Serving in the United States military is an honorable calling. Millions of veterans across the country have spent time in the Armed Forces and had to transition back into civilian life once their service was done. This transition can be a difficult phase of life for veterans as many struggle with adapting to society because of their experiences in the military.

Often, one of the primary challenges at this time is finding a suitable career. The practical experience you have may not line up with many job descriptions back home, and you may even be dealing with serious mental, emotional, or physical challenges as well.

Fortunately, you can find the right career path if you know what to look for. There are many opportunities in the business world that will allow you to take advantage of the skills and knowledge you have gained from military service. Here are a few careers that make sense for military veterans to pursue.

Personal Trainer

A personal trainer is someone who works with others to help them achieve their health goals, usually centered around physical fitness. Reaching these goals often requires discipline and planning, which are skills that you have developed during your time in the Armed Forces. Former military personnel can excel as personal trainers because they know what it takes to achieve an objective. You can help your clients plan out steps, stay focused on the task, remain disciplined, and maintain motivation. People often need that leadership from someone who can guide them toward their fitness goals, and because of your training and experience, you could be the perfect candidate.

HVAC Contractor

Serving in the military is both physically demanding and educational. You may learn many practical skills that can play a role in a civilian career. If you enjoy working with your hands and gained experience doing so in the military, then perhaps becoming an HVAC contractor would suit your interests. States have varying requirements for being able to get a mechanical HVAC contractor license. For example:

Remote Consultant

The workforce has shifted dramatically in recent years, with thousands of remote positions opening up. This is a great opportunity for veterans to take advantage of, especially if they have serious injuries that prevent them from pursuing certain careers. Maybe you are recovering from a knee injury without surgery but still need to make money in the meantime. You could serve as a remote consultant for businesses. Your skills of leadership, detailed planning, commitment, and ambition would be valuable traits to offer to your clients as you guide them through challenging business decisions, and the work is not as physically demanding.

Security Guard

Combat training may not have many practical applications in the business world, but some positions turn this experience into an advantage. Many businesses and event organizers want to hire security guards to protect assets, customers, properties, and event attendees from harm or theft. With your combat training experience, you would have a leg up on many other applicants, not to mention the discipline and attention to detail that you have developed during military service. As a security guard, you would get to utilize many of the skills you learned in the Armed Forces, so it would be a simpler transition into a career.

Business Owner

Every company needs an effective leader at the helm. As a veteran, you are uniquely positioned to leverage your leadership skills as the key decision-maker for a company that you care about. In many cases, businesses are looking for new owners or executives who have unique leadership experience, and many veterans would fit that description. Even if you are unfamiliar with a particular industry, your dedication will help you learn the business quickly and get up to speed faster than the average candidate. If you cannot find a business that suits your interests, perhaps starting your own would be the right path.

Summary

Transitioning back into civilian life from the military is not easy. Whether you are facing mental, physical, or emotional challenges, it is important to find a new purpose as a member of society. Choosing the right career that matches your skills and experience will be the key to re-integrating into civilian life. With opportunities like those listed above, you can find a position that turns your military experience into a strength.