Date of Conferral

8-1-2026

Date of Award

August 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

Hamid Kazeroony

Abstract

Military veterans transitioning from military service to civilian employment frequently encounter challenges related to workforce integration, translating military-acquired skills, adapting to civilian workplace cultures, and employer perceptions of their qualifications. Organizational leaders need to understand these challenges as a key indicator of the factors that influence successful workforce integration, organizational commitment, and employee retention. Grounded in person-environment fit theory, the purpose of this qualitative study using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach was to explore the lived experiences of military veterans and how they make meaning of their transition to the civilian workplace. The participants comprised seven U.S. military veterans who had transitioned from the military within the past 2 years and were employed or seeking employment in Central Florida. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. Six themes emerged from the IPA: (a) navigating an unpredictable and structurally misaligned transition; (b) the struggle for recognition and translation of military experience; (c) identity disruption and reconstruction beyond the uniform; (d) cultural reorientation to civilian workplace norms; (e) relationships as critical mechanisms for transition success; and (f) redefining success, motivation, and personal fulfillment. The findings revealed that military veterans face multiple challenges as they move into the civilian workforce. The implications for tangible social impact include the potential for employers, policymakers, and veteran-hiring human resource professionals to align civilian workplace requirements with veterans’ experiences to support successful transitions, organizational commitment, and employee retention.

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