It’s a process. That’s the first thing that Dr. Sarah Minnis, Assistant Professor at Western Carolina University, says about military transition. Although not a veteran herself, she grew up in a military household and developed a deep appreciation for the military. An appreciation that she has parlayed into her life’s work as a Human Resources professor and military transition coach.

Transition is Scary

She started as a Career Advisor at Texas A&M. During her tenure at the university, she saw an increasing number of military and Veteran students wondering how to take the next step in transition. With her experience in Human Resources, she was able to listen and advise these Servicemembers and Veterans as she reviewed their resumes, gave them interview tips and talked through their unique situations. According to Minnis, Veterans have transferrable skills and capability to work in a variety of environments, but employers often don’t understand. She wants to help bridge that gap.

“Transition is scary. There’s a lot of unknown”, reflects Minnis. Servicemembers in transition go from a period where things such as living conditions, work schedule and family are known; into a period of instability where all these items are up for question. Minnis points out that reintegration is a key component to transition and believes these are separate but linked ideas. “Part of that (transition) process is wrapped up in reintegration. We spend any number of weeks turning someone into an operational Servicemember on the front end, but we don’t often spend as much time or as much intensive time on the back end in helping them to reintegrate as a civilian”, said Minnis.

There are three components that Minnis focuses on during her sessions with transitioning Servicemembers:

1. Understanding that process.
2. Understanding how to get through the process.
3. Understanding how to use military earned talents and how to confer those into the community.

Minnis explains that a significant issue she sees time and time again is helping the Servicemember recognize a new identity or understanding a new perspective on who they are. “You don’t lose all of your (military) identity, but how you identify yourself is necessary to make the mindset change,” said Minnis. Changing ward robe to changing your language and being able to relate culturally and socially with others. All of that is layered into how you identify yourself in resume, interviews, and with your coworkers”, she added.

Top Transition Tips

Timeline. Timeline. Timeline.

Begin by preparing all along, thinking through the next steps after military service ends. Minnis stresses that Servicemembers must capture the essence of each job they’re doing and apply that to civilian employment to help employers make sense of the value that Veterans bring. This preparation becomes most urgent during the last year of military service.

Remember, transition is not just about employment. This is a whole life transition, or as Minnis calls it, “leaving one known path and moving onto an unknown path”. During her sessions, she describes an immediate needs assessment as one of the first things that are tackled. This includes needs for self and family, and includes lifestyle, jobs, and locations. She then likes to shift gears and move to future goals to create a holistic conversation. Other responsibilities, other desires, and interest are also discussed to create a broader conversation that enables a strategic discussion. New hobbies, continued education…nothing is off the table when you’re considering what you want the rest of your life to look like.

Identity and fear of the unknown are the biggest challenge areas says Minnis. Being afraid is normal and not a bad thing. It means there’s a challenge ahead, but something you’ve already done when you joined the military. Minnis breaks down the fears, worries and concerns and works with the Servicemember or Veteran to find solutions and build confidence.

If you remember nothing else, remember these top three tips for transition success.

1. Start early. It’s really never too early. It’s best to start at two years, but at a year out, you need to be intentional. Understand your competencies and capability, build relationships, and understand both the needs in the world and how to address them based on your own experiences. Learn how to network, have your resume reviewed and create relationships that further your goals.
2. Understand it’s not easy. Accept that early on. You’ve faced challenges before, and this is another in your path. However, there are a variety of resources. Learn how to tap into those resources.
3. Consider your other responsibilities. These are people and things such as family, spouse, or partner and include health needs, finances, employment, and the community you want to be a part of.

If you’d like to find more information about Dr. Minnis’s research, look her up or reach out to her directly at sminnis@wcu.edu.

For More Information

Watch the full video on this week’s Your Next Mission^® video podcast episode on our website or on our YouTube channel.

Your Next Mission^® is a program initiative of the American Freedom Foundation, a non-profit
dedicated to serving our Veterans and Families. Your Next Mission^® video podcast with host
12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley features insightful conversation with subject matter experts from the
military and civilian communities. It’s a place where we can have frank and honest
conversation, tackle the tough questions, share stories, and have some fun along the way.