discuss Community advice for service members transitioning to civilian life soon

[dVet]

If a person is in the military and considering leaving in about two years, what should they start thinking about? This question is designed to gather advice from our community to help active service members avoid common mistakes and transition more easily to civilian life.

 

[dVet]

You have two years, which is ample time to achieve significant goals. My primary recommendation is to prioritize education, be it through traditional college courses, military training that equates to college credits, or acquiring skills and certifications valued by today's employers. This preparation can ease your transition into a new career.

Ensure you complete a minimum of one and a half years of college before your end of service. The military training provided during a four-year enlistment makes this goal achievable, even allowing for some personal leisure time. Additionally, this method enhances the utility of your 36-month GI Bill, possibly allowing for graduate school attendance and graduation.

 

[sauce]

When it comes to veteran's benefits, if you're not feeling great, make sure to visit sick call. If you end up with a chit from medical, keep a copy for yourself and also get a record of the visit from the records office as soon as you can. You never know, what seems like just hayfever could be something more, like allergic rhinitis or sinusitis. That chit or record could be the key for linking it to a service-connected disability later on.

After you've been to see the doc, try to give it your all when you get back to work, like 110%, so you can make up for the perceived lost time from your superiors and peers.