Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life: Introducing Veteran Timeline

The OCONUS Project is proud to announce that Veteran Timeline is its first Founding Partner. Together, The OCONUS Project and Veteran Timeline will support transitioning service members around the globe. Stay tuned for more details as this partnership evolves!

Transitioning from military service to civilian life is no small feat, regardless of where you’re stationed around the world. Fortunately, there’s a new initiative ready to support you every step of the way.

Meet Veteran Timeline (VT). Developed by veterans, for veterans, VT is designed to help service members approach this life change with greater confidence and clarity. Instead of presenting a jumble of resources, VT organizes the transition process into key focus areas—mindset, administration, job search, education, health, and more—giving you a structured, personalized roadmap. By transforming what can feel like an overwhelming journey into manageable, clearly defined steps, VT helps you dream big while providing peace of mind and the resources you need to thrive post-service.

What truly sets VT apart is its thoughtful design and inspirational approach. Rather than relying on traditional, often confusing “lists of lists,” VT employs an innovative lateral timeline. This lets you see what to address each month, plan ahead when necessary, and avoid the anxiety that comes with information overload. The goal is to present possibilities, not just obstacles. At VT, the vision is to spark excitement and optimism about the future, guiding you toward what’s achievable rather than dwelling on what’s difficult.

Personalization is key. Each user sees only the information relevant to their specific branch, career path, and goals. This streamlined approach cuts through the noise and ensures that you’re not wading through irrelevant content.

VT’s origins can be traced back to its founder, Nick Co, a former naval officer. His lightbulb moment came when he applied for a job at SpaceX and mentioned he was only available to start in nine months—a deal-breaker that abruptly ended the call.

“That rejection sparked something,” said Nick. “I realized I needed to be in tech, building things, chasing opportunities. The next day, I dropped my resignation papers, then immediately Googled ‘How to leave the military?’ because I had no idea where to start.”

What Nick found online was a sea of well-intentioned advice, but no clear way to navigate it. He decided to map out his own timeline on pen and paper. Soon after, he discovered that others faced the same frustration.

“Everyone was reinventing the wheel, drowning in resources without a clear roadmap,” explained Nick.”That's when it hit me – all the resources for a successful transition already existed, but they were scattered and disconnected. What we needed wasn't more resources, but a single tool to bring everything together coherently. A go-to starting point where service members could find their path through the wealth of existing support, rather than getting lost in it.”

Nick’s personal journey led him through a skillbridge program, a subsequent job offer, time to decompress, and eventually, the launch of Veteran Timeline. With the help of trusted partners, VT now takes the guesswork out of transitioning, offering a central hub to guide service members with clarity and purpose.

“Our goal is to connect transitioning service members with organizations that meet their specific needs,” Nick says. “We’re excited to grow these partnerships so veterans worldwide have access to a full range of resources during this critical stage.”

When asked for his advice, Nick encourages service members to think big and start early:

“Dream big, and begin by imagining your ideal post-service life. Work backward from there to identify the steps that will get you there. Conduct informational interviews, explore industries, and figure out what truly excites you. Use your current service time to take on opportunities that support your long-term goals. Staying positive and future-focused makes all the difference. Remember, this is your chance to build a fulfilling new chapter, and VT is here to help you find your way.”