How long does it take the average Veteran to adjust to life outside the military?

2015-06-03T18:54:23-04:00

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jun 3 at 2015 7:02 PM

2015-06-03T19:02:57-04:00

SGT Jamell Culbreath It takes me 6 months - 1 year to adjust back to civilian job and family interactions after a year overseas deployment.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jun 3 at 2015 7:14 PM

2015-06-03T19:14:20-04:00

It took me several months. There are some things that still bother me a lot...like how it's okay to be consistently late in some civilian organizations.

Response by SGT Jesse Walton made Jun 3 at 2015 7:14 PM

2015-06-03T19:14:23-04:00

I guess everyone situation is different, in my case, my major adjustment was the workforce, and adjusting and facing the reality, everyone doesn't have the same drive and conviction I was accustomed to in the military

Response by SGT Paul S. made Jun 3 at 2015 7:14 PM

2015-06-03T19:14:59-04:00

That depends on your def, of average. I took about 6 months off just to decompress and re-engage family and friends.
I retired from the Army after returning from OEF and OIF deployments

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 7:20 PM

2015-06-03T19:20:14-04:00

going on fours years.....still working on it .....will let you know

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Jun 3 at 2015 7:33 PM

2015-06-03T19:33:33-04:00

Depends on your support system. My old PSG adjusted almost immediately. Working with aircrafts now and loving it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 7:34 PM

2015-06-03T19:34:10-04:00

I wish I knew...

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 8:25 PM

2015-06-03T20:25:07-04:00

Honestly, I'm still adjusting....... It has been almost 4 years since I retired (after 21 years of active duty service), so I guess it will take me 17 more years. :)

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Jun 3 at 2015 8:46 PM

2015-06-03T20:46:41-04:00

Reintegration depending on the time that you have served and other qualities such as education and career pursuits.

Many veterans who have a poorer health status, mental conditions due to PTSD and complex trauma often get stuck or do not transition.

Their is a trend for female veterans to have a high risk of being homeless due to military sexual trauma.

In summary, articles in the Stress of Military life section indicate that there are high reported rates of sexual victimization among military women, with higher rates among those sampled from VA programs and clinics; military sexual trauma seems to be associated with more physical and mental conditions and with poorer health status; and, among military personnel deployed to the Gulf War, women seem more likely to develop PTSD than men. The findings are due to man our single and a single parents and do not have support.

Response by SPC Jeffrey Bly made Jun 3 at 2015 9:00 PM

2015-06-03T21:00:38-04:00

I'll let you know if I ever do.

Response by LTC Gavin Heater made Jun 3 at 2015 9:13 PM

2015-06-03T21:13:12-04:00

Each of my transitions was different. My first was in 1995 when I left AD as a CPT and became a regional sales rep. I was so eager and excited. Things went well at first, but I missed my old life about 6 mo later. I left that job 18 mo later. My second was in 2005 after my first Iraq. It was rough. One month home my company employees went out on strike and I did their jobs for a month. It took a while to realign. I had major driving anxiety as well. My third was easy in 2010 after my second Iraq. I came back to a new job (again), but was well received. I did miss my Troops and my mission, but settled in quickly. So, I would say a positive attitude wins the day. A good support network of friends and family helps. Be outgoing, but not overbearing.

Response by SPC Fred Krauer made Jun 3 at 2015 9:24 PM

2015-06-03T21:24:10-04:00

When dealing with people who don't move with a purpose... I don't know if the urge to put my foot in the seat of their pants and forcibly relocate them out of my path will ever go away.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 3 at 2015 11:07 PM

2015-06-03T23:07:46-04:00

Some of us never completely adjust to life on the outside!

Response by SSG Jeff Binkiewicz made Jun 4 at 2015 1:18 AM

2015-06-04T01:18:04-04:00

I GOT OUT IN 1998, STILL ADJUSTING. I STILL FIND IT HARD COMING OF THE RAZORS EDGE TO THIS SUPER DULL WORKFORCE WITH LITTLE MOTIVATION.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jun 4 at 2015 1:30 AM

2015-06-04T01:30:14-04:00

It's going to be different for all of us, but getting into a steady rhythm with a new company is a huge help. The sooner this can be accomplished, the quicker you'll pick up on civilian company culture, healthcare, benefits, vacation rules, 401Ks and all the other things that are new to a veteran. I'd say the first 3 months on the job as a civilian are the most important to learn and soak it all in like a sponge. Having a friend or mentor who has walked this path before you is hugely helpful as well. Sometimes just sharing a laugh about how strange things feel, goes a long way to keep your wits during this process.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Jun 4 at 2015 3:37 AM

2015-06-04T03:37:48-04:00

Yes everyone is different but for some it can east and others hard. It was kinda hard for me I went through a divorce but got a job right after I got out and still have that job today which has been 9years and a months. The hardest thing for me was how to act as a city not a soldier.

Response by SFC Timothy Dutcher made Aug 19 at 2015 1:39 PM

2015-08-19T13:39:04-04:00

I don't know what the average is but I do think it boils down to establishing what is important in life for you. Personally, figuring out what is important in the military was very easy. The mission, those close to you, your family, your religion, and your duty, for example. You are also surrounded by many with the same values. My adjustment came a lot easier when I applied those same principles to the civilian world. Figuring out what was important. The values didn't change. It was still the mission, those close to me, my family, my religion, and my duty, as examples again. The faces changed. I got more say in who those people in my life are and I had to define my own mission and duty, not the military. There has to be some acceptance there are exponentially more people who don't share my values around me, but I don't have to compromise who will influence my life. Instead of mission first, soldier always, my life is now our collective family mission first, husband and father always. Sure the goals of our family are more parochial than those of the Army, but it is within those goals we have our direction and meaning. I look back at the service as a time I grew as a person and as a time of giving to something greater than myself. It is now someone else's turn. My time now is to help grow my family and community. It is a new time and a new service. I hope you find your way to adjust and know it isn't always easy, but when you find your new purpose in life it might become more fulfilling if you let it. You do have to be willing to let go and grab something new a little bit.