What’s the next step after military retirement? How do skills from your service help you to transition to non-military jobs? How must one adapt to civilian life after living a completely opposite lifestyle? How are finances supposed to be handled? These are just a few questions asked by Veterans after transitioning or retiring from the military.
Regardless of what stage of life one is at — whether it’s going straight into retirement after service or entering the civilian occupation sphere, planning the next move is not an easy task.
Check out the tips below on how to handle what life throws your way — the veteran way…
Read on, as Robert Pinero from New Jersey, sets out his best foot forward once again, with the hope to serve the veteran community, once again, by sharing his wisdom.
Starting A New Work Life:
As a Veteran, it is essential to bring skills to your work environment but despite your capabilities and potential, finding a job placement can be challenging. The drive from being an officer with fixed schedules all timed at specific minutes and even seconds to working in an environment that may not necessarily follow routines can be a bit frustrating. In the very same way, the military has a great reverence for perfect physique and if the placement opportunity comes from a place where fitness may not be important at all, it can be tough accepting it is no longer worth it.
The skills that you bring out of the military — the leadership skills, the organizational skills, the commitment, the work ethic are highly valuable in civilian life, but it is important to realize that civilian life is not military life.
Here are some places to start when switching or looking for a new career:
- Take an online workshop. Interactive AfterDeployment exercises help Veterans handle career adjustment issues.
- Get one-on-one assistance. The Veterans’ Employment and Career Transition Advisor provides job-search tools and one-on-one-assistance for Veterans and returning Servicemembers.
- Find government jobs. FedsHireVets supports Veterans with resources for finding employment with the U.S. government.
- Be mindful of what to look out for. Learn about work-related challenges that Veterans may experience and what you can do to avoid them or get beyond them.
Starting a brand new career is, of course, a very exciting thought. However, it is difficult to grasp opportunities that are worth the effort. Not only that, many veterans have felt that jobs after military enlistment aren’t as fulfilling as their previous career.
Making the Most of Retirement
Retirements are the most rewarding and satisfying stage of life. It counts up a lot of free days were doing nothing productive isn’t really big of a deal. It means you can finally have a free routine that you can fill up with activities of your own will. It may mean a lot of amazing memories made with family, picnics with grandchildren, late-night talk sessions with old friends, picnics, trips, and moments that will be cherished in the years to come.
- Make healthy habits. As you grow older, find healthy ways to cope up with challenges related to retirement, such as health transitions, physical changes, mental health, etc. Try to take care of your health and provide yourself with as much nutrition as you can. Clear your mind and relax your nerves. Meditation may help a lot.
- Achieve your financial goals. VA’s Retirement and Financial Literacy Education Program can help you reach financial security. Post-retirement is a good time to plan your finances, look into family matters from a money centered aspect, and avail as many schemes as possible. Since you’re militarily retired, there must be various financial programs you can benefit from.
- Learn about your VA benefits. Find information on applying for retirement benefits, disability compensation, health care for retirees, and more. They are extremely beneficial if you fall under any of the criteria required. The only thing required from your end is to provide documents and enjoy all the amazing aid such organizations provide.
- Keep your mind active. Devote time to causes and people you care about, be curious, and learn new things. That one subject you never lost interest in, that one painting that would love a few more strokes of your brush, the untraveled roads, the untried recipes. Not just yourself but try to utilizing this time by working for noble causes. Volunteer. Meet people from different walks of life. Talk, discuss, ask. Never let your inner child mature.
‘Oh and most importantly’, says Robert Pinero, ‘don’t forget to just appreciate everything in a while and be grateful’. ‘That is all I wanted to share’, he says bidding you all a wonderful farewell!
