Military Camaraderie

No matter what reason you joined the military for, there is one common thing that all members of the military gain is camaraderie with their fellow peers and leaders. The military creates a tight-knit camaraderie rarely felt anywhere else, especially in the civilian world. Granted, it is something that had to be earned by wading through BS at times, but camaraderie is what got us through it and is when it is developed. There’s no doubt that military camaraderie is unique and special, ranking as the primary thing veterans miss when they transition out of the military.

Here are some tips on bringing military camaraderie to the civilian world:

• Bring your military camaraderie to the civilian world. Teach others.

Many civilians can only imagine what the kind of bonds is encountered in the military. Only you can bring value of these relationships to the civilian world. Look out for a friends and coworkers by offerings help when they need it and be loyal. Set the example and teach them. Don’t expect anything in return. In fact, you may be surprised that the attitude is catching and spreads.

• Create an impromptu support group to help other veterans.

Military camaraderie goes beyond active duty. You aren’t the only one who’s transitioned into the civilian world. While finding success as a civilian, there are bound to be bumps in the road for you and fellow service members. Take care of one another. You may have distance between you, you may all work vastly different careers, but make a real effort to keep in touch.

If one of you has problems … do what you would have done on active duty: come together and take care of your fellow soldiers. Sometimes this is a sim-ple gesture of sending a couple of bucks, arranging a meal, and having a place your friend can crash during difficult circumstances. Take care of one another. Maintain your former veteran community.

• Extend our community to fellow veterans.

Military camaraderie is strongest among veterans who served together. How-ever, it also exists universally among all veterans. Despite any generational differences, veterans have an instant kinship and common ground. Moments can be found in the smallest places. Don’t doubt that these moments, as they can go a long way for both of you. It can be very good for the soul. You can take it further and volunteer with veteran support groups.

Military camaraderie does not change when you become a civilian. While we must learn how to function in the civilian world, but we need to take our military values with us. The concept of military kinship is a powerful value we can offer to civilian society and continue to give to our fellow veterans. We can maintain support net-works and establish new ones. No, the experience won’t be the same, but that military camaraderie can be just as important.

Always remember how being a soldier has created who you are to-day and how it will always guide you in your future.

“…It is a proud privilege to be a soldier – a good soldier … discipline, self-respect, pride in his unit and his country, a high sense of duty and obligation to comrades and his superiors, and a self-confidence born of demonstrated ability.” (George Smith Patton Junior, 1885-1945, Lieutenant General, US Army, WW2)

The military has the unique ability to add meaning to brotherhood, not only in words, but through actions. Each day, the men and women of our military are challenged and are sometimes put into situations where the camaraderie builds itself - and the men and women can build each other.

The uniform that we wear merely lays the foundation for what brings these select, and exceptional, men and women together; it is the call to duty, the ideals, and the shared title of being a Ghana-ian and believing in what that means, that truly binds the service

men and women together, across all three branches.

Overall, once a veteran, always a veteran. Take care of your brothers. If you do, they will always be there for you.

Image provide by Midjourney (April 2023). Retrieved from https://www.midjourney.com/home/?callbackUrl=%2Fapp%2F