Transitioning to Civilian Life
Serving in the military can be akin to leading a second life—one that most civilians don’t fully understand. Most of us would hope that veterans returning home would have their transition into society be smooth and easy, and that they would feel the public’s gratitude for their sacrifice of service. Unfortunately, this is not nearly always the case. Those serving may find it near impossible to reconcile their time in the military with life back home. And women returning from service are no different; in fact, they have their own set of issues that they may face.
Employment
Those of us outside of military service might expect that an honorable discharge would be met with only happiness. A nagging apprehension can tug at servicewomen who are expecting to return to civilian life, however: how they will find gainful employment outside of their military experiences. Women veterans may still face discrimination in the job market, when transitioning the skills they learned in service to a new area; some employers may not view women as “real” veterans whose military skills aren’t actually applicable. Younger women vets may suffer from a lack of experience outside the military, making it harder still to make themselves attractive to prospective employers.
Women veterans also must deal with the mental stress of transferring from service to civilian employment. Many may be dealing with PTSD from combat zones or the pain of a military sexual trauma. A psychological transition must be made, and for women fighting mental illness, maintaining a feeling of normalcy and composure throughout the workday can be difficult.
On top of these special considerations, women in the workforce in general face sexual discrimination, and women veterans are no exception. Women workers still experience chronic differences in pay for performing the same work as men, as well as limited opportunities for promotions and the stress of balancing work and family life.
Continuing Education
Some veterans may find that their military skills haven’t prepared them to secure the sort of job they want, and so they turn to education to continue their training. While education can be helpful, college or other training programs aren’t always particularly suited to the needs of veterans.
Those returning from service are usually older than the average student, and most colleges do not have special counseling or resources to help the vet get back on their educational toes. Veterans may find that other students do not understand or value their experiences, or that their life goals vary greatly from their peers’. Depression and isolation can result in students who find that they cannot make sense of their military experiences in such a different environment.
For More Resources and Help
Sources:
California’s Women Veterans. (2009) California Research Bureau