Adrienne Simmons’ Post

Transitioning from military to civilian life can feel like navigating uncharted waters, even if you weren't in the Navy like me (you know, I had to add that in there). 😂 The journey on this new path can be incredibly challenging because our military job, rank, and uniform are significant parts of our identity. 🤔 I recently heard an affirmation that started as an 'I am' statement. When I said it, it hit me that for over 20 years as a Navy Nurse, I greeted my patients with "I'm (whatever my rank was at the time) Simmons. I'm the nurse taking care of you today." Those words affirmed who I was and how I served in the Navy. Even though work was crazy most of the time, I always strived to give my patients the best possible care in every way. 😔 When I left that world, I had an identity crisis that I never expected to experience. It's not something that others talk about. For all the retired female veterans out there still grappling with this transition—you're not alone. Many of us face the same struggles, questioning our purpose and direction. 💡But here's the truth: Our core essence gives us our true identity—the combination of values, personality, characteristics, skills, and talents that make us who we are. All those things go with us no matter where we are, what we do, or what we wear. The discipline, leadership, and problem-solving abilities we've honed are not just military skills. They're life skills that guide us in this new chapter of life. 🙌🏾 The uniform may be retired, but our potential isn't. Because of who we are and our experiences, we can step forward confidently, knowing that the best is yet to come. Share your insights on identity and transitioning from the military in the comments below. 👇🏾 I'd love to hear from you! #simmonslifestrategies #lifecoachforveterans #femaleveteran #womenveterans #pqcoach #militarytransition #civilianlife

Transitioning to civilian life can feel like starting over, but it’s also a chance for female veterans to live intentionally. Take time to reflect on what you want from your post-military career and life... 👉 Identify your core values and passions 👉 Align your goals with the life you want to build 👉 Stay open to new opportunities for growth What does living intentionally look like for you? If you’re a female veteran looking for support during this transition, Simmons Life Strategies is here to help. Together, we can create a tailored plan that empowers you to thrive in your new chapter. 🙌 Visit my website or message me for details! simmonslifestrategies.com #femaleveteran #femaleveterans #veteransupport #lifecoachforveterans #civilianlife #militarytransition

Transitioning from military service to civilian life is one of the most challenging battles many veterans face. After years of structure, camaraderie, and purpose, stepping into a world where those pillars aren’t as clear can feel overwhelming. As a veteran, I’ve experienced this firsthand. The military instilled discipline, teamwork, and resilience in me, but it also became my identity. When I left, I realized I had to rebuild who I was—professionally, emotionally, and socially. Some of the struggles I’ve faced include: 🔹 Loss of Routine: Adjusting to a less regimented lifestyle and finding purpose outside the mission. 🔹 Job Transition: Translating military skills into civilian terms and navigating a new career path. 🔹 Isolation: Missing the bond and support system of my military family. But here’s what I’ve learned: ✅ Skills Transfer: The leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving I developed in service are highly valuable. It’s about framing them for the civilian world. ✅ Community Matters: Finding veteran support groups, mentors, or peers who understand the journey has been life-changing. ✅ Purpose Redefined: Whether through work, volunteering, or family, I’ve learned to channel the drive and discipline I once gave to the military into new goals. To my fellow veterans, know this: You are not alone. It’s okay to feel lost, but there is a community ready to help you find your way. For employers and civilians, let’s remember that veterans bring unmatched dedication, grit, and loyalty to the table. With understanding and support, we can bridge the gap and help our veterans thrive in this new chapter. To all my brothers and sisters in arms making the leap into civilian life: What has helped you the most? I’d love to hear your insights and continue the conversation. If you ever need support in your journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My unique understanding of the Medboard process to medical retirement is extremely valuable.. if you need it. 🙂 #VeteranLife #TransitioningVeterans #LifeAfterService #Resilience #VeteranSuccess #purpose #direction

Transitioning to civilian life can feel like starting over, but it’s also a chance for female veterans to live intentionally. Take time to reflect on what you want from your post-military career and life... 👉 Identify your core values and passions 👉 Align your goals with the life you want to build 👉 Stay open to new opportunities for growth What does living intentionally look like for you? If you’re a female veteran looking for support during this transition, Simmons Life Strategies is here to help. Together, we can create a tailored plan that empowers you to thrive in your new chapter. 🙌 Visit my website or message me for details! simmonslifestrategies.com #femaleveteran #femaleveterans #veteransupport #lifecoachforveterans #civilianlife #militarytransition

Vets Helping Vets THRIVE: Let's Be Each Other's Battle Buddies in This Next Mission! Brothers and sisters in arms Brett Groller, CCCTA, CPRC is leading the charge with “Thrive in Transition” with the assistance of M.E.&I Cosching as a Veteran owned company! This message is for all the incredible #ServiceMembers gearing up to conquer the #CivilianLife. We all know that transition can feel like a boot camp of its own, but listen up – WE GOT THIS! Here's the thing: as veterans, we've given so much. Now, it's our turn to build BADASS civilian lives, and that's where this community comes in. We're not just fellow vets; we're accountability partners, a battle buddy system for this next chapter. Every day, we'll be sharing tips and tricks to help you crush that transition. Today's mission: #Reflect on Your Goals. What drives you? What kind of civilian career and life do you crave? Take some time to truly understand those desires. Trust me, with a clear target in sight, that civilian life bullseye is practically yours. This is just the beginning, people! Stay tuned for more. Let's make this transition a victory lap, together. We served, we sacrificed, and now, we THRIVE. Let's do this! #Veterans #MilitaryTransition #CivilianSuccess #WeGotThis 🇺🇸

A couple of days before my retirement ceremony, I found myself overcome with anxiety. After over 22 years of service in the Navy, I wasn’t just stepping away from a career—I was leaving behind a family. These were people I had grown up with, shared challenges with, and built a life alongside. I started to think about all that I was leaving behind: ✅ A consistent income and benefits that offered stability and peace of mind. ✅ My "Service Reputation"—a reflection of my work ethic and the trust I had earned as a Naval officer. ✅ The identity I carried, one so deeply intertwined with the uniform I wore every day. These thoughts made me question if I was making the right decision. The truth was, I didn’t have to retire; it was a choice. But it was a choice that came with fear—the fear of the unknown, the fear of losing everything I had built, and the fear of stepping into a world where I wasn’t sure I’d find the same purpose. As I wrestled with this, I reminded myself that while I was leaving behind many familiar things, I was also carrying forward the lessons, values, and resilience that my military service instilled in me. My "Service Reputation" wasn’t tied to a rank or title—it was tied to me. And that would follow me wherever I went. Retirement wasn’t the end of my journey; it was the beginning of a new chapter. A chapter where I would take the leadership, dedication, and adaptability honed over two decades and apply them to make an impact beyond the military. For anyone facing a major transition—whether leaving a career, stepping into a new role, or starting over—know this: it’s okay to feel uncertain. But don’t forget the strength you’ve gained from your past. It will guide you to the opportunities ahead. #Leadership #Transition #MilitaryToCivilian #NewBeginnings #VeteranVoices

It was like talking to myself from 5 years ago. A female in the Navy, active duty, called me last week. She just put in her retirement - kind of abruptly, like I did. 22 years of service. She's repeatedly been given the hard jobs.. Been passed over for shore duty time and time again. While others, with families, get the easier jobs. It all felt so familiar to me. She's scared of what her life might look like without the Navy. She's asking herself the same questions I did: ➡️ What's next? ➡️ Will I be able to figure it out? ➡️ Who am I without the military? I struggled with the answers to those questions for years. But because of my experience transitioning into civilian life.. I was able to tell her this: 💟 You're going to figure it out. 💟 Your skills will transfer to your next job. 💟 You'll end up right where you're supposed to be. 💟 The Navy has equipped you for whatever is coming. But mostly? I was able to normalize the fear. It's scary leaving the only life you've ever known. That doesn't mean you're not ready for what's next.. It just means you have to use it to motivate you and ask for help when you need it. You're going to be just fine 💟 #military #retirement #transition #civilianlife Which of these questions did you struggle with retiring?

As I reflect on today, I find it more impactful than the last 21 years of honoring those who serve in our Armed Forces. While I’m not officially a grey beard, there are times that I feel like one. As I look back on my career, I did not take the traditional route to end up where I am, but I am beyond grateful for that Journey. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every individual who raises their right hand and swears to defend the very essence of what makes the United States the greatest nation in the universe - our Constitution. As our Nation evolves and learns, this growth would be impossible without the bravery, foresight, and sacrifices of our forefathers and the service members who fought to defend our fledgling nation. Regardless of how long someone serves in the military and what they do, most of that is outside of their control. Sometimes the odds are never in your favor, and sometimes they are. I’m thankful that the odds were in my favor a few times and miss those that the dice of fate didn’t land we way we hoped. To anyone who knows a veteran or someone considering service, remember they are prepared to defend a fundamental right: the equal pursuit of liberty for all. They prioritize the world's safety over their own. While, their motivations may vary, be it maturity, needing a job, searching for a, education, or a sense of purpose, at the core, they stand ready to face the darkness of oppression on behalf of others. Evil triumphs only when good men and women stand idle, and these brave souls refuse to do so. As someone nearing civilian life, I say, thank you for your service. #veteransday #rangersleadtheway #rltw #thankyouforyourservice #sacrifice #defendingfreedom #servicebeforeself #persuitofliberty

Veteran: the one who isn’t! The word "veteran," derived from the Latin 'vetus,' meaning 'old', often prompts people to associate it with physical age, ignoring its true essence: "a reservoir of valuable expertise and potential to constructively contribute to society." Over time, "veteran" has primarily come to signify military personnel who fought wars or are no longer in service. While it symbolizes honor and respect for their dedicated years of service, it also fosters the perception of aging soldiers retiring to tranquil lives or marking a full stop to one's productive life. Now, consider this: the average veteran retires from active service at the prime age of thirty to forty for junior/middle-level managers and in their late forties to mid-fifties for senior positions. Their 'pension' amounts to merely 50% of their last pay drawn, and not everyone, especially officers leaving before 20 years of service and lower ranks leaving before 15 years of service, qualifies for it. Most certainly, servicemen's retirement does not equate with the glamour of "Financial Independence to Retire Early, or FIRE," which is trending in the corporate sector these days. Therefore, it makes sense for them to pursue a second career. Armed with advanced competencies, exposure to cutting-edge technologies, unparalleled work ethics, and leadership skills, it is well established that veterans belong to a productive segment and possess unique leverage to facilitate the private sector's development and growth. However, few in the private sector capitalize on the productive years and the untapped potential the community has to offer. At times, one finds it interesting why retired civilians do not embrace the title of "veteran." Instead, they often opt for suffixes like "advisor" or "consultant," which afford them professional visibility and leverage to pursue opportunities post-retirement. While a large number of veterans driven by their inherent sense of purpose and perseverance excel in their second innings, the optimization of veteran community deserves a serious review. #veterans #awpo #sena #leadershipinaction #soldiers #indianarmy #indiannavy #indianairforce #veteranhiring #CHRO #hiringmanagers