Posted on Nov 8, 2023
What do you find the most challenging when transitioning from military to civilian life?
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Your insights matter and your experiences can help us better support veterans during their transition. Let's hear your thoughts!
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Posted 6 mo ago
Responses: 8
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I didn't have a problem with the transition, within one month went from working Military Law Enforcement to the same as a civilian. Continued the college I started in the military and got My BS degree. The Police Department I spent most My civilian career with 95% of the Police Officers were prior Military including WWII, Korean War and Vietnam Veterans. We had the same teamwork concept We learned in the military and even haircut and uniform standards and training very much like in the military service. Even when I was in the military I hadn't lost touch with the civilian community. I never found adaption a problem. I also live in a Community that was NEVER anti military and the overwhelming majority of the males I went to high school with entered the military services either right away or later after college as Officers.
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You are truly blessed. The Louisville Division of Police where I was a patrolman was the same.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
CPT (Join to see) - A photo of Me in Uniform from the Sherborn Police Department. If it wasn't issued it was not authorized for wear on the uniform with only the single exception of a small metal pin for the Police Union which could only be worn on the right side pocket flap of the uniform shirt.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter - My partner had pictures of me, but I don't. She's still too broken up for me to ask. Another victim of medical malpractice.
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Understanding which military habits are "good habits" to bring to civilian employment, an which ones are "bad habits."
We are constantly told that we have valuable skills and that we are highly sought after as veterans because we bring all of these intangibles. But then we unleash those intangibles, we are told we are toxic.
So, we try to be "non-military," and get looked at like a shitbag for going too far the other way. "I thought you said you were in the Army, dude, how did you survive with that weak attitude?"
We are constantly told that we have valuable skills and that we are highly sought after as veterans because we bring all of these intangibles. But then we unleash those intangibles, we are told we are toxic.
So, we try to be "non-military," and get looked at like a shitbag for going too far the other way. "I thought you said you were in the Army, dude, how did you survive with that weak attitude?"
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MAJ Byron Oyler
One of the most damaging things they have done to us the past few years is post us up on a pedestal. Vets are getting out feeling they are entitled to jobs and other things and to be blunt, my neighbors kids deserve to eat just as much as mine regardless of their service. I think the issue with which habits to bring is more based on the civilian society we are coming into. Always calling in sick and being late to work; more acceptable today I feel than in my generation and I will call you on it even though people will disagree with me.
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I think adjusting to the new life post military life. I was med boarded and that process was a little different because I wasn't leaving on my terms or because I decided it was time to leave. Due to an injury my career was ended at 11 and 1/2 years and that was a little harder to find closure. I struggled for a few months defining who I was after leaving the Military because that was so much of my identity for a long time. Once I was able to find hobbies and friends out of the military and especially after having kids I was able to come to terms and be satisfied in not being in the military anymore.
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