Date
11-17-2023
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Michael Howard
Keywords
Army, enlisted, senior enlisted, retirement, transition
Disciplines
Counseling
Recommended Citation
Francois, Stephanie, "The Lived Experiences of Army Senior Enlisted Leaders 90 Days After Retirement: A Phenomenological Study" (2023). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 4928.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/4928
Abstract
The transition from army to civilian life is complicated for many veterans. Veterans must excel in multiple categories, including work, education, finances, health, and social relationships, for their transitions to be successful. Although many programs and services are designed to assist army veterans in transitioning to civilian life, many still experience transition challenges. This phenomenological study aimed to understand the lived experiences of army senior enlisted leaders through retirement from active-duty service to reintegration into civilian life. The guiding theory of this study was Nancy Schlossberg’s transition theory. Transition theory is a theory of adult development established primarily with counseling professionals in mind. This theory provides counseling professionals with information about the transition, the individual, and the environment likely to influence the magnitude of a particular change at a specific time. This study utilized web-based questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group to collect data from senior enlisted leaders regarding their transition experience as they retired from active service. The data was analyzed through coding and significant statements to describe the participants' lived experiences.
