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The sounds of summer are coalescing around me. They have always felt the same to me. Hot and oppressive, full of shouting and sorrow, fear.

Veterans Benefits, Explained Simply

Okay, you’ve made the decision that it’s time to transition from military service and start a new adventure in the “civilian world,” but how do you translate your military career into a language and skill set that is clear and understandable to prospective employers?

They stood shoulder to shoulder, ten men in a line, hands pressed to their foreheads performing a salute. After 75 years their salute was slower, their balance aided by walking sticks, their sight somewhat deteriorated, but still they stood surveying the applauding crowd before them.

Freedom is something many Americans take for granted, but for every day we enjoy our freedom is a day a military member has served fighting for it. Whether they are active soldiers or veterans, these brave souls have put their lives on the line to protect our nation's civilians.

If you're a family member or friend who was faithfully sending care packages to a friend in the military, you already know how rough that life can be. Rougher still though is trying to re-integrate into the civilian world after being deployed at war.

You served your country well, you met a bunch of new friends, and you learned to love the military lifestyle. Or, maybe you just did one tour in Iraq, only to find that you're alright with being a "one and done" type of veteran. Either way, you're working your life back into the civilian world and you need a new way to support yourself.

There are few bigger sacrifices that an individual can make than fighting for their country. Around the world, our military helps to keep our citizens and civilians everywhere safe from terror. Though much respect and admiration is extended to the American veterans of foreign war, considerably less help and resources are available to these brave men and women when they leave the armed forces.

When you leave the military, you may be worried about your transition to regular civilian jobs. However, there are civilian jobs similar to military life that won’t be too much of an uprooting for you. Before your job search, you need to know what you’d like to do. Plenty of employers would love to hire men and women who have had military experience because of how disciplined and hardworking they are.