Author and journalist, Sebastian Junger has notably portrayed the military career as belonging in a tribe. That tribe offered help to everyone in the army. However, when the soldiers finished the service, the absence of a unified community created a cultural shock to the veterans. Research released in the Journal of Translational Behavior Medicine gave credence to Junger’s concept.
This list provides things to do to prepare for life after military service. The list includes the top three resources for veterans like educational links and the latest veteran news to help them in transitioning to civilian life.
3 Things to Do to Prepare for Life After Military Service
1- Take the Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
Although many believe it’s a waste of time, TAP is a helpful tool that can raise consciousness for the veterans and their families regarding the situation. At a minimal level, invest the last six months of your service as full-time training if you want to be in perfect condition when you get back to civilian life. Check the latest veteran news for updated information.
2- Where are you going to live?
All the procedures made for you when you are transferring from one army facility to another are gone. You will have to make decisions for yourself now.
Things to consider include:
- Veteran-friendly states
- Career avenues
- Housing expenses
- Living costs
- Environment
3- What are you going to do?
By establishing a plan early on, a member of the service may use accessible opportunities to get additional training while serving. Through this, you will get a career in an industry faster than preparing and schooling after discharge.
Here’s a list of websites that may assist you in transitioning to civilian life from educational resources to veteran news:
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — G.I. Bill. It is the G.I. homepage where you can match institutions and programs, seek career guidance, and even register online for veteran assistance. You’ll also have links to official documents, press releases, and an extensive overview of the Bill itself.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — My Story. Explore how other new veterans thrived in every component of post-military life and learn to apply their success stories to your own. You can also share your experiences to reach out to other veterans with similar experiences.
- The U.S. Department of Education’s Blog — Veteran Posts. The U.S. official blog. The Department of Education has a wide range of education-related topics and encourages a healthy discourse. Filter posts to the “veterans” tag, and you will see articles providing tips on matters such as employment, education, and economic assistance.
Reintegration is linked to the introduction of dangerous habits that lead to poor health for soldiers compared to civilian counterparts. Throughout the years preceding the army discharge, veterans face substantial declines in meeting required physical activity. It includes excessive nicotine, alcohol use, and rapid weight changes according to the research completed by Team Red, White, and Blue.
Reverting to living outside the army indicates that you’re in for significant adjustments, just like you were when you joined the military. You leave behind not just a career but also a whole society and lifestyle. To many, this transition could be a lot of a challenge at a pivotal point in their lives. But with these steps and resources will better prepare you for your military to civilian life in no time!
