What’s Next: Freedom from Transition Stress

WHAT’S NEXT

Transition to Civilian Life

By Eve Nasby & Kristin Hennessy

Celebrate Freedom from Transition Stress

Those who haven’t transitioned out of the military, but plan to, may think the transition period is just as structured and command-oriented as active duty. After all, there is a rather lengthy enlistment ending program! Ranging anywhere from 4 hours to a few days, you’ll be stuffed with valuable information and guidance, right?

Brochure Overload

Janet thought that was the case. After 10 years in the Navy, she made the decision to leave. She felt hopeful that the transition seminar would guide her into her next stage of life. As she plopped herself down on her overstuffed couch and mindlessly flipped through the brochures and colorful packets of information she received, she suddenly was struck with great stress and anxiety.

The instructors at her Transition Readiness Program were well-informed and had good intentions, but her mind just couldn’t focus or absorb the firehose of information assaulting her. Her needs roiled through her mind in a bubbling cauldron of uncertainty. “Finances, education, new career…,” and the list churned on. “Just because they told me about these services doesn’t mean I know where to start or how to use them,” she brooded.

“How do I make sense of all of these services? How do I know what to do first? Who can I trust to give me good intel who will invest the time and energy to really get to know my needs and make unique recommendations just for me?” She was drowning in stress and anxiety.

Drowning in a Sea of Goodwill

This feeling is a common one for those transitioning from active duty military to civilian work life. Transition means change. Leaving what’s familiar is stressful, and can lead to feeling angry, on edge, sleepless nights and difficulty concentrating. When your mind is swirling in chaos and fear, it’s unlikely that you’ll be motivated and focused enough to make sense of the countless flyers, brochures and tips that are thrown at you in a seminar about effectively ending your enlistment. While the seminar’s intentions were good, the reality is, all you see is a stack of more chaos and no idea what to do with it. Sure, there are services for everything. One quick google search or dip into your stack of brochures will produce countless offerings for services on resume writing, interviewing skills, financial management and more. But which ones do you need? Some are free and some are expensive. Some are local and some aren’t. Some things you may need, but some you may not.

Where do you begin? Or, do you even dare begin? Wouldn’t it be easier if there was a trusted broker of these services that really made sense of everything for you, and even your spouse, if applicable?

Your Freedom Awaits

Good news! There is. Kynan T. Henderson (K.T.), U.S.M.C. (Retired) Transition Manager from The USO Pathfinder® Transition Program, extends his hand out to help those in transition make sense of all that is available. K.T. and his team are strategically positioned throughout the U.S. to extend the USO experience to active duty, Reserve, National Guard and military spouses. They offer professional development services starting from the initial transition period. They will be there to assist and guide you and/or your military spouse for 6 months into your new career to ensure you’re settled and on your feet.

K.T. and his team of Transition Specialists work with you one on one to create a personalized plan to help your transition successfully. In addition to specializing in employment, they also help with education, (including leading online learning platforms like Skillsoft, IBM SkillsBuild and Coursera), financial readiness and mentorship.

More positive news, most companies love to hire veterans. “I get emails every day from companies that want to hire veterans,” says K.T. enthusiastically. You, as a veteran, are wanted and needed in the civilian workplace. The trick is finding your niche, your passion and your fit. When you register for free with the USO program, a specialist like K.T. will reach out within 24 hours to assess your needs and confidentially create a plan of success for you aligning you with pre-vetted resources who are dedicated to your success.

About The USO

The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation.

Since 1941, the USO has been the nation’s leading organization to serve the men and women in the U.S. military, and their families, throughout their time in uniform. From the moment they join, through their assignments and deployments, and as they transition back to their communities, the USO is always by their side.

Today’s USO continuously adapts to the needs of our men and women in uniform and their families, so they can focus on their very important mission. We operate USO centers at or near military installations across the United States and throughout the world, including in combat zones, and even un-staffed USO service sites in places too dangerous for anyone but combat troops to occupy.

In San Diego, (www.sandiego.uso.org/) we have four physical USO locations, Camp Pendleton, Liberty Station, the Neil Ash Center at SD International Airport and at MEPS. Our mobile programming is county-wide and impacts the lives of both military and their families. www.bandofhands.com