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Thesis Title No Release: A Phenomenological Study of Australian Army Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq Post-Military Robin Purvis Bachelor of Social Work A thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2017 School of Social Science Abstract This study explores the lived post-discharge experience of seven combat veterans of Australia’s Middle East wars. The study has identified there is academic and popular recognition, interest in and knowledge about the process of socialisation into the military. However, there is a noticeable gap in material that explores the process of socialisation out of the military. Eighteen in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with the seven participants, some ranging over a twelve-month period. A phenomenological, interpretivist approach was taken using current literature, and input from military advisors, to help contextualise the participants’ stories. Three themes emerged from the study as relevant to understanding the process of transition out of the military: the militarisation of identity, the impact of combat exposure as more deeply embedding the militarised identity and the challenges to this identity in negotiating the liminal space between military world and civilian world. The study identified that the challenges these veterans individually face on exiting the military, and the role their society has, collectively, in assisting their re-entry into the civilian world is not well understood. The study highlights that as well as understanding of the personal challenges these veterans face, the context of social recognition and response is a critical factor in their post-military adjustment in transition. Cultural dissonance, absence of place, unwitting stigma and marginalisation, and societal disavowal were characteristic of the experience of these men in their journey of transition from their military world to achieving re-assimilation in the civilian world. Civilian world accommodation and a system of repatriation to assist re-entry of combat veterans into the civilian world are identified as key aspects of re- assimilation. ii Declaration by author This thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly-authored works that I have included in my thesis. I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial advice, and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my research higher degree candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award. I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the policy and procedures of The University of Queensland, the thesis be made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 unless a period of embargo has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. I acknowledge that copyright of all material contained in my thesis resides with the copyright holder(s) of that material. Where appropriate I have obtained copyright permission from the copyright holder to reproduce material in this thesis. iii Publications during candidature No publications to declare Publications included in this thesis None Contributions by others to the thesis All contributions by others have been declared in Acknowledgements Statement of parts of the thesis submitted to qualify for the award of another degree None iv Acknowledgements Acknowledgement must first of all go to the seven participants in this study. Their willingness to share their stories and generosity in giving their time is deeply appreciated. I hold these young men and their fellow combat veterans in the highest regard for their integrity, contribution and courage. I think they, and we, do not fully recognise the meaning and depth of their commitment on behalf of the rest of us. I would like to think this study will go some way to redress this lack. I especially want to thank Dr Patricia Short and Dr Diane Hafner, my advisors in this work, who were a source of encouragement and enlightenment during the course of this thesis. I felt their divergent backgrounds of Sociology and Anthropology complemented the research process and provided me with frameworks of conception that enhanced my thinking and analysis. Thank you for your guidance. I would also like to thank Dr Rose Melville who commenced this journey with me as an advisor. Her insight and direction in the early stages of encountering the challenges of this research were invaluable. I would like to express my appreciation to advisors in the military: Major General Greg Bilton, who did not participate in the research, but provided perspective and relevant links to military personnel. Military Chaplain Renton McCrae has informed on factors of Australian military culture, training and preparation for combat in the Middle East. He has generously been available throughout the study for discussion and for clarifying perspectives. Colonel Rob Crowe has reviewed chapters and provided comment from a military perspective. His interest in the study has been affirming. Lt. Col. Natalie Leaver helpfully facilitated a visit to the Soldier Recovery Centre at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera. During the recruitment phase support for the study and relevant introductions were provided by Tony Dell of Stand Tall4PTS, Dr Miriam Dwyer CEO of the Gallipoli Research Foundation Greenslopes Hospital Brisbane, Janice Johnston of Mates4Mates, Paul Nash of Go2 Performance, Lyn Needham of Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) and Pano Dimopoulos of Agile Transitions who promoted the study with clients, ex-military colleagues and on Facebook. I would also like to thank those friends, colleagues and family who have been supportive and helpful during this time, in particular my husband, Wal. His support, encouragement and patience in seeing this endeavour through has been a lifeline. v Keywords military identity, combat exposure, Middle East wars, combat veterans, resocialisation, agency and identity, liminality, transition Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classifications (ANZSRC) ANZSRC code: 169999, Sociology not elsewhere classified 40% ANZSRC code: 169901, Gender Specific Studies 30% ANZSRC code: 160104 Social and Cultural Anthropology 30% Fields of Research (FoR) Classification FoR code: 1608, Sociology 80% FoR code: 1699, Other Studies in Human Sociology, 20% vi Table of Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................ ii Declaration by author ...................................................................................................... iii Publications during candidature ...................................................................................... iv Contributions by others to the thesis ............................................................................... iv Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... v Keywords ........................................................................................................................ vi Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classifications (ANZSRC) .................. vi Fields of Research (FoR) Classification .......................................................................... vi List of Tables .................................................................................................................... x List of Abbreviations ........................................................................................................ xi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 1 1.1. Introduction to the study ............................................................................. 1 1.2. Current Australian research ........................................................................ 4 1.3. Rationale and contribution to knowledge .................................................... 4 1.4. The development of the topic ..................................................................... 6 1.5. Research questions .................................................................................... 8 1.6. Conceptual and methodological approach ................................................. 9 1.7. Giving voice to the discharged population ................................................ 10 1.8. Militarisation, combat and transition ......................................................... 11 1.8.1. Militarisation of Identity ............................................................................. 11 1.8.2. ‘Warrior’ socialisation ................................................................................ 13 1.8.3. Meaning making and transition ................................................................. 14 1.9.
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