When transitioning from military to civilian life, what are some of the largest, or smallest, hardships that you struggled with personally?

That is one of the things that kind of irks me is we get no certifications that help in the civilian world. I work on diesel engines and work with electricity. You would think I had a journeyman or electrical certification but nope. It helps I came in late at 30, so I have experienced the civilian way of doing things. But for SM's who have been in the military their whole career, it is a lot hard to transition back to being a civilian.

SGT Charles Napierala With proper planning and preparation there should be no hardships, but challenges that we all face. I knew that I need a degree for the job that I wanted, so when I was discharged in 1972, I found a good paying chemical plant job and started school. Five and a half years later, I had my degree, and began a 33 year career on the Space Shuttle program. My biggest challenge was while I was in school, and I had to deal with civilians that hated the military and veterans. Discipline and drive will take you where you want to go.

I like questions like this, because I am coming from the combat arms side of the house and a lot of people put a target on us because one being Field Artillery when we come into the job world we are not educated. Well. the key is NETWORKING with counterparts, friends and companies with your resume and cover letter because when one person looks at something and they like it, it don't stay local for long. I think my hardest thing was with my transition was going from a no job skill to what I do today with Department of Defense and I think because of the schools and some of the NCOES, I had and the way it was worked and the key is WORDED on my resume and again NETWORKING with people, everyday people and being on social media, I didn't say job sites but I did put my resume out there for everyone to see but it changed many times. MY PTSD has held me back, but don't let things like hold you back because I have fought my way back and working in the job, I work in now for 10 years after I retired from the Army. Its hard to find a job like I got, seeing friends who served like I did, working hard labor for their families knowing what they have been through, I wish I could bring them on with me, Don't stop trying the door will open up, like I told by a great commander it will take at least 5 years for your window to open, some shorter but like I said "NETWORKING " is the key. There still are a lot of veterans out there who can't complete a resume or cover letter but it ok! because there is always a second set of eyes waiting to help you. more eyes the better. Nothing hard in work, what hard is going to combat and coming back and starting a whole new life over.