What Drives Self-Reliance in Life After the Military?

Photo by Julia Koblitz on Unsplash

After the military, life can seem like you’re taking a step into the unknown. For years you’ve lived your life with a clear purpose, a routine, and a team that had your back. Then, one day, everything changes and the structure is gone, the mission isn’t the same, and you can’t help but wonder what’s next. 

The answer is different for everyone, but for many veterans, it’s self-reliance. You might mistake this for a way of making ends meet, but that’s not it at all. The point is to take control of your life in a way that means something. There’s no one path that’s right for everybody. Some veterans turn to homesteading, others start a business, then there are ones that get involved with their communities. What all of these paths have in common is independence, but also providing a sense of purpose, which may get lost after you leave the service. 

It’s a new kind of mission, so let’s get into what’s behind this and how it can change your life. 

Being Independent Through Land and Lifestyle

The essence of homesteading is returning to the basics – living closer to nature, working with your hands, and building a sustainable lifestyle. If you’re a veteran, this type of lifestyle might just seem like a natural fit. In the military, you developed structured discipline and problem-solving skills and they’ll translate very well into managing your own land, raising livestock, or whatever it is you choose to do. 

Veterans know how to plan, adapt, and follow through, which is key if you’re managing a homestead. 

Did you know that activities like growing your own food, maintaining property, and learning to use tools won’t just build independence? They’ll also positively affect your mental health. When you work on the land, you can get a sense of calm and accomplishment that can help you reconnect with yourself. 

It’s also a smart move from the financial side. You’re not relying so much on the external systems and you’re saving money on food and energy. If you’re thinking of taking a shot at this, make sure to start small. Container gardening is a great way to begin, and so is a backyard farm. You can also apply for grants and programs for veteran farmers and get a tractor, compact tractor attachments, and everything else you need. 

If you’re thinking, “Farming, as a military veteran?”, the answer is “Definitely!”. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recognizes military veterans as a distinct group (e.g., the Farmer Veteran Coalition) within the farming community, and offers many initiatives/programs to help them, which help veterans establish a successful farming business.

Starting a Business and Getting Involved with Your Community

Starting a small business is a powerful way to create a new kind of independence. When you’re your own boss, you have the freedom and financial security you wouldn’t have at a regular job. Plus, you get a chance to practice your leadership skills. Veterans often do great in areas like construction, repair services, consulting, and even tech startups. 

Make use of resources like the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) programs for veterans and organizations like SCORE or Bunker Labs. You can find mentorship, funding, and tools to turn your ideas into businesses. 

If you don’t really want to start a whole new business, you can also find independence through community service. Helping others will help you bring back a sense of purpose and camaraderie you probably miss after being in the military. You can make a true difference if you volunteer in disaster relief, mentoring youth, or if you lead local initiatives like neighborhood cleanups. All this will make your community stronger, help you meet new people, and improve your mental health. 

If you don’t know where to start, think about joining groups like Team Rubicon or The Mission Continues. 

Tips for Success

You can get overwhelmed when you transition to civilian lids, and that’s completely normal. Still, there are ways of making this process easier, so here are some tips. 

1. Embrace a Growth Mindset

Every change is a process, and when you change your life drastically, you won’t get comfortable with it overnight. Remember that challenges are part of learning and growing and you can’t do either while in your comfort zone. 

2. Use All Available Resources

Don’t do everything on your own, that’s just too much unnecessary pressure. There are more than enough resources designed to help veterans, like VA benefits, job training programs, and grants if you’re starting a business. 

3. Be Realistic with Your Goals

Big changes will overwhelm you, so start small. Set easy, manageable goals and build your confidence. For instance, if you’re starting a business, write a simple plan first. Or, if you’re looking for a job, start with just updating your resume. 

4. Make Mental and Physical Health a Priority

Take care of yourself, it’s the most important thing you can do. If you’re too stressed or overwhelmed, therapy or counseling can make a big difference. Also, don’t forget to stay active, it will make you feel better. 

Conclusion

The best advice we could offer is to be patient with yourself and keep an open mind to whatever comes your way. You never know when an opportunity might present itself, and once it does, if it feels right, go for it. 

You’ll feel uncomfortable at first, but that’s okay because your priority is figuring out what works for you, and being uncomfortable is part of that.

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