Articles
Week 2
The Many Paths of Transition: Redefining Purpose After Military or RCMP Service
istto This Page·6 min
VeCATS Inc
July 18, 2025
When a military member or RCMP officer prepares to leave service, the conversation is often framed around retirement, reintegration, or re-skilling. But the truth is: there is no single career path after service. The transition is deeply personal, and it reflects a veteran’s evolving sense of "purpose".
Whether a member chooses to leave voluntarily or is released due to medical reasons, the mindset and motivation behind the transition can vary greatly. Some seek rest, others want to rebuild. Some want to serve in new ways, while others aim to lead innovation or build businesses.
This article is about naming those transition paths, acknowledging the unique knowledge and support each one requires, and giving a voice to those who may still be figuring out what life after the uniform looks like.
Transition Isn’t One Thing. It’s Many.
There are two general types of transitions:
- Voluntary Transition – The member chooses to leave to pursue new opportunities.
- Medical Release – The member is released due to health issues, often before they expected to leave.
Each brings its own emotional weight and practical challenges. But no matter how a member transitions, one truth remains: they all need support and guidance to succeed in their next chapter.
Let’s explore the eight most common veteran paths — and the purpose behind them.
1. The Golf Course is Calling – The True Retiree
Some service members reach the end of their contract or career and say, “I’ve served my time. Now I want to enjoy life.”
They’re not looking for a second career. Instead, they want to:
- Spend more time with family
- Travel or enjoy hobbies
- Finally slow down after years of high-tempo service
What they need:
- Financial planning support to ensure they can retire comfortably
- Mental wellness support, especially for those facing identity loss after leaving service
- Volunteer or community engagement opportunities, should they wish to re-engage later
2. The Non-Profit Contributor – Serving/Volunteering Without the Uniform
These veterans don’t want to “retire” in the traditional sense — they want to contribute, not collect.
Many join non-profits, boards, or start volunteering. Their skills in leadership, crisis response, logistics, and global planning are invaluable to organizations.
What they need:
- Training in board governance, nonprofit operations, or fundraising
- Volunteer matching programs (such as Volunteer Canada)
- Recognition and mentorship opportunities to transfer leadership experience
3. The Company Employee – Seeking Stability and Contribution
Some veterans don’t want to start over alone — they want to work for a company that values their leadership, discipline, and experience.
They seek:
- Stability
- Benefits
- A defined work structure
What they need:
- Resume translation tools (military-to-civilian language)
- Job search support and employer connections
- Interview preparation and cultural transition coaching
Great examples of sectors that welcome veterans:
- Cybersecurity
- Logistics and transportation
- Project management
- Public safety and emergency response
4. The Consultant – From Operator to Advisor
Many transitioning members don’t want to “retire” — they want to consult, offering expertise to companies, agencies, or non-profits on a contract basis.
They can guide organizations through:
- Risk and security
- Operations and planning
- Leadership development
- Change management
What they need:
- Guidance on incorporation, GST/HST, and contracting
- Legal and financial support for setting rates, scopes of work, and invoicing
- Brand development, LinkedIn strategy, and networking
5. The Home-Based Business Owner – A Craft or Passion Becomes a Living
Some veterans want to work on their own terms, often from home — selling crafts, offering services, or teaching others.
This could be:
- Art, woodworking, or digital design
- Writing or editing
- Home IT support or tutoring
What they need:
- Small business training (accounting, marketing, legal setup)
- Access to startup grants or Veteran Affairs Canada’s Education & Training Benefit
- E-commerce training or local vendor opportunities
6. The Franchisee – Business in a Box
Franchising offers a powerful option: be your own boss with a proven business model.
Many veterans thrive in franchises because they:
- Follow structured systems well
- Understand operational discipline
- Are natural leaders and team builders
- Research states that Veterans make the best franchisees for any franchisor wanting a committed and dedicated partner
What they need:
- Guidance in selecting the right franchise (food, fitness, services)
- Financial literacy and loan options
- Franchise training programs and peer mentorship
Organizations like the Canadian Franchise Association offer veteran-friendly opportunities and support. Also, VeCATS has received discounts for Veterans at the CFA events.
7. The Vetrepreneur (Builder) – Starting and Scaling a Company
Some want to create something bigger than themselves — a product or service-based company with the intent to hire employees, grow, and scale.
These are the future CEOs. They see a problem and want to solve it. They’ve led teams in high-stress environments and know how to build under pressure.
What they need:
- Business planning support and funding strategy
- Pitch development and access to investors or venture funds
- Leadership development to shift from “operator” to “owner”
8. The Unicorn Hunter – Innovation-Driven Disruptors
These are the big dreamers. The ones who say, “I’ve got an idea that could change everything.”
This path involves:
- Tech innovation
- App development
- Disruptive business models (like Uber, Shopify, or Airbnb once were)
What they need:
- Access to incubators (e.g., Invest Ottawa, Communitech)
- Advanced business strategy, AI, and tech mentorship
- Grant writing support and investor matchmaking
Not every unicorn idea succeeds. But with the right guidance, veterans can lead the next wave of Canadian innovation.
Each Transition Requires Support
No matter the path — golf, business, employment, or innovation — each transition requires:
✅ Clarity – What do I want and why? ✅ Support – Who can guide and mentor me? ✅ Knowledge – What don’t I know yet that I need to learn? ✅ Network – Who do I need to talk to in order to grow?
Veterans often struggle not because they lack skills — but because the civilian world is not structured to recognize those skills. That’s where we need to do better — as a community, as employers, as service providers.
VeCATS: Supporting Your Next Chapter
At www.vecats.ca, we’re building an ecosystem of support for transitioning members of the CAF, RCMP, and veteran community.
We believe that transitioning isn’t about starting over — it’s about building forward with purpose.
Follow our upcoming article series as we dive into each of the paths above, offering:
- Specific tools and advice
- training and development that organizations need from experienced veterans
- Stories from veterans who’ve made the leap
- Opportunities to connect and grow
Week 3’s article on volunteering and nonprofit contributions
Article 1
"What Comes After the Uniform? Exploring the Many Paths of Life After Service"
Listen to This Page·3 min
Dr Joseph C. Blanchard, CD, MBA, DBA, PMP, ITIL
Research Scientist and Strategic Management
July 3, 2025For those who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces or the RCMP, transitioning to civilian life is a significant and deeply personal journey. It’s not just about taking off the uniform — it’s about redefining purpose, rediscovering passion, and reclaiming the future. I had transitioned twice from the CAF, both due to injuries sustained during service, one in Afghanistan. My first transition in 1997/98 was due to major knee surgeries. During this time, I had a spouse and two young children. The anxiety was high; stress mounted due to ‘what am I going to do now’. During the mid-90s, there was a significant restructuring of the ON medical system and middle management in hospitals were eliminated. Being a Canadian Forces Hospital Administrator (HCA), completing almost 20 yrs of service, I was told there were openings at the entry level if I wanted to start anew… wow. I was fortunate to have a friend in hi-tech who offered a position in HR completing engineering resourcing for advance technology which inspired my love for technology.
Every transition is unique. For some, it means finally taking a break — spending time with family, golfing, or finally tackling that long-overdue “honey-do” list. For others, it’s the chance to give back by supporting nonprofit organizations or mentoring the next generation. Many want to keep working — in the public or private sector, in leadership roles, or on the frontlines of innovation and strategy. And then, there are the young veterans who were required to transition and lack the necessary skills and competencies for private industry (employment).
Are they the bold thinkers — the veterans ready to become entrepreneurs, start home-based businesses, invest in a franchise, or launch that unicorn product that will change the world.
But transitioning from service isn’t always easy. While the military and RCMP provide structure, purpose, and lifelong friendships, civilian life can feel uncertain, unstructured, and unfamiliar. What’s needed is awareness, support, and strategy — and that’s what we hope to offer through this article series. Additionally, VeCATS will be partnering with industry experts to deliver meaningful content, podcasts, and a weekly or monthly newsletter designed to support transition and provide awareness to supportive industry businesses wanting to learn more about the value of hiring veterans and how they can structure a program to assist soldiers, RCMP, and veterans gain the valuable competencies and lived-experiences to be successful after transition.
Over the coming weeks, I’ll explore each of the pathways veterans may take after leaving service — from retirement to entrepreneurship to franchising and everything in between. Whether you're planning your own transition or supporting someone who is, I invite you to follow along, share your thoughts, and engage in this important conversation.
Because no matter the path, there is life after service — and it’s full of opportunity.
Corporate Training & Development
Essential Corporate Training undergo specialized training programs to adapt effectively, enhance employee skills, and improve company productivity. The following courses are designed to Soldiers, RCMP, and Veterans to understand the Corporate World, how to integrate in middle management, and know what the purpose of a company is.
ITIL
Companies have critical systems that manage their business. Information Technology Infrastructure Library, is a framework of best practices for IT service management (ITSM).
All companies want their management staff to be qualified in Project Management to achieve goals and objectives
Financial Acumen for Managers
Introduces budgeting, forecasting, and financial decision-making. The key item in a business is P&L, understanding profit and liabilities is a strategic imperative.
Strategic Planning & Execution
Focuses on long-term vision and organizational alignment. Management needs to understand Strategic Planning, what is expected by management to contribute to achieving the company's overarching goals effectively and efficiently.
Leadership Development
Cultivates strategic thinking, decision-making, and team motivation. Individual's ability to lead, influence, and achieve positive outcomes within an organization. Coaching and Mentoring are elements all managers require to foster growth and drive success in their teams.
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