After 23 years in the Army, Gary and his family imagined they’d continue serving as a proud military family. But life had other plans. An unexpected medical discharge marked the first of several roadblocks on their path to civilian life.
Years of service – including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan – took a toll on Gary’s body. While stationed in Alaska in a high-stress, high visibility post, he was told he’d need another operation. Each year, approximately 200,000 military members transition into civilian life, often starting the planning process two years before their exit. But for those that are being medically discharged, the MedBoard may only give them 30 days’ notice of when their military career is over and civilian life begins.
For military families, transition isn’t just about a job—it means losing a home, starting over, changing careers, enrolling children in new schools, and finding community all over again. Gary began networking, set up a LinkedIn profile, and knew he wanted to pursue a role in maintenance—but wasn’t sure what that looked like on the civilian side. He was struggling to get callbacks on jobs.
Then he came across INvets.
Originally from Shelbyville, IN, Gary knew Indiana would be a good option for his family. The state offers great veteran benefits, in-state tuition for his sons and a sense of home. The logistics of finding a new job, new home, new school was overwhelming for their family, until he connected with INvets and began working with his Veteran Engagement Manager, Dana.
Dana went hard to work, refining Gary’s resume and advocating for him with local employers. Then came another unexpected challenge: Gary’s oldest son, stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado, suffered a devastating accident. As Gary traveled to be with him, Dana didn’t miss a beat – checking in regularly and continuing to advocate for the family’s relocation and employment in Indiana.
After Gary returned to Alaska, he was told he had just five weeks before retirement and they needed to find a new home by December 20th, before Christmas.
With INvets support, the hastened plan became a reality. Gary secured a great job. The family found a furnished apartment. They found a great school for their son, with competitive swimming. They even found a church that met the family’s needs, all in Northwestern Indiana.
“I joined the Army at 18—this life is all I’ve ever known. When it ended, we were lost. My wife was stressed, I was joking, ‘What do I want to be when I grow up—again?’ We didn’t know life outside the military. INvets isn’t just about finding a job- they’re your forever family after the military.” — Gary, U.S. Army Veteran
Every year, INvets helps hundreds of veterans, and their families navigate the uncertainty of transition with personalized support and a deep sense of honor to those who have served. INvets is here for our veterans, and we need you.
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