Leaving the military is a life-altering step, often filled with both excitement about new opportunities, but also challenges in adapting to a new sense of self. But as much as civilian life can seem worlds away from military service, your military identity doesn’t have to be left behind. It’s about finding ways to keep your service values, discipline, and community spirit alive in your civilian life.
Here’s our advice on five ways you can keep your military identity when you transition into civilian life.
1. Seek or Offer Mentorship
Connecting with others who understand the military experience can be invaluable. New service leavers should look to experienced veterans in their chosen career field or industry for guidance. Mentorship provides support in building confidence, navigating workplace dynamics, and translating military skills for civilian settings. If you’re an experienced veteran, consider mentoring service leavers who are new to the civilian scene. Share your insights, advice, and personal experiences—both the successes and the setbacks.
2. Build a Network with Other Veterans
Surrounding yourself with others who share a military background can help you stay grounded. Seek out veterans’ organisations, both formal and informal, or join industry-specific military groups that meet regularly. Whether through coffee chats, group events, or online forums, staying connected to fellow veterans gives you a unique network of individuals who understand the journey. Engage with military organisations and veterans charities in the UK focused on veterans’
mental health and community building Online communities like the Gen Dit Network and Redeployable’s Community are great resources for networking building. You’ll find veterans at all stages of their transition, willing to chat and connect.
3. Maintain Your Military Discipline
The discipline ingrained through years of service is a powerful tool for personal and professional success. To maintain this, set personal goals that challenge you physically and mentally. Regular exercise, disciplined time management, and commitment to small daily achievements will help you stay focused and sharp. Team up with other veterans to keep each other motivated—many veterans find that training with others from a military background can help reinforce that sense of accountability and shared effort.
4. Uphold the Military Mindset Through Service
The values and camaraderie of military life can be preserved through service-oriented activities. Engaging in local events that resonate with your military values is crucial—consider volunteering, participating in veteran-led fitness challenges, or joining Remembrance events. If you have extra capacity, you might also think about joining veteran-focused disaster response teams, where your skills and training can have a direct impact on communities in need.
For those seeking a more immersive experience, volunteering with PTSD charity organisations or post-traumatic stress charities that support veterans with PTSD is an excellent way to maintain that connection to your military roots. These organisations not only offer support to fellow veterans but also help you stay grounded in your purpose. Maintaining an active role in service allows you to give back while preserving a strong sense of fulfilment and identity as you transition into civilian life.
5. Embrace Your Skills as Life Skills
Military habits and skills aren’t just for service—they’re universal success tools. Leadership, resilience, and strategic thinking are traits that many civilians haven’t had the opportunity to cultivate, and they can give you an edge. Rather than viewing them as “military-only” traits, see them as powerful life skills that will serve you in all settings. Whether in the workplace, community, or your personal life, you have a toolkit of unique abilities. Embrace them as your advantage in civilian life.
The transition from military to civilian life is challenging but doesn’t mean leaving your identity behind. Staying connected to your military values, community, and habits can help make this transition smoother and more meaningful. Embrace these strengths as you navigate new opportunities and challenges.
To explore how your military skills align with civilian careers, try our AI report today. It’s designed to help you identify roles that match your skills, ambitions, and personal needs, reducing the stress of career uncertainty and guiding you toward a fulfilling civilian role. We’ll help you unlock your potential. Click here.
