Wanting choices and having choices are two very different things… don’t worry if you feel overwhelmed (you are not alone). You don’t have to begin with answers, but you should begin by answering a few questions:
1. Do you want to stay in the same field that you’re in, or do you want to make a career shift?
2. What are your career goals? Do you have the experience necessary to act on them right away?
3. Do you need additional education for the work that you want to do, or updated certification and licensure?
Spend some time with these questions. Think them over, answer them honestly and thoughtfully. Once you have some answers, you can start building your post-military plan.
Where do you want to live?
While this question seems like it might only impact your family, it is an important career consideration. Although your current duty station may feel like home, or you might be thinking about moving back to your (or your spouse’s) hometown, you should also think about how your location relates to employment.
1. Is the job market in your dream location viable for you and your spouse?
2. Do you work (or want to work) in a field that requires you to be in a specific location?
3. Is the comfort of somewhere familiar more important long-term, or are you willing to move anywhere you receive a good job offer?
4. Will your location be close enough to military installations to meet your needs (e.g. healthcare, access to military services, maintaining friendships)?
As you answer these questions, you may find yourself apprehensive about the idea of a forever home. After a few years with the military, moving from place to place can become instinctive, and it may take a while to adjust to the idea of staying in one place.
What are your financial needs vs. your financial wants?
Once you’ve decided what you want to do and where you want to live, you need to have a plan to pay for your dreams. This can be an uncomfortable conversation, but it’s an important one to have—no matter how squeamish you feel.
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