You likely have many reasons for choosing to join the Air Force, but as your career comes to an end, you’re forced to start thinking about finding a new purpose. The military has clearly defined objectives and structure, which can be challenging to find in the civilian world, and the change can be jarring.

If you feel like you’re lost or having difficulty adjusting after leaving the Air Force, we’re here to help. In this guide, you’ll learn more about the difficulties of finding purpose after the Air Force and how you can find something new after your contract ends or you retire.

Challenges Airmen Face Finding Purpose After Their Service

The Air Force, like other branches of the military, creates a structured routine that many Airmen become accustomed to and expect in their daily life. The sense of camaraderie with other Airmen is also something built into the Air Force and hard to find in the civilian world.

When Airmen leave the Air Force or retire, they experience a disruption to their routine and separation from their fellow Airmen. This can cause immense stress, which can make it more difficult to adjust to life outside of the Air Force, which comes with its own challenges. Finding work, moving, setting up your family, and concerns regarding finances are all factors Airmen have to face when leaving their Air Force.

If Airmen experience difficulties adjusting to civilian life, it can create challenges in finding a new purpose, especially if they’re also struggling with mental health conditions or stress.

Tips for Finding a New Purpose After the Air Force

While finding a new purpose after the Air Force isn’t easy and isn’t always straightforward, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Many Airmen find a new sense of purpose and belonging once they leave the Air Force when they put in the proper effort and seek the support they need. Check out some of our tips for finding a new purpose after the Air Force below.

1. Prepare for Your Transition Ahead of Time

Transitioning out of the Air Force, whether your contract is ending or you’re retiring, can be stressful. You have to learn how to live in the civilian world again, and the adjustment can be difficult for some, especially if you’ve spent a majority of your adult life in the Air Force.

Before you officially begin your transition, you should take the necessary steps to prepare beforehand. Look at job openings, pick a school you want to attend, consider where you might want to live, and any other important factors you need to consider when leaving the military. Once you have a plan in place, create a few backup plans in case something doesn’t work out. Having these plans ready to go when you start your transition can help reduce stress and anxiety, which will make it easier to focus on finding your new purpose after the Air Force.

2. Learn to Manage Your Stress in Healthy Ways

Adjusting to life after the Air Force is stressful, and it can make it more challenging to find a new purpose if you’re not finding healthy ways to cope. It’s harder to focus on finding a purpose if you’re overwhelmed or not managing your stress properly.

There are healthy and unhealthy ways to cope with stress, and it’s important to learn healthy methods so you’re not causing yourself additional stress and can spend more time finding a new purpose after the Air Force. Some different ways you can manage stress include:

●Speaking with a counselor or licensed therapist.

●Making time to yourself and the activities you enjoy.

●Engaging in healthy coping mechanisms, such as journalism, yoga, or exercise.

●Finding ways to wind down and relax when you’re overwhelmed, such as spending time in nature, hanging out with friends, or playing games.

3. Think About Your Career Options

The Air Force can set you up for success since you’ll learn a wide range of skills that will be useful in the civilian world. Your skills will likely translate into a civilian career that’s similar to what you did in the Air Force, and if you enjoy what you did as an Airmen, you can find fulfillment in a civilian career that’s in the same industry.

If you want a fresh start or feel like you didn’t really enjoy what you did in the Air Force, leaving the Air Force is an excellent time to transition into something new. You can attend trade school, learn a new skill, or go to college to find your new purpose.

Whether you decide to stick with what you know or branch out and try something new, your experience in the Air Force will serve you well in the civilian workforce. As an Airman, you will have learned valuable skills, like teamwork, self-discipline, communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and more. All of these skills will be practical in any career you choose, so you have the groundwork for success once you leave the Air Force.

4. Find an Organization to Volunteer With

Many Airmen who leave the Air Force feel like they lose their purpose because they’re no longer serving a greater purpose and our country. However, there are ways to continue serving even when your contract ends or you retire. One of the ways you can continue to serve is to volunteer your time with an organization that you love, whether it’s one that helps service members and vets or something else close to your heart. If you don’t know of any organizations, you can search online or talk to people you know to see what organization they’ve heard about.

You can also offer to mentor if you want to make connections and help someone on a more personal level. You can mentor kids and teens interested in joining or active duty service members. If you want to mentor in a non-military capacity, many cities will have a local Boy or Girl Scout troop where you can become a counselor or scout leader.

5. Pursue Your Interest and Hone Your Skills

If you already have some skills or there’s something that interests you, leaving the Air Force is a great time to pursue what you like and practice what you love. You can dedicate time each day to your interests and watch your skills grow. Over time, you’ll become a master at what you do and you may even find you’ve developed a new sense of purpose while pursuing hobbies or fields that interest you.

6. Connect With a Group Involving Your Passions

If there’s something you enjoy doing, odds are that there’s a group dedicated to it. You can find clubs, teams, organizations, and groups for nearly anything, and it’s a great way to connect with others who share your passions. Getting together with a group that enjoys the same things you do can help you find a sense of purpose and camaraderie after your time in the Air Force.

7. Find Support From Other Veterans and Retired Airmen

Transitioning into the civilian world isn’t always easy, and it can be helpful to connect with other veterans and retired Airmen. You can find support from others who understand what you’re going through and find a sense of purpose by making connections with others who have had to do the same. You can find groups in your local community, but you can also find groups online if that’s more convenient for you.

Potential Civilian Job Opportunities for Airmen

There are plenty of careers outside the Air Force that can offer you a sense of purpose, especially if you want to continue to serve your community and country in some way. We’ve compiled a list of some of the common occupations veterans take on after leaving the military, which include:

●First responders: Law enforcement is a common choice for those with Air Force experience since the structure and routine is similar to what you’d find in the military. You’ll also find a sense of purpose by serving your community each day and providing valuable resources to those with the most need.

●Security: Your military training can give you a competitive edge in security guard positions, and it may help you feel like you’re serving a greater purpose. You can find security guard positions in many different places, such as transportation departments, government buildings, and secure facilities. You can even do security for individuals and important figures.

●Government: Many government positions will give veterans preference when hiring, so you’ll have plenty of options in a government position if you want to continue to work in this field. You can also choose to work in positions that make a significant difference in your community if you want to continue to serve after your time in the Air Force.

●Cybersecurity: Many jobs in the Air Force focus on cybersecurity and related fields in our modern age, so you can likely find positions in the civilian world that take advantage of these skills. Cybersecurity is also a growing industry, so it’s an excellent way to find purpose and stability that will grow with you.

Source Your Uniforms and Gear at AUSI

If you’re still in the Air Force, there will come a day when you need to think about what you want to do after the military, and we hope our blog has provided some insight for your future. Until then, you are still a proud Airman, which means you need to keep your uniform in the best condition possible.

Whether you’re looking for a new uniform to stock your closet or you’re replacing worn out pieces, American Uniform Sales has you covered. We offer AFI-compliant clothing, rank, insignia, footwear, and more to keep you within strict Air Force regulations. Check out our complete inventory here, or contact us with your questions!