Military Retirement, Two Years Later

Hard to believe this week marks two years since I retired from the military! Life after the military offers a little more time for reflection. It’s been cathartic to share some observations as I worked my way through adjusting back to being a civilian again.

On the first anniversary of my retirement I reflected in a three part blog, about my initial takeaways on the transition. First and foremost, retirement is a normal, natural thing that happens to all of us who served. Second, I had to make peace with no longer being a member of a profession and finally, separating from the military is a team sport.

Thankfully, I didn’t have to walk back any comments! My reflections a year ago still hold true today. Over the past year I’ve also blogged about things I’ve learned about military retiree life, specifically taxes and reintegrating in the civilian workforce.

I want to reflect on perhaps a more subtle aspect of military retirement. In fact, I think this topic applies to many aspects of life beyond retiring from the military. Retiring from the military has helped me to accept and even embrace some stereotypes!

Maybe it’s a personal hang-up, but I’ve always bristled at stereotypes, especially those aimed at service members.  I tried hard throughout my career to avoid many of the stereotypes associated with military officers. My efforts often impacted my behaviors and career decisions. I managed to avoid some stereotypes, but also fit others perfectly, mostly the ones about “green” Lieutenants.

It started as far back as college while still a young ROTC cadet. There were plenty of stereotypes to go around. From airborne to certain Army branches, stereotypes abounded and certainly shaped our thinking, for better and worse.

“Every Lieutenant, drives a sports car and gets married within the first two years after commissioning” was an often heard stereotype from the ROTC cadre. “Not this guy!” was my immediate reaction. Of course, less than two years after pinning on Second Lieutenant, I was riding in my sports car with a fiancé. The sports car lasted eight years!

Fast forward to the end of my career. “Every veteran changes jobs at least a couple of times within the first few years after the military” is an often heard stereotype from veterans and civilians alike. Not me, I had a plan! I would work hard to find the perfect post military job and remain there until I retired for good.

Well guess what? I’ve been out of the military two years now and I’m on my second job! I’ve been very blessed to secure two amazing jobs post military. I know a lot of veterans aren’t as fortunate.  I am thankful.

So what made me change jobs despite the best laid plans? I’ll spare the calculus about benefits and job satisfaction. The truth is, most military retirees probably don’t know what type of employment is right for them upon reentry to the civilian world.

How could we? We spent our formative adult years in the profession of arms! When I was interviewing, the question that scared me the most was “so, what are you looking to do?” Like every good Soldier I had a pop off answer but I truly didn’t know!

Thankfully, my first employer was very understanding of the fact I was in the delicate years of post-military service. I was able to part on good terms. As I’ve integrated into my new job during the past few months, I’m very excited for the new challenge, but also a little apprehensive!

And herein lies the realization. At the end of the day, it is perfectly ok to embrace some stereotypes. “Every veteran changes jobs a few times after separating” is probably more truth than stereotype. If I had thought through this stereotype instead of riling against it, perhaps I would have planned my transition to the workforce a little differently. At the very least, I would have saved myself some self-imposed anguish.

So to those Second Lieutenants hesitating about buying a sports car (or I guess tan Toyota pickups nowadays), go for it! For my fellow veterans transitioning out of service, don’t fear the stereotype of multiple employers the first few years out. It’s actually fairly common for civilians to bounce around employers. Not all stereotypes are bad, it’s ok to embrace them as necessary!  

Next week I’ll take a look at a new found hobby that over the past year certainly helped with my transition from the military- writing!

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The views, opinions and biases expressed in this blog are the authors and do not reflect those of the U.S. Army or Department of Defense.