Transitioning From Military to Civilian Life

posted in: News | 0

Civilian is a term that describes the people who live in a society and are not members of its armed forces. The word is used in both international law and common language to describe those who are not engaged in a military conflict. The distinction between combatants and civilians is a central part of the law of war, but it is not always easy to determine who is a civilian.

The term may also refer to a person who is not a member of a particular government or military force and therefore cannot be directly attacked by another government’s armed forces. In some cases, people who have been displaced by conflict or war are considered civilians. In others, people who have volunteered to join rebel or terrorist groups are considered civilians even though they may be fighting against the state.

Transitioning from military to civilian life can be a difficult adjustment for anyone, but it is especially challenging for veterans. Many former service members find that they miss the structure of military life and the camaraderie of their former crews. Moreover, they may doubt whether their skills translate into the civilian workforce. Fortunately, there are resources available to help former service members make the transition successfully.

For example, some former service members find that their biggest challenge in civilian life is adapting to a different communication style. This includes learning to read civilian cues and understanding that non-military friends and family may not always understand the terminology or context of a military environment. It is important for former service members to take the time to learn how to communicate effectively with their new neighbors and coworkers.

Another difficulty in the transition to civilian life is adjusting to the financial changes that often accompany it. Service members are used to receiving military benefits in the form of housing, education and healthcare. In the early stages of transitioning, it is a good idea for former service members to make sure they have a solid budget and are not spending more money than they are making.

Finally, it is important for former service members to make an effort to network with their civilian coworkers and friends and to seek out a local support group for military veterans. This will help them to feel less isolated, and it will allow them to share their experiences with a community that can relate.

Civilians play an essential role in a war, both as the population from which aid agencies can draw and as the source of the ingenuity, energy and labour that goes into survival. This can be seen in both exceptional actions, such as the life-changing decision to flee or resist a war, and everyday ones, like queuing physically or digitally for food distribution. Helen M. Kinsella, The Image Before the Weapon: A Critical History of the Distinction Between Combatant and Civilian (Cornell University Press, 2011) – explores ambiguities and inconsistencies in the principle since its earliest formulation and discusses how the world wars shaped it.