Have you done anything in your post-military life to meet or continue to work with other former military personnel?

I have never gone out of my way to work with veterans but have always enjoyed working with them more so than non-veterans. There are shared values and work ethic that seems to come from service.

I only joined the VFW and AL recently in response to the poor performance of the VA. Apparently we need to stick together and have one another's back in peace as well as war.

i have joined the VFW, AL, and CVMA 1 because i just feel more comfortable around other vets.
and 2 i want to do all i can to supotr our troops and help my brother through the hard times of transitioning to civ life.

When I punched out of the uniform side in 2003, I continued my civil service career for another 10 years before hanging that one up too. I found there was a huge void despite transition programs to assist military in their transition. Most of it relates to "What should I consider important for my family and I and how do I find out so I can make an informed decision?" So over time word go out that there was this retired guy that mentors and helps you get on a track for working things out. 17-1830 was a good time to hang and help. I'd also spend time with them on ditching assumptions like "I'm military so they'll want me". Most took my advice, some didn't. A Didn't was a Trident sub skipper who had a resume that said "CO of a nuclear missile submarine. Able to destroy cities." He then couldn't understand why companies wouldn't talk to him how he wanted them too. He was in TPU following a "Loss of Confidence" incident, so to me the pattern fit.

The best thing you can do is to pass it on. Make time to help your shipmates because they'll always be your shipmates. Many times you won't know the positive impact because it frequently happens down the road. I always enjoy hearing about "15 years ago Gunny told me this and I never forgot".