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The Australian Defence Force prides itself on values such as loyalty, respect and teamwork, but these principles must extend beyond active service to how personnel are treated when they discharge, according to new research from Flinders University.
Led by Australian Army veteran and PhD candidate Cameron Grant, the study analysed the responses of nearly 400 former ADF members and found widespread dissatisfaction with the discharge process, with many veterans describing it as dehumanising, disrespectful or even abusive.
“The discharge process represents a complete severance of military identity, which is difficult enough on its own,” Grant said, who is also a clinical psychologist. “But when that experience is negative or mishandled, it can have serious, long-lasting psychological consequences.”
Published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, the research found many veterans viewed their discharge as a personal betrayal by the institution they once regarded as family.
“Military identity often becomes a foundational part of a person’s sense of self – it shapes their beliefs, their behaviours and their social connections,” Grant said. “When someone is treated poorly during discharge, it violates the very values they were trained to uphold – trust, integrity, respect and camaraderie.”
The study highlighted a number of troubling experiences, including cases where veterans were marched off base without notice, had personal belongings removed without consent, or were denied the chance to properly farewell their unit. Others were excluded from formal recognition ceremonies or farewell events.
“Even relatively minor missteps during discharge can leave deep emotional scars and make the adjustment to civilian life much harder,” Grant added.
The findings come amid the ongoing Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, which has drawn attention to the psychological toll of transition from military to civilian life. That inquiry has consistently pointed to the loss of identity, purpose and belonging as major risk factors for mental health struggles among veterans.
“What we’re now seeing is preliminary evidence that these identity-related harms can actually begin before a veteran leaves service – during the discharge process itself,” Grant said. “We’re spending resources to support veterans after they leave, which is critical, but if the damage starts earlier, then we’re stepping in too late – we’re treating symptoms, not preventing the injury.”
Professor Lydia Woodyatt, senior researcher and co-author of the study, said the discharge process needs to be recognised as a key moment for shaping long-term outcomes.
“Our research shows that a positive and respectful discharge can be the difference between a smooth transition and a distressing, prolonged adjustment,” she said.
“Although there have been improvements in support for veterans and efforts to reduce service-related suicide, the discharge process itself remains a point of vulnerability that needs urgent attention.”
The study is part of Flinders University’s Open Door Initiative, which is focused on understanding the real-world challenges veterans face as they reintegrate into civilian life – particularly when grappling with physical injuries or mental health conditions.
Titled Fallout: The psychosocial harms of negative military discharge experiences, the study was authored by Cameron Grant, Professor Lydia Woodyatt, Dr Henry Bowen and Dr Jonathan Lane. It was published in Frontiers in Psychology and can be accessed at DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1521056.
The research was supported by Military and Emergency Services Health Australia, a charity of The Hospital Research Foundation Group, through a PhD scholarship awarded to Grant. Collaborating institutions included Flinders University and the University of Tasmania’s School of Medicine.
