Just Military Things: Understanding Life After the Military

When I was younger, there was a trend on the internet called, “just girly things”. These “things” would consist of quintessential feminine symbols, such as messy buns, pumpkin spice lattes, UGG boots to nail polish, marks of achievement, all the way to girl dinners and beauty tips.

Recently, I've been saying to my friends, “just military things”! I would say that would include my uniforms, boots, and all of the hacks I’ve acquired along the way from those before me.

As someone who is supposed to leave the military in August, I am definitely in denial and jokingly claim to have Stockholm Syndrome. Regardless, I have diligently been attending my appointments and happily sharing my notes with others. This little section is going to highlight two programs that have personally helped me! I am definitely not an expert in veteran benefits or ETSing (expiration term of service/end of service), however, in true-army fashion, I do know people who are!

Career Skills Program and TAP

The military loves its acronyms, so let me pause. CSP stands for two things: Career Skills Program and the Command Sponsorship Program. The two are often confused but as a single soldier (and a local BOSS representative!) I am writing about the Career Skills Program. 

The leading expert in the CSP programs at Humphreys is Mr. Wright at the Soldier for Life Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP) Center at Maude Hall. According to the Army’s website: “All soldiers must begin the TAP process no later than 365 days prior to the date of their anticipated transition from active duty.” If you are within two years of a transition you can start attending programs and appointments to learn more about your options within various careers. Mr. Wright has been a tremendous help, going above and beyond for soldiers, including myself. 

As a former non-commissioned officer, he had realized his passion while instructing at the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy and realized that soldiers leaving the military actually needed more support than people had realized. For those unfamiliar with the program, it is a program that was designed to help veterans find employment and transition successfully after their service in the military. 

Often, soldiers were ostracized for leaving the military, and not being given the support they needed. Now soldiers are required to attend TAP appointments starting from 180 days from their ETS date, and to out-process.

The CSP program is approved on a case-by-case situation at the commander’s discretion. I hope to create awareness about this amazing opportunity for those in the military and their families. As soldiers leaving the military are at extremely high risk for homelessness, unemployment, and suicide. The CSP program could be the answer for minimizing that risk if only people would use it to their advantage. 

Everyone at the TAP center has been extremely professional, supportive, understanding, and helpful. 

They have been the greatest advocate, especially for me as a junior enlisted soldier. Many say “The military taught me how to be a soldier, but it never taught me how to be a civilian.” The program helps the transition from military to civilian life by teaching you skills to create dynamic resumes, explaining VA benefits, teaching you how to dress professionally, information on starting a business, sharing education options, and so much more! They give you the tools to successfully pursue what you want after military life. 

“Everyone ETS’s. Whether it be 20 years or 2 years…we all have to leave the service one day.”

Veterans Affairs and Your Benefits 

Something soldiers forget when they leave the service is that a lot of civilian programs are self-directed and that they have to invest the time to figure out their passions and goals. They also forget how to translate their military skills to the civilian world.

Mr. Green is the Veterans Benefits Advisor at Maude Hall on Humphreys. He teaches the VA class and advises people as well. He was formerly in the Air Force. For me, I go to Maude Hall a lot to ask my entire battery of questions.

As a soldier, I always hear about the GI Bill, but I had no idea how to apply for it, or how to survive after the military. He also educates people on the resources available to veterans such as the VA home loan, education benefits, and rehabilitation programs with disability.

Just Military Things

Even now, there are a lot of question marks. Luckily, I have had a lot of help from the experts at Maude Hall. As many know… ETSing is scary. It is the unknown. For some, the Army is all they know. 

It’s hard to think about what makes things different for people in the military because we are around it everyday. Understanding the needs can be a challenge but there are people in your community who can help you figure it out. Find help at your local support center. There are so many in a position to assist.

Finding Strength in Life After the Military

As I stand on the edge of my own transition, I realize that life after the military isn’t something you prepare for overnight, it’s a process filled with questions, growth, and a fair share of uncertainty. The good news is that none of us have to walk it alone. Programs like CSP and TAP, along with the guidance from people who have been there before, are reminders that there’s support at every step.

Life after the military may feel overwhelming, but with the right tools, encouragement, and community, it can also be the beginning of something empowering and new. I look down at the OCPs I’m wearing, and smile. Just military things, I guess.