Army Transition: What to expect!

So you are ready to make the jump to the civilian world. That is a great decision and not an easy one. No matter how long you spent serving the nation, your efforts will not go unnoticed. Service members and veterans are among the most honorable and respected members of society. There are numerous organizations to assist with your transition and the most widely known is the veterans administration or the VA. You will gain more familiarity with the VA the sooner you get to the end of your term of service.

To make things easier, you must have a good understanding of what you were used to and how that might be different from how it will be. You are probably very used to waking up early on a daily basis and going out to a formation for accountability. Afterall, you are considered Government property and they need to know you are ok and well. So after determining you are in good standing (or standing in formation), you will probably do some exercises for an hour to an hour and a half. Then, after exercise you commit to cleanliness through personal hygiene before you show back up to work in an hour and a half. You are guaranteed a set schedule, albeit in different locations throughout the day, a routine that is your guiding light throughout the week.

Having the set routine is not as predictable in the civilian world. The military routine itself can be addictive as it is a habit performed over many years. To break addiction can be quite difficult but doable.

Furthermore, you are probably used to having an endless stream of money whether it be from the government in the form of meal cards, credit cards, etc. or from a paycheck. Depending on your location the paycheck can be quite hefty to account for higher costs of living. For example, in Hawaii, first year lieutenants can make more than $6,000.00/month.

To have a steady paycheck is not as predictable in the civilian world. One day you can have a job, the next you may be looking for new work. That in itself can present a fearful appearance of the unknown even for the strongest service members.

Finally, you are probably used to having a place to lie your head and rest. The military guarantees housing for all members and their families. This can change if you wind up in a position to where you go upside down on your mortgage or cannot pay your rent. Civilians might be at a crossroads when they move but the military pays good money to assist in relocation costs.

Now that we understand what we do know, we can focus on what we don't always think about or even unknown knowns. This can be scary for some and a bit unpredictable in the beginning of the transition but it will get better. As you carry forward with a positive attitude, everything will be alright. Most of that fear might be located around money. You may not know if it will be there after you step out as a civilian. This fear you cannot let fester for the worst but you have to apply your military training and attention to detail to get your budget right and have enough savings to carry you through until you can find a job. Use your routine that you miss out on daily to set a schedule for sending resumes, calling companies and attending interviews.

Occasionally, some big expenses may come, and those you have to prepare for. If your car breaks down or your washer hose breaks, you can be due for some pretty hard times financially in the near future. They say to have 3-4 months of living expenses in savings but if you have any one or two major windfalls financially, you may be hard-pressed. This you do not need to fear. You have many options available at your disposal such as selling items that are of value to put food on the table. It may be investment stocks, an old bicycle or surfboard, even an old motorcycle/car can be somebody else's treasure which could net a few hundred dollars.

Just be prepared to part with anything, afterall you did make the major decsion to part from the service. Even if it was not your decision, you should still have a plan for finances before the end of your term.

Getting out of the military can be a very emotional time. It might bring you great joy one day and major worry the next. This is not mentioning the toll it can take on family members. Sometimes discussing the transistion with the spouse can be pretty heart-wrenching. If the spouse is female, the security issue may be most intense in her mind. Where will she live, what will she be doing, where will the food come from are all questions that may arise regarding her security. If the female is pregnant, just expect her feelings of security to be all the more intense as she has a young one to also worry about. This coupled with difficult decisions is why the transition process is so hard for some.

Make your new routine the same by waking up early, exercising,  looking for jobs, and spending quality time with your significant other because after all they are your only support channel once you are out. Now more than ever you need them to support you and in return, you need to support them. If you are single, your major responsibility is not to just have fun but to also maintain your self discipline to seek work or further your education with the GI BILL.

If you are seriously injured when getting out, know that there are many resources out there and the VA can also provide financial compensation and healthcare at little to no cost to your family. If you are pregnant, the military healthcare will remain in place for months after you exit the service so you can have your baby with ease. If you are extremely stressed, talk with a counselor such as militaryonesource or even a VA healthcare representative.

The problems with transition can be mitigated with having a plan to find solutions to all possible potential problems. Whatever may arise, if you know that everything will always work out, your chances of having a smother transition is much higher. Share with your loved ones only the positive things about getting out because if you start associating counterproductive thoughts with your transition, it will just make it more stressful for them to. Short Story by Todd Maki November 25, 2014.

WLC, OCS, BOLC, Now the Training is paying off.

I am happy to announce that I have completed all training necessary to earn my commission in the United States Army and practice my leadership as a Field Artillery officer in Hawaii.  It was a long road to get here but the value of the training and the great friendships I made along the way make it all the more worthwhile.  Happily married and living in the country overlooking the beach is where I set my goals when going through the training; and now living the life I envisioned is here to stay forever in the memories of my wife and I.  It was prayer and confidence that brought me here, it will be that same formula for future success.  Set your goals, work hard, and be persistent in prayer.  Trust that you can and God will see you through.

Officer Candidate School

Recently, I put together a packet for Officer Candidate School for the U.S. Army. After serving as a Specialist and then a Corporal, I see the potential I have for leading from another angle, that as a commissioned officer. Although, I have a few more classes to complete before I receive my Masters in Leadership Studies at the University of Texas at El Paso, I found the opportunity for OCS to be too good to pass up. I hope to be stationed as an officer somewhere nearby where another program offers a Masters in Leadership Studies so I can complete my degree. My first choice is Hawaii. I would love to be near my family there and perhaps become affiliated with a Light Infantry Unit. Time will tell and I hope to keep you updated on my Army career.