There is frequently a deep divide between military experiences and civilian experiences. It’s hard to step into a job market that seems geared towards the assumption that people are incapable of challenge. And it’s especially hard to step back into that world after having been challenged and carried responsibilities. It’s frustrating and can lead to something of an attitude– I admit I was susceptible to that myself at times.

But on the flipside, it’s true that only a limited amount of experience people get from the military is directly applicable to most civilian employment. Veterans may have a hard time relating their experiences to civilian peers, which certainly doesn’t help bridge the divides of communication. With fewer people serving, and perceptions of veteran experiences limited by what the media chooses to portray, it will only get worse.