name, their rank, or their nickname. One simple step to help yourself transition is to get used to hearing (and responding) to your first name. Change your voicemail greeting to incorporate your first name; ask friends and family to start using your first name more than usual in conversation.
2.Start using standard 12-hour time: Another easy trick in transitioning your identity away from the military mode of operation is to use 12-hour time. If you tell a civilian co-worker to meet you at 1400, they will likely have no idea what you are talking about. Change all your clocks (car, cell phone, microwave, computer) to help yourself get used to seeing and saying 1:00 p.m. instead of 1300.
3.Identify what YOU want: As a service member, you’re used to working within the highly structured environment of the military—being told what to do and when do it. Transitioning out of the military can be daunting because you have unlimited opportunities and little to no structure guiding you towards the next steps. It’s important to spend time reflecting on what you want to do by journaling, doing research, and talking with others to help you brainstorm your path after the military.
4.Start defining yourself by where you’re going instead of where you’ve been: It’s easy to talk about what you’ve done, but it’s harder to communicate your vision for
Transitioning Your Identity
Whether you’re career military or have been in for just a few years, transitioning into the civilian world is a daunting and challenging process.
How do you shift your military identity from being the defining aspect of your life to becoming an interesting part of your story?
Here are some tips and advice that will not only help you process your identity transition out of the military, but will also enhance your ability to connect with future civilian employers and co-workers.
1.Get used to hearing your first name: In the military, people are often referred to by their last
In the hustle and bustle of searching for a job, planning for a move, and wrapping up any final work responsibilities, military members often forget to attend to a very critical part of the transition process—transitioning their identities. In order to build meaningful and valuable connections with others, you need to know how to talk-the-civilian-talk, otherwise you risk being misunderstood or overlooked.