Finding Passion & Direction After Military Service

Whether you’re facing the transition from military service to civilian life, or if you’ve been out for a bit: you’ve likely felt some apprehension about finding your purpose after the military.

In the military, especially if you’ve served for the majority of your adult life, you’re given a purpose. You have a direction. You’re told where to go, and what to do throughout your career. It’s a fulfilling career path, but when you’re making that transition into civilian life – it can feel like you’re entering a different world.

All of a sudden, you have to find your own purpose, your own direction. This can leave many service members feeling lost and overwhelmed.

Fortunately, there are many resources available to you to help you decide the best course of action for this next phase of your life. After all, you’ve served your country – you deserve more than a job. You owe yourself the opportunity to do something else you really care about.

Start Early

If you’re still in the military, don’t wait until you’re out to prepare for your transition. The earlier you begin to plan and start nurturing ideas, the better off you’ll be when it comes time to get to work.

There’s a lot more thought that goes into this conversation than finding a job.

Think about where you want to live and your family’s goals.

Does your dream career require a college degree? There are many excellent military-family colleges both online and at convenient locations to help you reach your career goals. Take advantage of these programs to set yourself apart in the civilian world.

Think Big Picture

Are you considering entrepreneurship? Start writing your business plan. The more you can streamline your processes and your goals – the greater the likelihood that you’ll scale at a manageable rate.
Start saving early – especially if you’re considering entrepreneurship. The more capital you can come with yourself, the less likely you are to need substantial amounts of debt to open a business. This means a faster return because the money isn’t going out to your loan payments.

Boost Your Education

Whether you’re still in the military, or if you’ve already made the transition – building on your education is a great way to see if a new career field is right for you.

The Veteran Career Transition Program offers no-cost education, certification training, and support for veterans and military spouses looking to grow their careers or pursue entrepreneurship.

You may find you love working in tech, or some aspect of business that you had never considered. Either way, you’ll be better prepared to succeed in the civilian business world.

Be Intentional

Whether you’re thinking about moving into a job or venturing into entrepreneurship – take the steps. You don’t have to have everything figured out to make progress in the right direction. Don’t let yourself delay by staying in a job you don’t like, or attempting to start a business you’re not on fire about. If something’s not working for you, make the change.

This will be a journey. The more proactive you are about the process, the greater chance that you’ll find success.

If you’re struggling with transitioning from military service to a civilian career, check out our latest podcast with Chris Hoffmann, founder of VET Training & Coaching.