Thursday, February 28, 2013

From the home front to home: Making the transition back to civilian life

Harper Mac — The government allots plenty of funding toward preparing soldiers for war, but significantly less toward enabling a shoppingsmooth transition back to civilian life. Because of this fact, it's easy to see why so many returning soldiers have a difficult time acclimating to the new change and often find themselves confused about which steps to take next. Although there may be some initial confusion and challenges in making this transition, there are many opportunities that can make this process easier and even exciting for returning soldiers.

Going back to school

One of the major perks of being in the military is all of the financial benefits you receive once you come back home. On top of affordable mortgages and loans to start a business, returning soldiers often have their entire college tuition paid for by the G.I. Bill. Military experience is also typically a major plus when applying for jobs in the civilian world, but it's equally important to have a degree to increase your chances of finding work.

Higher education isn't just about putting yourself in a better position to find a job; it's also about following your passions. If you're interested in the multi-faceted world of business, a degree in business management would be an excellent choice for putting you in control of the operations within a company and organizing effective approaches to problems related to economics, marketing, and client relations.

In addition to the opportunities for loans to start up your own business, the entrepreneur portion of the job market is steadily growing. In fact, recently returned soldiers are already beginning to profit from their own independent business endeavors. Having a degree can give you a better understanding of the market and the skills you need to generate success.

Other ways to make the change successful

Establishing independence is one of the most important things to do once you return. Going back to school is a part of this, but it's not the only part that matters. You'll need to acquire temporary employment once you're back home so you can get back on your feet and ultimately pay for your own place and other necessities. Try to restore as much of your social circle as possible to ensure a strong support system when the transition gets difficult. In some instances, it might even be necessary to receive professional help with the transition by speaking to a therapist regularly. Doing so can help you work through both the practical and emotional aspects of this transition.

The transition may catch you off guard at first, but you'll probably find you adapt much quicker to being back home than you did to going into the military in the first place. Not to mention, home tends to have a lot less stress and far more familiar surroundings. With all you've accomplished thus far, the opportunities that await at home can all be within reach if you make a concentrated effort to readjust.

About the Author

Lindsey Harper Mac is a writer and editor living in Indianapolis. She specializes in writing about education, social media, and technology.

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