Leaving the military and transitioning to civilian life can be an incredibly daunting process. The structured lifestyle, camaraderie, and sense of purpose that military life provides suddenly disappears once they step out of uniform. After dedicating years of their lives to serving their country, veterans may suddenly be facing a world that feels unfamiliar and overwhelming. For many veterans, there are numerous obstacles to overcome. The following is a non-exhaustive list of some common challenges that most veterans experience as they transition to civilian life.
1. Dealing with Post-Military Mental Health Struggles.
One of the most common post-military mental health struggles is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can cause recurring flashbacks, nightmares, and acute anxiety, leading to a decreased capacity to function in everyday life. The symptoms of PTSD often include feelings of isolation, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness that can impact personal relationships and make it challenging to maintain a socially involved everyday life. In addition, veterans are at a higher risk of developing depression. They may experience feelings of hopelessness or guilt, lack of motivation, and a withdrawal from social interactions. The symptoms of depression can interfere with daily life and prevent individuals from performing simple everyday tasks. It can also lead to the development of substance use problems.
2. Reconnecting with Family.
For veterans, reconnecting with family after deployment can be a challenging and overwhelming task. After serving in hostile environments, veterans adapt to a mode of survivability that rarely involves opening up emotionally or being vulnerable. When they enter a family reunion, it can be hard to express themselves, and they may feel alienated from their loved ones. The family members, on the other hand, often try to help, but are also unsure of how to approach or engage with their veteran. It is a complicated situation that can lead to feelings of isolation for both parties.
3. Feeling Isolated from Friends and Neighbors
It’s common for veterans to feel isolated after returning home from service. The transition from being in a tight-knit and structured military environment to civilian life can be stressful. Veterans often feel disconnected from their communities and may struggle to find a sense of belonging outside of the military. Many feel as though they cannot relate to their peers who have not experienced the same trials and hardships of military service. To combat this issue, some organizations focus on connecting veterans with each other and engaging them in their respective communities.
4. Missing People from the Military
It’s common for veterans to feel a sense of nostalgia for their military life, and one of the things they might miss the most is the people they served alongside. During their time in the service, veterans form close bonds with their comrades that transcend age, race, gender, and background. They may have shared experiences that are difficult to explain to civilians and they may feel a sense of unity with people from the military from facing challenges together. Losing touch with them and missing their daily interactions with people from the military can be a difficult process.
5. Returning to Work
Finding employment can be difficult for veterans due to the lack of transferable skills from their military occupation to the civilian world. This situation can be particularly challenging for veterans who have spent many years in the military and may have limited work experience or qualifications outside of their military duties. In addition, unlike civilians who have been building a professional network over the years, veterans may not have had the same opportunities. They often have limited access to civilian job fairs, career services, or other job placement resources that can connect them with potential employers. As a result, the job search process for veterans can feel overwhelming and isolating, leading to feelings of frustration and discouragement.
6. Thinking About Decisions
The military is highly regimented and hierarchical, with clear lines of authority and well-defined roles and responsibilities. Those serving in the military generally don’t have many choices, because decisions are already made for them based on a limited set of options and variables. In contrast, civilian life is much more chaotic, with a myriad of options and choices available. There are countless variables to consider in civilian life, which can be overwhelming for veterans who are used to a more structured environment with little control.
7. Developing Home Routines
Similar to difficulty making decisions, developing a routine at home is often challenging for veterans. Veterans may feel a lack of control in their lives when returning home, which can make it hard to establish a routine. The lack of structure and accountability can cause anxiety and difficulty in following through with daily tasks. Additionally, when veterans are dealing with physical or mental health issues, it can interfere with their ability to create and adhere to routines.
8. Establishing Healthcare Services
Many veterans struggle with physical and mental health issues resulting from their service, yet the bureaucracy of obtaining care can be overwhelming. VA hospitals are often overcrowded and understaffed, leading to long wait times and subpar care. Additionally, many veterans may live in rural areas with limited access to healthcare facilities or lack transportation to appointments. The process of obtaining disability benefits can also be complicated and time-consuming, adding another layer of stress. The complexity of government programs and the lack of understanding from civilian entities can make accessing necessary resources seem impossible. Although we can’t solve these systemic issues, at River Oaks Psychology we try to make accessing an online mental health therapist as easy as possible. We hope that you will consider us when you need a resource for mental wellness.
Given these common challenges for veterans, successfully navigating civilian life requires a great deal of preparation, determination, and perseverance. It is essential to take the time to reflect on one’s personal goals and aspirations, develop a plan for achieving these objectives, and seek out necessary resources, which may include job training programs, mental health support, and community organizations. Joining veteran groups or local clubs can also provide valuable social networks that ease the transition process. Maintaining strong relationships with family, friends, and acquaintances is equally important in establishing a sense of belonging and maintaining a healthy support system. Above all else, successfully transitioning into civilian life requires an open mind and willingness to embrace new opportunities while honoring past experiences that have shaped who you have become today.
Written by Lauren Presutti
