How to Get Out of the Military and be Successful

As a professional coach that focuses on life and career transitions, I have had the privilege of working with countless individuals through challenging decisions. Your journey from military to civilian life is no different and yet it is completely unique to you. But what does it take to have a successful transition out of the military? A successful transition from the military includes having a clear purpose, tapping into your adaptability and perseverance, a strong network, financial stability, and a sense of well-being and balance. Here’s your complete guide for how to get out of the military and be successful.

A Successful Transition out of the Military

A successful transition out of the military means more than finding a job or a place to live. A good transition requires a holistic approach, examining your work and life. Let’s break down a few of these component pieces.

Purpose

When we examine what it takes to be successful, we have to consider your “why.” What is the purpose behind leaving the military? Each person can answer this question in a different way. Much of this is built on your value system and how you set priorities. The clearer you can get on these components, the clearer you can become on your purpose for leaving the military.

Adaptability

Service members need to tap into their immense adaptability and resilience. Navigating your military to civilian transition is not an easy process. Allowing yourself to adapt and move in sync with these challenges can make for a more successful transition. Maintain a growth mindset and learn from each piece so you can accomplish more as you go.

Network

Your network is vital to a successful military to civilian transition. You need to tap into the wealth of the military networks you already are part of while also reaching back out to civilian contacts to not only go deeper but broader with your network. Look for mentors who have already left the military and made a successful transition. Search out resources and programs to maximize your time throughout the process.

Financial Stability

The kind of financial situation you need when leaving the military will be different for each service member. What is important is to identify your list of financial needs (including everything from mortgages and loans to health insurance and groceries). Remember that you may not transition out and immediately find work. Planning for this potential can give you more time and peace of mind as you navigate your transition.

Well-Being and Balance

Not everything is about finding a job and paying the bills. I get it, these are important parts. But if you are not careful to consider what you need as a person in this change, you may struggle to succeed. In the military, you have a variety needs accounted for you with access to relationships, physical health, and more. When you leave the military, how will you make room for these and find what you need?

Military to Civilian Transition Challenges

Leaving the military offers up a host of challenges. Everything from the adjustment to civilian schedules and culture to translating your experiences into civilian language can create barriers to a successful military to civilian transition. Let’s talk about a few of these and how you can handle them before we go any further.

Identity Shift

Veterans often struggle with a loss of identity and finding a sense of purpose. They have left a place that has determined much of their life to this point and now are forced to discover who they are for the first time. This can leave transitioning service members feeling lost and confused, even wanting to return to their military service.

To counter this challenge, take the time to do some real self-awareness work. This means looking at what truly matters to you, who you are beneath the surface of your service, and who you want to become in the future. Explore new interests and connect with your networks (specifically mentors and service members who have already transitioned well) to see what life beyond the military looks like.

If you feel like this is a particularly challenging area, check out one of the Civilian Refit options. We dive deep into each of these topics to better understand who you are and what a successful life after the military looks like.

Skill Translation

The military loves its acronyms and jargon. There’s a military term for just about everything and these even change from one branch to another. Invest some time into translating your experience and skills into civilian language. The Civilian Refit program spends time on this and you can also use some helpful guides like this one at Career One Stop.

The most important part of confronting this challenge is to make this your own. Your skills and experiences are your own. Take ownership of who you are and find language that not only translates, but expresses more of who you are.

Emotional Adjustment

Being in the military is tough on the emotions. Leaving the military is no joke either. You may feel isolated and anxious, struggle with depression or loneliness. It’s vital that you address each of these and find ways to become stronger through them all.

Navigating emotions requires tapping into your networks of friends, counselors, mentors, and family. Look for veteran support groups who can work with you to navigate this difficult transition. In all of this, know that you are not alone. Look for others to help.

Finances

Planning for your life after the military is complex. You will be forced to start handling all of your expenses and benefits more directly after leaving the military. All of this requires careful planning.

Create a budget for all of your expenses, not forgetting things like health and life insurance, mortgage or rent, utilities, cell phones, internet, etc. Be diligent in getting as many of your expenses as accurately estimated as possible. Then, explore your options to matching the needs you will have.

Disability

Many who leave the military qualify for important benefits due to disability. But this can be a confusing area to navigate. You can discuss some of these benefits with your state's veteran services branch or reach out to a group that specializes in this area. One option could be Veteran's Guide. You can check out their resources on filing your initial appeal and their new VA disability calculator to get started.

Military Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

No conversation about leaving the military and being successful can fail to note the government Transition Assistance Programs (TAP). Some branches, like the National Guard, even have to go through TAP on a regular basis. These programs can offer valuable resources and support to facilitate a smooth transition from military to civilian life. So, how do you make the most of TAP programs?

Engage Early

Get involved with your branch’s transition assistance program well before you start to transition out of the military. Go to workshops and trainings that will offer you information where you feel unclear or lacking. Attend a counseling session or seminar to get new insights and explore your possible benefits and strategies. If you save this process until the end, you will find yourself feeling overwhelmed so start early!

Customize Your Support

One of the TAP resources you have available to you is customized counseling and support. While this may not solve all of your problems or answer all your questions, these services can help you dive deeper into your own personal journey of transition. Use these sessions to address your specific career goals, educational ideas, and business or entrepreneurial plans.

Develop Your Skills

TAP offers various trainings that can supplement your skills in meaningful ways. If you are interested in learning about marketing, resume writing, job search strategies, or to prep for interviews, these trainings can offer your meaningful tools and information.

One additional piece here though. Don’t settle for the trainings you get from TAP. While I love and support transition assistance programs, it is essential that you look for ways to learn beyond what the government offers. This will allow you to discover gaps in your materials and move beyond the basics.

Maximize Your Benefits

Military and veteran benefits are complex and often confusing. TAP resources allow your to familiarize yourself with the available benefits you can claim. These can include education, healthcare, housing, disability, employment assistance, and more. Maximize your benefits by searching out your eligibility for and the requirements of these benefit programs.

What a Successful Military Transition Looks Like

No one transition is the same as another. Transitioning out of the military successfully requires careful planning, adaptability, and a strong network of support. You can start working on this no matter where you are in your decision to leave the military. What matters is that you make the most of the time and resources you have available to you to maximize your chance of success.

Your military experience has equipped you with invaluable skills and experiences that can move you forward toward a meaningful and successful military to civilian transition. Start with the steps listed above. If you are struggling with any of this or want to dive deeper, start one of our Civilian Refit programs to answer all of these questions and prepare you to find and secure work worth doing.