A former officer with the United States Navy, Clayton Ray Leonard lives in Austin, TX. He recently graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin and enjoys writing as a freelance blogger. Clayton Leonard is particularly passionate about veterans’ issues. Veterans face a variety of challenges after serving with the military, such as adjusting to civilian life.
Most veterans adjust to civilian life successfully, but the process is associated with a loss of confidence and a hefty amount of uncertainty. Part of why this adjustment is so challenging is because of the unique culture that veterans experience when in the military. Civilians may be unaware that this culture exists, but it is jarring for many veterans to make the sudden shift between the two cultures. This creates the feeling of culture shock.
In addition, veterans often find that they are more isolated as civilians. When they were in the military, they had formed different friendships and were regularly around others. If they moved from base to base, the military community would help them adjust. Once discharged, veterans often find that they have less access to their friends and struggle with finding and engaging in their new community. Further, they have a new schedule that means they must adjust to how they spend time with family.
Finally, veterans struggle with the sense of starting over. In the military, they were respected for their rank and had a place within the overall military community. Upon shifting to civilian life, this respect for their rank goes unrecognized. Compounding the problem is the fact that some veterans have no experience interviewing for or working at a civilian job, so they may feel as if they are behind their peers as they get used to civilian life all over again.
Most veterans adjust to civilian life successfully, but the process is associated with a loss of confidence and a hefty amount of uncertainty. Part of why this adjustment is so challenging is because of the unique culture that veterans experience when in the military. Civilians may be unaware that this culture exists, but it is jarring for many veterans to make the sudden shift between the two cultures. This creates the feeling of culture shock.
In addition, veterans often find that they are more isolated as civilians. When they were in the military, they had formed different friendships and were regularly around others. If they moved from base to base, the military community would help them adjust. Once discharged, veterans often find that they have less access to their friends and struggle with finding and engaging in their new community. Further, they have a new schedule that means they must adjust to how they spend time with family.
Finally, veterans struggle with the sense of starting over. In the military, they were respected for their rank and had a place within the overall military community. Upon shifting to civilian life, this respect for their rank goes unrecognized. Compounding the problem is the fact that some veterans have no experience interviewing for or working at a civilian job, so they may feel as if they are behind their peers as they get used to civilian life all over again.
