A civilian is a person who does not serve in the military, police or other uniformed profession. The term comes from the Latin civilis, meaning “of, relating to, or belonging to the people”. The Oxford English Dictionary has nine definitions of civilian, including:
Anyone who does not perform armed force duty is considered to be a civilian in a military situation. This is to ensure the safety of those not in combat, and to uphold international humanitarian law and conventions.
It is also important to consider the role of civilian actors in a conflict, as they can provide information and support to civilians. This can be done through a variety of means, including advocacy, education and training. It is also important to promote the protection of civilians, and to raise awareness through the media. Civilian advocacy can be accomplished by community and organizational groups, peer-to-peer networks, women’s organizations, trade unions, youth groups, social media influencers and platforms, religious and spiritual leaders, political personalities and global actors such as the UN and NGOs.
Civilian advocates can help to shift discussions on civilians from a ‘protection of the people’ perspective to one which is more based on national and international policy goals, rather than narrow physical ideas of compliance or protection. The UN’s Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan, for example, is a good example of this approach. Article 36 has worked for a number of years to promote this kind of thinking, both internally at the UN and externally with partners (see here).
When transitioning from military life to civilian, it is important to be aware of the differences in culture and communication styles. In addition to a difference in expectations, there can be a lack of familiarity with terminology and jargon that can make it difficult to express yourself clearly. This can be frustrating for civilians, and it may take time to find a way of communicating that is comfortable for both parties.
It can be especially challenging for those who have served in the military to transition into a civilian workplace, as there may be cultural differences that can impact their ability to communicate effectively with coworkers and peers. It is important to be patient during this process, and to seek out opportunities to meet with others from the military who are in a similar position as you, so that you can share experiences and build relationships that will help you when transitioning back into the workforce.
The Army civilian workforce is 265,000 strong and offers more than 500 career paths with the scope and impact you won’t find anywhere else. Join our team and see how you can grow your skills, knowledge and experience while working on the issues that matter most to our country. Find a civilian job today.