We love our troops and appreciate your service and dedication to protecting our freedom. And while we try to show that appreciation whenever possible, many service men and women, when returning home from deployment, experience challenges transitioning to civilian life. In many cases there’s emotional or psychological trauma that comes as a result of time in service. Add in the financial pressures that come with civilian living, and life back home can end up difficult.
But while many returning military personnel face these issues, the situation is not completely impossible. There are groups and organizations available to help with everything from dealing with psychological and emotional issues to buying a new home. Hey, it may seem tough when you first get back, and it may be true you might not be the same person you were before you were deployed, but there is hope.
With that in mind, here are 3 tips to help your transition home go as smoothly as possible:
1. Take some time to breathe
Whether you were in the thick of combat or not, being deployed—especially in a war zone—can have an effect on anyone once they return home. It’s not unusual for a service person to be in the heat of a stressful situation one day and return home shortly after. Sure there are stresses in “home life,” but day-to-day in the military can include long hours and critical missions that are in no way common to civilian life.
The first weeks and even months after your return home are critical. Set yourself up for success by choosing activities that enrich your life on all three levels: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Eat as healthy as possible and drink plenty of water. You’d be surprised how much diet can affect your mood. Talking helps too. Talk to family and friends, and the guys from your unit who are also home, when you need emotional support. When necessary, seek counseling for any trauma that can’t be addressed through friend, family, and peer support.
2. Take full advantage of programs and workshops
More and more, there are a diverse range of programs available to veterans who have chosen to serve their country. A good place to start is by enrolling in the Transition Assistance Program, otherwise known as TAP. This program can help you with job placement, a big issue with returning vets. Also, if you are a young and fresh out of the military, you might start thinking about buying your own home, especially if you have a family. There are several institutions offering low VA rates and some of them specialize solely in military housing placement.
Find out more information about VA rates and home ownership at Lowvarates.com.
3. Focus on meaningful relationships
If you were deployed overseas, especially for a lengthy amount of time, chances are pretty good the time away has done some damage to your relationship at home Many service members agree that one of the biggest challenges that they face when returning stateside is reconnecting with their existing relationships and building new, positive ones.
It’s no secret you’ve changed during your service, and many of your loved ones have changed too. Sometimes it can seem like you're learning how to walk all over again, but transitioning to civilian life means re-engaging in these relationships. Many families actually become a lot closer once the military member returns home from active duty, but it tends to take concentrated effort. There are programs available to families who need help transitioning and many of them are free of charge.
It’s true that living life as a civilian can be somewhat of a challenge, but times are changing. Before, military men and women could easily slip through the cracks—and many of them did—but numerous programs have developed throughout the last few decades to prevent that from happening. Active service members are actually encouraged to begin the process of reintegration as soon as they become aware that they are separating from military service. This typically indicates filing necessary forms and applying to programs before the physical separation takes place.
In any case, a military person who makes a concentrated effort to transition back into civilian living should experience success, even if it is slow going at first. Surround yourself with people who love you and care about you, get help when necessary, and allow the process to unfold with as much patience as possible. And again, we thank you for your service.
Image: US Navy - Lt. Peter Bras reunites with his daughters during a homecoming celebration (Via Wikimedia Commons)
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