Entry #10: Farewell

Since this is to be the last blog post, and my last couple of posts were in regard to the Air Force; I'm going to stay on theme. I would like to discuss one of the hardest missions in the military. The final one; transitioning out of the military and back into civilian life. Few events in life are as anxiety inducing. I hope to bride the gap of understanding between those who have made the transition and those reading who may not have experienced it.

What's so difficult? The military is much more than a job, its a way of life that has taken years to adapt to. We have spent years doing things a certain way, and trained to follow orders to support the mission. Habits that may not be as beneficial in the civilian world are not so easily broken after the uniform comes off. Skills learned in the line of duty may not always transfer to the outside world. While on active duty this isn't much of a problem because everyone you work with is obviously also in the military, and everyone can relate to your experiences. Many veterans feel isolated in the civilian world; they feel like they can't be understood. When it comes to dealing with problems that are unique to our profession, it can be hard to find support when there is no one who has shared our experience. 

The military provides a strong sense of security that many of us rely on. It's comforting to know that we will always get paid on the 1st and 15th, that we have chain of command to address grievances with, and that there are many systems in place for when we may need help. This security is what makes transitioning out so difficult. We become reliant on this stability and accustomed to routine and structure. The thought of leaving behind this safety net is scary for many people. Whenever I would mention to my supervisors that I intended to separate in 2021 instead of reenlisting, I was often met with the response. "Just stay in, it's hard on the outside," they would say to me. Many people are genuinely afraid of the thought of reentering the civilian world. They see the world outside of the military as too difficult a challenge, while many on the outside looking in see our world as too challenging. The word "lifer" is sometimes used to describe those who hold this mentality. They have become so reliant on the military that they have forgotten how to function in civilian life, and fear that any attempt to leave the military will result in failure.

The fears of the lifers are warranted though. Failure to plan for separation can result in failure. Planning is so important that one year out from our date of separation we to go through the mandatory transition assistance program. The programs consists of many classes involving budget making, how to find employment, or how to find housing. It's great that this program exists, but it's efficacy is up for debate. Many people still find themselves under prepared to separate and suffer as consequence. A close friend of mine left the navy almost two years ago with very little planning on his part. He got out with very little savings, a lot of debt, and no car. He ended up living with his parents working a job as an overnight security guard for quite a while. As a result he developed mild depression, put on a lot of weight, and drank heavily. This is a sad reality for many people who get out of the military to a world that just doesn't understand them. 

While writing this post I came across a local organization here in Phoenix that is dedicated to helping active duty service members transition back into civilian life. The Military Assistance Mission. Feel free to check it out to see how you can get involved if you're interested.