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Transition
Retirement
Medical Board
Discharge
ETS/EAS
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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What to wear each day. On active duty there was no issue, blues except for Friday. Friday's was the pickle suit, eventually BDU'S.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
i had no problem what to wear, My new civilian job was a Police Uniform, Sept 15th We went into long sleeves and wore a necktie on May 15th went into short sleeves and no neckties was required. The uniform was dark blue, almost black pants, shirt and hat. Nothing could be worn on it that wasn't issued to us with the sole exception of our Police union pin. Department regulations were very specific about the placement of insignia, badge, collar brass etc. For footwear it was either combat boots, (not bloused) or low quarter shoes. In both cases they were spit shined. We were not required to have our hats on our heads in the Patrol car but when You got out Your hat better be worn. The Department I retired from when i went there was 95% Armed Forces Veterans, including the Chief of Police.
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Can't say I had any fears, within 1 week or arriving home I was working on a Police Department, within three months I was back in college with two years behind Me and finished and received MY BS degree in Criminal Justice. My Military service worked in my favor both in My career and schooling as well. I had worked Law Enforcement in the US Air Force and continued doing what the USAF trained Me to do. This transition from Military Police to civilian was a pretty easy one for Me and My Military experience left Me with the full confidence to follow that career path. I was never nervous about taking on anything new.
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Jenn Moynihan
SPC Joshua Pruitt - hey there. I hope you have found a groove - so to speak - and have been able to transition without too many potholes & frost heaves.
~ Jenn
~ Jenn
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SSG Shavonde Chase I have a different one for you. While I found it hard to transition from Active to Medically Discharged - I missed the camaraderie and disciplined order. I am finding myself now having to transition BACK INTO the military. I'm going to be the oldest E-3 EVER!!! LOL
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Leaving the army was a huge risk. I was worried that I couldn't make a life for myself on the outside. I had been in since I was 18 and soldiering was all that I really knew. I even kept my foot in the door for a year with the national guard. For 2 years after I left active duty, working a job as a shipping clerk,
I felt like I had made a mistake. That fear didn't subside until my second year of college. I finally got the sense that I would make it after I had been succeeding in my classes and got a job that allowed me take fulltime classes and work with a flexible schedule. It wasn't without hardship or culture shock especially when I started college, but the nervousness subsides eventually.
I felt like I had made a mistake. That fear didn't subside until my second year of college. I finally got the sense that I would make it after I had been succeeding in my classes and got a job that allowed me take fulltime classes and work with a flexible schedule. It wasn't without hardship or culture shock especially when I started college, but the nervousness subsides eventually.
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Jenn Moynihan
SGT Tony Clifford - Glad you were able to find that your confidence level went up with succeeding in college. Even as a civilian (with a military father & uncle) school was not easy for me (nor my dad trying to help with homework).
~ Jenn
~ Jenn
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I was afraid of not being able to support my kids. Turns out I started a job making the same money the day after my terminal leave. Networking was key. I am also blessed to have training that directly related to a civilian job.
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Jenn Moynihan
Most definitely helps to have transferrable skills & training. Networking is also key especially this day and age. Where once we only had people in our area - maybe state - applying for “Job X” we have the entire nation looking at the same job.
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SSG Shavonde Chase My plan was to start college and work full time. I was a little apprehensive that I would be a little bit rusty in college. This turned out to not be the case, as I did well in my college classes. Many of the students were immature and were there to have fun. Working full time, left me little free time, so I focused on studying and following my degree plan. I enjoyed the challenge of college.
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Jenn Moynihan
Going to school as an “older student” has been so much more rewarding for me. Then again - the first attempt was in the fall of ‘77. A little “fuzzy” back then....
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Re-inventing myself and adapting to a new culture. My fear was I would be viewed as a relic that did not know how to changr be value added outside the service. I promised myself I would not try to "wear my stripes" out of uniform... and to the best part I do not.
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I don't have any fears really. I guess my greatest concern would be missing the comradery the military offers. I feel like leaving this lifestyle and going into a 9-5 with folks who don't know what comradery is might take a little adjusting. I think I will adjust just fine, though. Haha.
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Jenn Moynihan
It can be difficult. John and Jane Q Public do not have the same comraderie. There are a few like-minded people in the civilian world that have the same work ethic & are team players.
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