Veterans continue to face a number of reintegration challenges when returning home, including physiological and behavioral disorders, feelings of isolation, broken identity, cultural gaps between military and civilian life, limited professional and social networks, lack of civilian work experience, translating military experience into civilian job skills, and veteran suicide.

Whereas military service builds important personal characteristics, practical skills, and professional experience, translating these to facilitate transition into civilian life has been the challenge. Surveys reveal that 81% of separating service members do not feel “fully prepared for the process of entering the job market” and 76% report “an inability to effectively translate their military skills into civilian terms.”

The above findings suggest that the lack of resiliency training as one of the leading causes of failure in returning service members and calls for a program that helps them build upon their military training and skills to help them redefine their personal identity, purpose in life, and desired occupation after service.

To answer the call NVTSI is presenting the REBOOT Workshop™, a three-week, cohort-based program that builds the emotional, psychological, social, and professional skills necessary for successful reintegration into civilian life. Developed by the National Veterans Transition Services, Inc., the seminar’s insightful and personalized approach to reintegration utilizes cognitive restructuring to help veterans redefine their life – from the inside out for a successful transition home.

OVERVIEW –  Make the social and career transition from years of service by “re-booting” your skills. REBOOT Workshops™ feature three weeks of behavior-based education designed to enhance and build upon your training, experience, and skills to prepare you for life after the military.

  • Week 1: RELEARN – The focus of Week 1 is Personal Transition. You will build your understanding of how your mind works, and how you can control the way you think to achieve success—in any part of your life that you desire.
  • Week 2: REBUILD – Week 2 is all about Lifestyle Transition. Designed specifically for the military to civilian transition, the sessions will help you design and create the road map and foundation to your life plan and future. The material and workbook will walk you through five steps and 20 exercises where you will develop a personal life plan that aligns your personal vision, mission, and experience with your passions and skills to achieve a successful and happy life for you and your family.
  • Week 3: REBRAND – Week 3 centers on Career Transition. Designed to help you define your career passion and goals. Topics include Acing the Interview, The College-Bound Veteran, Setting Your Career Goals, What Color is Your Parachute—Planning Your Next Move, Do What You Are, Social Networking, and more.

TRAINING METHODOLOGY
The REBOOT Workshop™ approach to learning is very different from the traditional training model. Traditional training typically involves highly structured information delivery, usually in lecture format, where students read or listen to the material, take notes, ask questions, and are expected to retain the information for testing. The REBOOT approach to learning might be different than what you are used to. During this reflective and engaging three-week workshop, you will find that:

  • You are a participant in the process, not a just a “student.”
  • The learning is based on your experience and future desires.
  • There are no tests. We look at many perspectives.
  • The goal is to increase your Personal Mastery—understanding of yourself, others, and the environment around you—through reflection, dialogue, discovery, documentation, and the application of Cognitive Behavioral processes that impact the thought process of discovery of the entire life-wheel and personal development.

The outcome is generative learning that can be used throughout your lifetime.

What should I expect?

Through reflections, exercises, and discussions with your workshop partners and facilitators, you will learn about yourself and your environment as you strive to redefine your life and your goals and aspirations. As a result, you will personally develop in all areas, enabling you to be in charge of living a balanced life of purpose, meaning, and happiness for you, your family, and your friends. The Facilitators do not have the answers. In fact there are many right answers. You have the answers inside of you and will also find them within your workshop partners. They are sometimes deep inside and need time to surface.

Trust the process and enjoy the journey. Your learning will build throughout each week and you will develop insights over time. You are reprogramming the way you think and interact with each other and the world. You will continue to discover things about yourself, and your future possibilities after the workshop and into the future. The results will amaze you.

EXPECTATIONS

When participating in this program, please enhance your experience by doing the following:

  • Attend all days of the workshop and be punctual. Please schedule appointments around the workshop. Workshops are held in San Diego and Oceanside, Monday through Friday from 0900 to 1600. Uniform is business casual.
  • Have an open mind for learning.
  • Possess the willingness to participate and be engaged.
  • Be respectful of other students and Facilitators.
  • Understand the cross-participant learning that takes place between students.
  • Begin building a support group with classmates.
  • Apply the learning to your future life planning.
  • Have fun in the learning process.
  • Participate in Post Workshop activities.
  • Provide honest feedback about the classes.

About the Author

Maurice Wilson

Maurice Wilson

Results-driven visionary with 20 years experience driving dramatic results in the non-profit community-based organization social services sector. Consistently overcomes complex business challenges and makes high-stakes decisions within fast-paced, high-pressure environments using experience-backed judgment, innovation, strong work ethic, humor, and irreproachable integrity. Specialties: Communication, organizational development, planning, business development, collaboration, social networks, marketing, fundraising, fiscal management and implementation.