The Military Psychological Contract: What does it mean to you?

The issues and challenges facing personnel who have and continue to serve in militaries all over the world are well documented and consistently themed. One only needs to reflect on the pages of history that describe the ravages of war not only on military personnel but to the society that they re-enter, the families that suffer secondary traumatisation, and yet carry them, and the Governments that are vicariously liable, accountable and responsible for looking after the broken, injured and ill.

Despite knowing this, hundreds of young men and women file through the doors of recruiting offices every year to sign up. One must ask oneself: What are they seeking? Why do they join? What are the expectations they have and the promises made? And why do some of them struggle to re-integrate into civilian life?

(PIC: Bob Whiting of Brighton, WWI recruiting office)

Beyond the legal enlistment and appointment paperwork there must be more – what are those explicit deals that happen in and as a result of conversations or within the individuals mind, based on what they hear or think they hear, what they see and how they interpret things. What is implied by the organisation or the supervisors that are responsible for the annual performance appraisals and career discussions? Are these messages and deals made independently, or is there a science to the recruiting advertisements, training regime and culture that cause thousands of veterans to remain attached in some way to their military service long after they ditch the baggy green or blue?

ADF members attachment to the memory of their service is apparent as they march in the hundreds under their unit, Corps and campaign flags, wearing service medals on ANZAC Day, smiling and waving at the cheers of the adoring public. For most veteran’s they are proud of their service, regardless of the toll it took on their physical and psychological health. In the words of one Veteran “there is no higher purpose or sacrifice that one can make than to serve your country”.

Despite the ravages, atrocities and chaos of war, or sacrifice made in service veterans of all descriptions, from the National Serviceman who served less than two years to the forty-year veteran, with multiple operational campaigns under their belt, each one of them is proud to have served.

The strength, courage and resilience of veterans is celebrated by the community through events such as the Invictus Games, championed by His Royal Highness Prince Harry. Further evidence is provided by the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces Covenant and the Federal Minister The Honourable Dan Tehan’s recent Ministerial Statement on Veterans and their Families, where he stated that serving in the military is unique and unlike other employment arrangements.  Both highlight the importance of the Government keeping the nations promise by “ensuring that those who volunteer in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly…with respect in the communities, economy and society, [as] they serve with their lives” (UK Armed Forces Covenant, 2017).

We must consider research such as that conducted by John Whelan. Where in his book, Ghost in the Ranks: Forgotten Voices and Military Mental Health, he explains how military training prepares men and women for action as capable soldiers, and yet how this same training may also require them to trade aspects of their humanness – sowing seeds for lingering mental distress … becoming ghosts of their former selves. Is it the case that more time is spent on annual induction and readiness training than there is on transition to a new employment schema and new identity?

In order to inform this discussion of The Military Psychological Contract: What does it mean to you? I have included some questions for you to consider. If you would like to contribute to this debate please send your responses to [email protected]. As your comments may be used to inform a Dissertation paper I will remove all names and reference to units or other sensitive and personal information, without detracting from what you say. All comments are kept confidential. People involve in other like psychological contracts such as Elite Athletes, Emergency Services and Policing are very welcome and encouraged to also contribute to the debate.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRACT

In the ADF we are either enlisted or appointed. This is our employment contract although not a contract as we are volunteers, appointed under The Defence Act 1903.

In addition to our legally binding contracts we also form what is termed a psychological contract. A psychological contract almost always forms when two human beings interact, whether that be relationships, work or social settings. In this case study, the psychological contract is described as the implicit (not necessarily spoken or written) mutually, sometimes reciprocal, but not always, expectations and obligations between you and your employer, that build up over time. (the expectations could be what you have come to expect, are led to believe or been told, about promotion, posting, treatment, responsibility, career, family, deployments etc) 

 Please answer the following questions about your psychological contract.

1. If expectations and obligations form, known as the psychological contract, who are they formed with? 
2. Is your psychological contract with the Army, Navy, Airforce, Government or the leaders you work for? 
3. Does it change each time you get a new boss, increase in rank, move location, deploy or for any other reason?
4. Is your psychological contract negotiable?
5. If it remains the same how is it maintained when it is not a written implicit contract but something that is communicated through interpretation, assumption and what you are led to believe? 
6. How is what you expect and understand passed on from leader to leader (noting the hierarchical structure of Defence and constantly changing environment)?
7. What are the expectations and obligations your ADF employer has of you? 
8. What are the expectations you have of your military employer?
9. What are the obligations the ADF have to you in your mind, not written in policy?
10. How do you identify or describe yourself as an individual? 
11. What meaning do you attribute to your ADF employment? Is it just a job or something else?
12. If you do not meet the expectations and obligations set by your employer how is this dealt with?
13. If the ADF or your leaders do not meet your expectations and obligations according to the psychological contract you believe you have with them how does that affect your? And, how do you let them know?  
14. Do you think your contract with the military is a pure transaction if so please explain?
15. Do you think your contract with the military has relational elements? If so, please explain?
16. If you feel your contract is breached, who generally causes the breach or should I say responsible? 
17. I note there are up to 5,000 ex-service organisations, a dedication to commemorations and the ability to show your service by the wearing of medals. Do you feel your contract with the military and what you stood / stand for is enduring after your discharge from service?
18. Is there anything else you would like to add from personal experience or what you have observed with regards to the psychological contract formed between ADF personnel and the ADF or their leaders?

Thank you very much for your contribution to this conversation. Even if you don't find time to reply I hope it has struck a cord and caused you to think about your own contract. If you do find time to answer the questions please send your responses to Kelliegh Jackson at [email protected].