Abstract: This paper reports on data gained from interviews with eleven Australian Army reservists who have dealt with the challenges of re-joining the civilian workforce after having been deployed overseas on operational duty. From the data there emerged several experiences that the interviewees had in common, including (1) realisation of the need to confront a change in identity from being a soldier to being a civilian, (2) difficulties in re-adapting to the norms of the civilian workplace, (3) benefiting from the support of others who had already returned to the civilian workforce, (4) being disadvantaged as a result of institutional failures, and finally (5) dealing with the adverse effects of military service on civilian employment and career outcomes.
While most individuals achieve the transition to civilian life smoothly, some face significant challenges. Although numerous support services are available to those who need them, …