How did you adapt to the civilian life after leaving the military? Was there a part of you still in the military mindset?

SPC(P) Gildardo Navarro — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 23:43:50 -0500

Response by SSG Jeremy Sharp made Nov 30 at 2016 11:58 PM

SSG Jeremy Sharp — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 23:58:38 -0500

My period of adjustment was difficult. I did not have the requisite certificate to practice law enforcement in the state and most security companies and manufacturers told me I was "over-qualified" the proverbial kiss of death. I flooded the state corrections with applications and was hired as a state parole officer based on my investigative training then parlayed the position into obtaining my law enforcement certification and haven't looked back. The civilian sector has never shown the trust and responsibility in me or my ability as the army did in helping me to become the man and the public safety professional that I am today.

Response by LTC Leonard M. Manning, Sr made Dec 1 at 2016 12:15 AM

LTC Leonard M. Manning, Sr — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 00:15:33 -0500

I retired as a Combat Engineer Officer and was hired as an Engineer Mentor for the Afghan National Army.

Response by SSG Mike Zientek made Dec 1 at 2016 12:54 AM

SSG Mike Zientek — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 00:54:14 -0500

Everything is still in the military mindset.
Civilians, most of them, are clueless about what we do, why we do it, how we do it, etc....
Some of them care, but they don't know how to ask.
I think it is our job to perhaps be more approachable once we start healing and are ready to be approached.
Talk with other vets, your friends and family, a counselor.
Don't be afraid to use the resources available to us.
When you feel alone and want to give up, don't.
You are NEVER alone, and you will feel better knowing you didn't quit. Don't ever give up. No matter what.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2016 1:44 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 01:44:59 -0500

SPC(P) Gildardo Navarro Once a Marine, Always a Marine. A part of me will always have a military mindset. I was discharged in 1972 when being in the military was a bad thing to many civilians. I found a good paying job at a chemical plant while I attended college. I was always busy at work or school, so that kept my mind focused on my goal of obtaining a degree. After five and a half years, I had my degree and started working on the Space Shuttle program. When I attended college, many of the students were there to party, and eventually dropped out. Setting achievable goals and staying busy was my key to adjusting to civilian life.

Starting with my return from Vietnam, and ever since, I have been very slow to trust civilians. Two events happened last month, that have caused me to rethink this and be more open to civilians. At a restaurant, A civilian came up and placed a ten dollar bill on the table to pay for my meal. A couple of days later, while on an airport economy parking lot shuttle bus, the bus driver stood in front of me and asked the other passengers to recognize me. On both occasions, I was wearing my Marine Corps ball cap.

Response by SGT Tim Soyars made Dec 1 at 2016 3:49 AM

SGT Tim Soyars — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 03:49:00 -0500

I was lucky enough to ETS and go right into Public Safety. First as a public safety officer( Police/Fire/EMS) in several departments and then straight EMS. Luckily, there is a military type mindset in Punlic Safety, so transition wasn't to bad

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Dec 1 at 2016 6:22 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 06:22:10 -0500

At first I used to march everywhere I went and had a tendency to square corners until people mentioned it to me such might be intimidating to some

Response by SFC George Smith made Dec 1 at 2016 7:56 AM

SFC George Smith — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 07:56:43 -0500

I went into farming of sorts and the military never left ... it is still there somewhere in the background...

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 1 at 2016 8:10 AM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 08:10:03 -0500

I've been out 23 years and I still have the military mindset. Friends, associates, and brief encounters often comment on it. Some like it, most don't. My tactful bluntness is appreciated but uncomfortable for those that have not served. But it is the reason people like to do business with me, even if they don't want to go fishing with me. You aren't supposed to talk when you're fishing anyways.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Dec 1 at 2016 8:11 AM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 08:11:52 -0500

Not entirely sure if I adapted to it or it adapted to me. I was hired into the aquarium industry (ya, not exactly where you think of military going) primarily because of my military background. They wanted someone with a leadership and safety management background. Leadership from a prior military is practically a given and my background in safety (both additional and primary duty positions) was exactly what senior management wanted. The leadership team wanted to establish a dedicated safety position for the facility, something which at the time was totally unique in the aquarium industry. The goal was to reduce workplace incidents/injuries and ultimately reduce workmen's compensation premiums.
Aquariums were, and are, staffed mainly by people with scientific or liberal arts backgrounds. While individuals are experts in their respective areas, they are pretty much clueless about what other departments do and really had no concept of overall safety programs or company goals, their entire focus is on their exhibit or research, period. So essentially, I found myself with what can basically be thought of as a group of new recruits and was viewed as that military guy who knew nothing about what they were doing trying to change how they did things. Long story cut short, I realized that many of the stricter military procedures wouldn't work with this group of people but they also came around to standardized safety procedures and thinking more like a team. So to get back to the original question, we both adapted.

Response by SP5 Charles Betts made Dec 1 at 2016 9:54 AM

SP5 Charles Betts — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 09:54:02 -0500

Yes and it never really goes away....

Response by CPL Kim Olson made Dec 1 at 2016 10:24 AM

CPL Kim Olson — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 10:24:31 -0500

I've been out since '97 and still have 1 foot in the Army and 1 in civilian life.

Response by SPC Mike Straka made Dec 1 at 2016 10:30 AM

SPC Mike Straka — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 10:30:45 -0500

Not very well n yes there was and still is

Response by LTC Orlando Illi made Dec 1 at 2016 11:08 AM

LTC Orlando Illi — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 11:08:41 -0500

Always will have that mindset. When I was a newly minted 2LT the Brigade CSM told me that if you have to tell someone that you are an Officer - you're not. That always stuck with me

Response by SSgt Stephen Manwell made Dec 1 at 2016 11:18 AM

SSgt Stephen Manwell — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 11:18:45 -0500

Always will have military mindset. After Vietnam, the military was treated poorly when returning home. I was actually spit on in San Francisco airport! Starting college was another event that burned me. We had to go through a "pre-college" course with other veterans to "assimilate" with the student mindset. It was very humiliating. Today, I see and hear from everyone their heartfelt thanks for my service. This makes me feel proud of the changes that have happened since Vietnam.

Response by PO2 Brad Hollowell made Dec 1 at 2016 1:26 PM

PO2 Brad Hollowell — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 13:26:59 -0500

30 years later I'm still in a military mindset.obviously it has to be tonedone down but the leadership skills going as far back as Sunday Tzu's "Art of War" apply equally well to the business workd!

Response by LCpl Donald Faucett made Dec 1 at 2016 3:52 PM

LCpl Donald Faucett — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 15:52:20 -0500

I'm 58 now, but still act like a Marine as a kid. Walk, talk (like Gunny lol) stand in line still got kill kill kill hate everyone in the world almost. Retired Correctional Officer Lieutenant 26 years service Florida D.C.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Dec 1 at 2016 4:41 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 16:41:50 -0500

I think that I adapted very quickly ,mostly because of two reasons,one my short time in the Military (Three year enlistment) and the Vietnam thing ,nobody seemed to care or want to know anything about it,and that was just fine with me,the only Military mindset that is still part of me is the memories and those are mine alone.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2016 12:52 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 00:52:05 -0500

Think of it as an ex con (can I still use that term?) that's been released from prison. You get institutionalized. Your brain gets used to a certain way of thinking.

Response by SFC Dave Beran made Dec 2 at 2016 3:53 PM

SFC Dave Beran — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 15:53:43 -0500

Became a Professional (Truck) Driver. Still have the military mindset

Response by MSG Frederick Otero made Dec 3 at 2016 1:00 PM

MSG Frederick Otero — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 13:00:41 -0500

I would say that a larger part of my mind set is military and that is what helped to get me through the transition period. I have to mention my wonderful wife, doubt it would have gone as well without her.

Response by SPC Sean Rasnake made Dec 3 at 2016 6:56 PM

SPC Sean Rasnake — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 18:56:07 -0500

I have been a PFC (Private F'ing Civilian) 10 years now, and I still have not reaclimated to this civilian pukes existanc

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Dec 3 at 2016 9:48 PM

CPT Richard Riley — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 21:48:38 -0500

That mindset is ingrained, it never goes away. Work and use it to your full advantage.

Response by CPL Laura Hare made Dec 4 at 2016 9:26 AM

CPL Laura Hare — Sun, 04 Dec 2016 09:26:13 -0500

I've been out since 1983 and on my job is still military. Do everything right the first time because you won't get a second time to correct the wrong

Response by CPL Jeanna Brumback Gomes made Dec 5 at 2016 9:43 PM

CPL Jeanna Brumback Gomes — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 21:43:55 -0500

It was hard, right off, not having to tell someone when you were going out of town for 3 or 4 days.

Response by LTC Robert Croskery made Dec 6 at 2016 5:58 PM

LTC Robert Croskery — Tue, 06 Dec 2016 17:58:16 -0500

I just keep a mission mentality and hire vets.

Response by Cpl Carlos Fernandez made Dec 8 at 2016 1:50 PM

Cpl Carlos Fernandez — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 13:50:13 -0500

Yes, it it still is.

Response by 1SG Patrick Holmes made Dec 14 at 2016 9:19 AM

1SG Patrick Holmes — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 09:19:08 -0500

Oh yeah

Response by TSgt Rudy Adame made Dec 14 at 2016 5:06 PM

TSgt Rudy Adame — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 17:06:04 -0500

In my mind and body. I was still in the military.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Dec 27 at 2016 8:43 PM

MSgt John McGowan — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 20:43:10 -0500

I have been out 40 years and a lot of military is still with me. Sometimes I even fell guilty because there is certain thing I don't do like I used too. When I first got out I didn't find a lot in common with the civilians and didn't have a lot to talk about. I did learn how but I can still find a vet to talk to.

Response by MSgt John McGowan made Dec 27 at 2016 8:44 PM

MSgt John McGowan — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 20:44:59 -0500

Excuse my fine use of my writing skills.

Response by SPC John Lebiecki made Mar 16 at 2017 11:44 AM

SPC John Lebiecki — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 11:44:12 -0400

I did 10 years, I got out back in June 2012. It's hard to leave the mindset. BUT, there are some characteristics that also benefit greatly. For example, the objective oriented and dedication to completing tasks at hand are big characteristics that employers enjoy out of having a veteran in the workforce. It also provides a different way of thinking.

Response by SFC Steve Greene made Apr 21 at 2017 2:55 AM

SFC Steve Greene — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 02:55:49 -0400

Adjusted very well, went to work for, UPS, Now Currently with the USPS, for 12 years..IM Pretty much Happy

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 22 at 2017 9:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 21:19:27 -0400

Worked a menial soul sucking job with a bunch of vets who helped me keep things in perspective about the differences between the military and the real world. Also tried to remember the words of retired CSM who remarked that once you get that blue ID Card and drive off base, you just became a PFC in a world where your rank doesn't mean jack to the average civilian.

Response by SP5 Douglas LeFebvre made Jul 18 at 2017 4:04 AM

SP5 Douglas LeFebvre — Tue, 18 Jul 2017 04:04:21 -0400

Still are aspects that manifest occasionally...