Civilian is a term used to describe people who are not members of the military or police forces. It’s important for all of us to be aware of civilians and their needs during armed conflict because the safety of civilians is essential in creating a just peace.
Civilians are a large group of people, with many different professions and roles. They play a significant role in all countries and societies, and their presence can have both positive and negative effects on the country’s social fabric and economic stability. Civilians are also an important group in the context of armed conflict, as they may be targeted by violence or occupying forces and their presence is a major factor that could contribute to an unjust and protracted conflict.
The word civilian has been around since the early 19th century, but it didn’t take on its current meaning until about 1900. It was first used to distinguish citizens from the military, and it was later expanded to refer to anyone who wasn’t a member of the military. During World War II, it became clear that civilians were the primary victims of war and that the distinction between combatants and civilians was an essential part of international humanitarian law.
One of the key differences between military and civilian life is that the latter is often more stable. Civilian jobs usually don’t involve as much frequent moving, both domestically and abroad, which can be a huge adjustment for transitioning service members. Another difference is the benefits; the military often provides comprehensive benefits such as healthcare, education assistance, and retirement plans, while civilian jobs may not always offer the same level of support.
In May of this year, the UN Secretary-General called for a new approach to protect civilians in armed conflict by putting an emphasis on “the full protection of civilians.” This is an important step to improve the effectiveness of policy discussions and efforts to comply with international law, but it is equally important to better understand the complex pattern of harm experienced by civilians in armed conflicts, including their exposure to violence, discrimination, poverty, lack of basic services, and exploitation and abuse by non-state armed groups.
During your time in the military, you’ve built relationships with your crew that are deeply rooted and close to you. It can be difficult to adjust to those relationships again once you return to civilian life, as the communication styles and ways of working may be very different from your former crew. It’s important to work through this adjustment, and not be frustrated by your friends and family if you can’t seem to connect the same way that you did before. It will take some time, but with patience and open communications you’ll be able to forge the same bonds again.