Leaving the military and returning to civilian life is a time that many service members look forward to. After all, you’ll be reuniting with your family and friends and starting a new chapter in your life. A fresh start can be exciting, but can also come with a lot of stress and uncertainty. If you’re struggling with making the transition from military to civilian life, veteran transition support can help.
Transition Help for Virginia Veterans
Transitioning veterans often face challenges reintegrating into civilian society, including:
- Preparing for the workforce/finding a job
- Reintegrating into the family
- New social environments
- Connecting with people who don’t know what military service is like
- Adjusting to new routines
- Mental health concerns
- Physical health issues or disabilities
There are many resources available to address these issues and more. Some of the ones listed in this article are available nationwide or online and others are only available here in Virginia.
Veteran Transition Programs in Virginia
Region Five Service Member, Veterans and Family Support (SMVF) Program
Our SMVF Program provides support, resources and community to military members, service veterans and their families. Whether you’ve been in the service for a lifetime, or are just starting out, the SMVF team is dedicated to serving your needs. Our team members are veterans from all military branches, so there will always be someone who understands your struggles and can help you create a clear path to where you want to go.
We provide veteran and transition support services including:
- Vocational specialist
- Job coaching
- Peer support
- Mental health support
- Case management
- Training facilitator
Find out more about the Region Five SMVF Program here.
Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Transition Program
The V3 Transition Program (formerly known as VTAP) is the veteran transition program from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. The V3 Transition core areas of focus are those seeking employment, education, and entrepreneurship, but they will also assist those with needs outside of those three core areas.
Related: Military to Civilian Transition: How Soon Should I Start Planning?
The V3 Program provides transitioning service members and their spouses with:
- Peer support
- Job services
- The Transition Connection Newsletter – a bi-weekly email newsletter full of job openings for veterans, key information for Virginia veterans and information about upcoming events for veterans
Find out more about the V3 Program here.
VA Solid Start Program
The Solid Start Program is from the VA (The United States Department of Veterans Affairs). Newly separated service members can expect three calls from Solid Start representatives over the first year of separation. VA will attempt to contact you several times around 90,180 and 365 days post-separation, so make sure your contact information is up to date in eBenefits. Solid Start will be reaching out to make sure you’re taking advantage of all your VA benefits and to offer help with:
- Getting a home loan
- Health care
- Finding a job/returning to work
- Mental health support
Other Resources for Transitioning Virginia Veterans
General Transition Resources for Veterans
VA Veteran Caregiver Support Resources
There are over 5 million family caregivers in the U.S. who are caring for a veteran. If you’re a veteran who’s being cared for by a spouse or family member or a caregiver caring for a veteran, the VA has created a list of resources specifically for you and your family. Veteran caregivers face unique challenges that “can take an emotional, financial and physical toll on Veteran caregivers and their families.”
Find out more about VA Family and Caregiver Resources here.
VA Welcome Kit
The VA Welcome Kit was designed to guide veterans through their transition and post-service life. It includes information on VA benefits and other resources. You can download the free welcome kit as a PDF and print it if you want.
Download and print the VA Welcome Kit here.
1-800-MyVA411
1-800-MyVA411 is a resource line from the VA you can call to get more information on benefits and resources or to ask questions. Call to learn more about:
- Veteran health care
- VA benefits
- Your nearest VA medical centers, benefits offices and veteran cemeteries
- Immediate transfer to the Veterans Crisis Line
- And more
Find out more about 1-800-MyVA411 here.
VetResources Weekly Newsletter
This weekly newsletter from the VA helps veterans and their families and caregivers stay up-to-date on resources that can help.
Subscribe to VetResources here.
Military.com
Military.com has is one of the most popular websites for veterans and service members who want to know what’s going on in the military world. They also provide a job search function, information on benefits and other resources.
All About State Benefits for Virginia Veterans
The official military benefits website of the U.S. Army offers an overview of Virginia state benefits for veterans here.
Center for Women Veterans
The Center for Women Veterans (CWV) advocates for “equitable outcomes and access to VA benefits, services, and opportunities for women Veterans through education, outreach, and collaboration.” You can find general information and resources on their website, as well as specialized services and resources for women and LGBTQ+ veterans.
Visit the Center for Women Veterans website here.
Podcasts for Veterans
There are several podcasts for veterans that can offer information on benefits and more, as well as veteran perspectives.
Veterans Corner Radio gives veterans and their families information on how to maximize their benefits.
The Veterans Voice covers transition, employment, housing, financial, food, health, wellness and recreational resources available for veterans and their families
OscarMike Radio is a veteran-hosted show about real-life stories about veterans and service members.
The Army Matters Podcast by the Association of the United States Army covers a range of topics, including inspirational stories, current military issues and the journeys of military families.
Mental Health/Health Care Resources for Transitioning Veterans
Peer Support Groups From Region Five
Peer support is a type of social support system made up of peers – in your case, fellow veterans. Peer support has been proven to be more successful in helping individuals manage and overcome mental health issues and substance abuse because you and your peers have shared the same experiences. Peer support lets you know that you are not alone in this.
Find out more about Region Five Peer Support here.
Veterans Crisis Line
You may know that the nationwide 988 crisis line offers suicide and crisis intervention help, but did you know that they offer specialized services just for veterans? To reach a trained counselor who can listen, offer support and encouragement and, if you want, connect you with local resources that can help, dial 988 and press 1 to reach a veteran counselor. If you have a 757 area code, you can call your local Region Five Crisis Line at 757-656-7755 to reach someone faster.
Find out more about the Veterans Crisis Line here.
Your Local Community Services Board
If you reside in Virginia, you can always get help for mental health concerns or substance abuse at your local community services board (CSB). CSBs provide residents with accessible and affordable behavioral health care, including same-day access. If you’re in the Region Five area of Virginia (also known as the Greater Tidewater Hampton Roads Area of Southeastern and Coastal Virginia), you can see a list of your nearest CSBs here. If you live in another part of Virginia, you can find a list of all Virginia CSBs here.
#VetResources Check-in Videos
The #VetResources Check-In video series offers resources, advice and information for Veterans and their families to support mental health and resilience and improve coping strategies.
VA Video Connect
VA Video Connect improves access to specialty care by connecting veterans with health care specialists via video chat.
PTSD Resources from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services provides veterans with resources for treating and managing PTSD – find them here.
Job Search Resources for Veterans
There are many resources for Virginia veterans looking for jobs, including the following:
Career resources from AARP:
Veteran Career Advantage Course – free online course
Some other career resources for veterans:
How to figure out your “last salary” for a job interview
Tips from a former JAG attorney on transitioning
Looking for a way to keep busy while job searching? Want to build up your resume or create a sense of purpose for yourself during unemployment? Try volunteering. The Mission Continues connects veterans with fulfilling volunteer opportunities.
Resources for Disabled Veterans
This program connects disabled veterans with adaptive equipment for vehicles so they can continue driving.
Team Foster provides funding for trained and accredited service dogs for disabled veterans.
Find housing grants for disabled veterans here.
Discounts and Freebies for Veterans
The VA releases a list of Veteran’s Day discounts and freebies every year.
Veterans and Gold Star families can get free lifetime passes to U.S. National Parks. Free annual passes available for current service members and their families.
The Armed Forces Vacation Club helps veterans get major discounts on travel and resort stays.
This tax season, find out how you can maximize your benefits here.
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Find Transition Support and Resources at Region Five
Transitioning back to civilian life isn’t always easy, but we hope that this list of resources helps. If you’re in the Region Five area of Virginia, we’re your local entry point for veteran transition services and resources.
Whether you could use a little help finding a job or reconnecting with loved ones, or are struggling with your mental health or substance abuse, we are here for you with career resources, case management, peer support and more.