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Many of us decide to give our all for an enlistment or two, then
move on to college, a job or other avenues of public service.
Whatever your path, the days leading up to your End of Active
Service date can be rather harrowing and stressful. Don't worry.
Once again, you're not alone.
A large number of Marines get out after their first enlistment, but making the transition back to civilian life successfully is essential for these Marines and their families. Having the knowledge of the opportunities available to you as you reintegrate back into the civilian life will help ensure your new experiences are positive ones. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Devin G. Jantzi) |
There's a lot of information out there on the G.I. Bill, finding
a job and applying to college. I'm here to touch on a few things
that may be overlooked on your quest to reintegrate into the
civilian world.
Planning is crucial.
Planning factors
into a large part of life in the Marine Corps. We plan for leave,
training, chow, nights out and just about anything else. Why
wouldn't you plan for your exit?
The challenging thing about
leaving the service is the amount of tasks that need accomplished.
Here's a short list of things that may or may not affect you:
- Getting your separation and VA physical
- Applying to college
- Finding a job
- Finding a place to live
- Planning for a pay cut
- Planning your move
- Turning in all your gear
- Checking out with your unit
- Ensuring you have all your paperworkTrying to stay sane
while accomplishing this and more
One thing about stress is... well... it's stressful. The only thing
that comes to mind in comparison is joining the Marine Corps, except
you're losing the structure you fell into.
Fortunately, in
recent years the Corps has invested a lot of time and resources into
developing the Transition Readiness Seminar that equips Marines with
a structured planning process, giving you direction in solving the
mysteries of an EAS.
A key portion of the TRS is the
Individual Transition Plan. Personally, when I first received the
packet and was told I had to do a draft for homework, I balked,
“This is the Marine Corps! I ain't got no time for homework!” After
doing it, reviewing it in class and refining it, I realized it's a
valuable tool. It's easy to brush aside mandatory class work, but
the ITP and the rest of TRS are really helpful. Less than two months
out, I know exactly what I need to do in order to accomplish my
goals.
The opportunities are there!
Contrary to
popular belief, there is no set path before you EAS. Grunts don't
have to become police officers, motor vehicle operators don't have
to be truck drivers, admin Marines don't have to work for Goldman
Sachs doing paperwork, etc.
Also, going to college isn't your
only educational option. Some folks just want to work with their
hands, maybe do something creative or simply work outside. Well I
have some good news!
You may want to consider vocational
schools and learn trade skills to be: plumbers, electricians,
welders, machinists, carpenters, mechanics, gunsmiths, masons, the
list goes on! Typically you need anywhere from one semester to two
school years to get a certification or diploma in your chosen field.
Not only that, as you make connections you can jump aboard as an
apprentice, where you'll learn on the job.
The thing about
trades is they are in high demand, pay well and give you a tangible
end result. Not to mention, the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill may pay a
benefit for those doing on the job training, also known as an
apprenticeship.
For Marines who have learned a trade in the
service (I'm talking to you mechanics, technicians, machinists,
wiremen, welders and HVACs out there), your hours at work already
contribute to apprenticeships through the United Services Military
Apprenticeship Program, along with any certifications you may have
gained. Again, you don't have to do what you did in the Corps, but
if you like your job, you've got a head start.
Beyond formal
schooling, if you aren't quite ready for the scholastic circuit, you
can join the Peace Corps or any other organization to go overseas
and volunteer.
If you do decide to progress in the career
field you adopted in the military, federal employment and government
contracting may also be a viable option, especially with more formal
education. Regardless of your choice, you have many options to
choose from.
You can still have ties to the service.
July 1, 2013 - Lance Cpl. Edward Knudsen,
a 25-year-old mortarman with Headquarters Platoon, Weapons Company,
3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and a native of Rapid City,
S.D., spends the days of his second deployment to Afghanistan
balancing armory custodian logbooks. In his precious down time, he
delves into thick college textbooks, refreshing his algebra,
trigonometry and calculus and studying for the SAT exam. Knudsen
worked through two years of college before joining the Marine Corps
in 2008, admitting he couldn't muster the discipline to stay
committed to school. Now, three years later and thousands of miles
removed from formal schooling in the U.S., he's gainfully employing
his newly acquired focus. Knudsen plans to resume his studies and
complete a bachelor degree in mechanical engineering when his active
duty service expires in 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece
Lodder) |
It's no secret that many Marines exit the service only to beg to
be let back in, or transition to other branches. If you're one of
many who miss the service, but want to stay out, you have options.
Organizations like the Marine Corps League, American Legion,
Veterans of Foreign Wars and many others can give you that sense of
esprit de corps you miss from the service.
These
organizations also do great things like volunteer, lobby for
veterans' rights and a host of other things. If you are feeling
especially patriotic, missing the sense of belonging or just want to
hang out with old veterans and swap war stories, this is something
you'll probably want to try out.
Personally, I'll be applying
to the VFW and look forward to joining the ranks of the men and
women who left me their legacy in the service, so we can build
another together.
By USMC Cpl. Christofer P. Baines
Marine Corps News
Copyright 2013
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