The comradery and connectedness to those you serve with is like nothing else you will ever experience in an organized corporate cultural setting, having a strong social life is a key to fulfillment. The military provides places to gather socially, teams for sports, groups for families, etc. These can also be found in the civilian sector but you need to be more conscious of the selection as they are not necessarily as structured or from a similar belief or value system. Today you hear the term Tribe used a lot to describe creating a group that has something in common and is tied to a common value system. This would be much like a pack from an animal's perspective. Some Tribes and Packs are more open to those that are not exactly like them in every way, while some are very tight in only letting in those that they feel meet their values or in the case of animals their own species.
The military is great about providing various social opportunities within the base or organization of which you are assigned. By virtue of being assigned to that base or organization you are accepted as a member but still expected to conform to the culture. When you get out into the civilian life there are many cultures and subcultures to belong to. Again some very open while others are very closed based on a certain belief structure or set of criteria. Knowing what social groups exist within these cultures and subcultures can be quite challenging.
As a veteran is becoming acclimated to a new way of living, having a social life is very important. This serves the individual in many ways:
- A place to feel part of greater cause
- A way to contribute to the community of which you have become a part of
- Not feeling alone
- In some ways continuing the comradery you are used to experiencing
There are a few things to keep in mind when you decide what kind of social life to develop or be part of:
- Ensure that it adheres to your values and morals so that you can be proud of what you socially take part in.
- Don't restrict yourself to only what you know and are used to; be open to new or different ways.
- Understand that within this new social life you form that there will be differences in backgrounds and opinions.
- Only look to develop a social life that fits what you desire, bigger and bolder is not always the best option for those who prefer smaller circles of interaction.
You don't always have to "find" a group to belong to, be the leader that you have been trained to be and start a social group. Lead the way to develop something that other veterans will be drawn to and can have a national presence.
Landmark Life Coaching's Mission is to honorably and respectfully serve courageous groundbreakers and transitioning veterans to persevere in defining and executing their future by providing an atmosphere of comradery and trust that honors their dedication and commitment. This will empower our clients to feel whole, honored, respected and fulfilled in defining and living their life purpose.
Founder/Coach/Speaker/Writer Dwayne.paro@landmarklifecoaching.com