You’ve just come back from serving your country. Whether you served on the frontlines in the Marines, did a tour or two in the Navy, or provided air support in the Air Force, you’ve been living according to a strict routine for years.
You’ve likely been looking forward to going back to civilian life for a while; for many in the service, the day when they get to unlace their boots, lay aside their helmet, and come back home is something they keep in their mind’s eye as they serve. What few tell you, though, is that when you do finally transition from active service to veteran, you often find yourself making a very significant mental shift.
It used to be that only 27% of veterans reported having a difficult time readjusting to civilian life; nowadays, 44% of those who served post-2001 have communicated difficulty with re-entry. Research points to a variety of factors to this phenomenon, including psychological trauma, physical injuries, and the passing of friends in the service.
You’re just coming home, and you want the readjustment process to be as easy as possible for yourself. But how can you transition smoothly back into civilian life, regardless of the factors that may otherwise impact your experience? In this article, we’ll break down how you can maintain and fortify your own personal resilience as you integrate back into civilian life.
Overcoming Health Challenges
Firstly, a life of service can have a variety of impacts on veterans’ health, ranging from physical disabilities to mental disorders. Some of these effects are widely talked about, like learning how to live with amputations, or the symptoms and treatment options for PTSD. Others are much more understated, yet can still have a significant impact on veterans’ quality of life.
Some of these understated health challenges are:
- Depression/Anxiety: It is unfortunately very common for veterans to develop these two mental conditions, which can sap your energy and impact your overall well-being if untreated.
- Arthritis: One in three veterans will develop some form of arthritis caused by traumatic injuries or muscle overuse.
- Chemical Exposure: Exposure to harmful “forever” chemicals at military bases can cause a variety of other health complications.
- Insomnia: Insomnia is an all-too-common side effect of service that can drain your energy long-term, affecting your ability to reason and worsening the symptoms of other disorders.
- Reluctance to Seek Help: The military attitude of self-discipline and pushing through pain can, in of itself, contribute to making other conditions worse.
Many of these health concerns can be mitigated by seeking outside support. Activities like journaling, seeking therapy (either of the physical or mental variety) to learn tactics that will help the healing process, and connecting to other veterans in your community. Honoring and allowing yourself to process your memories of service during days like remembrance day can also be helpful, as it allows you time to meditate on the good and let go of the bad.
Selecting a Career Path
As you embark on re-entering the civilian world, you might rightly question: what occupation do you want to choose? Some may consider returning to the field they worked in prior to service; others, perhaps, want to leverage their return for a new beginning in an entirely different career.
Unfortunately, the job market has been markedly harder for job seekers, with 70% of applicants reporting they’ve had issues getting their foot in the door. Mentions of employers leaving applicants without a response have more than doubled on platforms like Glassdoor, and lurking fears of a recession have reportedly negatively impacted employers’ drive to hire.
Even in this climate, returning veterans like you can still leverage their experience into a new job. Skilled trade positions have risen in availability, yet applications for these jobs have dropped by 49% from 2020 to 2022, leaving openings for returning veterans looking to leverage their abilities in a new way. Some of the positions open for returning veterans are:
- Electricians
- Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters
- CNC operators
- Welders
- Machinists
- HVAC technicians
- Railroad workers
- Heavy-lift truckers
- Boilermakers
Not all of these positions will align with your interests or your existing skill set, so before applying, consider which ones your experience might translate to seamlessly. Or, if you’re open to learning a new trade, consider enrolling in classes that will give you the foundational knowledge needed to transition to an entry-level role. With the high availability of skilled worker jobs, that extra level of experience will likely land you a role quickly; and there’s also a degree of satisfaction and overall well-being in using your skills in a constructive manner.
Finding Community Support
Finally, there will be days when you feel alone. Transitioning back into civilian life after such a long period of service can feel extremely alienating. It’s crucial that you remember that you aren’t alone, even on the days when you feel the most down.
If you start feeling down, explore veteran communities in your area. Swap stories, attend support groups where you can talk with others who share your experiences, and get connected with services that can provide aid if you need it.
Resilience is a trait you’ve already demonstrated in your years of service. Don’t be afraid to lean on others as you integrate back into the civilian world – brothers in arms share their burdens, and maintaining that sense of community will make it that much easier to readjust to the new status quo.
Photo Credit
Image is from Unsplash
Guest Author Bio
Charlie Fletcher
Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer from the lovely “city of trees”- Boise, Idaho. Her love of writing pairs with her passion for social activism and search for the truth. When not writing she spends her time doodling and embroidering. And yes, she does love all kinds of potatoes!
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