Civilian Life Research Articles

From active duty to activism: how moral injury and combat trauma drive political activism and societal reintegration among Israeli veterans.

This article deals with combat experiences and their consequences and could be potentially disturbing. Moral injury (MI) is a severe form of combat trauma that shatters soldiers' moral bearings as the result of killing in war. Among the myriad ways that moral injury affects veterans' reintegration into civilian life, its impact on political and societal reintegration remains largely unstudied but crucial for personal, community, and national health. 13 in-depth interviews examine combat soldiers' exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) that include killing enemy combatants, harming civilians, and betrayal by commanders, the military system, and society. Interviewees also described their political activities (e.g., voting, fundraising, advocacy, protest) and social activism (e.g., volunteering, teaching, charitable work). Interviewees also completed the Moral Injury Symptom Scale. Two distinct narratives process PMIEs. In a humanitarian narrative, soldiers hold themselves or their in-group morally responsible for perpetrating, witnessing, or failing to prevent a morally transgressive act such as killing or injuring civilians or placing others at unnecessary risk. In contrast, a national security perspective blames an out-group for leaving soldiers with no choice but to act in ways that trigger moral distress. Associated with shame and guilt, the humanitarian perspective triggered amends-making and social activism after discharge. In contrast, a national security perspective associated with anger and frustration fostered protest and intense political activism. Despite its harmful health effects, moral trauma and injury can drive intense political and social activism, depending upon the narrative veterans adopt to interpret PMIEs. Aside from moral injury's personal, familial, and social effects, moral injury drives veterans' return to the political arena of civil society. As such, veterans play a central role in politics and dramatically affect post-war policy in democratic nations following conflict.

Inclusion of the military in the national social and economic space

Methods. In the course of study, the following methods were used: comparative analysis – in analyzing the inclusion of veterans in the socio-economic space of countries where there is a significant number of military personnel returning from conflict zones or discharged from military service; method of analysis and synthesis – in determining the directions of military inclusion in the national socio-economic space; method of classifications – in identifying the main types of business that may be most favorable for Ukrainian veterans in their integration into the national economy; induction and deductions – when formulating research conclusions. Results. The article defines the need and role of military inclusion in the social environment for the stability and development of the country. The reasons and directions for the inclusion of Ukrainian veterans in the socio-economic space of the country are identified to ensure the psychological and social well-being of veterans, the effective use of human capital, political stability, cultural integration and social justice. It is substantiated that Ukraine should develop measures to fight for a person and for the humanity in working with the military and the population affected by combat operational stress, and create a unified system for the treatment and socialization of war veterans. It is established that the choice of future business depends on the individual skills, interests and experience of veterans, as well as on market conditions and available resources in the country. The author emphasizes the need for support from the state and public organizations to ensure the successful start and development of business by former military personnel. The author summarizes that stimulating business for veterans in Ukraine requires a comprehensive approach that includes financial, educational, consulting, information and infrastructure support. This will help veterans successfully integrate into the economic life of the country and contribute to its development. Novelty. It is proved that the inclusion of former military personnel in the socio-economic space of the country in the context of the social, economic and political plane will shape Ukraine as a country dominated by inclusive development in general, and for veterans will facilitate their integration into civilian life and their active involvement in the development of the country. Practical value. The results of the study can be used by institutions in the process of developing strategies and programs for the inclusion of veterans in the socio-economic space at both the regional and national levels of the country.

The challenges of leaving: Reintegration difficulties and negative mental health outcomes in UK Armed Forces Veterans residing in Northern Ireland

LAY SUMMARY Community reintegration refers to the period during which a person transitions from military service to civilian life. In the United Kingdom, understanding of the mental health impacts of community reintegration is limited because of the lack of research in this area. This study explored the extent to which a range of different aspects of community reintegration difficulties predicted the likelihood of experiencing several mental health disorders among 626 Northern Ireland Veterans. Results demonstrated that reintegration difficulties significantly predicted clinically relevant levels of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and problematic alcohol use (even when other known risk factors for mental ill health among Veteran populations were considered). Reintegration difficulties in relation to interpersonal relationships was the most detrimental aspect of reintegration in terms of mental ill health. Findings demonstrated that difficulties reintegrating into civilian life after military service are a significant risk factor for a range of mental health disorders, underscoring the importance of interventions aimed at supporting military personnel during this time.

Traffic Police Management to support Security, Safety, Order and Smoothness (Kamseltibcar Lantas) in DKI Jakarta Province, Indonesia

The work of police as an institution is clear, to ensure safety, balance, order, and justice in a society. This paper will dive into the role of traffic police management and community policing to ensure order in DKI Jakarta. Policemen in Jakarta have different roles and different targets to achieve, some work to ensure justice is served to criminals and perpetrators by conducting investigations on reports. Some oversee daily lives of civilians in the province by ensuring traffic laws are being obeyed, and other activities that involve the lives of civilians. This concept is more recognized as community policing. In this study, qualitative methods through data collection and interviews are used in the research methods. Public and community transportation will also be taken into consideration as one of the concepts in the study as it is used as the theoretical lens.

Architectures of Terror

International Relations theory, in spite of having undergone several epistemic iterations, continues to analyze urban warfare via outdated perspectives. This is exemplified in the state-centric analyses that dominate the literature on the history of Israel-Palestine. There is an overwhelming concentration on policy and belligerent behaviors and little to no consideration of anthropocentric perspectives. This results in a near-total exclusion of human suffering from discussions of the conflict and its impacts on everyday civilian life, which in turn heavily alters the socio-political foundations. The academic domains of critical theory and human geography have, however, made good progress in capturing the severity of these discourses, enabling a nuanced understanding of the manner in which conflict management takes place. This paper aims to unify these perspectives and in so doing, expand the grammar of realpolitik – identifying it as a competent domain of IR that primarily focuses on conflict and its modalities. Making use of diffractive reading and analysis, this paper showcases the impact of realpolitik from the perspective of those affected. The aim is to inject empathy into contemporary mainstream discussions that deal with complex geopolitical situations such as Israel-Palestine. To that end, post-structuralist perspectives from continental philosophy, human and critical geography and affect theory are employed. Additionally, the philosophy of realism is theorized to be the epistemic foundation of realpolitik, and is subsequently dissected. The paper concludes by arguing for interdisciplinary approaches into the existing subject matter of realpolitik, a re-evaluation of the epistemic foundations and reflections on practical novelties. Note that this paper in no way aims to suggest political solutions, legal interventions or strategic shifts, but rather interprets the methods of urban warfare used by the Israeli Defense Forces, which defies traditional operational logic.

Retirement Preparedness: An Exploration of Coping Strategies and Psychological Resilience of Military Personnel Approaching Retirement

Military careers demand unwavering dedication and sacrifice, with retirement marking a significant transition to civilian life. This dissertation explores coping strategies, resilience, and retirement preparedness among Indian military personnel nearing retirement. Drawing on the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, it examines how stressors, coping, and adaptation intersect during retirement. A literature review underscores the challenges of military retirement and the importance of coping and resilience. Using a quantitative approach, the study assesses coping and resilience in military personnel aged 40 to 60 approaching retirement. Findings reveal insights into coping strategies, resilience levels, and retirement readiness, informing policies and interventions to support military retirees. This research advances understanding of the transition from military to civilian life, addressing the unique needs of retiring military personnel.

USA EXPERIENCE REGARDING THE REINTEGRATION OF WAR VETERANS INTO CIVILIAN LIFE

The article summarizes the experience of the United States regarding the reintegration of veterans into civilian life, namely: the peculiarities of regulatory and legal regulation and the main directions of veteran policy. It was established that the American legislation uses two terms –«veteran» and «active military serviceman», while in Ukraine – «combatant», «military serviceman», «war veteran», «war participant». The American practice of military reintegration into civilian life involves mandatory participation in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). The main directions of military reintegration into civilian life in the USA, which are under the competence of the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor, are: social adaptation; psychological support; professional retraining; support with housing. Social adaptation includes social communication, social support and formation of new social skills. Psychological support includes specialized support and treatment. Professional retraining of veterans is the acquisition of new professional qualifications through the acquisition of additional education or skills. Support with housing includes providing a loan for the purchase of housing, maintenance and adaptation of houses to new requirements in case of disability.It has been established that the USA is a country where «military social work» was formed, which is understood as a specialized practice of social work that provides support to military personnel, war veterans and their family members. Military social workers provide a range of services (counseling, crisis intervention, supervision), conduct training and coaching, and organize presentations of special client health support events to colleagues at all levels. Regarding the provision of social benefits, the USA has an exclusive approach to veterans policy – welfare programs for veterans operate separately from programs for the general population. The current system of benefits for veterans in the United States is complex.

Perceived stress and personal growth following the transition to military service: The role of sense of coherence and perceived social support.

Relying on personal growth and structuration theories, we aimed to examine the internal (sense of coherence/SOC and help-seeking/HS) and external (perceived social support) resources that contribute to soldiers' personal growth following the transition to military service. We also investigated the role that perceived social support plays in moderating the relationship between SOC and personal growth, and between HS and personal growth. Two-hundred-and-seventy-one compulsory service soldiers (of whom 135 were men and 136 were women) completed self-report questionnaires between 6 and 12months post-recruitment. The results showed both linear and curvilinear associations between soldiers' perceived stress and personal growth; SOC, HS, and perceived social support were positively correlated with personal growth; and perceived social support moderated both SOC and HS correlations with personal growth. Empirical evidence of personal growth in the transition to military service has been scant. Transitioning from civilian life to military service can be stressful and even traumatic but it can also provide opportunities for personal development. Our findings shed light on contributors to personal growth in the transition to military service, with both internal and external resources found to help one gain personal growth. It is evident that in order for soldiers to thrive, both perceived social support and active help-seeking are key factors.

Feasibility and acceptability of caring contacts texts for suicide prevention among veterans recently separated from military service.

The primary purpose of this single-arm mixed-methods pilot trial was to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a text message-based version of Caring Contacts, Caring Contacts texts (CC-t), among veterans recently separated from military service. Twenty-four veterans (Mage = 32.92, SD = 8.16; 75% male; 50% Black; 91.7% non-Hispanic/Latinx) were recruited through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and enrolled in CC-t, which involved approximately five text messages sent by the study team expressing care and concern over the course of 3 months. Participants completed pre- and postintervention assessments and an interview, during which self-reported feasibility and acceptability of CC-t, and preliminary effects of CC-t on health care engagement and suicide risk were assessed. Self-reported feasibility and acceptability of CC-t were also assessed among VA staff involved in the study. Among veterans and VA staff, scores on the Feasibility of Intervention Measure (M = 17.91 and M = 15.67, respectively) and Acceptability of Intervention Measure (M = 18.19; M = 19.33, respectively) were above the mean, suggesting that CC-t was easy to engage in or implement and was well-tolerated. These findings were reinforced in the qualitative feedback, which suggested that veterans found the text messages to be comfortable, convenient, and had a positive impact on their mood. Quantitative results provided preliminary evidence for improved veteran health care engagement following CC-t. CC-t appears to be feasible and acceptable among veterans and VA staff and holds promise as a primary suicide prevention for veterans making the transition from military service to civilian life. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Трагедия в чеченском Хайбахе: память поколений (социологический анализ)

This article delves into the tragedy that occurred in the village of Khaybakh in the Galanchozhsky district of the Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (1944), stemming from the determination of NKVD personnel to execute the order of absolute deportation of Chechens at any cost, even at the expense of many hundreds of civilian lives. The author portrays the events as a source of historical trauma for the Chechen ethnic group. Analogies are drawn between the events in the village of Khaybakh and the Holocaust, as well as the tragedies in the Czech village of Lidice and the Belarusian village of Khatyn. The issue of the commemorative field is delineated, analyzing the peculiarities of how present generations in the Chechen Republic perceive historical events related to ethnic genocide in 1944. It is noted that the level of awareness among young respondents about the tragedy is low. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of educational efforts to preserve the memory of the past to prevent its recurrence. Additionally, the focus is on conducting informational campaigns on social media platforms to combat attempts to falsify history and intentionally distort historical facts. The tragedy in Khaybakh serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of unchecked power and the importance of preserving historical memory. By actively engaging with the past and confronting historical injustices, societies can strive towards a more just and equitable future.

The military-strategic rationality of hybrid warfare: Everyday total defence under strategic non-peace in the case of Sweden

Abstract This article explores the emergence of new military-strategic rationalities in relation to conceptions of hybrid warfare in the grey zone through a case study of Sweden’s reinstatement of total defence since 2015. Through a governmentality-inspired approach, I analyse what it means for the organisation of a new total defence when one of the main threats to be dealt with is daily antagonistic but highly ambiguous hybrid attacks. I illustrate how conceptions of an ambiguous strategic non-peace entails a move beyond war preparedness into urgent demands for an everyday active total defence that hinges on a ‘martialisation’ of civilian life. This in turn run the risk of challenging fundamental democratic principles and civil liberties. The analysis contributes to an increased understanding and uncovering of the politics made possible by a military-strategic rationality geared towards hybrid threats in the grey zone – which in the Swedish case has resulted in a historically specific version of total defence that builds on a highly diffused and rather extreme form of decentralised defence.

STEP-Home transdiagnostic group reintegration workshop to improve mental health outcomes for post-9/11 Veterans: Design, methods, and rationale for a randomized controlled behavioral trial

BackgroundMany post-9/11 U.S. combat Veterans experience difficulty readjusting to civilian life after military service, including relationship problems, reduced work productivity, substance misuse, and increased anger control problems. Mental health problems are frequently cited as causing these difficulties, driven by unparalleled rates of mild traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress, and other co-occurring emotional and physical conditions. Given the high prevalence of multimorbidity in this cohort, acceptable, non-stigmatizing, transdiagnostic interventions targeting reintegration are needed. The STEP-Home reintegration workshop has the potential to significantly improve skills to foster civilian reintegration, increase engagement in VA services, and improve mental health outcomes in Veterans with and without diagnosed clinical conditions. Methods/designOngoing from 2019, a prospective, two-site, randomized trial of 206 post-9/11 U.S. military Veterans randomized to receive either 12 sessions of the STEP-Home transdiagnostic reintegration workshop (SH; Active Intervention) or Present Centered Reintegration Group Therapy (PCRGT; Active Control Intervention). Primary outcomes are reintegration, anger, and emotional regulation post-intervention and at 3-months post-intervention. Secondary outcomes include measures of mental health, functional and vocational status, and cognition. ConclusionThis study addresses an important gap in transdiagnostic interventions to improve civilian reintegration in post-9/11 Veterans. STEP-Home is designed to promote treatment engagement and retention, opening the door to critically needed VA care, and ultimately reducing long-term healthcare burden of untreated mental health illness in U.S. Veterans.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: D2907-R.

No Women's Land: Australian Women Veterans' Experiences of the Culture of Military Service and Transition.

Women's experiences of military service and transition occur within a highly dominant masculinized culture. The vast majority of research on military veterans reflects men's experiences and needs. Women veterans' experiences, and therefore their transition support needs, are largely invisible. This study sought to understand the role and impact of gender in the context of the dominant masculinized culture on women veterans' experiences of military service and transition to civilian life. In-depth qualitative interviews with 22 Australian women veterans elicited four themes: (1) Fitting in a managing identity with the military; (2) Gender-based challenges in conforming to a masculinized culture-proving worthiness, assimilation, and survival strategies within that culture; (3) Women are valued less than men-consequences for women veterans, including misogyny, sexual harassment and assault, and system failures to recognize women's specific health needs and role as mothers; and (4) Separation and transition: being invisible as a woman veteran in the civilian world. Gendered military experiences can have long-term negative impacts on women veterans' mental and physical health, relationships, and identity due to a pervasive masculinized culture in which they remain largely invisible. This can create significant gender-based barriers to services and support for women veterans during their service, and it can also impede their transition support needs.

Reintegration of cyber veterans: challenges and strategies for post-war transition.

Battles in the cyber domain often lack visibility compared to the physical domain, which can lead to insufficient appreciation of its actors' achievements by the general public and society. Nonetheless, it has become a crucial area of modern warfare in which cyber professionals defend the nation's critical infrastructure, support other military operations and achieve military objectives that could not be attained in other domains. Although cyber combatants might not have as high a risk of injury or death as those on the front lines, they still can face traumatic events and suffer from the same types of issues after the war as any other veteran. Earlier studies on war veterans have shown they have elevated risks of mental health issues, substance use, social problems and financial difficulties which might push some individuals towards a path of crime. The cyber domain is also not limited by time or place, which has given rise to cyber volunteerism in which skilled individuals around the globe decide to assist their own country or friendly nations. This publication aims to identify the challenges cyber veterans might face when transitioning back to civilian life and develop appropriate strategies to facilitate their reintegration. It also raises the awareness of the hundreds of thousands of volunteers who can develop similar problems after the war. Without proper awareness, support and dialogue, some of these individuals can also drift towards harmful social implications such as cybercrime.

Unmet occupational needs of first responders transitioning to retirement

ABSTRACT First responders have high-stress jobs, identify with their professions’ crisis management actions, and yet are highly communal in their work life. They are often unprepared for retirement and transition to civilian life. As a result, their occupational needs are mostly unsatisfied. We employed a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to understand the lived experience of retirement transition among first responders. Data were collected in four focus groups with 15 first responders. A hermeneutical spiral guided the exploration of the data in a back-and-forth and parts-to-whole-text approach to search for new insights via a three-step thematic analysis process. Four themes and nine subthemes emerged from data analysis. Supersuit painted a picture of self-identity tied to the first responder role. Civilian detailed first responders’ transition from public safety to civilian life. The Door Shuts described accounts of a fast work exit without proper retirement preparation and post-retirement care. Staying Busy explained the importance of occupational engagement in retirement. The research findings pointed to unmet occupational, human needs of doing, being, becoming, and belonging, and struggles in retirement transition among retired first responders. Occupational engagement and social participation in retirement appeared to be crucial in meeting those needs and alleviating substantial challenges of retirement transition. We conclude with recommendations for future research and program development to assist first responders to an occupationally rich retirement.

Soldier of Destiny: Slavery, Secession, and the Redemption of Ulysses S. Grant

In 1854, U.S. Army Captain Ulysses S. Grant underwent a demoralizing stretch in his military career. Following his service in the Mexican American War, the Army transferred Grant to the isolated Fort Humboldt in northern California. Separated from his wife, Julia, and their two children, Grant suffered intense bouts of loneliness and occasionally turned to alcohol for reprieve. Grant’s drinking eventually bled into his work, and his superior officer forced his resignation after Grant arrived at a pay meeting hungover. He returned home in shame, and many, including his father Jesse, had lost faith in him. Few would have expected that, a mere ten years later, Grant would save the Union from political schism and become the first Lieutenant General of the U.S. Army since George Washington. For John Reeves, the decade between Grant’s resignation in 1854 and his accession to Lieutenant General in 1864 constituted the most critical juncture in Grant’s life, but scholars have not given these years adequate focus. Reeves’s book follows Grant’s life during this time and documents his family ties to both North and South, his multiple attempts to find a new career in antebellum civilian life, and his eventual reentry and redemption in the Union Army.

Suicidal behavior in combat veterans with mood disorders

AbstractIntroduction. Military conflicts are ubiquitous. There are many combat veterans around the world. The combat environment is characterized by violence, physical strains, separation from loved ones, and other hardships. Mood disorders and suicidality in combat veterans are a large and important issue.ObjectivesTo discuss the pathophysiology and prevention of suicidal behavior in combat veterans with mood disordersMethods A review of the literature on suicidal behavior in combat veterans with mood disorders including own publications.ResultsCombat deployment may lead to multiple emotional, cognitive, psychosomatic symptoms, mood disorders, suicidal ideation and behavior. Pre-deployment, deployment and post-deployment adversities may increase risk of mood disorders and suicide in combat veterans. The act of killing in combat is a stressor which may raise suicide risk. Combat-related injuries are associated with significantly increased depression and suicide risk. Post-deployment difficulties of reintegrating into civilian life may lead to depression and suicidality. Studies suggest that suicidal behavior in combat veterans may have a neurobiological basis. Prevention of mood disorders and suicide among combat veterans should include pre-deployment screening to exclude individuals with psychiatric disorders; psychological support and prevention of harassment and/or abuse during deployment; psychosocial support after deployment; diagnosing and treating psychiatric and medical disorders including neurological disorders; frequent depression and suicide screening; education of mental and non-mental health clinicians, war veterans, their families and friends regarding signs/symptoms of mood disorders and suicidality; and restriction of access to lethal means.ConclusionCombat veterans are a unique population. They are frequently exposed to psychological, physical, and biological factors which are unusual for civilians or non-combat military veterans. We need to study the specific psychobiology of combat veterans to understand how to develop effective depression and suicide prevention interventions for this population.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Innovative approaches in the rehabilitation of military prisoners of war and residents of temporarily occupied territories

Background. As of January 4, 2024, 2828 military personnel and civilians have been released from Russian captivity [1, 2]. All of them require rehabilitation, both physical and psychological. Considering the large number of military and civilian individuals facing psychological difficulties due to war-related traumas and stressful situations, the development of innovative rehabilitation methods becomes a strategically important task. Taking into account the complexity of the causes of armed conflicts, it is evident that special programs and measures need to be developed for the psychological rehabilitation of servicemen who have experienced psychologically traumatic conditions during military-professional activities. Special attention should be given to the development of individualized approaches that consider the unique needs and experiences of each affected individual, providing them with the opportunity to recover not only physically but also psychologically. Among the main directions of psychological rehabilitation of the personality, a reevaluation of practices focused on self-identification and autonomy is considered. This includes the exploration of new communicative territories and the creation of meanings in accordance with the stage of the life path. It is noted that the construction of new meanings and their personal interpretation is facilitated during a productive, symmetrical dialogue between the traumatized individual and the psychotherapist. Such dialogue helps reconstruct life history, transform an extraordinary event into one of the elements of a series of events, and accept a new demarcation of boundaries between peaceful and war experiences, pre-war and present friends, former and current values, plans, and preferences. The purpose of the paper is to highlight the research on the development of integrated and effective support aimed at the physical, mental and social recovery of prisoners of war and civilians who were in the temporarily occupied territories. Materials and Methods. Meta-analysis; interviews, history taking; medical assessment of physical condition; assessment of mental condition, namely psychiatric examination; psychological assessment – questionnaire to determine the level of stress, anxiety, depression and other mental symptoms. Results. A significant number of prisoners of war and individuals who have been in temporarily occupied territories or captivity require targeted psychological rehabilitation measures. According to the results of numerous studies, 70% of individuals still experience maladaptation one to two years later. This is manifested in the inability to adapt to civilian life, including symptoms such as fear, high levels of anxiety, lack of optimism and activity in various situations, as well as problems with alcohol, drugs, and others [3–5]. Conclusions. The study of innovative approaches to the rehabilitation of prisoners of war and persons from the temporarily occupied territories confirms the need for individualized strategies that facilitate their return to normal functioning in society.

Highly stable mixed-phase Cs-Cu-I films with tunable optoelectronic properties for UVB photodetector applications.

Ultraviolet (UV) photodetector plays an important role in military, civilian and people's daily life, and is an indispensable part of spectral detection. However, photodetectors target at the UVB region (280-320 nm) are rarely reported, and the devices detected by medium-wave UV light generally have problems such as low detection rate, low sensitivity, and poor stability, which are difficult to meet the market application needs. Herein, Cs-Cu-I films with mixed-phase have been prepared by vacuum thermal evaporation. By adjusting the proportion of evaporation sources (CsI and CuI), the optical bandgaps of mixed-phase Cs-Cu-I films can be tuned between 3.7 eV and 4.1 eV. This absorption cut-off edge is exactly at both ends of the UVB band, which indicating its potential application in the field of UVB detection. Finally, the photodetectors based on Cs-Cu-I/n-Si heterojunction are fabricated. The photodetector shows good spectral selectivity for UVB band, and has a photoresponsivity of 22 mA/W, a specific detectivity of 1.83*1011 Jones, an EQE over 8.7% and an on/off ratio above 20.

From Contract Surgeon to Town Doctor: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Light Herr

Objectives The life and legacy of Dr. Martin L. Herr of Lancaster, PA helps to correct the popular perception that contract surgeons in the Civil War were nothing more than quacks and butchers when in fact they proved to be courageous and competent physicians essential to give medical care to overwhelming numbers of casualties. Methods Personal papers and archives of ML Herr in the Lancaster Historical Society (Lancaster, PA) were reviewed. Results ML Herr obtained his medical training and degree while serving as a contract surgeon during the Civil War. He transformed that experience to become a community leader and town physician and surgeon. His legacy helps to restore the reputation of contract surgeons to the honor they deserve. Conclusions Dr. ML Herr served both his fellow man and his community with distinction during the Civil War and in civilian life. He left the army, his country, the people of Lancaster, his family, and his profession better off because of his presence.