Every year it's estimated 250,000 enlisted service members leave the military. Transition can be extremely hard for not only solider but spouse as well. We know, because we've experienced it. A soldier can feel a number of things from challenges such as, loss of connection, loss of purpose, stress, depression, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, worry of entering the work force, difficultly of adjusting to a different pace of life and lifestyle, heath care issues, identity crisis, finances and PTSD. A spouse faces challenges such as, relocation, loss of support and connection, employment, stress, depression, anxiety, caretaker responsibilities, loss of purpose and pride, identity, finances, and loss of community and culture. Ryan and I have faced many of these challenges, but thankful not all of them. We recently found a PEW research that shared factors that predict an easier or harder re-entry into civilian life. Soldiers will have an easier trans...
Wow! It's been a long time since I've added to this blog. I guess you could say life has gotten busy. Since the last post, in 2013, much has happened. Here are the major events in the last seven years: 1. Ryan got off active duty military and we moved to Berea, Kentucky. Ryan enrolled at Eastern Kentucky University. Ryan also joined the Kentucky National Guard. From moving so much I became fascinated with simplicity and minimalism. I am now a self proclaimed minimalist. I love having less stuff! 2. Ivy Helen was born on January 10th, 2014. 3. Summer of 2014 we moved to Bozeman, Montana. Ryan studied aviation at Montana State University. Ryan joined Montana National Guard. I got back into full time cosmetology educating. I also worked at MSU family housing. 5. Ryan graduated and is official a commercially rated pilot. We moved to New York for Ryan to go to aviation mechanic school. Ryan got out of the military completely and transition bec...