Date

11-13-2024

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Sarah Jo Spiridigliozzi

Keywords

transitioning, military officers, enlisted personnel, emotions, veterans, interpretative phenomenological analysis

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

This interpretive phenomenology analysis study examines the specific emotions of 10 U.S. transitioning veterans (5 enlisted personnel and 5 military officers) during the transitioning process. 9 out of the 10 participants stated that they had anxiety about transitioning out of the military. A common theme among military officers and enlisted personnel is that they were all anxious about healthcare after transitioning from the military. In contrast, a common theme among military officers that was not a theme among enlisted personnel was the anxiousness of feeling like they were leaving the military and not completing what they started. A common theme among enlisted personnel that was not common among military officers was that they were anxious about finding work. This study also looks deeper into the difference in emotions between U.S. transitioning military officers and U.S. transitioning enlisted personnel. U.S. transitioning military officers and U.S. enlisted personnel take the same transition courses. Still, some members feel these courses should be more accommodating to their transition process. This study found that although the transition courses were helpful, transitioning military veterans would prefer a course more tailored to their specific needs as they transition out of the military. In knowing the difference in emotions between transitioning military officers and enlisted personnel, other researchers can further examine if there needs to be a change in the transition process that military members must go through while transitioning out of the military.

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