Why do we struggle with transition back to the civilian sector? We are masters of adapt and overcome, why don't we apply our skill sets?

I believe the problem lies in the responsibility, drive, crucial decision making and dealing with millions of dollars worth of equipment as part of your everyday activity. The military has trusted you (us) with expensive training and equipment and we mostly thrive in that atmosphere. When you come home to transition, the civilians just don't understand the depth and breadth of your responsibilities while serving our country. Hiring managers get tons of applications, some might consider you a risk for battle fatigue, many skills don't transfer well on paper. Upon arrival home, the jobs that allow you to function at that max level are filled and jobs available are serving drinks at McDonald's for example. Prestige, respect, confidence get packed away with your other memorabilia. Starting back at the bottom of the job chain just sucks. I wish I had a more encouraging comment but that's the way I see it for the time being.

The values that you learned in the military, discipline, honor, teamwork, do not need to change. Most civilians do not understand military language or customs. so do not refer to the bathroom as a head. or when a civilian asks for the time, do not say it is 1500. Minor adjustments will help, but your core values do not need to change. This is who you are now, for the rest of your life.

I think part of it is going from the heightened sense of situational awareness to the mundane life in garrison. There is a go - then a stop. No cool down like on a strenuous workout. You get amped up to go, you go and do the task at hand, then all of a sudden you're back at home like nothing ever happened. Even the best return and reunion programs available don't counter that. I mean, you spend nearly 6-12 months working up for a deployment then get maybe 2-3 weeks at best to adjust to being home. That is tough. With the arrival of millennials to the ranks it makes it tougher. What worked for us won't work for them.