Some days are a little harder than others. · Real Men Real Style Community

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Some days are a little harder than others.

I'm not sharing this to seek praise, gratitude or Sympathy. Instead, I hope to express how I sometimes feel and perhaps let others know that it's normal to have bad days or to feel down.

I mean I spent 26 years in the RAN and I am now 49, so that's more than half my life.

Transitioning from a long and structured military career to civilian life can be a challenging and emotional journey. After serving in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) for 26 years, I found myself navigating a world that once felt familiar, yet strangely foreign. Having enlisted as an eager 18-year-old in August 1993, the Navy became more than just a job; it was a significant part of my identity.

Throughout my service, my role in the RAN defined who I was. Each day came with a clear set of responsibilities, a sense of purpose, and camaraderie that is unparalleled. My self-worth was intricately tied to the tasks I performed and the contributions I made to my country and my team. I wore my uniform with pride, a symbol of service, dedication, and a deep sense of belonging.

In September 2019, when it came time to discharge, I was met with an unexpected void. Suddenly, the structure and identity that had been my compass for so long were gone. The transition to civilian life brought with it a myriad of emotions, uncertainty, confusion, and a pervasive question of self-worth. Without the Navy’s defined identity, I found myself grappling with who I was beyond the uniform.

The civilian world operates differently. The clear hierarchies and defined missions of military life are replaced by a more fluid landscape, where one's role and sense of purpose are not as clearly outlined. I faced the challenge of redefining my identity and finding new ways to attribute value to my life experiences and skills.

It's an ongoing journey, learning to appreciate the breadth of my Naval experiences while forging a new path. Embracing this transition means acknowledging the loss, cherishing the memories, and slowly discovering that self-worth and identity can evolve beyond the confines of your past roles. It's about building a future where your rich history informs your present without dictating it, and where new opportunities and identities emerge from within.

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