Short Response 3: Successful Transitional Experience

 

“Successful Transitional Experience”

     Recently I’ve had the experience of a successful transition. My transition led me from a full-time military career transitioning back into the civilian life and then onto community college. I was in the Air Force for 14 years, during that time I went through several rituals. At the young age of 19 I was ordained into the Air Force by graduating from basic military training. This was definitely a signal of change from my old society. I grasped onto the military culture as best I could leaving old ideas, behaviors, and friends behind.

     Before separating from the Air Force every service member must go through the (TAP) Transitional Assistance Program. TAP was developed to assist in the transitioning of military personnel and family members leaving the service. My separation was not only exciting but also very stressful. I’ve had a vision for a long time of leaving the military and returning to college. Back in 2001, while still in the Air Force, I decided to enroll into a local community college. Due to the terroristic actions on September 11, I was forced to withdraw from my classes in order to keep up with the operations tempo on the War on Terror. In TAP class, I learned about the many educational benefits that have been made available for veterans. Learning about all the benefits available to me when separating made the transition that much easier.

     Separating myself from the Air Force society was a very easy transition, I was ready to go. The Air Force culture had changed and their values and views no longer aligned with my own. The separation of the military is usually celebrated through several rituals. The most common ritual is that of the retirement ceremony. The retirement ceremony is usually very formal. Separating members and officials wear their dress uniforms. The separating members are presented with a certificate honoring their service. Ceremony guests and family members listen to a summary of the life and accomplishments of the separating members, usually presented by the unit commander. The closing of the ceremony is marked by the United States Air Force Song which commemorates the Air Force and its fallen heroes.

     My transition to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will begin next spring. Embry-Riddle is a coeducational university serving culturally diverse students. Transitioning to this university should be fairly simple socially. I will be separating from CCBC after only being a student here for a short amount of time, so I believe leaving will be quite exciting as I face harder challenges. One of the challenges will be transitioning to living on campus. I will try to immerse myself into the wide array of activities and clubs. I believe this will make the transition more pleasant through being more involved.