Military healthcare professionals’ experience of transitioning into civilian employment: A heuristic inquiry

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Whybrow, Dean^{a; *} | Milligan, Christine^b

Affiliations: [a] Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK | [b] Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Dr. Dean Whybrow, Cardiff University, Eastgate House, Cardiff, Wales, CF24 0AB, UK. E-mail: whybrowd@cardiff.ac.uk.

Abstract: Background:Armed forces are reinventive institutions that shape the identity of their members. Leaving the military involves an adjustment to civilian employment that may be turbulent at times. Objective:The aim is to understand the experiences of self and other military healthcare professionals’ midlife career transitions. Methods:This qualitative study applied heuristic inquiry research methods. This included a thematic analysis of the researcher’s personal experience (diary and reflections) combined with data from interviews or communication with other veterans (n = 10) within a creative synthesis. Results:The themes identified within the study were: The tipping point for leaving; adjustment as a veteran; progression within a new workplace. We experienced a divergence in values away from military service leading to a tipping point for leaving that was followed by a triple whammy of uncertainty about leaving, insecurity in a new job, and loss of identity that impacted mental wellbeing and needed to be overcome. Conclusion:This study has revealed new insights about being a military veteran and transitioning to civilian employment. These insights could lead to changes in how veterans prepare for a midlife career change, retention of personnel within military forces, and how civilian employers support veterans.

Keywords: Veterans, work, culture, military

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-220317

Journal: Work, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 663-677, 2023