For those who have already transitioned to the civilian world, what would you tell others 6 months before separation?

My advice is remember it will all be okay. My experience is leaving after a four year enlistment. 6 months to go start looking for your next step whether its school, job, or marrying a rich person(probably wouldn't plan for this one). It is okay to start working and delay the school depending on your situation. Be prepared to start at entry level at your profession, if you don't even better. Just don't get lazy and just do it. I got out in 2009 thinking I was going to work construction(probably not the best idea considering the recession) and I did, then work dried up. Keep options open and be flexible you may run into something you haven't though of. You have to use that GI Bill so start sooner rather than later, if you don't you are only cheating yourself out of the benefit. Remember if you have to work, brick and mortar schools are not the only option and consider online. Its a lot of work and is worth it. And again it will be okay and it is up to you on how successful you want to be.

Start by assessing your personal and employable strengths. With regard to the latter, learn how to translate your military acquired skills into "civilian-speak", as 90%+ of the people you will come in contact with in the general population only know the military from Hollywood portrayals (and good luck with THAT imbedded mindset BTW!).

Work that resume! Read it. Hell, have a text reading app read it back TO you--it's something I've been doing with academic papers I write--and you'll be surprised at what you may miss until you hear the words yourself! Get others to review your resume.

Don't get short-timer's syndrome; which is sometimes easier said, than done. Got it. But just because you can see a light at the end of the tunnel, doesn't mean you've reached it yet! End your old life on a high note when beginning your new life!

Start finding books, articles and magazines that focus on the industry you're interested in transitioning into so you can start learning the language unique to that industry.

Veterans being qualified to work in a certain industry is rarely the problem. The issue I think veterans suffer from is their ability to translate military jargon into a new industry's vernacular. This is vital to being relatable to others in the industry.

We as veterans may think that we have left behind the "military talk", but odds are we haven't -- the military has left an imprint on who we are and we must be cognizant to the fact that not everyone can relate.

We should try our best to be relatable. Start as early as possible.