How has life changed since leaving active duty?

When I left active duty one of my biggest adjustments was leaving a position of great responsibility working at the upper echelon of my career management field and far above my paygrade/rank only to come to the realization that no employer in the civilian sector, no matter how closely the job duties were, gave a hoot in hell about my past accomplishments. I was starting over from scratch and it took me almost eighty application processes for me to see any benefit from my prior service. Perseverance led to an opportunity that helped create the career that I now enjoy. I was determined to make a comfortable living and continue my public safety service career upon leaving the military and through the grace of god I was able to realize my ambitions and goals without compromising my dreams.

total 180... but i do get to sleep Late...

Seems to me that what you did in the military has a lot to do with how your transition goes (at least, assuming you'd like to press on in the same career field). My "transition" (we didn't have that term back then) was MANY years ago - went from being a USAF ATC to an FAA ATC. The most noticeable differences were that I made a LOT more money for less responsibility and I didn't have to wear blue every day. But, as mentioned by SSG Jeremy Sharp, after ten years of service including being a crew chief and the NCOIC of Training for a large approach control, being treated like a no-nothing dirtbag by "professional" FAA Controllers was a bit hard to deal with - especially when I knew more about some aspects of the job (aircraft types, being a very noticeable one) then they did.

But my son is now going through the same thing after ten years of Army service, including two combat deployments). Unlike my career field, he's having to start all over at almost thirty years of age and with a son to raise by himself. He is fortunate that his new employer is also former Army who hired him at the highest pay he could for a zero-experience guy. Why? Because, in his words, "I know what I'm getting when I hire a Veteran." I wish the rest of corporate America would know that.

There isn't enough space here to list everything. A few of the more obvious are a bigger belt, more gray hair, more facial hair, and a sense of just not belonging any more.

Leaving active duty was weird. I felt sad really. Going into the civilian sector again it was waaay relaxed. I didn't have that structure anymore. Yes, I got to be a bit more freer in my choices but I felt so disorganized, overwhelmed with the amount of freedom I had again. It sounds off when I say but it's the way I can describe it (wearing my hair down for example, did I want it half up, straightened, braided; so many choices that I just went for what I was use to; leaving it up).

Mine sucked I left AD in order to change MOS and have been stuck in the Reserves for the Past 14 yrs. Civilian have a hard time understanding military duties and responsibilities. Some civilians have a difficult time grasping the concept of discipline. Not all are like that but a good portion of the ones I have run into do.

Great transition. Embraced civilian life pretty good. I was ready to go about 5 years out anyway. Did my time...realized that the uniform os not forever. Change is awesome!

Not as much as the uniforms have changed. Seriously, woodland cammo BDU's went out over 10 years ago

I miss my guys, the TDYs and blowing stuff up. I don't miss the 0300 command post calls or the exercise/inspection though.

In the Army we had a sense of brotherhood and "you watch my back and I'll watch your's" ant so out in the real world. When I got out I was screwed up mentally. Back then there was no such thing as PTSD but I had it and still do. I don't know how many good jobs and opportunity I lost because I couldn't adjust to civilian life. I drink a lot to ease the pain. Now I went though the PTSD program at the VA Hospital and am doing a lot better. I wished they had that back in the 70's. Anyway any of you troops have that problem check out your VA rep and get so help.