4 Things To Do After Retiring As A Veteran

Transiting from military life to civilian life is not always easy. It is a journey that takes veterans down different paths of twists and turns. According to a survey by Pew Research Centre, up to a quarter of veterans find it hard to adjust to civilian life after their years in the service. While this is understandable, it is important to note that some veterans have gone through this process with minimal problems.

This means that transitioning out of the military to civilian life can as well be a rewarding experience. This is especially so for veterans that have built their careers on flexibility and adaptability. To them, life after the military is just an opportunity to try something different in life – a new challenge – and we agree. In any case, under this post, we have decided to highlight some ideas for retiring veterans to make the transition an easy process for them. They are discussed below.

1.   Give yourself time to decompress

Leaving the military can be beyond a mere career change, however, when the time comes, what you are doing is a total lifestyle transition. As such, it is important to afford yourself the privilege to decompress. By decompressing, we mean giving yourself time to reflect, regroup and also reprioritize.

For instance, you might have spent a lot of time away from family while in the military. You can then use this time to reconnect. Try planning different family activities and short weekend getaways. Consider any plans to relocate and discuss with your family. In addition, it is important to keep the lines of communication open because it is a big transition not only for you but for all family members.

Furthermore, you can decompress by engaging in fun activities such as learning a musical instrument, enjoying playing games online, and visiting new places. If you were on tour in the Middle East you might have played traditional games such as Tawla or Dama, but may have wanted to play something more exciting. As the Arabic world becomes more liberalized, they are playing all the most popular video games as well as casino games like video poker and craps. For Middle Eastern players they can check online gambling portals to find the best live dealer casino operators that are available in Arabic. Both newbies and veteran players can benefit from the review highlights of each recommended operator, such as payment options, bonus offers, and software provider information. With this, anyone can now experience Las Vegas from the comfort of their own home.

2.   Get a peer mentor that you can trust

As we have stated before, some veterans have in the past gone through this transition stage and it was a success for them. You should consider getting one as a mentor to help you through the process. Note that feeling isolated is usually one of the feelings you get when you first leave the military, especially when you start to look for a new job. Changes can be daunting, but there is always help available.

You can avoid issues by leaning on a peer mentor that has gone through something similar for support. You can learn from their life experience and apply them to yours. Additionally, it might help you get inspiration and take practical steps to be successful after retirement.

3.   Individual Ready Reserve

Some service members serve out part of their commitment working in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). People in the IRR are former Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve service members that may be called back into service if needed. Although they retain their military IDs and uniforms, there’s no requirement to be drilled or trained. They only need to notify the Military if they change the address. Service members that are in IRR have limited benefits and are usually not paid unless they are called to serve.

4.   Service in the National Guard or Reserve

After active-duty commitment, a lot of service members continue to serve in the reserve component of their service or with their National Guard unit of their home state. These two options allow a veteran to train close to home as they pursue a civilian career. Moreover, there are benefits available to Guard members and Reservists, both financial and support related.

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