Life holds many major decision points for each of us Veterans. For military members, one of the biggest was the choice to join the service in the first place. Just as significant is the choice to get out. It’s one of the toughest decisions you’ll ever have to make! But once you do, you need to be ready because transitioning back into the civilian world involves much more than just finding a job.

Here’s a few tips to help Veterans thrive during your military transition and long after your separation from service!

During the Transition

House Hunting – Hopefully you know well in advance where you plan to settle down after getting out of the military. If not, it’s something you’ll need to pin down as soon as possible.

Each branch of service offers permissive House Hunting Trip days to help transitioning service members scout around. Don’t let these go to waste. Use them to travel to different towns, perhaps different states, until you pick your dream spot!

Home Buying – Related to house hunting is the decision to buy or not. And depending on many factors, it may or may not be the right time to buy. For example, you’ve decided to move out of state but you haven’t been picked up for a new job there yet. Getting tied to a home mortgage could be a mistake, unless you can ensure you’ll have the income stream to make the payments.

You don’t want to start your post-separation civilian life struggling with an economic hardship. Buying a new home usually comes with many unexpected costs. But if the time is right, we recommend looking into the VA Home Loan program! And don’t forget to check out our free webinar The Art of Military House Hacking.

Medical Disability Claims – Your branch of service should host a mandatory Transition Assistance Program (TAP) or other similar course designed to help you plan ahead. Often, a representative from Veterans Affairs will offer a briefing during this course to help you understand how the VA disability claims process works. Pay close attention and then follow-up with action.

If you don’t get this briefing, contact your personnel section to help put you in touch with a local rep, or contact us to learn about your options. As Veterans, we also tend to suffer from chronic disabilities related to our service. Unfortunately, we also often fail to realize that we should be receiving compensation and benefits from the VA. Test your knowledge about VA benefits with SAVI’s short VA Benefits 101 Survey.

Post-Separation

Stay Fit – Life in the military keeps us in good physical condition, if for no other reason than the fact that we have to pass an annual fitness test. Once that accountability is gone post-separation, don’t just throw away your running shoes and start to skip the gym.

Staying physically active is critical for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It also helps us remain positive through stressful situations (like starting a new civilian life!). There are plenty of fun ways to maintain your fitness level, even if it means switching up your old routine. Maybe get a new workout buddy to motivate you? Whatever works to keep yourself moving and healthy is worth it!

Stay Engaged – Once you’re a Veteran, you’re a Veteran for life! Keeping up friendships can be a challenge when you’re on the go. The great thing about Veteran life is that it’s easy to snap into a new community of prior service members. The trick is actually doing it.

If you find yourself feeling a little disconnected from the civilian world, you may just miss the camaraderie from your time in the military. That’s okay – that camaraderie is still out there! You just have to be proactive and find the Vets in your area. You might start your search with the VA’s Directory of Veterans Service Organizations.

Final Thoughts

Post-separation, you’re in charge of your own transition and your life after the military. Apply the diligence and perseverance you learned in the service to educate yourself and plan for the future. Never settle for less! Because when you take control and steer your own ship, you’ll get where you want to go versus letting the currents whisk you around randomly.

For more great tips, visit our website to learn how SAVI provides the emotional, physical, and mental support you need in your military transition to civilian life. We also offer four comprehensive planning tracks—Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Retirement. And best of all? Enrollment in each of them is absolutely free!

If you’re a financial advisor, banker, or lender, these 3 key points will undoubtedly help you provide solid, actionable financial counseling to transitioning Veterans. Why is that so important? Because after spending years or even decades receiving a steady paycheck and full medical benefits, many military members are unprepared for the economic realities of civilian life.

Too often these Veterans discover that their lack of appropriate financial pre-planning has left them in a severe bind after their transition out of the service. That’s why it is critical to educate Veterans on the key areas which matter most during their transition phase.

Doing so will help them get ahead of their finances before re-entering civilian life. By touching on these critical areas, you’ll help empower them to succeed!

Establish Realistic Expectations

Time after time, Veterans say they faced a “rude awakening” after getting out of the military.They discover that civilian jobs are harder to get than expected and don’t pay as well as imagined. A bulletproof financial plan will put income sources front and center. A Veteran’s civilian job will then be to make that primary source of income a way to replace lost military wages.

But Vets must understand the reality of applying for civilian jobs. It can be a time-consuming process. It may even require several applications and interviews before landing that new career. Veterans frequently assume it’ll be far easier than it actually is, or that because of their military leadership or management experience, employers will be standing in line to offer them jobs. Unfortunately, that’s usually not the case.

By taking the time to outline specifics about which jobs one qualifies for, how much it pays, and how long it might take to get such a job, Veterans can establish realistic expectations. This way they are not caught off guard. It will also help them understand the process of getting that new income stream established as soon as possible.

Create a Roadmap for Success

Planning ahead for a new job is only one aspect of establishing financial security. Truthfully, transitioning Veterans require a comprehensive roadmap for financial success which includes housing, investments, and educational considerations.

Many military members reside in on-base housing and have never purchased a home. Reviewing the details of how to apply for a home loan and how to use the VA Home Loan benefit is a crucial step. 9 times out of 10, a home is the largest investment a person will ever make. Doing it right the first time can save buyers tens of thousands of dollars. This is not an area for “trial and error.”

Vets also often fail to understand much about their own retirement plan—the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Veterans who enter federal careers after separating from the military have options to keep investing in their TSP account. Otherwise, they can simply leave their funds alone until they reach retirement age or roll their account into an IRA or civilian employer’s 401(k) plan. Early withdrawal is an option but comes with heavy penalties.

In terms of planning ahead for further education, many Veterans save their Montgomery GI Bill or Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, but then never use them. Such a waste! If acted up early enough, military members can transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to eligible dependents for their use. Many members don’t realize that they can always change their mind later if they decide they want to use part or all of the benefit themselves in the future. But if they don’t elect to make the transfer before separating, they can’t request a transfer later.

Plan Ahead for Taxes

Apart from the above considerations, it is highly recommended for Veterans to understand the tax ramifications of civilian pay versus military pay. Portions of service member paychecks are not taxed and, depending on one’s rank and duty location, that can add up to a significant savings!

The problem is that military members get used to having tax-free Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), and Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) if stationed abroad. But those tax breaks go out the window once they’re working as civilians, and sometimes that leads to sticker shock when they get their civilian pay stubs.

By understanding the tax ramifications of having all wages eligible for taxation versus only part of them, Veterans can understand what their “take home” pay will be. This will clearly help them forecast their budget and allow them to make a more informed decision regarding tax withholdings.

Final Thoughts

Transitioning out of the military is one of the most financially vulnerable positions Veterans will ever be in. Military-provided Transitional Assistance Programs help but they are rarely sufficient. This is where organizations dedicated to supporting Veterans can do their part to help smooth the transition process and ensure our Vets are taken care of!

For more great tips, download your free copy of “Guide to Growing Your Business with Veterans” and visit our website to learn about SAVI’s organizational and employer certificate programs.

No matter their size or scope, all educational institutions profit from enrolling Veteran students who receive GI Bill benefits. But many institutions leave it up to the students to determine what they can use their benefits for. The problem is that many students don’t actually know what they qualify unless you tell them!

Before you can explain it to others, you have to understand how different VA educational benefits work yourself. Let’s discuss a few ways VA benefits can increase your GI Bill enrollments.

The Different Types and Uses for GI Bill Benefits

Most Active Duty military members receive and use Tuition Assistance while in the service. But once they separate, they’re considered Veterans. This means they may have qualified for Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill benefits.

Post-9/11 GI Bill

Veteran students who have separated or eligible dependents will commonly use the Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33). These may be used to pay for a variety of things, including undergraduate and graduate degree courses. But the benefit can also be used to pay for a range of non-degree vocational or technical training, as well, even when not tied to a university program.

This may include apprenticeships, law school, cosmetology school, entrepreneurship training, or even flight training. The VA will also pay for approved licenses or certification test fees and for certain national exams like the SAT and LSAT.

Students receiving the maximum benefit have all of their public, in-state tuition and fees covered, but the VA does cap rates for private schools. They pay tuition and fees directly to the school, and disburse funds for books and housing to the students themselves.

An added bonus to this benefit is that it can be transferred from the military member to their spouse or children (known as “dependents”) if done within a certain window prior to separation.

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD)

Before the Post-9/11 GI Bill, there was the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (MGIB-AD) (Chapter 30). This bill pays for the same things as the Post-9/11 GI BIll. Once activated, however, it must be used within 10 years (versus 15 years for the Post-9/11 version). Also, it doesn’t offer a housing allowance and can’t be transferred to dependents.

To get a more detailed view of the differences between the two GI Bills, the VA offers a useful Comparison Tool! It even helps users search for eligible schools.

Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)

All Reserve or Guard members use the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), which has most of the same features as the Active Duty version. The main differences are around the eligibility requirements to use it.

Tuition Assistance Top-Up

Sometimes an Active Duty, Reserve, or Guard students will use their Tuition Assistance. Often, the cost of the tuition exceeds the maximum cap paid. In these cases, the student can avoid out of pocket expenses by dipping into their applicable GI Bill in order to pay the difference. This program is known as TOP-UP!

The student’s base of assignment should have an educational office to help them complete the VA Form 22-1990 needed to request this payment.

Final Thoughts

By taking the lead to educate students about their own benefits, schools and training centers stand to maximize enrollments and greatly boost revenue. Also keep in mind that many people joined the military specifically to receive educational benefits, which are a major incentive used by recruiters. That’s why organizations which support Veteran students should understand how to explain and convey the value of GI Bill benefits and help encourage students to sign up for classes!

For more great tips, download your free copy of “Guide to Growing Your Business with Veterans” and visit our website to learn about SAVI’s organizational and employer certificate programs.

There are countless organizations across the country that are giving time, resources, and money to people and communities in need. From nonprofits like St. Jude to The Wounded Warrior Project, there’s a full spectrum of worthy causes to get behind. One thing these organizations have in common is their need for corporate support and sponsorship in order to be successful. Without the support of corporations, for example, SAVI wouldn’t be able to provide free assistance to transitioning Veterans. And if we couldn’t keep our assistance free, we just wouldn’t reach the same level of Veteran support — meaning hundreds more Vets would continue to be underserved and underutilized.

If your company is hoping to show its support to a special cause, here’s how you can become a corporate supporter and make a huge impact.

General Sponsorship

Make general monetary donations that allow an organization to utilize funds however they wish. This no-strings-attached gift lets organizational leaders put this money toward their greatest needs, without guidelines.

Specific Sponsorship

Maybe there’s new research needed that you care deeply about. Or maybe you’d like your donation to go directly toward a specific program within an organization. Nonprofits are always grateful for gifts that go to specific areas of their cause.

Event Engagement

Because most nonprofit organizations rely on outside support, they often host fundraising events to build awareness and garner donations. As a corporation, you can sponsor one of these events or donate company items, such as gift baskets for silent auctions.

In-Kind Donations

Instead of providing money for an organization to use on needed goods or services, your company could donate those goods or services directly. For example, if you’re in the food industry, you could donate food items to a local food bank. Likewise, if you’re in the construction business, you could provide contracting services to organizations who are building orphanages or homes for those living in poverty. 

Corporate Volunteering

Are you a company of employees who would rather offer a physical presence? Consider organizing a group of employees to volunteer at an event put on by your chosen organization
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The options to give back to causes you admire are endless. And all organizations, even SAVI, are in need of various kinds of donations to continue making a positive impact on those they serve. To learn more about SAVI and how you can become a corporate supporter, contact us today.

As a business professional, you have a certain set of skills that can benefit many. Using your business acumen to support Veterans is one way to use those skills for good. If you’re a business owner, here’s how you can show support to Veterans who are transitioning to the civilian workforce.

Host Entrepreneurial Training For Vets

Entrepreneurship is enticing to military Veterans. In fact, Veterans are 45 percent more likely to start their own business than their civilian peers. This means that as a successful business owner yourself, you have the opportunity to share that good sense with aspiring Vetpreneurs who are ready and willing to take advice from the big leagues. Show your support to Vets by hosting an entrepreneurial training designed specifically for Veterans. There are several ways to showcase your business acumen in this realm: Consider holding a workshop at a Veteran Job Fair or create your own business start-up training program onsite.

Hire Veterans in HR

Understanding all the intricacies of military careers can be tough. Though Veterans are encouraged to translate their resumes into civilian speak when applying for real-world jobs, it’s hardly fair to put all the responsibility on the transitioning Vet. If you’re a company committed to hiring Veterans, consider hiring Vets in your Human Resources department. Many Veterans get passed up for positions because HR is unfamiliar with military jobs and how they can translate to functional, desirable skills in the world of business. By hiring Vets in your HR department, you can help to bridge this disconnect and improve your overall Vet hiring process.

Drive a Veteran Awareness Campaign

Plenty of big organizations have used their brand to spread support for Veterans. The NFL, for instance, created a 2018 Salute to Service program for Veterans Day that donated $5 for every use of #SaluteToService via Twitter. The campaign lasted about a week, and proceeds went to military organizations that provide veterans with professional development opportunities and academic scholarships. This is just one example of how an easy-to-create campaign can make a huge impact. Consider creating your own Veteran Awareness Campaign to show your support to Vets while also associating your brand with a good cause.

Making Veterans feel supported during their military-to-civilian transition is the best way to set them up for a successful life post military. Learn how SAVI can help your business support Veterans by contacting us today.