Successful Transitioning Stories

By Dr. Julie Ducharme www.synergylearninginstitute.org

My advice to any military member transitioning into civilian life...

Ava served in the United States Marine Corps from 2010 until her medical retirement in December of 2018 (almost 9 years). However, Ava discovered her passion while serving a secondary billet as a Uniformed Victim Advocate (UVA) for military sexual assault survivors. Within this billet, she served as a referral, confidant, and liaison for survivors, their commands, and law enforcement.

Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for youth in foster care. Her recent volunteer endeavors have led her to join a nonprofit operations team for the prevention of human trafficking. Ava earned her Ph.D. in Forensic Psychology, with a specialization in Victimology in 2021, with past academic achievements to include a Masters of Philosophy in Forensic Psychology, a Masters of Arts in Human Behavior, & a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology, minor in Psychology.

Ava also took a holistic approach to help others, which grew from her own healing journey while experiencing mental and physical health issues from the military. Ava found yoga in 2016 after being invited to a hot yoga studio by a friend, which ultimately became the dominant healing force in her own life. Through practice and additional trainings, she obtained her 500-hour yoga teacher certification, and specialty certifications in Trauma-Informed approaches, Mindfulness Resilience, Restorative Yoga, and is also a certified Reiki level I/II Practitioner. Ava is currently in training to obtain her Yoga Therapist certification with expected completion in 2023. Ava intends to incorporate all her education and experience to support survivors of trauma and abuse on their unique healing journey, while also advocating for awareness and prevention of these societal issues.

“We are more than our experiences, traumas, and ailments, we are intellectual, physical, and spiritual beings that have endured countless trials to expand ourselves, build resilience, and in turn, help others!”

In November of 2021, Ava and her husband closed escrow on a fixer-upper 7-acre ranch with intention of turning the neglected property into their forever ranch and sanctuary. “It is our hope that with this land we will facilitate healing groups for survivors, military and first responders, host yoga retreats, and continue to rescue and foster animals. We want people to be able to come here and just be.” Ava and Jeremy currently have 5 rescue dogs, 3 rescue horses, and 2 rescue birds, with genuine intentions of more in the future.

My advice to any military member transitioning into civilian life is to begin planning from the day you hit the fleet, whether you think you are going to stay in and do 20 years or whether you just want to do one enlistment.

Planning should include ideas, trainings, education, certifications, internships, and volunteer hours in fields you are interested in working in during and after the military.

If you don’t know, evaluate your hobbies-what do you like to do? read? watch? Start by taking college courses or certifications - make use of Tuition Assistance! Is there a class you really enjoyed? - take another class in that specialty.

I will be honest, going to school while on active duty is challenging, but with a little sacrifice, time management, and prioritization it is possible! Also, it is important to seek out mentors while on active duty and after you transition out of the service, find someone who inspires you and/or is in the field you are interested in, and don’t be afraid to try new interests or fields outside of one’s military occupational specialty!

Lastly, return the favor! As you progress through the ranks and/or transition out, ensure to pass on the knowledge and wisdom you have learned to other service members. Encourage them to seek out their interests and support them if they want to go to school. A great leader is someone who looks out for all! - those around them, above, and below them!

Return the Favor!

To follow Sage Haven Ranch progress, check out @sagehavenranch on Instagram To connect with Dr. Ava for yoga please visit www.theveteranyogi.com or theveteranyogi@gmail.com To connect with Dr. Ava for advocacy, networking, other interests visit @dr.ava.re on Instagram

2021

G O A L S

www.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com

Transitioning out of the Military into the Civilian Workforce?

Finding a job in the civilian world may seem easy at first. After all, you have learned skills, practiced leadership and demonstrated initiative that will make you successful wherever you go.

The reality, though, is that it can be difficult. In fact, it can be downright depressing, demotivating and you may feel totally disillusioned.

Veterans In Transition is dedicated to you and helping you succeed in your transition.

For editorial & monthly columns regarding transitioning to civilian life, career advice, tips, workshops, transition to education, entrepreneurship, straight-forward legal tips for military and veteran business owners visit www.tinyurl.com/SDVM-Transition