Introduction

There needs to be something (orientation) for the family: this is what you are going to see, this is what you are going to experience. - Family Member

Family supports the consequences of a military career. - Military Veteran

When someone leaves the military or the RCMP, a period of adjustment is inevitable. When leaving has not been their choice, or is sudden, the adjustment may be harder. Even with a much anticipated, planned retirement, the transition is often more challenging than anticipated for the Veteran, the spouse and the family.

Sometimes the grief and loss and trauma the Veteran may have experienced and denied, or “pushed down” during their careers, surfaces months or years later when the stresses and threats slowly fade.

Although there were times when the Veteran was away on deployments, assignments or shift work, the permanent transition out of the Canadian Armed Forces or the RCMP has unique losses and challenges.

In this topic, we explain the losses and grief that retirement and medical discharge can create for the Veteran. We explore the impact of leaving the service on the partner, the couple, and the family and provide suggestions for what may help.

For more information, see Transition out of service.