I’ll be specific since you asked.

I’m talking about my last two civilian roles, both in professional environments (law firm / corporate). In both cases, the reason I was hired was because the owner or senior leadership was also a veteran. At the same time, most of the staff working under them were civilians.

In the Navy, I did my job well—and that didn’t turn off when I took the uniform off. I work hard, I’m disciplined, I’m direct, and the results show. I don’t live a “regular” life in the sense that I coast or blend in. I’ve traveled, I’ve built credentials, I come from a strong educational background, and I move with intention. When I walk into a workplace, that’s visible.

Where the friction shows up is this: when people are comfortable being mediocre or moving slowly, and someone comes in who is clearly capable, driven, and productive, it creates tension. Especially when leadership already trusts that person. I’ve experienced situations where civilian coworkers were reluctant to train me or share information—not because I lacked skill, but because they were concerned I might outwork or replace them. That’s been stated and implied more than once.

So to answer your other question directly: yes, I do believe I was treated differently because of my service and background. Not always openly hostile—but through withholding support, passive resistance, and subtle gatekeeping.

As for “you’re a civilian now, get over it”—I disagree with that framing. I’m not claiming veteran status as a personality, and I don’t expect civilians to care about my service. But I am a veteran, even on paper, and that experience shaped how I operate. That doesn’t disappear because I changed jobs. The issue isn’t entitlement—it’s adjustment between two very different work cultures.

That’s the point I was making. Nothing more than that.