Date of Conferral

1-19-2026

Date of Award

January 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

James Herndon

Abstract

Adjustment from military life to the corporate or civilian world can be challenging for some individuals who have served in the armed forces. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of U.S. military veterans transitioning from overseas service to civilian employment and to identify the factors contributing to long-term job retention. The military transition theory and turnover contagion theory grounded this study. The participants consisted of 20 male veterans representing the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Army National Guard in Dayton, Ohio. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and public documents. Two themes emerged from the interpretative phenomenological analysis: (a) transition experiences and (b) job retention factors. Subthemes included military skills transfer, adjustment to civilian culture, mental health and emotional impact, support systems and resources, and expectations and career fit. Additional subthemes were work ethic and discipline, job satisfaction and work conditions, support systems for retention, tenacity and motivation, and organizational understanding. Findings indicated that veterans’ transitions are multidimensional, shaped by the interaction of personal resilience, institutional resources, and social support. Veterans who secured purpose-driven roles and experienced organizational inclusion demonstrated higher retention and well-being. The implications for positive social change include the potential for employers, policymakers, and service organization leaders to develop holistic transition programs that integrate mental health, mentorship, and career alignment to assist veterans in sustainable employment practices.

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