“SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE” By Shawn VanDiver
“The perspective you’ve gained from global deployments and working in diverse teams provides a breadth of understanding that can bridge divides and build stronger communities.”
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“In our journey through life, few truths are as universal as the inevitability of change. For those of us who’ve donned the uniform, embraced the discipline and lived by the camaraderie that defines military life, one particular change presents a unique challenge: the transition to civilian life.
And why should it be hard? We all started as civilians and then became military, right?
This transition isn’t just about swapping a uniform for business casual; it’s a fundamental shift in how we interact with the world around us. The ways we interact with our colleagues on the deckplates of a destroyer, the dining facility on a base or other spots uniquely military are not how we interact in our offices and cubicles out in the civilian world.
And here’s the reality — the military community isn’t just invited to integrate into our broader communities; we have an obligation to do so. Nothing good ever came of sitting around in a bubble of people just like you.
Let’s face it, the military doesn’t last forever. No matter how profound the experience or how deep the commitment, there comes a day for all of us when we hang up the uniform for the last time. And when that day comes, the reality hits — you’re going to have to integrate into the civilian world.
So the question I ask is: Why wait? Why not start the process now, when the skills you’ve honed, the leadership you’ve exemplified and the values you’ve lived by can have an immediate impact?
I’m talking about civic engagement — that’s your golden ticket. Engaging with your community while still in service makes the eventual transition smoother, more meaningful, and, frankly, easier. But here’s the kicker: By stepping out and making your mark, you don’t just ease your own path; you have the power to change the world.
Look at efforts like #AfghanEvac. It isn’t just a mission; it is a movement. It shows us that when we come together — military veterans and civilians — setting aside the uniform while carrying forward its ethos of service and duty, we can move mountains. We’ve got admirals, ambassadors and corporals working alongside children’s book illustrators, animal shelter operators and retired grandmothers to help bring Afghans to America who face persecution because they worked for the U.S. military when it had thousands of troops in the Asian nation.
This isn’t about waiting for the right moment; it’s about making the moment right. It’s about understanding that our duty to serve extends beyond our military roles. The skills you’ve developed — leadership, teamwork, strategic thinking — are not just military assets; they’re societal gold. The perspective you’ve gained from global deployments and working in diverse teams provides a breadth of understanding that can bridge divides and build stronger communities.
So let’s go: Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. Whether it’s mentoring youth, leading community projects or simply being a good neighbor, your actions set the stage for a smoother transition and a richer, more connected life post-service. And in doing this, you embody the best of what it means to serve — not just in uniform, but in the fabric of our daily lives.
We shouldn’t sugarcoat it — the transition to civilian life will happen and it can be difficult. But by engaging now, by weaving yourselves into the tapestry of community life, you make that transition not just a step, but a leap towards a fulfilling, integrated life. This is how you turn the page, not with trepidation, but with a sense of purpose and possibility. And in doing so, you don’t just adjust to the world outside; you change it. You bring to it the strength, resilience and leadership that defined your military service, showing us all that the true strength of our community lies in its diversity, its unity, and its shared commitment to a better world.
This is our charge, our mission. It’s not about if we transition; it’s about how we transition. Let’s do it with intention, with engagement and with the unwavering belief that our best days, both in and out of uniform, lie ahead of us. Together, let’s embrace this next chapter not just as former service members, but as active architects of our community’s future.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shawn VanDiver works with government clients at all levels throughout California to identify innovative solutions to long-term municipal challenges. He was appointed to the Board of Directors of the San Diego Convention Center in 2021, and is the founder of the San Diego Chapter of the Truman National Security Project. Additionally, he serves as the Executive Director of the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum San Diego Chapter and on the Boards of Directors for Emerge California, Veterans Community Connections, and the Downtown San Diego Partnership. Shawn is a Navy veteran living in Clairemont with his wife and two children. He can be found on Twitter @shawnjvandiver.
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