How do ex-military adjust to civilian life?
I recently left the military in order to have/further a career in the civilian world. Instead of prosperity or getting taken care of, I struggle with some mental issues from home and the military. I seem to have difficulty lately having a job that requires me or reminds me of anything the military did. Could be PTSD, could be society taking a toll since I haven’t been involved all that much recently. I am broke, and want to move to Omaha, NE to start my life with my wife but I don’t want to make less money than i did even as an E-3 in the armed forces. I have a good worth ethic and I believe my ptsd is guilty of blocking my motivation.
Once you finally move look up a VA or do it where you are now. it may take a while for some type of mental health assistance that my led to disability (ptsd) plSS. the Point is to get the paper trail. It’s hard adjusting to civilian life even under the best circumstances. As far as pay it maybe hard to find something to match. if school is not an option right now for a degree or if you do have one, you may have to start at a lower pay and work your way up. Maybe find something until you do better-lower pay. Doing this will let you see what you can handle and also a good trail showing that you can’t. Either way you gonna have to get back out there and try.Nothing will change if you don’t put forth the effort. Tlk with your family, alway include them. Hope it works out!!!
I have been out of the military since 1972. And believe me I've had my struggles in finding work. But I finally did. Now I'm retired.
I had the same problem when I got out of the Navy. Just know that it is going to get easier week by week and just embrace friends and coworkers and family and talk about what bothers you. Learning your way at a new job is stressful but it's going to be ok. You'll get the hang of it and after the job gets easier I think you'll find it's downhill from there.
Thank you for your service! May God bless you and guide you in your search. I will pray for you and your wife.
Contact the VA at 1st opportunity. They can help with your situation.
Compensated work therapy Is supposed to be available to all Veterans. You need to get into the CWT program at the VA hospital in Omaha
Thank you for your service! May God bless you in your search. I will pray for you and your wife.
Brother, you now know this society is broken. You know you were sent out and they were willing to crack you open for it. When you joined you were unrealistically hoping for something to get you a head start. But you have to leave that shit behind. Now you are left with two options… One, let them remould you into something that simply serves this broken society. It entails the paper trail mentioned above(riddled with red tape bs), low pay(no big deal, it’s not permanent, just necessary to reframe your ideals,) and probably drugs, sertraline or whatever other shit they’re peddling these days. Though the drugs you’ll start taking do something, you’ll begin to function as a regular automaton. Second option, off grid wilderness homesteading…I don’t know what kind of service you did in the military, but if you have any off-grid experience, survivalist, or similar other, my recommendation is to save your family from your problems. From there, you can do it your way. If you already have kids, go with 1, and dig deep to let them reshape you. It’ll work. It’ll take about 5 to 10 years until you have substantial change. In both cases, Don’t drink! Don’t take one fucking sip! That’s a slippery slope. I am rooting for you! I was on the fence for almost two decades between 1 and 2, not immersing myself fully in either one…just dabbling. I’ve chosen 2 only in the past couple of years. I decided to keep my integrity this way.
also if you have any form of insurance, you can go to community help/center locations and get information @ a YMCA, Local Community Centers, then they can get you with someone who can help you navigate the system and what type of information you'd like to get help with it all starts with a paper-trail as stated, its nothing wrong your noticing the signs and you want to get the best help possible, and its totally possible, all the training received your gonna have to show perseverance, and believe me you'll get that help! hope it works out as well!!
If you have a family you need to get mental health help. There are lots of available for not just ex-military. We are living in trying times and everyone is under a lot of stress. I come from a military family. My father died serving, his favorite saying to us when things got rough. " I'd feel sorry for you but it doesn't look like there's room for both of us in your pity box". What I'm trying to convey to you is pick yourself up and dust yourself off. You will survive this.