Introduction

It’s not acknowledged that grief can take on so many different forms. It could be food for thought as a Veteran thinks about their transition and asks themselves, "What have you lost?" - Military Veteran

I was one of these people who thought I was prepared, that I had my head on straight. Then, BAM! It hit me like a sledgehammer. I don’t think we talk about the grief of transitioning and the loss of all the pieces of your identity that had to do with the military, the career, and the friends. We don’t prep people for that. - Military Veteran

Many people who eagerly look forward to retirement, regardless of their career, are surprised by feelings of loss and grief when they enter this new phase of life. These feelings may be amplified for those in the services as you are also leaving what may have been “home”, “family” and “community” for decades.

For some Veterans, the feelings of loss start to build as retirement draws near; for others they occur months or sometimes years after retirement. Many struggle to redefine themselves “out of uniform.”

When the decision to move to civilian life is not your choice, the transition can be difficult and disorienting, especially if you aren’t well supported.

Leaving the services, whether through planned retirement or being discharged, can lead to feelings of loss that may be intense and confusing.

I couldn’t see how I existed out of uniform. Who am? Who am I out of uniform? I was a military person 24 hours, thinking it, wanting it, and it was being taken away from me. There was no choice and there was no help to going back to who I was as a civilian person. It was an identity crisis. - Military Veteran

In this topic we explain:

• The losses you may be experiencing.
• How others have navigated these losses.
• Strategies that may help for moving forward.