How to make the transition from military to civilian life

Making the transition from military to civilian life may sound like an easy thing to do, but it is far from simple. There is a lot of difference to get used to, even if you've only been in the military for a short amount of time.

While help is available for those leaving the military, it pays to manage your expectations and have your own support network in place to help make the change as smooth as possible. Everyone is different, so it's important you take steps that work for you.

Here are some of the most common issues people face when leaving the military and some great ways to cope with them:

Establishing a role in the family

During your time in the military, your family will have developed their own roles in order to deal with the gap you would have left. This can affect small things, such as who takes the bins out, to larger issues like who pays the majority of the bills. 

This can mean that it is difficult for them having you back, just as it can be difficult for you to find your place. 

It is a good idea to talk to your family and find out what their general routine is. This will allow you all to work out where you can fit in and help take pressure off of certain people. You won't all get to grips with this overnight, but having some form of plan to work on can ensure you feel part of the family.

Finding a job

If the only job you've ever had has been in the military, you have to come to terms with the fact that you're going to have to apply and interview for jobs. This can be an incredibly daunting prospect, not least because you need to work out what kind of job the skills you developed in the military can work for.

To help you out, you may want to seek careers advice as this could allow you to wade through the world of work and find something you want to do. It will also mean you can gain interview and application tips that will improve your chances of getting a job.

It is important to remember that even those who have worked in several places don't find a job straight off the bat, so don't get disheartened if you don't get a position you've interviewed for.

Creating a structure

One of the biggest changes when going from the military to civilian life is the lack of structure. While previously you would have had to get up at a certain time and had days planned out for you, as a civilian, this isn't the case.

It is easy to start feeling listless and like you don't have anything to fill your days, however, you mustn't let this get you down as it can result in depression. Make your own schedule and stick to it, ensuring you still have time for the spontaneity that civilian life allows.

Getting yourself out of bed at a certain time, putting aside a section of the day for things like working out, applying for jobs and housework, and giving yourself some downtime can help you get into the swing of things. Just don't get too strict with yourself as you have a lot more options.