“Beyond the Uniform” explores an overlooked reality of life after military service, focusing on the emotional and structural challenges veterans face when transitioning into civilian life.
Through the voices of four veterans, the story shows that even after service ends, a different kind of battle begins at home. Their experiences highlight a collective sense of uncertainty, loss of identity and the struggle to find purpose beyond the uniform.
The transition is not only emotional but deeply structural. Many veterans rely on education as a pathway forward, with more than 900,000 using the GI Bill each year to pursue college and build stable careers.
At Florida International University, more than 1,400 military-affiliated students are navigating this journey with the help of support systems like veteran success coaching. However, despite these resources, only about half of those veterans will graduate within six years, underscoring the complexity of the transition process.
Each story will provide a different perspective on their struggle.
Derek Auguste speaks about losing direction after leaving the Army but eventually rediscovering purpose through community and service. Raymond Clemens shares the personal loss of his wife during her deployment and the responsibility of rebuilding life as a single parent.
Ariel Antunez describes the anxiety and lack of guidance that can come without the structure of military life, while Vietnam veteran Alan Cohn reflects on a time when support systems were near.
To listen to the accompanying audio story, click here. To visit the accompanying website, click here.
