What was the most challenging difference in your relationships (romantic or platonic/professional) after you separated from the military?

I had to get used to work not being the priority over my relationship. The military always has first priority over your time, and it becomes easy to let work function the same way after you separate. The fact is that my family should come first unless there are exceptional circumstances. Anybody else? What other challenges have you had?

Based on professional and friendship, you kinda stray away from everyone. Since you're so far away from your duty station, you just lose touch with people. I don' know exactly how to explain it; I guess it something that you have to experience. There's just this void between you and your friends and no matter what you do, you can remove the void.

When you're gone for so long, you have relied on yourself to get things done; laundry, cleaning, food, shopping, etc. When you get home, you still have that mindset; you are still in your "zone".

Last marriage... civilian wife accepting my military Past...

There is no good "all for one answer". My original transition went fine since my civilian job closely resembled my military job. I was a Naval Corpsman assigned to the USMC and went to be a FF/Medic and tactical medic for SWAT. However home life went to pieces, my wife of 16 years and stayed with me thru my military career, left. She could take what I had become (we dated all thru high school). AS my PTSD grew worse (before PTSD was really recognized) I began to drink to sleep, without dreaming. when I was finally medically retired at age 40 i was lost. 6 years later I am really no better off. God has graced me with a forgiving daughter and a wonderful grand daughter and it is those 2 that get me thru each day with putting a bullet thru my brain. Find what you love, I recommend God first and hold it tight. Acceptance comes from the inside not from the outside but often I have to fake it to make it. I make myself leave the house, tho i never want to. My Service dog has made going out in public easier, and it is something i think many could benefit from.

Oh boy... where do I start? Marriage was reasonably easy, since we were both Marines. What really took some getting used to, was when the kids came along, and I was medically retired for an injury. Its hard when you are used to being IN, and suddenly you're watching your mate keep on going up in rank, while you fold baby cloths and try to figure out what teething medication works best.
Then there was work... away from the military, you find yourself grinding teeth at times of the people who work with you... you just want to stand back and bellow, "MOVE WITH SOME PURPOSE!!!" Or "Look, if you aren't going to do this, then get the hell out of the way!" neither of which go over well in a casual civilian office job, which was why I ended up managing fast food for many years, as I pushed to get my degree two or three courses at a time.
Its hard slowing down to average, when you were so intent on making rank that you pushed yourself at everything while in, and maybe that's why I had such a hard time in the outside world for so long.
Eventually, you settle in my friend, but there is this part of you that will never be LIKE other people, so get used to it, and just chalk it up to experiences that most people will never understand or have for themselves.

SSG Burleson, Sir; I am sorry, but I feel Challenged and turned-off by the overall NEGATIVE Attitude of the People, POLITICIANS (these are the ones who are to set the examples for the people to follow ) even our younger generation, and I do not see anyone who really wants to Pull us together again !!.. YES, We all have different ideas, we had them in the "ranks" too, yet we all worked together resulting in success, propelling us to a world power, and an influence impacting other World powers.. The Workplace / Our Children / The VA / Congress.. Even in some marriages -- The Negative attitudes are pulling us down.. We need a boost to the American Spirit, ... The American Way..

I feel some people are just really whiny and entitled

work for me is now just a means to an end, not part of who I am. When I leave for the evening, work stays at work.

Sp4 Byron Skinner..Since married the girl I took to the Senior Prom and she stuck with me through Vietnam and months in the hospital and we are still sleep in the same bed together that should speak for itself. In the job place, its really best just to not mention military service. To men and women who have served there is a high level of discrimination in both higher education and in the work place. I don't care if you are a time clock puncher or management it all there. The one that hurts the most is when you are given a raise that is less then a peer and you ask why and the response that you are getting VA Disability benefits so we adjusted for that. Serving your country is a sacrifice long after you have left active service. For female Veterans its much worse, the augment always get around to your sexuality and none of the choices are complimentary.