Transitioning to a Civilian Career

When military service ends, veterans face a major transition to civilian life. It’s a time to find a new group of peers and friends. It’s a time to learn to function within a new framework that isn’t quite as structured as the military’s. On top of that, veterans bear the weight of trying to find a job in this unfamiliar environment. These challenges are exacerbated for veterans managing visible and invisible wounds of war.

According to a Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) survey of the warriors it serves, the warrior unemployment rate is 16%, up from 12% in 2019. In comparison, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the overall civilian unemployment rate was 8% in August 2020.

“Getting out of your comfort zone is a big step toward finding a civilian career,” said Kevin Rasch, regional director for WWP’s career counseling program. 

Army veterans Victor Gonzalez and Chenita Hickman shared their thoughts and advice on successfully transitioning to civilian life and civilian careers, and how WWP helped. Read the rest of the story in Homeland magazine, and see how they have rebuilt their professional lives.