Date
8-29-2025
Department
School of Health Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences (PhD)
Chair
Christopher Strunk
Keywords
military, veteran, ARSOA, military-to-civilian transition, special operations, SOF, transition
Disciplines
Health and Physical Education | Psychology
Recommended Citation
Harris, Robert D., "Leaving the Cockpit: Understanding the Military-to-Civilian Transition Experience of U.S. Army Special Operations Forces Aviation Veterans" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7379.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7379
Abstract
This study explored the military-to-civilian (MTC) transition experiences of U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA) veterans through a hermeneutic phenomenological approach supported by reflexive thematic analysis (RTA). ARSOA aviators operate in a demanding environment that requires advanced technical proficiency, exceptional cognitive agility, and the capacity to shift between complex tasks rapidly. They possess elite-level skills in target acquisition, decision making under pressure, and processing high volumes of information, capabilities that extend well beyond those typically expected of conventional military pilots. Thirteen former ARSOA aviators, crew chiefs, and flight medics who had separated within the past five years participated in semi-structured interviews. The research explored how these veterans experienced and made meaning of their transition, focusing on shifts in identity, purpose, and motivation. Findings revealed themes of Seeking New Opportunities, Dissatisfaction with Organizational Focus and Culture, Fatigue, Burnout, Health Concerns, and Tension Between ARSOA and Family Life. Veterans also described challenges, such as a Transition System not Designed for the Individual, Loss of Identity and Purpose, and the Emotional Toll of Future Uncertainty. Post-transition, many emphasized Well-Being and Finding New Purpose, and the Influence of Relationships in Decision-Making. These results highlight that the ARSOA MTC transition experience is not solely a logistical process but a deeply personal, existential shift. The findings underscore the need for individualized transition programs that address emotional well-being, identity reconstruction, and family reintegration alongside career preparation. This study contributes to a limited body of literature on SOF transitions. It offers practical recommendations for refining both unit-specific programs, such as EXFIL, and broader Department of Defense transition initiatives.
