Episode 4: The Wall

Veterans always have slammed their heads against the wall on the
reintegration into careers, mainly when translating their military career to civilian counterparts.  This week, the Common Veterans look at the
transition to becoming a military member and why it’s so hard to transition back to civilian status.

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Common Veterans Podcast

Episode 4: The Wall

Veterans always have slammed their heads against the wall on the reintegration into careers, mainly when translating their military career to civilian counterparts.  This week, the Common Veterans look at the transition to becoming a military member and why it’s so hard to transition back to civilian status.

• The Transition (or lack thereof)
  • The transition from civilian to military in basic training is seamless.
    • Basic training
      • Learning to be a service member
        • Corrective training
        • Corporal punishment
        • Removal of rights
          • This is why we understand what we fight for.
    • Extra Schooling
      • Learning the lingo
        • Acronyms
        • Counting
        • Alphabet
    • Physical Fitness
      • Being fit is a part of the military, and getting out and not following through because of the lack of discipline.
    • Discipline
      • Being a lower enlisted and learning discipline is sometimes not the easiest, and have to do other things that aren’t for the weak of heart or mind.
• Actual Military Service
  • First Duty Station
    • How to really be a military member.
    • New friends, only friends,
      • Camaraderie
        • Field problems exacerbate the camaraderie. 
        • Only people you will see for weeks at a time.
    • CIF and the return
  • Last Duty Station
    • Retirement or leaving the service medically
    • Had enough get out
    • Removed from service because of being a knucklehead
    • Hardship discharge
• The Transition of Getting Out
  • ACAP (Army Career and Alumni Program)
    • Kenny took this and was severely missing when it came to finding a job outside of this.
    • Volunteer not required.
    • Soldier for Life-Transition Assistance Program
      • https://www.army.mil/article/140787/acap_receives_a_new_name_logo_philosophy_soldier_for_life_transition_assistance_program
  • The military has historically done an awful job of transitioning its members back to civilian life.
    • Break the soldier down and build them back up
    • No building up to be a civilian that takes initiative
    • Beats head against the “wall” because the member doesn’t know how to transition
      • Interview skills
      • Resume Skills
      • Cover letter skills
  • What it looks like to move into a civilian job and find your place.
    • Exception to the rule
      • Perfect job
    • Combat Arms have a hard time finding work
      • Not looking for a “trained killer.”
        • Framing other skills that it takes to be combat arms
    • Civilian world does things differently
      • More efficient
      • Less efficient
• Next Episode: Just Do It
  • In the military, members have to be something of an athlete to ensure combat effectiveness; in the same way, Veterans need to maintain some semblance of fitness to stay healthy.