Section 1: The Transition Process
To begin, let's start with 3 truths to the next chapter of your life.
Transitioning from the military can feel like an uncertain and sometimes confusing journey. Each day brings new lessons as you build the next chapter of your life.
As you move through the process, it’s important to keep the following truths top-of-mind. It can be helpful to write these down as a continual reminder.
Use these as reassurance as you embark down that path that millions of other military members and spouses have traveled.
#1: The "perfect transition" doesn't exist.
There will always be things outside your control that can impact the process. And you know what? That's okay!
Accepting the beautiful imperfection that some things will be uncontrollable will relieve a ton of stress from shoulders.
#2: Your path is unique to you.
Some sections of the path will be shared with others, but none of us face the exact same combination of circumstances, goals, and outcomes.
It's unfair to compare your own journey against someone else.
#3: You won't know everything.
No matter how much you prepare, there will be things you simply don't know ahead of time.
Think back to your first day in the military or at a new duty station. You didn't know everything, but with time and experience you built a wealth of knowledge.
You can minimize the unknown through mentor conversations and resources such as this course, but there will always be unknowns.
It's no surprise that uncertainty is one of the most common feelings during the transition process.
You can think of the transition process like a video game. Each obstacle you overcome rewards you with Experience Points (XP). Gain enough XP, and you level up your character.
Throughout the game (your transition) you unlock new upgrades and collect resources. These equip you with the tools needed to overcome the next big challenge on you journey.
Pretty soon you look back in amazement at the progress you've made. When you start to feel uncertain, always remember: Life is an adventure!