Returning to civilian life presents new opportunities — and challenges — for Veterans. Many Veterans look forward to life after the military because they can spend more time with family and friends and no longer have to worry about military structure or deployment. At the same time, transitioning out of the military may raise a lot of questions. You may wonder what you are going to do with this new phase of your life, or whether you will be able to find a job. You may think about going back to school, but not know where to start. Or you may miss the order and discipline of military life (compared with civilian life) and wonder if you will be able to adjust.
If you are a member of the National Guard or Reserves, you may be worried about transitioning from military service back into your civilian workplace. Will you be able to pick up where you left off? Will your colleagues understand what you’ve been through and welcome you back?
Whether you served during a war or in peacetime, your experiences in the service — both positive and negative — have made you a different person than you were before you entered, and may have changed the way you look at things and deal with people. Stressful or traumatic situations may have resulted in habits or ways of coping that can be misunderstood or problematic in civilian life.
As you adjust to your transition from the military, you may:
- Feel uncomfortable with the lack of structure and goals compared with military life
- Miss the adrenaline rush of physical and life-challenging situations
- Worry about your finances
- Push yourself to be perfect in work and other areas of your life
- Become annoyed with others who seem more easy-going or less detail-oriented than you
- Feel isolated and alone, as if no one understands you
Most Veterans go through some period of adjustment while transitioning from service and military life, but ultimately find their new roles fulfilling. For some people, the transition is harder or lasts a long time, which makes it difficult to enjoy life or to be successful in the civilian world. Some Veterans experience the following:
- Frequently feeling on edge or tense
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Feeling angry or irritable
- Having trouble sleeping
- Feeling down for weeks or months
Some of the challenges that come with transitioning from the military can be difficult or stressful and can put a strain on your relationships. You might find it hard to enjoy the things you usually like doing. You may be having a tough time dealing with the deaths of friends with whom you served. Chronic pain or other medical conditions may pose additional challenges.
Going from something familiar, like military life, to something new and different can be challenging, but there are things you can do to help you be successful. Remember to:
- Reach out to other Veterans or Veterans’ groups for social support.
- Exercise regularly and eat healthy meals.
- Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing.
- Recognize that others may not always agree with you or understand your military service; agree to disagree.
- Discuss and make plans for the transition with your spouse, children, and other family members; recognize that, in some respects, transitioning from life in the military is a family affair.
- Be prepared for insensitive questions or topics of conversation; practice how to respond ahead of time.
- Respectfully decline to talk about things that make you uncomfortable.
- Have a plan of action for your adjustment that includes a list of goals for your transition, your future, and your personal life.
- Try to get a good night’s sleep as often as possible.
- Avoid unhealthy “quick fixes” that you think may help you cope, such as drinking alcohol, taking drugs or energy stimulants, or smoking cigarettes.
In addition, for National Guard members and Reservists, there are a few things you can do to help ease the transition back into your job:
- Contact your supervisor before you return to work and discuss your responsibilities, changes in personnel, and new policies or projects.
- Anticipate changes and be patient.
- Remember that your co-workers may have had to take on some of your responsibilities while you were away; avoid taking charge right away.
- Talk to other National Guard members or Reservists to learn how they handled their return to work.
- Make sure you understand your health coverage and get any benefits reinstated promptly.
Talking to your family and friends about your experiences can be helpful as you deal with your transition. They will get a better understanding of what you are going through and may be able to provide you with support.
Every day, Veterans from all military service branches and eras connect with proven resources and effective treatments. Here’s how to take the next step: the one that’s right for you.
New to VA? Apply for health care benefits.
- Getting started is simple. Create a free account online to help ease your enrollment process. To prepare to apply for VA health care in person, by telephone, or by mail, explore VA’s “How to Apply” page.
- Not sure whether you are eligible for VA health care benefits? Read about eligibility for VA health care.
- Unsure of what kind of help you need? Call 1-877-222-VETS (1-877-222-8387) to find the right resources to meet your needs, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 1-800-877-8339.
- Veterans’ family members and caregivers can see whether they qualify for VA medical benefits as a spouse, surviving spouse, dependent child, or caregiver. Explore family and caregiver health benefits.
Already enrolled in VA and interested in mental health support? Schedule a mental health appointment.
- If you’re already enrolled and using VA health care, the fastest way to schedule VA appointments is to call the VA facility where you want to receive care.
- With VA Appointments tools, you can schedule some VA health care appointments online, view details about upcoming appointments, and organize your health care calendar.
- If you’re not using VA medical services, contact your nearest VA medical center or Vet Center to talk about your needs.
What about other options at VA? VA offers a variety of tools and resources.
- The Veteran Training online self-help portal for overcoming everyday challenges includes modules on managing anger, developing parenting and problem-solving skills, and more.
- Mental health apps for Veterans cover a variety of topics, ranging from PTSD to anger management to quitting smoking.
- VA TeleMental Health connects you with a VA mental health provider through a computer or mobile device in your home or at your nearest VA health facility. You can learn more about this option from your local VA medical center.
- Community-based Vet Centers provide confidential counseling, community engagement and referral services to eligible individuals and their families. You don’t need to be enrolled in VA healthcare or have a service connection to receive services. Find a Vet Center near you or call 1-877-927-8387, 24/7 to talk with a fellow Veteran about your experiences.
What about support outside of VA?
FindTreatment.gov and the National Resource Directory list programs outside of VA. Use these tools to find resources near you.
Learn more about what you can do if you are experiencing specific concerns related to transitioning to civilian life, such as feeling on edge, relationship problems, posttraumatic stress, and depression.
