Essential components for a successful military-to-civilian transition

Abstract Military-to-civilian transition (MCT) is a complex process that service members, veterans, and their families experience in different ways, and each country's unique history, culture, and institutions will shape how it addresses the needs of families undergoing MCT. Nonetheless, research on transitioning members and their families across NATO nations suggests that there are several essential components for a successful transition to civilian life. This chapter introduces an overarching MCT framework composed of the nine essential components for nations developing or enhancing the services and support they provide to service members returning to civilian life.