I’m having a hard time transitioning back to civilian life; I miss my Marines and the whole lifestyle. Any help?

LCpl Jonathan Bailey — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 18:30:32 -0500

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 6:53 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 18:53:29 -0500

Yo can either re-enter the service or join the Marine Corps Association.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 8:15 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 20:15:11 -0500

LCpl Jonathan Bailey Semper Fi. You will find brothers and sisters on this site that have been through what you are experiencing. I transitioned in June 1972, when the military and veterans were despised by some folks. I started working full time and started college full time. What helped me was staying so busy, that I did not have time to think much about the transition. While I worked on my degree, I worked at a chemical plant where everything was fine. At college, I had to deal with a bunch of folks that were idiots. They partied, while I worked hard and obtained my degree. Keeping busy, along with the passage of time will help. As mentioned by MSG Private RallyPoint Member, there are Veterans organizations that you can join. RallyPoint is here to help you!

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jan 26 at 2018 8:47 PM

COL Charles Williams — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 20:47:11 -0500

It is hard for all of us, I believe... LCpl Jonathan Bailey

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 9:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 21:35:48 -0500

Go to your local recruiters office.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Jan 27 at 2018 1:14 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 13:14:01 -0500

I've been retired since 1989 and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss the people and culture of the Corps. There are some civilians I consider USMC material, but they aren't the same. The best advice I can give is to try instilling some of the values you treasure and miss from the Corps into those you meet as civilians. They'll never make it, but the world will be a better place.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jan 27 at 2018 3:27 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 15:27:45 -0500

Initially after seperation, I think everyone has that feeling or the second thought they made a mistake by leaving. It takes a few years but it will fade. There will come a day when you roll over and see it is 0530 and realize things have changed you can actually sleep until 7 or 8 a.m. now.

Response by Sgt Michael Kieloch made Jan 27 at 2018 6:46 PM

Sgt Michael Kieloch — Sat, 27 Jan 2018 18:46:23 -0500

Where are you currently located?

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jan 28 at 2018 10:25 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sun, 28 Jan 2018 10:25:21 -0500

LCpl Jonathan Bailey, I've been retired since 2010. There isn't a day goes by that I don't miss the sense of belonging and camaraderie of being active duty. It gets easier but it never really goes away. My best suggestion is to get involved with your community. Find a group that has similar goals to your own. I chose EMS and volunteer fire fighting. Best of luck.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2018 4:10 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 16:10:57 -0500

Miss the Navy every...single...day.

It is hard to beat having a unit to belong to, a common goal bound by uncompromising values, expectations and honored traditions. Hell-it's fun too. You work hard, play hard, and get to do both while enjoying the knowledge you belong to one of the most respected institutions in the world.

Then, one day, you look around and notice that you're different...not better or worse, just different. You stay in one place for long enough, around the same folks, doing the same routine; well...it becomes something valuable too.

A few years back, I looked at that old photo of me with the guys in the 'Stan and knew I wasn't that guy anymore. That stung until I looked at other photos, of the woman who chose to love me and stay with me through the hard times, and the little boy who looks a lot like me and loves watching "Octonauts".

It ain't easy, and there's lots of hard trails to walk my friend, but trust me...it GROWS on you.

Response by Capt Ross Nussbaum made Jan 30 at 2018 6:34 PM

Capt Ross Nussbaum — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 18:34:18 -0500

Bailey, YOU are the reason that we started the 03XX Foundation. We all miss the camaraderie and brotherhood. The foundation is our way to stay connected, support and MENTOR each other in our civilian careers. contact us at INFO@03xxfoundation and we will get you taken care of. Semper Fi.

Response by MSG Michael McKenzie made Jan 31 at 2018 11:24 AM

MSG Michael McKenzie — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 11:24:01 -0500

The best advice I can give you is stay connected with veterans in your community. They not have chewed the same dirt, but they have shared understanding of military life.

Response by Cpl Kristopher Gault made Jan 31 at 2018 4:19 PM

Cpl Kristopher Gault — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 16:19:10 -0500

Go into a trade and you’ll be surrounded by vets out of the 8 guys I work with 4 of us are vets. Made my transition much easier.

Response by Cpl Jim Canning made Mar 9 at 2018 10:07 PM

Cpl Jim Canning — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 22:07:49 -0500

ya, take one day at a time. You will never find an other organization where you'll have the bonds you did in the corps, but you can still serve in other areas, such as law enforcement and find a brotherhood there.

Response by PFC Aaron Cox made Mar 11 at 2018 7:48 PM

PFC Aaron Cox — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 19:48:03 -0400

Start a group for Marines to get together and do comunity service.

Response by Cpl Ed Hines made Mar 16 at 2018 7:22 AM

Cpl Ed Hines — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 07:22:46 -0400

I had to start my own business. Still working on it but it's coming along.

Response by GySgt Dj B made Mar 21 at 2018 10:16 PM

GySgt Dj B — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 22:16:42 -0400

Get a job with DoD.

Response by Sgt Adrian Jones made Mar 22 at 2018 10:14 AM

Sgt Adrian Jones — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 10:14:31 -0400

Hey brother you should look for a local Marine Corps League, I was abit apprehensive at first. It turned out to be better than I thought we get together once a month,do different things around our community and drink lots of beer. We are have a hike in May that brings military members/veterans from all over the nation. You should come down...let me know if you need anything...

Response by Cpl Michael Thompson made Mar 23 at 2018 4:59 PM

Cpl Michael Thompson — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 16:59:05 -0400

Structure in my daily life was what I needed even though I hate it i thrive from it

Response by Maj John Bell made Mar 24 at 2018 8:35 PM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 20:35:23 -0400

If you are near a volunteer Fire and Rescue Department... join it. I am both a firefighter and an EMT. Its not the same as being in the military. In some ways its better. In some ways it falls short. But it fills that need to serve. It fills the need for an adrenalin rush. And you certainly develop a sense of camaraderie and brotherhood after facing the Dragon on your hands and knees to pull a person or for that matter a pet from the belly of the dragon.

As an EMT, I've been on the CPR team for 4 saves. And I've delivered six babies. I've also had some losses.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jun 16 at 2018 2:32 AM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 02:32:08 -0400

I don't know what you are missing. For me it was the sense of higher purpose, the adrenaline rush, and the camaraderie. It took a while crack the code (10 years). Then I joined a volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad.

In a lot of ways it is similar to the military. In a lot of ways it is not, much less formal and at least in out squad it doesn't matter what your rank is, everyone pitches in. But it did the trick.

In my rural county, there is a real shortage of firefighters and EMT's. I had to serve a six month probation period, where there is not much but menial "housekeeping" duties, on-scene traffic control, and exterior fire suppression; if we were real short on people for a call.

Once I had proven that I was committed by making weekly training meetings and a decent per cent of calls (25% in our case, although I and all the squad hit about 75%+) the Township Authority paid for my Firefighter 1 course. Another six months and I went to firefighter 2. I showed a talent for running the pumper and went to Firefighter Engineer two months after Firefighter 2. The township would have paid for me to go to Medical First Responder, but that was where my interest really was, so I took EMT Basic while I was on probation on my own dime, but once I passed probation and Firefighter 1, they reimbursed me for EMT Basic. After 2 years I took EMT Advance life support on the township's dime and became a paramedic.

I feel like I am contributing. I'm doing something that many cannot or will not. Plus I now know almost everybody in the community, about 1900 people by name. Before joining the squad, after 10 year I doubt if knew 50 people by name.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2018 11:44 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 11:44:46 -0400

Either get back in, or join the USMC Reserve.

Response by Cpl Kenneth Lancaster made Aug 21 at 2018 6:29 PM

Cpl Kenneth Lancaster — Tue, 21 Aug 2018 18:29:17 -0400

Time is your ally

Response by Sgt John Magurn made Sep 8 at 2018 11:45 PM

Sgt John Magurn — Sat, 08 Sep 2018 23:45:57 -0400

Hey brother we’ve all been there keep your head up find brothers in your area doesn’t matter branch or mos getting together with like minded warriors is what’s important they’ve been where your at. If you ever need an ear I’m here and so are many others.