Section 1: The Transition Process
Starting something new brings change and transition.
Understanding the difference is key to navigating your next life chapter.
The world around us is constantly shifting. This is particularly true when we close one life chapter and move to a new blank page.
When leaving the military (or any other big life pivot), you experience internal and external shifts. While the external shifts are often easily recognizable, the internal ones are less apparent and can catch you by surprise.
As you begin your post-military life, you will encounter both change and transition. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, understanding the difference will help you anticipate and process everything happening around you.
Change is based on your environment and situation. It's an immediate shift.
Walk from the living room to the kitchen and your environment has changed. Pick up your DD-214, drive off base for the last time, and you're officially a civilian.
Things constantly change around us. Because change is immediate and constant, we're quick to acknowledge it.
Transition is longer and more complex. It's psychological and requires processing and accepting something new.
The status change from military member to civilian happens in an instant, but processing and accepting the fact takes much longer.
It's a complex process of letting go of the past, exploration and discovery, and finally accepting a new reality.
Transitioning to post-military life requires you to process and accept many changes, often happening simultaneously.
These can include changes in your job, co-workers, friends, living situation, financial situation, among many others.
The stronger these bonds are and the longer you hold on to the past, the more difficult it will be to move forward. Many of these contribute to your self-identity, a topic we'll cover shortly.
As you navigate this shift in your life, understanding the difference between change and transition can help make sense of what you're feeling.
It can help you come to terms that it will take time to internally process, adjust, and accept the changes happening around you.