Military discharge is a time of challenge and opportunity

The military prides itself on loyalty and respect but those values must extend to how they treat those who leave service, new research from Flinders University reveals.

Led by Australian Army veteran and Flinders University PhD Candidate Cameron Grant, the study analysed responses from nearly 400 former Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, uncovering widespread dissatisfaction with their discharge experience.

“The discharge process represents a complete severance of all military status, which can be extremely challenging in and of itself, but if that process is also unpleasant it can lead to serious and long-term psychological consequences,” says Cameron Grant, a clinical psychologist.

Published in Frontiers in Psychology, the study reveals that many veterans felt disrespected, mistreated or abused during their discharge from the ADF.

“The vast majority of veterans described a negative discharge experience, and many perceived this mistreatment as personal betrayal and a sign of rejection from their once-trusted military family,” he says.

“Military service and the identity that comes with it often becomes the primary pillar of a members’ self-concept, shaping their beliefs, behaviours, and social interactions.

“When the military mistreats someone during discharge, it violates values such as trust, integrity, respect and teamwork that they were made to uphold during their time serving.”

“This can lead to them feeling betrayed and rejected by the very institute they have revered,” he says.

The study found that during discharge, some veterans described overt abuses of power and objectively harmful actions, such as finding their belongings packed up and removed from base and being marched off base without notice or means of travel.

Others said they were denied the chance to farewell their unit or were excluded from recognition entirely.

“Even seemingly minor transgressions during discharge can create a profound and lasting sense of betrayal and rejection, making adjustment to civilian life incredibly challenging,” says Mr Grant.

This research builds on the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which found that when service members leave the military, the sense of loss of identity, purpose and belonging contributes to veteran suicide. 

“Our research provides preliminary evidence suggesting that transition-related identity losses may occur not only after they have left but during the discharge process itself, while a member is still technically serving,” says Mr Grant.

“We invest significant resources into supporting veterans after they leave, and that’s important.

“But if the harm begins during discharge, then we’re stepping in too late and we’re treating the symptoms, not preventing the injury,” he adds.

The research adds to growing concerns over military discharge processes and highlights the urgent need for reform to prevent long-term psychological harm.

Professor Lydia Woodyatt, psychologist and senior researcher on the paper, says that the discharge process should be seen as an opportunity to farewell veterans in a way that helps set them up for a successful future outside of the military.

“Our findings highlight that a positive discharge experience could be the difference between a smooth transition to civilian life or a difficult adjustment,” says Professor Woodyatt.

“Whilst there have been advances in helping veterans transition to civilian life and in addressing service-related mental health issues and suicide, there is still much to do.”

The study is part of Flinders University’s Open Door Initiative ongoing commitment to gaining meaningful insights into the challenges veterans encounter when reintegrating into civilian life, particularly when facing physical and mental health struggles.

The article, ‘Fallout: the psychosocial harms of negative military discharge experiences’ by Cameron Grant, Lydia Woodyatt, Henry Bowen and Jonathan Lane, was published in the Frontiers in Psychology  journal. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1521056.

Acknowledgements: This work was funded by the Military and Emergency Services Health Australian, a charity of The Hospital Research Foundation Group, in the form of a PhD Scholarship for PhD Candidate Cameron Grant. The research included authors from Military and Emergency Services Health Australia and School of Medicine, University of Tasmania.