For many Vets, life after service can feel like stepping into an alien world. I felt more out of place in my Iowa hometown than I did in Afghanistan and my military values and mentality didn’t seem to translate to civilian life. When I first moved to Thailand, I discovered my military training prepared me to be the perfect expat. Here’s why being an expat comes second nature for Veterans:

Cultural Awareness: If you’re a Veteran, you’ve already shown you can survive in another culture. The military has it’s own language, customs and traditions separate from the population we defend. We’ve blended into military life and served on bases all over the world. That exposure has prepared you to thrive anywhere. We’ve been exposed to different states, foreign lands, living on ships, submarines, deserts and jungles.

An Adventurous Spirit: If you signed up to put your life on the line, you might not be destined for the 9 to 5 rat race. You have a passion for life and a thirst for experiences. Plus, you got some guts. The adventure of life shouldn’t come to a screeching halt just because you got your DD214.

Experiences Over Possessions: Stuff can weigh you down and Veterans have learned to pack light and make do with less. You can fit your whole life into a rucksack and a duffel bag. Veterans tend to not be the materialistic type. Chances are if you’re like me, you can be happier with less instead of more.

Navigating Bureaucracy and Patience: If you’ve survived the military and the Veterans Administration, you aren’t scared of a little paperwork or the unknown. Hurrying up only to wait doesn’t bother you and things like visas, extensions and border runs aren’t going to intimidate you. You can conquer and overcome any obstacle you encounter abroad.

An Opportunity To Heal, Find Peace and Move Slower: American life can feel like a never ending to do list. Abroad you can control the one thing you couldn’t ever control in the military – your time. Many Veterans report a dramatic improvement in their PTSD symptoms moving abroad and improved mental, physical and emotional health.

Built In Resilience: Transitioning overseas isn’t ever a smooth ride, there are always bumps along the way. Culture shock, language barriers and frustration will accompany any move to another country. Just like you experienced problems PCS’ing or ETS’ing and you got through those. Not to mention the resilience and problem-solving skills you gained in the military. Veterans are some of the most capable people on the planet.

A Checklist: Is Moving Abroad Right for You?

Before packing your bags, it’s worth asking some tough questions. Use this checklist to see if Veteran expat name is calling your name.

• Craving Simplicity?
  Are you sick of the bullshit, the grind and the constant rush?
• Comfortable Outside Your Comfort Zone?
  Can you handle being lost in a foreign country? Or when things are backwards or nothing is ever on time?
• Financially Grounded?
  Do you have reliable income streams (VA benefits, retirement pay, remote work) that can support you in a lower-cost country?
• Open to New Connections?
  Can you embrace new people, new places, foods and experiences?
• Adventure-Minded?
  Are you ready to throw yourself into the unknown?
• Need A Fresh Start?
  A lot of Veterans need a fresh start in a new environment, it can be hard to heal and thrive in toxicity whether you’re a plant or a Veteran.

If you found yourself nodding or thinking this might be for you then your next step is to hit me up for the Free Vets Guide To Moving Abroad. DM me your email on Instagram or Tiktok and I can forward it to you. It’ll cover everything you want and need to know as a Vet moving and living abroad.

Or Purchase The Physical Copy Here On Amazon

When Is Moving Abroad Not For You?

Moving abroad is exciting but it’s not a magic fix or a perfect solution. You’re still you no matter where you go. It takes a lot of flexibility and a willingness to throw it all away and start over somewhere else.

• You Need Predictability: Abroad most things don’t go according to plan. The power might go in and out and in a lot of places nothing runs on time. If you need predictability to feel calm, expat life might not be for you. Life abroad is an adventure but there’s always a little dab of chaos thrown in.

• You Aren’t A “Try New Things” Person: Overseas a lot of things can feel incredibly foreign and different, if you only want hamburgers and hot dogs than moving abroad might not be a good idea.

• You Aren’t Ready To Be Alone More: Starting out overseas you might be alone a lot more than you’re used to. Especially if you go to a place where you don’t know anyone. It can be lonely at times and making friends can be tough if you’re introverted.

• You Aren’t Financially Stable: Life is cheaper abroad and in a lot of countries you can thrive off your VA benefits alone. There are a lot of places in the world where $2,500 can provide you a high quality life. But you always need more than you think you do and your first year abroad will always be more expensive. Check out Numbeo.com and Livingcost.org to get up to date cost of living information for other countries.

John’s Final Thoughts

I talk and write about Veterans moving abroad based on my own experiences and what it did for me. I wanted to get the word out to Veterans that this whole other life exists if you’ve got the courage to go for it. But it isn’t for everyone and I have seen Vets crash and burn abroad.

Veterans make great expats and a lot of Veterans overseas are thriving while many Vets stateside struggle with finances, relationships, political division and more. If you’re ready to give it a shot or want to learn more, first hit me up on Instagram or TikTok with your email so I can send you a FREE DIGITAL COPY of Veterans in Paradise: The Vets Guide To Moving Abroad or buy it on Amazon.

Check out my Combat Vet Abroad YouTube where I have a few videos talking about the process of moving and living abroad as a Veteran. Then my YouTube channel of Veteran Affirmations if you need a mental health boost and my other book – 365 Days of Veteran Affirmations. Thank you for any and all support, even liking, sharing, commenting and all that means a lot to me.

Then sign up for SGT Sosua and my Free Newsletter by checking out Veterans In Paradise and joining the free membership to learn about life abroad as a Veteran, tips and events.