Mil CIV 2 Tips for the transitioning military helicopter pilot ADJUSTING
Life after leaving the military can be full of surprises for veterans. After years of working in a highly structured environment with clear- cut goals and expectations, adjusting to the world outside of service can be daunting. One of the most significant differences between military life and the civilian sector is the pace at which work and life move.
In the military, service members understand that we do not leave our post until the mission is done. This approach often carries into their life beyond service, as they are accustomed to pushing through hardships until the job is done.
In contrast, many private sector jobs have strict hours and require employees to clock out at 5 p.m. each day, regardless of whether their assigned tasks were completed. This can be disorienting for veterans who are used to putting in extra time when necessary to accomplish their goals.
The competitive nature of many private sector businesses can also feel foreign to veterans, who are used to a collaborative team effort to get things done efficiently. In this environment, veterans will need to quickly learn new skills and strategies to stay ahead and thrive. Navigating subtle social cues and office
politics can be challenging, as there is an unspoken etiquette amongst many business professionals that must be understood to effectively communicate with peers and supervisors alike. There are subtle nuances in conversations and workplace “lingo” that may seem unfamiliar when engaging with other civilians. In the military, communication tends to be direct, whereas civilian conversations may include more subtext or social cues that must be interpreted before understanding what is meant by any given message.
To ensure successful transition into civilian life, veterans should find ways to keep up with current trends while also honing skills related to their area(s) of expertise acquired during military service such as leadership training, problem-solving, budgeting, strategy, etc.
Getting support from organizations dedicated specifically to helping veterans reintegrate into daily life is imperative for successful adaptation. By utilizing available resources such as career counseling centers and veteran support networks, it will become increasingly easy to adjust one’s lifestyle and take on new challenges within the corporate realm.
Adjusting to a new lifestyle after leaving the military can range from relatively quick and
seamless to an extended period. It largely depends on how much help veterans receive during their transition, how prepared they are, and whether they have access to resources that can make the process easier.
Additionally, the complexity of their new job as well as their personal circumstances will play roles in determining how long it takes to fully adjust. The good news is that on average, most veterans can settle into a new routine within a few weeks or months after transitioning into civilian life.
There are several steps veterans can take to make the transition into civilian life smoother and easier: (1) Talk with someone who has experienced the process, who can provide valuable insight on what to expect and how best to prepare for the change. (2) Be open- minded and learn about new opportunities. The corporate realm offers a wide range of potential careers that may not have been available in the military, so it’s important to stay open-minded and research different options. (3) Remain patient throughout this process. That is key to allowing veterans — and their families — to adapt as seamlessly as possible into today’s modern workforce culture.
By Marc Stanley
About the author: Marc Stanley retired from the U.S. Army in 2015 after 26 years, and transitioned into civilian life to become a corporate pilot flying the AW139. Marc currently works for Airbus Helicopters. He regularly teaches military-to-civilian transition classes at industry events, and volunteers with veterans outreach programs.
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May/June 2023
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