Deployment of retiring army officers: some reason and good practice for Tanzania

This study explored the ways retiring soldiers prepared or prepare themselves for retirement in Tanzania. A qualitative research was employed whereby active and retired soldiers, ministries responsible for defense and labor as well as members of the Retired Military Experts Association (REMITEA) were interviewed on initiatives, and experiences in preparing soldiers for retirement. It was established that soldiers do prepare themselves for retirement by investing in business, buildings, education, and other training. Starting investing earlier gives a chance for testing ideas, capabilities and building experience. Involvement of the spouse, children and other members of the extended family in income generating activities contribute to building valuable capacity for doing business. However, there is as yet any meaningful transitioning program for soldiers in active service into business or other meaningful engagements. This has left many soldiers retiring ill prepared. In order to improve preparation for retirement, soldiers should develop a habit of saving, good use of little time they get while on service, and plan for appropriate use of their retirement benefits. The government and other stakeholder’s should prepare and run transitioning programs for soldiers, including training, counseling and advice for setting up their own businesses. Access to finance can be facilitated through schemes guaranteed by the soldier's retirement benefits. The government and other stakeholders could organize establishment of large-scale farms and ranches, which could be partitioned in economically viable portions and sold out to interested retiring soldiers, who could then work in co-operatives.