Archives for January 2015
Aloha to USA’s 50th Star State – Hawaii
Steps to smoother moves out of military milieu
Shaun Collins’ personal essay explored 1st hand some changes he experienced after he retired and stepped out of his uniform. The post resonated with many service members both in transition or planning on their move from a military to civilian milieu.
In part 2 we look into the source of part 1’s title:
“If You Are What You Do – When You Don’t – You Aren’t”
And how he found his next steps a while into retirement from his military roles.
Shaun Collins spoke of his process to the Military Success Network site’s editor, Helena Kaufman. What follows is an excerpt from a conversation that took place on the phone just prior to the publishing of part 1 and Collins’ original writing on his transition.
Shaun, and I’ll call you that as I pose questions to you, based on your gentle request of others to do so in your essay. …You said your next steps were to figure out how to answer the question “What do you do”? [Read more…]
Who are you when you’re no longer in uniform?
Are we done yet with the season of resolutions? Our lists of what we should do, change, improve, learn, stop, start? Can we now focus on our actual identity and how we want to BE rather than just do?
Guest columnist and military veteran, CW4 (Ret.) Shaun Collins explores how to be – when you find yourself on the civilian side of life. How to be – just a stone’s throw from your quarter century of service, carrying a rucksack full of memories and making your way through the transition zone.
- Part 1 – Asking: Who am I now?
- And, how did I get here?
- Part 2 – Answering to: What do you do?”
“If You Are What You Do – When You Don’t – You Aren’t”
by: Shaun Collins
A few years ago, as I was retiring from the U.S. Army, I was asked by the Military Success Network’s leadership team to write about my preparation for the impending life change. Although the preparation I engaged in was meaningful, I wish I had known about some of the emotional impact my retirement would have, especially on my identity. I could perhaps have better prepared for the mental and psychological perspectives – both expected and not.