Military Transition Tip (MTT) 5: Getting Paid What You Deserve

It's not immoral to get paid in line with the value you bring.

For those of us with military backgrounds, the transition to civilian life can be challenging, not just because of the shift in daily routines but also due to the mindset around work, value, and compensation.

Military service often fosters a culture of selflessness, teamwork, and sacrifice, which are noble traits. However, these same qualities can sometimes lead veterans to undervalue themselves when stepping into the civilian workforce.

If you've served your country, you've proven your dedication, discipline, and capability in ways many civilians can't comprehend.

Yet, when the time comes to leverage those skills for financial gain, you might feel conflicted. Thoughts like, "Should I really be asking for this salary? Isn't that greedy or selfish?" may arise.

This mindset is not uncommon, but it’s important to dismantle the false narrative that earning a paycheck that reflects your value is somehow "wrong."

Here are 10 reasons why it's not only acceptable but also essential to claim your worth in the civilian world.

1. Your Skills Have Value—Both Tangible and Intangible

Military service equips individuals with unique skills highly sought after in civilian industries. Leadership, problem-solving under pressure, adaptability, and discipline are just a few. Beyond technical skills, your ability to foster teamwork, handle high-stress situations, and remain mission-focused translates directly into value for any organization.

Imagine this: a corporation spends thousands of dollars annually training employees to build the qualities you already have. By hiring you, they save time and resources, making you an asset from day one.

Recognizing this truth isn’t arrogance—it’s acknowledging the reality of your contributions.

2. Earning Well Doesn't Negate Your Integrity

One of the reasons veterans may struggle with accepting high pay is the association of financial success with selfishness. The military often instills a mindset of "mission first, self last." While this mentality is vital in uniform, it can hinder personal growth outside the military.

Earning a paycheck that matches your worth does not betray your values. Instead, it honors the sacrifices you've made and ensures you can provide for yourself and your loved ones. Financial stability allows you to serve others better through philanthropy, mentorship, or simply being present for your family.

3. You’re Entitled to Live a Comfortable Life

I usually hate the word “entitled" and rarely use it in a positive manner, and it may feel foreign to someone with a military background, but here’s the truth: you’ve earned the right to financial security.

For years, you worked tirelessly, often in challenging conditions, putting others' needs above your own. Civilian employment is your opportunity to reap the rewards of your dedication and hard work.

A fair paycheck allows you to save for the future, enjoy hobbies, travel, and provide your family with the life they deserve. These aren’t luxuries but necessities for a fulfilling, balanced life.

Rejecting a paycheck that reflects your worth deprives you and your loved ones of these opportunities.

4. Your Compensation Reflects the Market, Not Morality

In the civilian world, pay isn't about "who needs it the most" but rather "what is this worth to the organization?"

This might feel starkly different from the military ethos, where rank and pay are tied to time and service.

Think of your paycheck not as a personal favor but as a business transaction.

Companies pay for value—and you bring immense value. Accepting a fair salary isn't greed; it's aligning with market standards. By negotiating and ensuring you're compensated appropriately, you're actually normalizing fair treatment for yourself and others in similar positions.

5. You’re Setting an Example for Other Veterans

Many veterans struggle with underemployment, often accepting roles that underpay or undervalue their skills. By stepping confidently into roles that pay well and reflect your worth, you become a trailblazer for others in the veteran community. Your success demonstrates that it’s possible to transition into civilian life and thrive.

This isn’t about flaunting your wealth or status.

It’s about showing that veterans have the skills, drive, and determination to excel in any environment. Your willingness to demand fair compensation can inspire others to do the same, ultimately raising the standard for all veterans in the workforce.

6. You’re Not Just Working for Yourself

Consider this: your paycheck isn’t just for you. It’s for your family, your community, and even your fellow veterans.

Financial success enables you to support others, donate to causes you care about, or even start your own business that could employ other veterans.

A strong financial foundation also gives you the freedom to mentor others, invest in personal development, or advocate for systemic changes that benefit the veteran community.

In essence, by valuing your worth, you’re creating a ripple effect that extends far beyond your bank account.

7. The Military Prepared You to Succeed—Use That Training

The military taught you to adapt, overcome challenges, and lead with confidence.

These skills are invaluable in the civilian workforce, and they come with a price tag. Don’t sell yourself short by underestimating their worth.

Remember the missions you completed and the lives you impacted during your service. You didn’t hesitate to give 100% when the stakes were high, and now, the stakes are just as significant—but they involve your future and financial well-being.

8. The World Needs Leaders Like You

Earning a paycheck isn’t just about money—it’s about influence.

As someone with a military background, you bring leadership qualities that can positively shape workplace cultures. Your presence in the civilian workforce can encourage others to embrace values like discipline, teamwork, and integrity.

Organizations need leaders who can inspire, motivate, and drive results. By stepping into roles that reflect your value, you’re filling a void that many companies desperately seek to address.

9. Your Family Deserves the Best

If feelings of guilt arise when negotiating for better pay, think about your family.

The long hours, deployments, and sacrifices you endured during your service weren’t just for your country—they were for your loved ones, too.

They supported you through the tough times, and now it’s your chance to provide them with the stability and comfort they deserve.

Your family wants to see you succeed, not struggle. A paycheck that reflects your worth ensures you can give them the life they hoped for while you were serving.

10. You’ve Earned This

Finally, and most importantly, understand this truth: you’ve earned the right to be paid well. The years of service, the sacrifices, the sleepless nights, and the discipline you cultivated all contribute to your immense value.

The civilian world may operate differently than the military, but one principle remains constant: hard work deserves recognition. For veterans, that recognition often comes in the form of fair compensation. Embracing this isn’t just practical—it’s a testament to the fact that your service prepared you to succeed anywhere.

Leaving the military doesn’t mean abandoning your values—it means applying them in new ways.

As you transition to civilian life, remember that earning a paycheck that reflects your worth isn’t just acceptable—it’s necessary. It empowers you, uplifts your family, and sets a standard for others to follow.

You’ve already proven your value on the battlefield. Now, it’s time to claim your worth in the workplace.

The mission has changed, but the goal remains the same: to lead, inspire, and make a difference.

Earning what you deserve is just one step in fulfilling that mission.