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?

摘要

This thesis has identified a number of factors which explain why those leaving the\udarmed forces after 22 years or more of army service make successful transitions to\udcivilian life. The work adds to knowledge since whilst considerable literature exists\udrelating 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\udliterature is primarily concerned with those who, having served for relatively short\udperiods of time, leave and suffer a range of social and health problems including\udmental illness, homelessness, unemployment and alcoholism.\udEvidence was gained from 51 veterans both men and women through written mini\udbiographies, face to face interviews and interviews through the medium of the\udinternet. Research data was drawn from the remembered lived experiences of the\udveterans recalling both their army and civilian careers.\udA methodology based on an interpretivist perspective was employed to explore the\udveteran’s remembered experiences, their thoughts and opinions and this approach\udwas informed by life course and career development theories. Collected data which\udwas transcribed and converted to text was manipulated and analysed using N-Vivo\udQualitative Data Analysis software, Microsoft Word and Access applications.\udVeterans’ words concerning their return to civilian life reflect that many issues remain\udunchanged over several decades. An enforced career change at the age of 40 is a\udmajor life course event; how veterans dealt with this contributed to the main findings\udwhich show that successful army veterans accepted that their army service was\udending and prepared early for civilian life and work. Most adapted their military skills\udand 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\udidentifiable in those who serve for short periods whilst those who complete 22 or\udmore year’s service draw only benefit, high self esteem and a positive work ethic\udfrom this major part of their lives.