Adjusting to Life After the Military

Regardless of the length of service, leaving the military is a big step. Some people find they adjust quickly to civilian life but for many, it can be a challenging time with mixed emotions and a period of adjustment. As with any big lifestyle change, adapting to life outside the military can take time but there are a few things that can help make the process easier. Here are some tips to help make the transition smoother.

Surround Yourself With the Right People

Making sure you have a robust support network including family, friends and loved ones is vital for your transition to civilian life. It’s only natural that you will want to keep in touch with old friends and colleagues who may still be serving but it’s important not to rely too heavily on these relationships as it can hinder your readjustment to life outside the military.

Communicate

Good communication will make your adjustment easier and you should start this as soon as possible. Don’t leave it until the very last minute when you’re leaving service to talk about your fears or plans for the future with your loved ones, be upfront and honest with them from the get-go. Don’t bottle things up or assume that family and friends won’t understand how you feel. Get things off your chest if you need to and allow people to support you.

Explore Options For Your Future

Many people leaving the military struggle with feeling a lack of purpose and finding a new sense of direction in their lives. Initially, civilian life may seem quite uncertain, insecure and unpredictable in comparison to life in the military, which can feel alarming and confusing. This is normal and you should take time to explore the possible options for your future, including the type of work you want to do, leisure interests, any particular passions or hobbies you want to develop and how you want your family life to look.

Make Use of Support Services

To ease your transition, make use of the available services to support ex-military personnel, such as veteran support groups. You can get support, advice and practical assistance from national organisations like Combat Stress which is the leading UK charity for veterans’ mental health and helps former servicemen and women deal with issues such as PTSD, anxiety and depression. There’s also Help For Heroes – a charity that focuses on life after service and provides support for veterans who have suffered a career-ending or life-limiting injury. You could also explore the services offered by military solicitors if you were injured during your time in the military.

Take Your Time

When you leave the military, the sheer number of changes you’ll experience in your day-to-day life can feel overwhelming. Trying to deal with everything all at once can make this time of transition even more difficult so it’s important to let things happen naturally in their own time, rather than trying to rush or force things.

Setting goals and aims is a good idea but you need to be realistic and flexible about how and when these will be achieved. Start with the basics, such as establishing a new family routine and reconnecting with old friends as this grounding and support will help you on your way towards your larger, long-term goals like building a new career and establishing a new purpose.