Conclusion

Abstract

The final chapter provides a concluding synopsis of each of the preceding chapters and summarises key messages that emerge from an interpretation of the stories provided by John, Jack and Ollie, and the career counselling of Chris. It outlines some of the current changes occurring to the armed forces under the remit of “RESERVE 2020” and concludes that future reductions in full-time military personnel are going to lead to a torrent of identity transitions, with all the resultant problems we have uncovered in this book. The final section summaries the authors’ belief that overarching transition models are not suitable for understanding the complexity of an individual soldier’s military exit—given the individualised nature of each lived experience of exit, the starting point of any effective support should be an in-depth idiographic interview to find out what the soldier needs, rather than telling them what we, the civilian world, think they need. Only then, supported positive change will be realised.