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  • © 2019

Military Identity and the Transition into Civilian Life

“Lifers", Medically Discharged and Reservist Soldiers

  • 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

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
  2. Theoretical Perspectives on Identity and Transition

    • Kevin M. Wilson-Smith, Philip J. Corr
    Pages 1-17
  3. Role Exit

    • Kevin M. Wilson-Smith, Philip J. Corr
    Pages 19-26
  4. “Lifers”: Exit from the Armed Forces After 36 Years’ Service

    • Kevin M. Wilson-Smith, Philip J. Corr
    Pages 27-41
  5. “Medically Discharged”: Forced Exit Due to Injury, Health and Wellbeing

    • Kevin M. Wilson-Smith, Philip J. Corr
    Pages 43-55
  6. “Reservists”: Changing Identities Between Civilian and Military Roles

    • Kevin M. Wilson-Smith, Philip J. Corr
    Pages 57-66
  7. Impact of Role Exit: Problems Associated with Leaving the Armed Forces

    • Kevin M. Wilson-Smith, Philip J. Corr
    Pages 67-77
  8. Help with Finding a Civilian Job

    • Kevin M. Wilson-Smith, Philip J. Corr
    Pages 79-98
  9. Conclusion

    • Kevin M. Wilson-Smith, Philip J. Corr
    Pages 99-102
  10. Correction to: Military Identity and the Transition into Civilian Life

    • Kevin M Wilson-Smith, Philip J Corr
    Pages C1-C1
  11. Back Matter

    Pages 103-121

About this book

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.

Authors and Affiliations

  • School of Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

    Kevin M Wilson-Smith

  • Department of Psychology, City, University of London, London, UK

    Philip J Corr

About the authors

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.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access