From Service to Significance: 5 Practices That Help Veterans Thrive Beyond the Uniform

By Pat Kaune, Glenn College Professional Development Program Manager; Colonel (Retired), U.S. Army 

Veterans enter the civilian workforce with proven leadership experience, resilience and the ability to perform under pressure.  

Yet success after military service involves more than finding a new career. It requires adapting to a new professional environment, building new relationships and finding renewed purpose.  

While every transition is different, veterans who take ownership of their journey and invest in continuous growth are often best positioned to thrive.  

Strategy 1: Learn to Translate, Not Just Tell 

Military experience is valuable, but civilian employers may not understand military terminology, acronyms or titles. Instead of describing your position, explain your impact. 

Rather than saying, “I was a squad leader,” consider saying, “I led and developed a 12-person team, coached performance, maintained accountability and delivered results under demanding timelines.” 

Focus on translating your experience into skills employers recognize: leadership, problem-solving, communication, project management, risk mitigation and team development. 

Resources such as Still Serving Veterans, Hiring Our Heroes, American Corporate Partners, VetEvolve, and VetLauncher can help convert military experience into civilian-ready resumes and interview stories. AI can be a useful tool, but you must own every word on your resume and every example you share in an interview. 

Networking is not about asking for a job. It is about building relationships, seeking advice and learning from others. For veterans unsure where to start, “The 20-Minute Networking Meeting - Veterans Edition” by Marcia Ballinger and Nathan Perez offers a practical roadmap for building professional connections through trust, preparation and meaningful conversations. It should be required reading for every service member preparing to transition to the civilian workforce. 

A strong network can provide opportunities, guidance and support long before you need them. Simply put, relationships open doors that resumes do not. 

Strategy 3: Lead by Influence, Not Rank 

One of the most important adjustments veterans make is shifting from authority-based leadership to influence-based leadership. 

Military rank often provides immediate authority. In civilian organizations, influence must be earned through credibility, trust, collaboration and consistent performance. 

Listen before leading. Invest in relationships. Mentor others. Seek feedback. Then deliver results.  

People do not follow because of the title on your business card. They follow because they trust your judgment, respect your character and believe you make the team better. Influence, not rank, becomes the new measure of leadership success. 

Strategy 4: Find Your Next Mission 

Veterans often discover they miss the mission more than the military itself. 

Transitioning to the civilian workforce provides an opportunity to identify what continues to motivate you and where you can make the greatest impact. Take time to reflect on your values, interests and strengths. Tools such as the CareerOneStop Interest Assessment and the DISC Personality Assessment can help you better understand your interests, work preferences and communication style. 

Volunteer. Mentor. Coach. Support causes that matter to you.  

Veterans often thrive when they can connect their work to a larger purpose. The goal is not simply finding a job. It is finding your next mission. 

Strategy 5: Commit to Lifelong Learning 

The most successful veterans approach transition with curiosity. 

As Ted Lasso famously said, “Be curious, not judgmental.” That mindset applies to every stage of a career. The civilian workplace evolves constantly, and continuous learning is one of the best ways to remain competitive and fulfilled. 

Pursue certifications. Attend workshops. Read books and industry publications. Seek feedback from trusted colleagues. Develop new technical and leadership skills.  

Most importantly, be willing to be a beginner again. 

Military service taught you how to learn under pressure, adapt to change and solve problems. Those same qualities can fuel success in your next chapter if you remain open to growth. 

Veterans bring resilience, discipline, adaptability and leadership to every organization they join. Those strengths create the greatest impact when veterans intentionally translate their experience, invest in relationships, embrace continuous learning and connect their work to a larger purpose. 

Successful transition is not about leaving military service behind. It is about carrying its lessons forward to create value for your organization, your community and the next generation of leaders. 

Pat Kaune brings nearly 30 years of leadership experience in the U.S. Army, where he retired as a colonel after serving in operational, intelligence and organizational leadership roles. His background includes strategic planning, leader development and organizational improvement, along with managing teams, complex projects and multimillion-dollar budgets. His public service experience includes multiple combat tours and serving as city manager of Fort Knox and as city public services manager for Upper Arlington, Ohio. He holds advanced degrees in strategic and operational planning and Middle East security studies and a Master of Public Administration from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs.