Why do servicemembers leave without a solid plan?

In 1992, I begin thinking about leaving active duty after serving over a decade in the army. However, prior to my departure in 1994, I developed an action plan. I developed a vision involving a second career (law enforcement), housing, and unemployment until I could get on my feet. Initially, it was a challenge paying rent, food, gas, electric, cable, and telephone bills. After leaving active duty, I begin serving in the National Guard to help with the transition. Plus, I didn't want to lost my 12 years on active duty. I retied in 2002. Eventually, I adjusted to an entirely different culture after working with an Infantry mindset. It didn't happen overnight. Nevertheless, I took advantage of the opportunities that the VA Medical Center and Uncle Sam provided. The government paid for my training and everything involved. I was able to apply my skills, training, and discipline obtained in the army. It all goes back to planning, discipline and opportunities. Good ethics, values, and principles are instilled in everyone that join the military. Success begin with vision and a plan. Last, learn from mistake and drive on to the next mission. This is how we grow and prosper.

When I left active duty in 91 as a hospital corpsman I had already reenlisted for two years after my original 4 year hitch. While at sea I was in the process of communicating with my detailer and was promised orders to San Antoino Texas to teach a combat casualty course. I consider those orders as very good duty and was ready to reenlist with plans to do the whole twenty years. While sitting in my ships barber shop I was reading a copy of the Navy Times when I saw an ad to go to work with the Califorina Department of Corrections with full benefits and 3 times more money to start then the Navy paid. My wife was also pregnant with our first child and we discussed how much of a sacrifice it would be to raise a military family with deployments and low pay. While getting ready to discharge from the Navy I was not allowed to look for housing so I could move my family., My command would not help me in any part of preparing to enter the civilian work force. Basically once I made my intentions known my command became very cold with me and would not help us in any aspect of the transition. This type of behavior by the leadership of the Navy was IMO shameful. Long story short I am now retiring at the age of 50 from a career that I was lucky enough to fall into. I don't know how the military's leadership treats those getting out now but when I was in they really dropped the ball in this area.

Personally, I did not get a choice. As I believe I stated earlier on a post, once I was being discharged, our C.O.C. (chain of command) would not allow me to look for housing, another job, or anything. When I was getting out, my parents moved from California to retire in the state of Mississippi. And personally, this man was not moving to Mississippi.
So I was honestly homeless when I got out with no job, no car, or anything... SMDH

There is a conditioning of behavior while in the military. It breeds laziness, so said my dad back when I was looking for work.

I remember first call formation and the objectives, priorities, and work plan for the day came to me. When I retired, I had to learn to set my own objectives, sort out the priorities, and create my own work plan; being a self starter.

Those prior military habits were hard to break.