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Advice for Separating Service Members

  • The transition back to civilian life can be an absolute mess! But here is some advice to hopefully make your transition as smooth as possible.

Advice for Separating Service Members

The transition back to civilian life can be an absolute mess! But here is some advice to hopefully make your transition as smooth as possible.

For those separating via a Medboard click HERE for information on the subject.

 

Over a Year until Separation

Start doing some soul searching:

Are you sure you want to separate? If you are sure then what is your plan?

  • College;

    • What major?

    • Which college?

    • Take advantage of Tuition Assistance (TA) and CLEP to get some credits under your belt.

  • Trade school;

    • What trade?

    • Which trade school?

  • Going straight into the workforce; or

    • Doing what?

    • Public (state or federal), private, or start my own business?

  • Live the retiree life?

    • Where would I live?

    • What specific benefits does X state offer?

 

If you do realize that you need more time to get your separation in order, there is nothing wrong with reenlisting for another year!

 

For those who have a family, health insurance is a major consideration. You should consider joining the Reserves or National Guard to continue your TRICARE eligibility and coverage.

 

Around a Year until Separation

 

General Advice

  • Start getting seen for EVERY medical (physical, dental, and mental) issue you have!

  • Save dat money! Having some extra padding with help take out some of the stress of separation!

    • Especially since VA disability claims can take months to complete, even after you have separated! Additionally, sometimes your Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) from the Post 9/11 GI Bill can take months before you start receiving it as well.

 

College

  • Start applying to schools!

    • Know that public schools MUST charge you in-state tuition if you are using your VA education benefits.

  • Apply for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Yes, even if your GI Bill will cover 100% of your tuition!

  • Apply for scholarships and grants.

 

Workforce

  • Start sharpening that resume - remember do not write in military speak!

  • If you are planning on applying for a federal job start applying NOW. Some hiring processes can take nearly a year to complete!

  • There are jobs for the Federal/state/county governments that will offer Veterans hiring preference if you submit your DD-214.

 

180 to 90 Days until Separation

General Advice

  • File a BDD claim.

  • Start looking for places to live. It is a TON easier to get a place to live using your military paycheck as proof of income than trying to get a place using your GI bill housing allowance.

  • Set up you exit physical appointment. Your unit should have an SOP in place in terms of who you need to contact to get this ball rolling.

 

Less than 90 Days until Separation

  • Have you been seen for all your medical issues yet? If not, get the lead out!

  • Did you do an inventory of your TA-50 and are you missing things?

    • Check off-post pawn shops/military surplus stores. You can usual snag some items for cheaper than what the military will charge you.

  • Is your CIF is not accepting things because it has the tiniest spec of dirt?

    • Click HERE for tips on cleaning equipment.

  • Stockpile medication to last you to separation, if you are taking terminal leave.

  • Give notice to landlord:

    • Servicemembers Civil Relief (SCRA) allows you to break your rental lease agreement without consequence. You need to supply your landlord written notice of you ending your lease, with a copy of your separation orders. As a courtesy, you should provide your landlord with proper notice. If you do provide less than 30 days notice, then your landlord DOES NOT need to prorate your final month's rent. IE if you give notice on September 18th. The effective date of the lease termination will be October 31st.

 

After Separation

 

General Advice

 

Unemployment

Once separated you are able to claim unemployment! Generally you must meet the following requirements:

  • Left active duty (not on terminal leave)

  • Honorable discharge

  • Have your DD-214

 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Every state is different, so you MUST look toward the state you are ending up in for specifics!

  • While claiming unemployment you might also be eligible for Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) to help supplement your income. Again, this is a state specific benefit.

 

Health care

It is recommended you enroll into VA Health care. Historically the VA has had a less than good reputation for their health care, but the VA has improved greatly and the care is VERY affordable being either completely FREE or have very reasonable copay's. The quality of VA health care is great in some regions and not great in others, it varies a lot.

Do know that not every job will have health insurance, and if they do their copay's and monthly premiums can be quite high. The general cost of medical care can be a huge surprise!

Alternatively, depending on your situation you may be eligible for temporary TRICARE coverage. For additional information click HERE.

 

Homecoming

Are you planning on moving back home or being near your family?

If you are, keep in mind you were gone for an extended period of time. You may feel like your family has moved on from you and your existence, no longer accepted by your family; an outsider. When you took leave, your family was likely better able to spend time with you. When you move back, family/friends will have their day to day lives to worry about. People have to keep their lives going.

Do try to remain in contact with those you served with, and try finding new support systems. You may find comfort in local Veterans organizations such as American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), or Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Organizations like the VFW, AFL, etc., can be hit and miss at the local level. Some do a much better job of outreach to current-era Veterans than others.

 

Workforce

Transitioning into the civilian workforce is an ongoing challenge.

It is up to you whether or not you want to divulge the fact you are a Veteran. (Small disclaimer - It might get out due to having it on your application/resume)

The amount of questions that will come to you once it is known you are a Veteran, has a good chance of pissing you off.

You will receive questions regarding what you did, when, did you kill anyone? How was your deployment? You didn’t deploy, what's wrong with you?

Most people you will work with, will not be Veterans. Our dark humor and crude language is not normally well taken in a civilian workplace. HR does not play games. The things we have said to each other while in the service can be construed as an automatic loss of your position; depending on the field you are going into.

Supervisors are not as disciplined, same with your coworkers. For example, you show that you are quick to learn, quick to grasp the position, there is a good chance you will be rewarded with more work due to proficiency!

Remember, do NOT burn yourself out for someone else. At the end of the day, you need to take care of yourself, your family. College. etc.

 

General Muddiness

Making friends might be extremely hard in the post-military life. You may find coworkers just head home and do not want to form friendships outside of the office.

It is about creating your own support system, looking into hobbies, finding groups to spend time in, maybe adopting an animal. The loneliness can be very real, and a very real struggle.

 

Closing Words

Even following the best of advice, stuff can go wrong, or stuff can just not click. And it can result in Minor setbacks.

But know that you do have people to lean on for support - your friends, family, and of course this sub-Reddit.

 

FAQ

 

How long is it going to take for me to get my last paycheck?

  • It can take around 45 days AFTER you separate BEFORE DFAS releases your last paycheck.

 

Can I receive unemployment while waiting to get into college or while I am taking classes?

  • You can certainly receive it while waiting. However, some states do prohibit the receipt of unemployment while taking classes.

 

Special Thanks

 

Reference

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