From Soldier to Civvy

From Soldier to Civvy offers a compelling exploration of South Africa’s National Service during the apartheid era. This 302-page Paperback presents the personal experiences of former conscripts in the South African Defence Force (SADF), providing a multifaceted view of military life and its lasting impact.

The book features in-depth accounts from a variety of soldiers, including a reconnaissance specialist (Recce), dog handler, mortarist, paratrooper (Parabat), gunner, loadmaster, military policeman, and marine. These narratives follow each soldier through their full military career, offering insider insights into their roles.

Additionally, a series of candid, often humorous letters from a soldier to his fiancée provides a personal, intimate look into the emotional toll of military service. Interviews with mothers, sisters, wives, and girlfriends add further perspective on how conscription affected families and relationships. The book also examines the long-term effects of service, with reflections from veterans on how their experiences have shaped their civilian lives.

This is the second book in Cameron Blake’s trilogy on the SADF conscript experience, following Troepie: From Call-up to Camps and preceding Troepie Snapshots: Pictorial Recollections of the South African Border War.