Becoming a Civilian: Practical Transition Advice for Veterans

Your contract is up. Whether you are separating or retiring, you have a big transition ahead of you. No longer will you don the uniform you have so proudly put on every morning. You are becoming a civilian again. I remember when I first received my discharge orders. I had been diagnosed with a medical condition which rendered me incapable of completing the physical fitness test a few months prior, and the Navy was trying to keep only the best of the best. I was sitting at my desk one Wednesday morning when my Senior Chief walked in and told me to call the Staff Judge Advocate. I was told in December by my physician that I was being recommended for discharge. Now May, I didn't think anything more about the issue. When I called the Judge Advocate the Legalman who answered simply said in a hopeful tone:

"Petty Officer, we need you to come over right away to sign some forms, the Captain has given you authority to separate."

This was a bittersweet moment for me. On the one hand, I was moving back to Pennsylvania to live in my house and see my girlfriend once again. On the other hand, I was leaving some of the best friends I could hope for. It didn't occur to me for another few weeks that there would be one more thorn in my side. I was soon to be unemployed.

When I came home I first applied for unemployment, the very next day I began to job search. I have friends who served in other branches before me. All of them came home to a poor job market and with only offers of menial employment at rock bottom wages. I couldn't accept that. I knew veterans who complained that they were not hired despite them interviewing for the job in their uniform. I had to do something. So I took a gamble and I prepared my resumé on some nice linen paper and bought a civilian suit.