Military Identity and the Transition into Civilian Life, 1st ed. 2019 “Lifers", Medically Discharged and Reservist Soldiers

This book outlines the relationship between social identity theory and military to civilian transition, examining the mass movement of soldiers back into the civilian occupational world by considering literature specifically on role exit and in relation to the process of full-time military exit. The authors document a range of biographical and experientially-focussed case studies to highlight the range of transitions experienced by individuals leaving the armed forces. 

This book highlights the challenges faced by those transitioning between military and civilian roles through retirement, redundancy, medical discharge or in constant transition as a Reservist. It addresses themes of significant public interest in the light of the recent restructure of the UK full-time and reserve services and following the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Chapter 1: Theoretical perspectives on Identity and transition.- Chapter 2: Role Exit.- Chapter 3: Lifers.- Chapter 4: Medical Discharge.- Chapter 5: Reservist Identity.- Chapter 6: Impact on role exit.- Chapter 7: Using careers counselling to support transition.  

Kevin M Wilson-Smith is Senior Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, UK, specialising in occupational psychology and military applications of psychology. He has presented his work in military identity and transition at a number of national and international conferences.

Philip J Corr is Professor of Psychology at City University London, UK. He has published widely in the area of personality and individual differences. He is Associate Editor for Personality and Individual Differences and the Journal of Individual Differences.

Responds to current restructuring of the British Military services in line with the government’s ‘Reserve 2020’ agenda

Addresses the nature of military identity in relation to contemporary case studies

Draws on theoretical orientations of psychology, sociology and cultural studies, with political implications

Offers a new way to give voice to soldiers’ experiences of transition