The Homefront Hustle: Reinventing Career Overseas
Landing on the Other Side of the World
When we stepped off the plane for our new overseas assignment, everything felt unfamiliar.
New streets. New customs. New routines.
On paper, it sounded exciting—an adventure waiting to happen. But in reality, it felt disorienting. I didn't know a single person. The world suddenly felt very large, and I felt very small within it.
Starting over overseas is humbling in ways few people talk about.
From Career Professional to Homebound Parent
When we arrived overseas, I went from full-time work to being home with an energetic toddler.
At the same time, I was navigating:
● A new country
● An unfamiliar language
● A culture I didn't yet understand
We only had one vehicle, and my husband needed it for work. Until my van arrived, I was mostly homebound—surrounded by borrowed furniture, unfamiliar walls, and far too much quiet.
Within walking distance, we had access to a few small spots like a mini grocery store, park, and bakery, but the ability to freely explore the wonders around us was very limited for a period of time.
Isolation can creep in quickly when mobility, career, and community all shift at once.
The Hidden Career Challenge of Military Life
For many military spouses, career plans shift the moment new orders arrive.
What once felt stable can suddenly become complicated.
Common hurdles faced during such times may include:
● Professional licenses not transferring internationally
● Work visas may be restrictive or difficult to obtain
● Local employment may be limited due to Status of Forces Agreements
● Childcare can be challenging and have unforeseen impacts
The Military Spouse Career Pivot
Like many spouses before me, I realized something important:
If I wanted professional fulfillment, I would probably need to pivot.
Overseas life demands creativity when it comes to career paths.
Many military spouses begin exploring:
● Remote work opportunities
● Freelance projects
● Portable certifications
● Advanced education
The traditional career ladder doesn't always fit inside military life.
But that doesn't mean growth has to stop.
Still, before I could focus on strategy, I needed to focus on survival.
Finding Community in Unexpected Places
My first small step was joining social media groups for our base community.
I had never been much for social platforms, but it felt like opening a small window in a closed house.
Through one welcoming spouse, I discovered:
● Local events
● Helpful resources
● Pages dedicated to base life
That simple act of kindness changed everything.
It reminded me that while military life moves constantly, community rebuilds just as quickly.
When a Van Becomes Freedom
The day my van finally arrived felt like more than just transportation.
It felt like independence.
Suddenly, I could take my daughter:
● To the park
● To base events
● To the commissary and BX
Slowly, I began meeting other military spouses—brilliant, educated, resilient people.
People whose résumés and ambitions didn't disappear just because they moved overseas.
Many of them were reinventing themselves too:
● Pursuing remote work
● Going back to school
● Volunteering strategically to maintain professional skills
● Building portable careers
They weren't "just spouses."
They were adaptable professionals navigating a system that often demands flexibility without warning.
The Real Obstacles Still Exist
Even with creativity and determination, the challenges remain real.
Some of the most common barriers include:
● Time zone differences that complicate remote work
● Legal restrictions around employment
● Limited on-base job opportunities
● High competition for available roles
● No extended family nearby for support
Support systems must often be built from scratch.
But here's what I discovered:
Progress starts with small, deliberate steps.
Rebuilding Confidence One Step at a Time
I began focusing on rebuilding pieces of my routine—and my identity.
Some of the small steps that helped me most included:
● Enrolling my daughter in a local gymnastics program
● Using that hour to go to the gym and clear my mind
● Joining a Bible study
● Attending church
● Hosting small gatherings in our home
Instead of retreating into isolation, I leaned into connection.
And slowly, things began to shift.
Discovering Portable Purpose
At the same time, I began searching for opportunities that weren't tied to a physical location.
I explored:
● Remote roles
● Veteran-focused organizations
● Digital engagement opportunities
These paths didn't just offer work—they offered purpose.
They also led me to create this blog series: Reinventing Life.
This series became my way of giving back—by sharing my journey, encouraging other military veterans and spouses, and reminding people that transitions don't erase our potential.
Sometimes they simply redirect it.
A New Perspective on Career Fulfillment
Living overseas forced me to rethink what professional success actually meant.
Instead of focusing on titles or traditional paths, I began prioritizing:
● Flexibility
● Skill development
● Community
● Personal growth
What once felt like professional loss slowly became something different.
Professional redirection.
Military spouse life often requires pivoting.
But a pivot isn't failure.
It's strategy.
Building a Résumé That Moves With You
Over time, the isolation faded.
I stopped seeing myself as someone "stuck overseas."
Instead, I began to see myself as someone expanding.
Every new experience—every skill learned, every challenge navigated—became part of my evolving BMR résumé.
Even without traditional employment, I was still:
● Developing skills
● Strengthening resilience
● Staying professionally relevant
When the time came to reenter the workforce, those experiences mattered.
They told a story of adaptability, persistence, and continuous growth.
When One Transition Leads to Another
Eventually, my daughter reached school age.
I expected that moment to feel like freedom.
Time to work again. Time to pursue new opportunities. Time to rediscover parts of myself that had been patiently waiting.
I thought the hardest part of transition was behind me.
But I soon realized the next challenge wasn't just about employment.
It was about something deeper.
It was about feeling rooted.
Stay Tuned
👉 Next series: The Real Transformation
Where I share the journey of letting go of the constant need to work and instead refocusing on personal growth—a balance of professional development, skill-building, and inner healing.
If this story resonated with you, share it with another veteran navigating life after service.
About the Author
Retired 20-year U.S. military veteran. After navigating her own military-to-civilian transition — including five months of rejection emails before landing a nonprofit role — Ashley joined Best Military Resume as a volunteer to help other service members find their footing on the other side of the uniform. Now based overseas as a military spouse, Ashley writes the Reinventing Life series on identity, purpose, and the realities of life after service. She holds an MBA and a PMP certification, and channels her experience into encouraging veterans and military spouses navigating their own transitions.
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