Warrior to Civilian

A compassionate, practical guidebook for veterans transitioning from active duty to civilian life and for the loved ones supporting their journey.

"Challenging yet reassuring....a key addition to every veteran's packing list ." --Stan McChrystal, General, US Army (Ret) and Co-Founder and CEO, McChrystal Group

Some important statistics:

- There are over 22 million veterans alive today

- Each year, more than 200,000 new veterans transition out of active duty.

- Approximately 22 veterans commit suicide a day, and even more are living with PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), struggling with substance abuse, homelessness, and experience many, many other difficulties.

It's clear that we have not honored the promise we make to veterans: that we as a country will help them after they've served and sacrificed. And while there are many books written by and for veterans, only a small selection of those address the transition to civilian life, and none are a truly complete reference for stepping out of service and back into normal life. Warrior to Civilian covers a range of topics, from the practical-finding a job, reintegrating into family life-to the more challenging topics, like dealing with loss, and finding new purpose in life. This well-curated resource incorporates stories, insights, and observations from veterans and their partners; evidence-based advice from health professionals and experts who work closely with veterans; and inspiration taken from heavyweights like Jon Kabbat-Zinn and Tony Robbins. The authors take care to address the unique challenges faced by veterans of color, and those in the LGBTQ+ communities.

With support from some of our country's most recognizable military members, authors Rob Sarver, a retired SEAL, and Alex Gendizer, combine their voices and their experiences in and out of the military in a unique way that will make this resource shine. Scaffolded by the hero's journey, in which the hero experiences a series of transformative events, they reveal that within the loss that many veterans have suffered while serving and suffer in the transition, there is great opportunity for healing.

"Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Hero's Journey is a must read for any person transitioning out of the military into civilian life. Many of us have complained for years of not having the required information for a smooth transition and here it is. Dive in to this manual and give it a good read for a smoother future. The authors have done a spectacular job of gathering resources and advice, including their own, to help everyone in transition."--Command Sgt. Major Thomas Satterly, US Army (Ret.), 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta (1st SFOD-D), Author of All Secure: A Special Operations Soldier's Fight to Survive on the Battlefield and the Homefront and currently Co-Founder and Co-CEO of All Secure Foundation
"I loved this book. I know of nothing else that meets this threshold of valuable information support for the veteran leaving the military."--John Broman, Brigadier General, US Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard (Ret.)
"If you are preparing to transition from a lifetime of service to your nation back to the civilian sector, this is a must read for you. My own personal transition was riddled with surprises - from medical care to emotional challenges--that I would have given anything to have had my hands on this book. This book is full of practicum, shared experiences and perspectives. It is a must read for those preparing for this life changing experience."--Lieutenant General Robert Caslen. US Army (Ret.), Former Superintendent of the US Military Academy at West Point and currently serving as Senior Research Fellow of the Simon Center for Ethical Leadership and Interagency Cooperation
"It is a well-known principle of military operations that we are at our most vulnerable during transitions. Through personal experience and extensive research, Rob and Alex remind us that our transitions out of the military are a time of vulnerability too. Importantly, they provide sound advice and encouragement. This is a timely and important book."--General Martin E. Dempsey, 18th Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff of the US Military (Ret.)
"The transition from military to civilian life is difficult for almost everyone who undergoes it. Even as a judge advocate (military lawyer), I experienced an adjustment period and steep learning curve when I started practicing in civilian courts. Warrior to Civilian will help all service members tremendously - not only because of the resources, checklists, and other practical information it contains, but because it makes clear that those who are facing this life change are not alone. I especially appreciated the effort to include guidance for female service members and their spouses."--Colonel Terri R. Zimmermann, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and also currently Managing Partner of Zimmerman and Zimmerman, PLLC
"This is a MUST READ for anyone to learn how to plan and execute a successful transition into a new company/culture/environment. With this collection of knowledge, more Veterans will succeed in transition and be happier, more fulfilled, and more impactful for their families, communities, and corporations."--Derek Herrera, CAPT USMC (Ret.), Founder & CEO of Bright Uro
"Transformation is challenging because it requires us to break patterns that have made us successful in the past - and learn about others we don't yet know. Alex and Rob have done an incredible job of transmuting what is often isolated as a transition from the military into the civilian world and made it much more principled and universal - the unending transformations that we must all undergo on the Hero's Journey. This is the journey of infinite courage - the courage to surrender to all."--Commander (SEAL) Curt Cronin, US Navy (Ret.), Managing Partner, Broadway Strategic Return Fund and CEO of Ridgeline Partners
"Transitions can be disorienting and complicated, especially when your identity is deeply ingrained in an organization like it most often is in our military service members. Not only is the transition difficult for our warriors but it can also be confusing and frustrating for our military families as well. For a more successful transition to civilian life, the whole family has to be involved by arming themselves with information and resources outlined in Warrior to Civilian. There is help and there is hope, no one needs to transition alone. This should be required reading before anyone takes the step from war fighter to civilian."--Jen Satterly, Acclaimed Filmmaker, Photographer, Author of Arsenal of Hope: Tactics for Taking on PTS, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of All Secure Foundation, Army spouse
"A terrific guide for those transitioning from military service to the private sector. Warrior to Civilian provides excellent guidance and superb tips that will serve exceedingly well those who served our Nation in uniform so selflessly." --General David H. Petraeus, US Army (Ret.), former Commander of the Surge in Iraq, US Central Command, NATO/US Forces in Afghanistan, and former Director of the CIA and current Partner, KKR, and Chairman, KKR Global Institute
"In this companion guide to transitioning from the military, a way of life that is like no other, Alex and Rob leverage story-telling, an age-old technique of making an idea stick. In doing so, they encourage, instruct, and inspire by sharing what they've learned. Whether you or your loved ones are still in uniform, wearing it part-time or have it folded in a trunk, whether you've got big plans or none at all, you will find Warrior to Civilian a most comprehensive and practical manual for your journey. Safe Travels!"--Admiral Katherine McCabe, US Navy (Ret.) and current HR Manager LitCon Group, LLC
"Transition is hard as most of us will always search for a new purpose -- for the next mission. Rob and Alex have provided an honest, realistic, and holistic view of this difficult journey. Use their advice and insights and best wishes as you move forward."--Rear Admiral Michael Giorgione, CEC, US Navy (Ret.) Author of Inside Camp David: The Private World of the Presidential Retreat

Lieutenant (SEAL) Robert Sarver is a 2004 graduate of the US Naval Academy, where he transferred after attending the Virginia Military Institute. He initially served as a surface warfare officer and ultimately as a Navy SEAL assigned to SEAL Team 3, where he completed seven deployments, including three tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and two tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Rob's military awards and decorations include: The Bronze Star Medal with combat "V" device and oak leaf cluster, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with gold star device and various other personal and unit awards. Rob has served in multiple leadership and executive positions since leaving the military in 2013 with organizations including Goldman Sachs, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Employer Direct Solutions, Sycamore Tree Capital Partners, and is presently serving as the Chief Operating Officer of MicroTraks, Inc and WildLife Partners, and other entrepreneurial ventures. Rob also completed his Executive MBA with a major in Entrepreneurial Management at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in May 2016.

Alex Gendzier is a partner at Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, where he is a senior advisor to the VALOR Group, which provides pro bono legal services to veterans and their families, and where he has led his law firms' efforts to assist Afghan allies and friends. Although Alex has no military experience, his own journey through losses and life transitions, sense of his own successes and failures, and desire to make a contribution to our service members and their families, led to his collaboration with Rob Sarver.

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