Article (series): Transition Out of the Canadian Armed Forces
I wrote four articles from 2022 to 2023 for Wellness Together Canada, a government of Canada funded website which provides mental health and substance use support for Canadians. All four articles are meant to support veterans and currently serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces with issues specific to them.
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Medical or not, willing or not, every Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) member will transition out of the military. It’s a big life event, and that means big feelings. Shame, pride, guilt, relief, fear or even dread, excitement, sadness, gladness, anger, joy… a spectrum of emotions, not just affecting us one at a time but affecting each other and weighing on our families as well. And transition doesn’t end when you walk out the door.
Camaraderie
I joined for the free education. I stayed because, at a particularly taxing moment on basic training, two of my platoon mates helped me when they didn’t need to. We barely knew each other, but they increased their suffering to relieve some of mine.
Stability
The pay was good, the health and dental coverage even better. And guaranteed full-time employment? Amazing. I also came from a very relaxed family, and the rigid rules and discipline of the CAF felt like something I’d been missing in my life. When my obligatory service was up, and the rules grated on my nerves, I stayed for the people to my left and right and for the certainty of the job.
Dysfunction
During my service, I developed a mental health injury. To summarize, it intensified to the point where I could barely function. My medical file went through the Director of Medical Policy (DMedPol) and then to the Director of Military Careers (DMCA) for review.
I was offered a posting to the Transition Centre (TC). I declined because I thought I could still contribute. The career manager had refused to post anyone into my position whether I vacated it or not. I couldn’t leave my unit high and dry.
But, within a year of the TC offer, I was essentially fired for being unable to perform up to expectations. I took the posting. But I still wouldn’t give up. Before I’d even stepped foot into the Transition Centre, I’d found myself a placement at a different unit where I worked six months before my personal demons caught up with me. I received my decision letter from DMCA – 3B (medical) release. I was officially in transition. I spent a month at home then ran down the clock at a local college, my studies funded by Manulife (SISIP).
Resources
There were no Second Career Assistance Network (SCAN) seminars – the ones they recommend before retirement – because of COVID 19, but I read the slides – I thought I was prepared – but there were hoops to jump through. Forms to fill out. Signatures to acquire.
I got a My VAC account so I could access Veteran’s Affairs Canada (VAC) programs and services. It’s a big department, and it has a lot of red tape. But I had help navigating it – particularly from friends and veterans who’ve done it before. The Royal Canadian Legion’s Veterans Services Network also offers assistance to CAF members and veterans to complete VAC applications and forms.
I had to write a memo to request the posting to the TC. Typical. It had to be mailed around for approval to a) my medical officer, b) my commanding officer (CO), and c) the CO of the TC. This took about a month. That said, the TC treated me extremely well, and you don’t have to be releasing to reach out to them. They’re happy to help members find the support they need.
Medical release
Getting my file to DMedPol required weekly visits to a psychiatrist, social worker, and a doctor and two temporary medical categories (TCats). Typically, an ill or injured CAF member who needs a longer recovery time can get up to three six-month TCats before being recommended for a permanent medical category (PCat) through DMedPol. Their decision can take half a year.
If DMedPol assigns a PCat that breaches universality of service, the member’s file goes to DMCA where a decision (add another six to eight months) to retain or release the member is made. Twenty years of hurry up and wait did not prepare me for this.
Mixed feelings
I thought I was happy to leave the CAF. I felt I didn’t belong anymore, that I couldn’t keep up with the demand, that I’d be better off civi-side. I was sick of old boys clubs, of rules for the sake of rules, of policies designed to punish the worst of us but that hurt the best of us. I was tired of seeing some people flourish while others wallowed.
Still, I believed in the people I served with. I believed in what the institution stood for. The CAF had given me so much, I’d been across Canada. I’d been on warships, armoured vehicles, planes and helicopters. I’d deployed to other countries, expanded my understanding of culture, humanity, and politics.
Through two decades of ups and downs, the CAF had been my family.
Substance use
I crushed my emotions – being happy to leave the CAF was what I wanted to feel. I didn’t want to feel like I’d let down the team. I didn’t want to admit my shame at being shown the door.
I won’t lie. Substance use felt like it helped me, particularly in the last few weeks before my release date. But drowning my sorrows separated me from my family and friends. I didn’t have to deal with my feelings at all, but they didn’t go away, and they haunt me now. Mental health support is so important, and Wellness Together Canada is a great resource.
Communication
I am lucky to have a service spouse. For the most part, he gets it. But there are things he’s had trouble understanding about my transition. So, I’ve done my best to explain them to him. Our loved ones, those we call family, are exactly that. Loved. And they love us in return. Sometimes my husband was frustrated. But he feels that way because he cares.
One of the best things family can do for transitioning CAF members is listen. And one of the best things transitioning CAF members can do is talk to their family about it. It’s a two-way street.
Another great thing family can do is get support for themselves. Visit Canadian Forces Morale & Welfare Services to find resources in your community. Your local Military Family Resource Centre can connect family members with peer support and other help. Make sure your family knows they have somewhere they can turn.
Resilience
In the article Building Your Resilience, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines resilience as “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress…”
Building resilience means focusing on the areas of life we can control, change, or adapt to rather than focusing on what we cannot control. It takes active work, and it doesn’t happen overnight.
The APA recommends:
· Build your connections – find other veterans who understand, join a veterans’ group like Soldier On, the Legion, or a social media-based group. Become active in your community.
· Foster wellness – take care of yourself. Stress has a physical impact, and unhealthy living makes it worse. My substance use took a toll on my body, one that I am working to overcome through better nutrition and exercise. For a healthy mind, try mindfulness. You can access Mindwell with your Wellness Together Canada login. You’ll find the link under Tools and Programs.
· Find purpose – contact your base or wing personnel selection office (PSO) and/or VAC to access career transition services for education or future work. Have a plan for your next adventure. It’s okay if you later find that the plan doesn’t fit. What are your goals? What will help you reach them? What can you learn about yourself? After release, consider volunteering with a veteran or local community group like Team Rubicon Canada.
· Embrace healthy thoughts – if you’re feeling overwhelmed, step back and consider your thoughts and ideas. Are they rational? Are they true? Would another idea or interpretation fit the situation better?
· Accept change – it happens. Look for hope in your daily life and wisdom from your past. How did you handle something stressful before? Did it help? Why or why not?
Practical tips for transition
· Attend a SCAN seminar by contacting your base or wing PSO
· Get a My VAC account to find out what support and resources are available to you through your transition. VAC provides support to releasing and retired military members such as:
o Rehabilitation and vocational services
o Career transition services
o Injury and disability benefits
o Priority hiring
o Income support
o Education and training benefits
o And much more
· Get financial advice. Financial uncertainty can make transition harder. SISIP is a good place to start – it’s free and military-focused.
I knew I’d miss my CAF family, but it took two months after releasing before I felt it. As I unpack boxes from our recent move, I don’t want to look at my old uniforms, my medals, my accoutrements. It hurts too much. I feel like I should hang up my retirement shadow box – be proud of my accomplishments – but I can’t bare to look at it. Like I said, my feelings haunt me. I know what I need to do though, and I have so much to look forward to.