Did you have a hard time adjusting to civilian life? Do you miss the structure?

Sgt John Meister — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 17:50:30 -0400

For me, I miss the comfort of knowing your own rank and of those around you. It is simple in the service to know who is in charge, next in charge, etc and everyone knows their role. In civilian life the are is so grey and there is always people jockying for position.

Another issue I have had is that every two to three years, I am looking for a new job. I feel the need for PCS for some odd reason. Maybe I have a short attention span but afterr a couple of years on a job, I feel the need to move on to mnew challenges.

As anyone else experienced this?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2014 6:41 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 18:41:43 -0400

For me, that was the beauty of continuing to work for Army as a DA civilian. None of the "BS" that comes with being in the military, but still surrounded by Army personnel, active duty and civilians. And you can scratch the transfer "itch" in the DA civilian world, too. I've been a DA civilian for eight plus years and I've had four different jobs, so it's very much like being in the Army in that regard.

I guess I'm singing the praises of working for the Army as a DA civilian. I recommend it!

Response by SFC Boots Attaway made Oct 4 at 2014 6:48 PM

SFC Boots Attaway — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 18:48:49 -0400

I do miss it now like I missed it when I left active duty in 84 but I tried to use the discipline I learned in the military with civilian jobs with some success. Problem was that those who never served did not understand nor like it.

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Oct 4 at 2014 7:10 PM

SSG Maurice P. — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 19:10:46 -0400

i miss.... the i got your back, espirit de corps of the marine corps and army...You would think working in one of the most violent prisons in america that these civillians would understand that but they dont...the higher they go the more its mememememememememe i miss the military...

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Oct 5 at 2014 3:56 AM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 03:56:32 -0400

I miss not being able to relocate every 2 years and I miss working with people who I could really depend on. The military was more team work orientated than it is where I work now. I miss the structure as well.

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Oct 5 at 2014 12:21 PM

SGT Thomas Lucken — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 12:21:06 -0400

The camaraderie is what I miss! I got out in 91 at 9 1/2 years of active duty. I did another 9 years as a civilian contractor, which I enjoyed. I got to work with the military still, but was a bit more free handed to do things.

In 2000, when I settled back into the straight civilian world, I hated it with a passion! The civilian with many employers/companies is about the buck and no cares about their employees! No camaraderie within the work place. Plus most civilians don't even understand military life, but think they do!

I went into a deep depression for a few years over this! To this day, 14 years later I still am to a degree! Anymore, I prefer to be around and dealing with other veterans then non-vets.

Hell, recently I changed churches for the main fact that my new church is ministered by a retired veteran! Vietnam veteran who served in the LRRPs for 2 tours, also spent quite a bit of time with 82nd. And he is big on supporting and pushing support for veterans of all years!

Response by SFC Charles Stevenson made Oct 5 at 2014 7:49 PM

SFC Charles Stevenson — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 19:49:16 -0400

There was some adjustment, but mostly I think my 20 years in the military prepared me to deal wth just about anything, including any BS, they can throw my way out here. I find myself laughing at the things people complain about, if they only knew. Probably the hardest thing for me was learning how to talk to people. Realizing that you cannot be as direct, but need to butter and sugar coat everything to avoid hurting someone's feelings. I do miss just being able to be told, or to be able to tell someone what needs to be done and everyone understand its not personal, but to the point instructions or direction.

Redlegs!!

Response by 1SG Dennis McMahon made Oct 8 at 2014 12:21 PM

1SG Dennis McMahon — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 12:21:32 -0400

I miss the camaraderie. But I have to be honest, I really don't miss it one bit after serving on active duty for 20 years! Been retired for 10 years and have been working for the Federal Government for the past 9, they have been the best years of my life.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 8:12 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 20:12:39 -0400

No. I miss the camaraderie. I miss the sense of purpose. I don't miss the cartoon characters who are being all that they can be. There are plenty of them in Civilian Land.

Response by SCPO Larry Knight Sr. made Nov 2 at 2014 12:09 AM

SCPO Larry Knight Sr. — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 00:09:19 -0400

I miss the camaraderie, the fraternal order of the CPO community other than that I had no difficulty adjusting. I didn't put up with any BS then and I don't put up with it to this day. The only real issue I came across was when someone told me to grab a broom or mop to clean the deck, I looked at the guy and walked on smartly. I've acquired new skill sets since my retirement and now utilize them to mentor others in my daily work activities. I'm actually looking at retiring with my ssa benefits how ever, not totally so that I can continue to work full time teaching others a life skill.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2014 12:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:37:04 -0500

It has been hard to go from a 100 MPH hard charging United States Army Soldier who was at one point a fast tracker to having to realize it was over for me. No matter how much I say I have let it go I have just been in denial. This Wednesday will be the 2-year's since I retired and it feels like just yesterday I was wearing the uniform.

Serving our Country was worth it all as I truly served my brothers and sisters that stood tall, side-by-side me knowing regardless of indifference we would support each other as Soldier's. You do not realize how short life is as a youth full of piss and vinegar. You are invincible and ready to take on the world.

So...I am still in denial...feel like I should have been more successful forcing myself to let go along with the help of fellow service members...a piece of me has disappeared in my identity...

Response by LTC Donald (Don) Bachler made Nov 4 at 2014 12:37 PM

LTC Donald (Don) Bachler — Tue, 04 Nov 2014 12:37:05 -0500

I have not adjusted well to civilian life. I miss felling "useful." There are jerks in and out of uniform, it's just that in uniform you only have to deal with them for about a year before either one of you moves to another position.

Civilian employment has eluded me, so that may have a lot to do with the adjustment.