If You Are Standing Around, You Are Wrong

Returning to civilian life was harder than I expected. The calls stopped, the responsibilities faded, and I had to accept that I was no longer in command. The Navy kept moving without me, and facing that truth hurt more than I thought it would.

Putting my medals in a shadow box felt like closing a chapter I wasn't fully ready to leave. Suddenly I had to confront everything I'd ignored during years of service-my emotions, my identity, my purpose.

So I pushed myself to find something new to focus on, something that kept my mind from dwelling on what I missed. Staying still wasn't an option.

If my journey can help another veteran who feels lost after transitioning, then sharing it matters. One thing I know for sure: if you're standing around you are wrong.