It all depends: which service, what rank, how many years 'in' etc. I made it from naval officer to academic life! Also know a little about service family life from other's research (but may be a bit dated now). Can discuss this elsewhere if you wish, but don't know how much help I can be. You can contact me at: [email protected]

Robert Moore

Read the article:

The Difficult Transition from Military to Civilian Life

BY RICH MORIN

http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2011/12/08/the-difficult-transition-from-military-to-civilian-life/

http://socialwork.wayne.edu/about/wsu_ssw_annual_report_2011-2012.pdf

Hi Stella,

Thanks for your question.  I'm new to this site, and a doctorate learner at Capella.

I'm a licensed professional counselor and have specialty training in working with service members and their families.  I'm also a Marine Mom (he just returned from deployment and is now transitioning to civilian life).

You've got resources through Military One Source.  There are people that want to hep you transition.  It is a process.  Let me know if you need other resources.  Thanks for the service!

Diane L. London, MSMFT, LPC

PhD, I/O Psychology Learner

Thank You! Diane, I too am a doctorate learner at Capella. I love this university and will be retaking my comp exam soon. We just retired the month I started my exams and messed up so much. it is true for military spouses that retirement is a distant dream, but reality hits and you are out of the service. I do admit that this transition has been hard for me because I so enjoyed the military. Assisting, mentoring and guiding young people and helping them overcome the illogical logic of the military. Truth be told I really do not like being a civilian. 30 years ago I gave up my civilian card and never once wanted it back. I embraced all that the military had to offer and stood my ground on issues that were controversial, some I won and some I lost, but with every unit my husband served in, well they will never forget me (big smile here).

I will always have a safe and soft spot in my heart for the military and Veterans. My dissertation in on the military (Army) Veterans transitioning to civilian work life. I really want to tell their stories and bridge a gap that military personnel and civilians do not speak the same language and the lack of respect that Veterans endure during the interview process. 

Any questions? All suggestions are appropriated. 

Stella Pitts

I/O psychology Learner

The challenges are numerous.  The social-psychological challenge is perhaps the biggest one.  In the military, the locus of social control is the military command structure, whereas in civilian life a far greater degree of discretion is located with the individual.  How much of this kind of adjustment is appropriate for ex-military personnel?  It varies greatly.  Some retain many of the patterns of military organization throughout their civilian lives, whereas others go to the opposite extreme and live a relatively unstructured life.  How many come to eventually realize that a degree of habituation is a valuable asset for accomplishing objectives, so long as it does not become an over-riding compulsion?  This would make for an interesting study of the roots of  personal discipline among ex-military personnel - what are the causes and frequencies of such adjustment problems, and what treatments are appropriate?

William, Thank you so very much for this incredible insight and yes it will make an awesome study! I will keep this one in mind or in heart.

Thank you,

Stella Pitts