What's been the hardest part about transitioning from the Military to Civilian employment?

Great question, take into account a understanding on how to convey your qualifications in a way that is easily understood.

1. Culture change. In the military, we are one team moving in the same direction and everyone knows their place in the organization. No one feels slighted using the terms subordinates or ranks. Rank is earned and subordinates means you are part of a team with someone responsible for directing your professional development. Those terms are anathema in the civilian world.
2. Getting chewed out in the military is just part of life...it is never personal, and always professional. We learn to admit mistakes and work to fix them. In the civilian world, not so much.
3. Big financial change. Do not expect to be paid at the same level you were when you left service, especially if you stayed until retirement. Companies want experience, but do not want to pay for it - they are in business to make money and will always attempt to pay you as little as they can get away with. Oh, and you will pay for almost every benefit you get.
4. Civilians do not understand leadership; they confuse management with leadership. We all know there is a big difference.

The hardest part about transitioning from the Military to civilian life is dealing with the civilians. It took a lot for me not to go off on some civilian for being a dumb ass. I worked at a job for about 9 months before I left and decided to go back to college. Another issue I had was when I was looking for work when I first retired. My resume was very detailed as to what I did in the Army and despite the fact that I had 14 years of experience in Logistics and I could probably do the job, these businesses would not hire me because I did not have a degree. It was quite disheartening to be told that even though you seem qualified to do the job, you do not have a degree. Hence, why I decided to use my benefits and go back to college and get my Business degree. I am shooting for my Masters in Business.

I keep getting taco sauce in my beard, and it now hits my stomach when it used to hit the floor when I was on active. Also, I shoot much better now that I'm allowed to enjoy it. Having to wear a hat because my hair is messed up is kind of a bummer as well, and I sure as hell miss the sweet smell of KIWI in the morning!

Problem with civilian work is getting one. Especially if they give you one of those personality test. We seen and done stuff they would not sream of. So we think differently. So those personality test are useless

No cool people to work with.

Taylor Driesell - It's ironic that you bring up this topic on the same day I'm submitting a packet to the American Staffing Association to be a presenter their conference this year in Chicago.

The class I'm submitting talks to this and covers both sides of the coin. The issues Veterans face when transitioning are numerous and differ Veteran to Veteran. How to craft an effect, working resume is one challenge that many face. A lot of Veterans are unsure how to take everything they have done over 4, 6, 8, 10+ years and put it on paper. Some include their awards but fail to realize that most employers respect your service but honestly careless about the what and more so about the how. For example, if I put down I have X number of awards, but the better move is to look at my award write ups and pull out some examples that civilian employers can relate to.

Employers also have a hard time with the military to civilian transition. They love our skills and whatnot but find it hard to understand things like exact what a DD214 is saying and how someone's skills on the battle field can and do relate to their company.

In the class that I am proposing, I look to work to bridge some of these gaps and empower recruiters like you with even more skills to be an even bigger asset to Veterans.

Having experience that can relate to a job, but since it wasn't the same exact job, the recruiters overlook it

Gee.... I don't know.....maybe......GETTING A FREAKN JOB!!!

The lack of any camaraderie, the backstabbing, I could go on but it wasn't a pleasant experience. I became self employed in sales, and well, going from surveyor to sales is like night and day. Surveying was in transition to robotics, so no need for surveyors. Finding a skill or job that is in demand is required. The idea of you liking the job has no bearing when you have a family and bills. Finding a job you like is a pipe dream that very few people get to taste. Getting a job and doing the best you can is all you can ask for. Read "Gig Economy" that will help. As for finances realize that over 50% of retirees will declare bankruptcy with in 10 years of leaving the service. The pay differences are that great.