Transition from Military to Civilian Life

Transition

A tour in the military can set you up for a lifetime of success. You will be given many gifts that will allow you to be better than your peers and get to the top of your chosen field. I am going to share some of my PAINFUL lessons for those who have transitioned recently or will be doing so in the near future.

1. Be polite to everyone...
-Nobody wears rank and they all have friends
-You will find that all pigs are NOT equal. Often times the most equal of them has a vague title
-People prefer doing business with people they like

2. Civilians do NOT like words starting with F or the 7 you can’t say on TV (you can google Carlin’s routine on that if you don’t know)
-Many of us used F#@! As a sort of punctuation or to make a point. While a VERY useful word, I would recommend against doing this during your civilian career. People from all walks of life are running around and some are sensitive to words like that

3. Learn to tell time like the rest of the world
-It is even ok to be a couple minutes late to a meeting occasionally so don’t get your pantaloons in a wad if it doesn’t start on time.

4. Learn to speak the language
-Acronyms are NOT your friend
-Not everyone understands and fewer care unless it is another vet.
-Save sea stories for the VFW, Legion bar or pub

5. Though the booze is often “free”, don’t have more than 2 or 3
-If you have too much to drink it could cost you your job
-Nobody will think it is funny OR come get you out of jail
-A taxi is CHEAP compared to losing your source of income

6. The food is also “free”, but moderation is your friend
-There are no mandatory workouts
-Restaurant food portions are often larger than what you’re used to
-Those first 20-25 lbs can come FAST

7. Human resources main job is to protect the company from the employees suing it
-You can quit, just do it professionally
-The can and will fire you for things that you will think are minor
-They don’t care what you do in your free time, just don’t bring it into work
-If you are too much trouble they will fire you (This does not apply to your disability needs, those are protected)
-Don’t ridicule co-workers they have NO sense of humor
-You can express your opinion freely, but bear in mind that there can still be consequences

At the end of the day it is just a job, learn to let it go. It is great to be passionate about what you do for a living but it isn’t the end of the world. Go home, enjoy the extra time with your family and the fruits of your labor.