What is the hardest part about transitioning from the military to a civilian career?

Hello Shannon,
I have been retired for nearly 5 years after 20 years in the Army. My take on this is depends on how long you or an individual was in the military. No offense to those who join for 4-5 years, even 10, everyone go in for different reasons. I ended staying for 20 because my life took that route, I became so set on how I think and do things. I hate not having a routine and things that could derail me from those routines. And, maybe some don't think about this, but I did retire on my own terms, meaning I was tired both mentally and physically, but I was satisfied with what I have done...I was ready to move on as well as my family. I could've made it to the next rank, but I was going to give it a shot just three times, if I didn't get it by the third try, I was going to drop my packet which I did. 20 years was enough!

Dealing with unfamiliarity, less structure, more choices, more laid back. Take your cues often by what others are doing, saying, or behaving. Terminology and appearances can vary by quite a bit.

Shannon Arroyo Nothing Hard, I Rather Like Not Having $10,000 and 10 Years in Jail being Held Over My Head if I Screw Up. What is the Worse a Civilian Job can do to Me, Fire Me? Not having to Worry about Butt Loads of Classified Publications, Messages and Equipment. I'm in Hog Heaven Now. No One calling Me Out of My Office to Deal with the ICWO at FOSIC Cincpacflt, No One Waking Me to make a Courier Run when it is 115 degrees outside. I'm Good.

Not being able to swear at use dark ass humor and not get in trouble for it.

I think it depends if it’s a 1 or 2 hitch Vet or a 20 or more year career Vet.. How adaptable they make themself.. I knew guys/women that as soon as they were off didn’t waste time getting into civvies and getting off the base.. Everybody’s different..
and trying to quit using the Military acronyms .. can be hard for s’one who’s usd them all their career. I had been out a short time after retiring on disability.. I’m walking into work to the restaurant from the park’g lot and one of the guys who’d never knew what it was like to wear a uniform, neatly pressed, Work shoes/ boots blacked and brushed.. runs up and tries to
Grab my Chef jacket out from my arm... it didn’t work, I was ready for him.. it wasn’t the first time either.. later he tries to purposely spill some bbq sauce on my jacket.. I grabbed his bud and turned him in front so he got the sauce.. He was like I was.. come in neat and try as much as possible to stay clean.. it can’t always be helped.. I know guys that are fast.. but they’re sloppy fast.. the cookline looks like a battle had been fought. Utensils, cook towels, pans, plates, food.. no need for that.. too much waste of good food product.. and supplies.. loss of time(I try to have enough equipment; spatulas, spoons, hand towels, tongs.. so we don’t have to get off the line.. wasting time getting off the line to chase down a clean utensil, just makes guests have to wait longer.. I hate having to apologize because Food is late.. I tell them. You made it late, you go out and apologize ! That’s why I want them work in shirt sleeves and save their jacket for going out front .. as much as possible.. Being line Chef I hang my jacket where I can get to it.. the stores rm is right around the corner. .. anyway, the make the order late, they apologize , that’s how it needs to be.. after a time or so apologizing they get the hang of it and be more careful.. One distinguished guest wanted me out there.. we had slowed sufficiently that I could do that.. I put my somewhat still clean jacket on and went out with him.. the food critic was upset because I made the cook apologize for himself ! I said it right there.. that he had gotten sloppy and dropped the tongs and had to get another pair.. he’d already dropped a pair previously.. that’s why he was late getting the food to the window.. so I had him apologize for the screw-up. Sure, The buck stops in the end with me.. but I want the guest to know who Actually made their entree be late ! Let that cook feel the embarasment for a change.. it’ll help mold them to be better and not sloppy...

Shannon Arroyo I can tell you with a certain degree of certainty that transitioning in 2018+ is more likely than not significantly easier than when I got out in 1970. By means of stark comparison, I would much prefer to ETS today. As a veteran looking in on the progress made in the transition protocols it appears to this vet that the military has made tremendous strides in preparing men and women for life after the military. (This is as it should be.)

Realizing how much I really don't know about our monetary system. The military should really add more training on how Wall Street really works and new systems like cryptocurrency.

The hardest part about transitioning from the military to a civilian career was the questions the civilian colleagues asked after they realized I was in a combat zone. I had to be very careful to answer with as little information as possible - because most of the time they didn't really seem to want to know the answer unless it fit their preconceived perception. I learned to be vague and use sound bites. Sometimes I tell a story, but usually it's in a more laid back situation.

I came into the military at 17 and grew up there, staying for 27 years. So I've learned most of what I now know from NCOs and officers along the way. When the guys I served with gave their word, you could take it to the bank. I learned about integrity, honor, and loyalty form those folks, and many are still my friends. The hardest thing for me, upon leaving the military was discovering that civilians don't operate by the same playbook. A plummer will say, "I'll be there tomorrow around five," and you won't see him for a week. An acquaintance may tell you he or she will do something and it never gets done. That causes serious adjustments for many military people who have come to rely on others to do their jobs. As a result, I find that most of my friends are still military, or military retirees, mainly because we all have a common frame of reference - and a code we live by. I hope this helps.

After retirement (27 years) I was focused on returning to my earlier career, manufacturing. No surprises, I could not relate to the civilian workers and the manufacturing sector had changed. Actually, I was fortunate to have been guided by a veterans state employment representative, he sent me to apply for a contract position at Land Between the Lakes, it changed my life. After three years at the 370,000 acre park, Iraq war began and I got a position working for a military contractor, I was home. I have been in this career for 14 years and presently working for the State Department in Iraq. I have lived in the middle east for 13 years. Remember, there is a place for you once you leave the service but remember, do not fall into following the civilian mindset.