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Career Boundary Crossing: The Importance of Networks for the Transition from the Military to Civilian Employment

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  • Silke Roth

    (University of Southampton, UK)

Abstract

Research on the transition from the military to civilian life tends to focus on challenges such as unemployment, alcoholism, violence, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) even though these problems affect only a minority of veterans. In contrast, this study analyses what forms of economic, cultural, and social capital (Bourdieu) are obtained during military training and service and how they are transferred to civilian employment. I argue that during the transition from the military to civilian employment, all three forms of capital are important. In particular, social capital in the form of formal and informal networks plays a crucial role with respect to transferring cultural capital or skills from one field to the other, but also for the investment (or borrowing) of economic capital. Boundary crossing between different fields – in this case organisational and work cultures–requires the transformation of habitus. The notion of a ‘veterans’ habitus’ is introduced. This study contributes to the understanding of career transitions and is based on biographical interviews with veterans who served in the British military.

Suggested Citation

  • Silke Roth, 2025. "Career Boundary Crossing: The Importance of Networks for the Transition from the Military to Civilian Employment," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 30(3), pages 730-747, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:30:y:2025:i:3:p:730-747
    DOI: 10.1177/13607804241287682
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Glen H. Elder & Lin Wang & Naomi J. Spence & Daniel E. Adkins & Tyson H. Brown, 2010. "Pathways to the All‐Volunteer Military," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 91(2), pages 455-475, June.
    2. Jesse Potter, 2020. "The Ghost of the Stable Path: Stories of Work-life Change at the ‘End of Career’," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 34(4), pages 571-586, August.
    3. Pelin Demirel & Ekaterina Nemkova & Rebecca Taylor, 2021. "Reproducing Global Inequalities in the Online Labour Market: Valuing Capital in the Design Field," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 35(5), pages 914-930, October.
    4. Paul Thompson & Mirela Ivanova & Antonia Kupfer & Charles Umney & Friedericke Hardering & Stefanie Huertgen & Wolfgang Menz & Sarah Nies & Silke Roth & Stephan Voswinkel & Ruth Yeoman & Genevieve Code, 2021. "Work Appropriation and Social Inequality," Vernon Press Titles in Economics, Vernon Art and Science Inc, edition 1, number 1105.
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