‘Too early to sit back and play golf’: veterans’ perspectives for second career

Defense Veterans possess valuable skills and are within working age upon retirement, yet only a fraction successfully transitions into second careers. This research intends to bridge the empathetic gap between corporate employers and veterans navigating career shifts. Employing a qualitative approach, the study involved conducting semi-structured interviews with 30 veterans who had embarked on second careers. Data collection and interpretation followed an adapted long-interview methodology, while analysis applied a constant comparative method across cases, integrating theory, field notes, and memos in an iterative process. The findings highlight that the transition from military service to corporate employment involves substantial challenges. However, skills and experiences gained during their military tenure proved valuable for veterans in corporate roles. To enhance career transitions, veterans involved in continuous learning, pursued higher education, professional certifications, and participated in Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) programs for upskilling. The study underlines the positive link between early preparation and successful adaptation to civilian careers, embodying pre-emptive socialization for new professional responsibilities. These insights align with current policy updates on Defense transition support and resettlement strategies promoting proactive career planning. The inferences are valuable for ex-servicemen (ExSM) and organizations supporting veteran career pathways.