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Adjusting to civilian life can be a challenge to anyone returning from active duty service, regardless of whether or not they have been in combat. Some people find that dealing with the return from an emotional standpoint is more of a hardship than the actual service. Many survivors find it a tough to adjust back to civilian life.

Remember to continue living your life normally, participating in the same daily activities you've always done. Support groups are also important to maintaining a healthy emotional state. Other than that, educating yourself on the reality of veteran care and exposing yourself to books and stories written by those who have dealt with these issues in their past can help give you and your loved ones hope while dealing with this crisis.

Work Matters

The motto of the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service is Hire Vets First. This is part of a broad US Department of Labor program designed at helping vets find work.

United States Department of Labor: Veteran's Employment and Training Service

You can also find many employment opportunities for veterans at these databases:

• USAJOBS: Veterans
• Veteran Employment: Veteran Job Search

Health-care Providers Who Can Help

One of the most important programs for veterans is the Veterans’ Administration healthcare system. There is a lot to learn about the VA and it sometimes helps to go to an outside source for direct information.

Military.com: Veteran's Medical Benefits Package

Books Survivors Recommend

The Veteran’s Survival Guide: How to File and Collect on VA Claims

Veteran’s Benefit For Dummies
Chicken Soup for the Veteran’s Soul: Stories to Stir the Pride and Honor the Courage of Our Veterans

Communicating with Your Health-care providers

• It’s essential to register with the VA hospital nearest you. Don’t wait until you are sick to visit a doctor. Sometimes the wait can be very frustrating.
• Don't be afraid to ask any questions that you feel you need the answer to, even if you may be scared of the answer. Ignorance won't help you fight any health problem - emotionally or physically.
• Write down any questions you may have ahead of time and the answers to those questions as your health-care provider walks you through them.  Don't be afraid to ask for clarification on anything.

Period of Adjustment  

You can’t expect a returning vet to literally “pick up where they left off” and instantly get back to their former life. Emotionally dealing with a return to civilian life is difficult. There is a period of adjustment both for the vet and their family. Check out this site to find how families can support their soldiers.

Veterans' Families United: How to Intervene to Help Your Veteran

Many organizations that have been established to help veterans where set up and run by the vets themselves. They will truly understand what you are going through because they’ve been there themselves.

Vets for Justice: Veteran Help

Give back

What helped you while you were dealing with the adjustment back to civilian life? Take a look back at your journey and share with other what helped you and what you wished you would have known/done during your veteran experience. You can create a profile, reach out to other survivors, join support circles or share your story by following the links at TheSurvivorsClub.org. Check out some of the best charities for supporting veterans: U.S. Department of Veterans Affair - VA Voluntary Service 

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