Old soldiers never die: they adapt their military skills and become successful civilians. What factors contribute to the successful transition of army veterans to civilian life and work?
Year: 2007
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This thesis has identified a number of factors which explain why those leaving the\narmed forces after 22 years or more of army service make successful transitions to\ncivilian life. The work adds to knowledge since whilst considerable literature exists\nrelating to those who have not made successful transitions from the armed forces to civilian life and work, there is little on those who have been successful. Existing\nliterature is primarily concerned with those who, having served for relatively short\nperiods of time, leave and suffer a range of social and health problems including\nmental illness, homelessness, unemployment and alcoholism.\nEvidence was gained from 51 veterans both men and women through written mini\nbiographies, face to face interviews and interviews through the medium of the\ninternet. Research data was drawn from the remembered lived experiences of the\nveterans recalling both their army and civilian careers.\nA methodology based on an interpretivist perspective was employed to explore the\nveteran’s remembered experiences, their thoughts and opinions and this approach\nwas informed by life course and career development theories. Collected data which\nwas transcribed and converted to text was manipulated and analysed using N-Vivo\nQualitative Data Analysis software, Microsoft Word and Access applications.\nVeterans’ words concerning their return to civilian life reflect that many issues remain\nunchanged over several decades. An enforced career change at the age of 40 is a\nmajor life course event; how veterans dealt with this contributed to the main findings\nwhich show that successful army veterans accepted that their army service was\nending and prepared early for civilian life and work. Most adapted their military skills\nand attitudes to suit the civilian environment and accepted that many civilians do not work and think in the same, positive way as ex soldiers and gradually modified their own approach to work. It is possible that problematic institutionalisation may be\nidentifiable in those who serve for short periods whilst those who complete 22 or\nmore year’s service draw only benefit, high self esteem and a positive work ethic\nfrom this major part of their lives.
Source: Figshare
Author: James McDermott
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1608390736