DVA commissioned this study in 2011 to gain a better understanding of the experiences of reservists. The field-based component of the study consisted of face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with 39 ADF reservists, primarily from the Army with a smaller number from the Air Force. The text-based component centred on a review of the academic literature, as well as a review of historical documents and an inventory of support services available to reservists.

The study found that reservists vary in the way they understand their reservist identity. Some identify more with a ‘full-timer’ identity and feel a close connection with ADF membership and military skills, while some identify more as a ‘part-timer’ and place stronger emphasis on their civilian professional skills. The researcher found that the extent to which reservists identify with the ADF can affect outcomes including their health and wellbeing, cohesion with their unit and accessing of support services.

The reservists study has provided DVA with useful information about the experiences and needs of a sample of contemporary reservists. As a qualitative pilot study, the report is exploratory in nature. It does not quantify the extent to which the views expressed by the participants would be shared among reservists and reservist veterans more generally. Nevertheless, the report provides a useful understanding of issues experienced by the reservists interviewed and identified in the academic literature.

The report has informed DVA’s understanding of how reservists identify and the potential implications of this for DVA’s communication and engagement with reservists. It has also informed a focus on reservists in planning future DVA research. On 11 June 2014, the Government announced a joint DVA/Defence Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme which includes a nested study on reservists.

Reservists can access similar DVA support and services to those available to Permanent ADF members. For details on reservists’ entitlements, please see DVA website and/or the Claims for reservists. Reservists who are in doubt about what DVA services or support they could access are encouraged to contact DVA.

This study aimed to examine the health and compensation outcomes of Rwanda veterans and investigate whether there were differences in outcomes between the different groups deployed.

The study undertook a data match and analysis process using personnel, compensation, health and mortality data.

Among other things, the study found that the health of the Rwanda cohort is characterised by a high rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that is expressed in two compensation peaks five and 11 years after the deployment.

There was no evidence of difference in discharge rates between the contingents, between personnel groups or between personnel from formed units and those who joined deployments individually.

This study investigated the health of Australian veterans of deployments on United Nations sanctioned peacekeeping missions to Rwanda, Somalia, Cambodia, Namibia, Western Sahara and East Timor over the period 1989-2002.

The study examined the long-term effect of peacekeeping on the mental and physical health status, health service use and quality of life of veterans who had transitioned out of full-time service.

The study found that 65% of peacekeepers reported they were in good, very good, or excellent health.  However, 30% of peacekeepers had at least one diagnosable mental health condition.

The research provides a better understanding of the long-term pathways to care and usage of health care services for peacekeepers.