First Person: Common Barriers Veterans Face When Re-Entering Civilian Life

I recently separated from the active-duty military after 14 years of service. For the first four years of my career, I served as an Administrative Specialist and Mail Clerk in the United States Army. The following ten years were spent as a Public Affairs Specialist and Paralegal in the United States Air Force. I am very thankful for the time I spent in the military, and just recently joined the Reserves since I missed military service so much. However, making the transition from active-duty military to civilian was a tough one. I dealt with many issues that other veterans face.

Job Market

This is one of the most common issues that veterans face. The job market is on the decline, and many people are hurting for jobs. Veterans leave the military service to come into a job market where people are fighting for even the most entry-level positions. It can be scary to face this. Use the benefits and resources you have available to you to help you find a secure civilian position. Or, think outside the box and use your skills to start your own business. I decided to take my freelance writing full-time after I left active service, and am making money and enjoying life at the same time!

Fitness

This is a more subtle issue. The military is obviously a huge proponent of physical fitness, and the active-duty workday includes time for working out, and group physical training sessions. When veterans re-enter civilian life, fitness is overlooked; civilian employers don't usually offer time out of the workday for exercise. It is important to make sure you don't overlook your physical fitness. Buy a few DVDs or small pieces of equipment to have at home if you can't afford a gym or don't have time to work out outside of your home. Just 20 minutes of cardio a day can keep you in shape. I just bought an elliptical yesterday to have in my basement, because I just can't make it to the gym on base with my busy schedule, but you don't have to spend a lot of money to stay in shape.

Loss of Self-Worth

One of the biggest issues I faced when giving up my active-duty military identification card was a loss of self-esteem. I felt like I no longer had any purpose or value when I put my uniforms away for the last time. If you are dealing with this issue, do not wait - see a counselor today, or contact MilitaryOneSource.com for free sessions with a counselor. You are eligible for these services for a certain amount of time after you leave active-duty, so don't delay. A counselor can help you find your sense of self-worth and help you think positive thoughts. You can also join groups of recently-separated veterans - talk to your local VA, military installation or do a Google search for these groups in your area.

Something to Look Forward To

This may seem silly, but recently-separated veterans will understand. When you leave active-duty service, you may feel like you have nothing to look forward to. Active-duty days are spent looking forward to the next deployment, the next TDY (temporary duty assignment), the next PCS (permanent change of station), the next leave (vacation), and the last day of your military service. As a civilian, your work days can all blend together, leaving you with seemingly nothing to look forward to. Join some groups or clubs, or get involved in volunteer exercises at your local VA hospital, animal shelter or retirement home. Take some college classes. Do something to give you deadlines and dates to write on your calendar, and fun things to do with your time. Don't let boredom set in and take over - this can lead to depression.

Leaving the military and rejoining the civilian ranks can be scary and confusing, but just be sure to keep a handle on things and keep charging ahead. And if you really miss the military, contact a Guard or Reserve recruiter and get back in on a part-time basis. This lets you serve part-time with all the benefits of full-time service. Good luck!