5.) The Giant Global Family
The Department of Defense is the world’s largest employer, with 2.87 million employees, according to MSN. But Walmart* has nearly as many employees, yet isn’t considered the “family” that the military is.
One reason is that military personnel don’t stay static; we constantly move from one duty assignment to another, switching coworkers and supervisors, encountering new team environments, and adapting to whatever the new mission throws at us. Sometimes we’re sent to live overseas at a permanent base or in a deployed location. This creates an even stronger bond when you’re far from home and going through a shared experience with your peers. In austere or hazardous conditions, that bond can be forged to even last a lifetime.
Chances are, the friendships made in an average civilian job will not be as close or as enduring as those we make in the military.
How to cope: Your giant military family still exists, even when you’re outside of the service. As a Veteran, you’ll always be linked to your former branch of service, no matter how long you were in. This doesn’t mean you have to show up to the local VFW every week for Taco Tuesday, but the point is: how much of a connection you wish to maintain is totally up to you!
In the meantime, don’t forget—you may’ve left the service, but the service is still inside of you. Bring your enthusiasm, motivation, and leadership to your new workplace. You may be surprised at how fast you’ll make new, lasting connections!
*Company is a paid client.
This article has been modified to meet updated editorial standards at G.I. Jobs, which may include the augmentation of material that reflects the expertise and experiences of our staff.
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