Chapter 9: Perspectives

In recent decades, Danish soldiers have been deployed on international missions of very different character, from peacekeeping (PK) to peace-enforcing (PE) missions involving actual combat situations. At the same time, there have been great changes in the society which the soldiers have to integrate into, on their return home.

In this study, we have focused on some of these important areas. Data available for the study have made it possible to compare the situation for soldiers deployed on international missions with developments after returning home. The study has confirmed that in general, the Danish veterans manage well and that they represent a heterogeneous group. It is therefore an important perspective to consider that the results of the study should be viewed in the light of the differences in the background of the veterans and that their return home has taken place in a society undergoing change. There have been changes in both attitudes in the general public about participation in international missions and policies concerning veterans.