Military people don’t think often about deferred compensation. I’d guess military people don’t think about compensation much at all while on active duty.

But compensation is more than money. Compensation means time…time to take care of personal and family matters. That is a major factor for people on active duty. They are concerned about the “tempo of operations” (for which you may read number and frequency of deployments and remote tours).

When they reach the end of their active duty service commitments, those day-to-day military concerns fade. After all, they can see the day when they will be civilians. That’s not a time to let down one’s guard when it comes to getting the time they need for that life-changing transition.

The services claim to make time for military members to take advantage of their transition services. But too often, the military member and her culture intrude on that time. Let me explain.

Those who separate, particularly senior members, aren’t easily replaced. They have corporate memories. They have networks they’ve built over years.

Some commanders try to tap into those powerful benefits right up to the day members retire or separate. Given the press of military business, that’s understandable.

The members themselves may be drawn in to the process. Many are reluctant, even anxious, about the change to civilian life. How attractive it is to hang on to the familiar and important right to the last. Some even consider it their duty.

While I admire the dedication, my standards as a career coach require me to relate an almost certain conversation among those who remain on active duty after their colleague separated: “Who was that guy? I can see his face. Boy, he knew everything there was to know about IOT&E.” My message is simple: it’s time to leave, time to let others you’ve mentored take over.

Military people willingly miss anniversaries, their kids’ soccer games and birthdays. The mission required it. But when retirement or separation approaches, it’s time to let the services deliver on their “deferred compensation,” giving people time they need to plan.

Over the years, nearly all the O-6s who have attended my Executive Career Transition Program say they wish they had started no less than year before they hung up the uniform. That sentiment is reinforced when I remind them the typical job search takes about a year.

If you are a retiring or separating military member, take the time the services owe you. I know your schedule is busy. But if you start a year or more out, you can fit in what you need to do with your mission requirements without stress.

If you are a coach working with military members, remind them their personal, career needs are important. After all, many can look forward to 20 years or more in a second career.

The nation needs them just as much out of uniform as they did when wore the green, blue, or “purple” suit.