“Medically discharged”: forced exit due to injury, health and wellbeing

Wilson-Smith, K. M. and Corr, P. J. (2019) “Medically discharged”: forced exit due to injury, health and wellbeing. In: Wilson-Smith, K.M. and Corr, P..J. (eds.) Military Identity and the Transition into Civilian Life. Palgrave Pivot, pp. 43-55. ISBN 9783030123376 (doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-12338-3_4)

Abstract

The second story of the book is provided by Jack, who experienced an injury in the first 5 years of his military service. Jack’s journey starts with his experience of joining the army, followed by a brief description of how he was injured and then culminates in his exit via medical discharge, due to a non-combat related injury. Jack helps us to understand the feeling of rejection from the armed forces and how in some ways this makes the transition back to civilian life, at least for Jack, slightly easier. In the literature that follows, we explore a snippet of theory and research which focuses on sudden and unexpected transition and its impact on our identity. We also discuss the literature in the context of forced/involuntary military exit, both for non-combat and combat related injuries.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wilson-Smith, Dr Kevin
• Authors: Wilson-Smith, K. M., and Corr, P. J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Psychology
• Publisher: Palgrave Pivot
• ISBN: 9783030123376
• Published Online: 13 March 2019