Psychological Development of Emerging Adults in the Military and transition to the civilian workforce

摘要

This paper considers the unique role that servingin the Australian Army may have on shaping thepsychological development of emerging adults.Emerging adulthood is defned as the developmentperiod from the late teens through the twenties,with a focus on ages 18-25. For most young peoplein industrialised countries it is suggested that thisperiod involves profound change and signifcancefor the transition from adolescence to adulthood1. Itis argued that the unique environment of the armyculture has a positive in?uence on the psychologicaldevelopment of the emerging adult, yet considerationneeds to be given as to how this may impact ontransition from the Australian Army to the civilianworkforce. We combine the lived experience of theauthors with existing research with an aim to raiseawareness for the need for more research in thisarea. Specifcally, with a focus on supporting thetransition from the Australian Army to the civilianworkforce.