.
Boosting Career
Some veterans feel better knowing that they can start something on their own, and owning a business is another thing that could help vets feel at home once again. The Veteran's Association (VA) offers a leg up because vets can place a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business or SDVOSB certification or a Veteran-Owned Small Business or VOSB certification logo on their website and storefront.
Having this certification gives veteran small business owners an opportunity to gain support simply because they served. This is a good way to be successful in this very competitive world. Vets who want to start their own business should also take advantage of favorable business loan terms among other things.
Hopefully, these suggestions help vets get used to this new lifestyle. Yes, it is a big transition, and some feel overwhelmed, but patience and support are the keys to making this transition successful. Veterans should also do their best to talk to fellow vets to see if they can get additional tips or tricks that could help.
Dominic is a multi-platform content contributor. He publishes articles and columns on a wide array of topics and industries.
