From a military career to a civilian career: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of how veterans who served in a post-9/11 war describe their career transition.

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20327466

Abstract This Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis study begins to address the gap in knowledge surrounding the successes, challenges, and resources post-911 war-Veterans encountered transitioning from a military career to a civilian career. Schlossberg's theory of transition was used as a lens to examine the situation, self, support, strategies of the study participants during their career transitions. The most significant finding from this study was that post-9/11 war-Veterans obtaining employment as soon as possible after military service provided mental health benefits. Second, early support leads to successful transitions. Third, 80% of the post-9/11 war-Veterans experienced financial difficulties after military discharge or retirement. Fourth, résumés were major stumbling blocks: lack of résumé writing skills; difficulty translating military-specific terms into language civilian employers understand; and difficulty tailoring their résumés to each individual position they applied for. Fifth, all Veterans reported some emotional distress-feeling as if no one cares about them, feeling lost and cut off, feeling as though they had lost themselves. However, participants felt pride and were gratified to work as cemetery directors and assistant cemetery directors. The war-Veterans agreed employment was important to overcoming psychological challenges. Employment was also beneficial in other areas such as financial soundness, self-esteem, and family interactions, and the post-9/11 war-Veterans stated work was essential to being able to move on from the military.