Veteran Transition Research Articles

The Impact of Adversity on Body Mass Index as Veterans Transition to Civilian Life

ABSTRACT Introduction The impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), warfare exposure, and mental health symptoms upon changes in body mass index (BMI) were examined in a large U.S. post-9/11 veteran sample to assess gender-specific changes in BMI within the first 2½ years after military service. Materials and Methods Data were collected with institutional approval in 6 waves between 2016 and 2019 from veterans who (1) separated from active duty component service branches (i.e., Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps) or National Guard or Reserve or (2) deactivated from active duty status after serving in a National Guard or Reserve component. Veterans self-reported height and weight at separation/deactivation at wave 2, and weight was asked at each subsequent wave. Multilevel growth model analyses estimated the relationship between ACEs, warfare exposure, and mental health symptoms and BMI for males and females. Weighted wave 5 analyses were conducted to ensure the sample was calibrated for nonresponse based on wave 1 and the full sample (n = 48,965) for each cross-classification of the weighting variables of gender, rank, and branch. Results Approximately one-third of the veterans reported a normal BMI at separation/deactivation in comparison to being overweight (51%) or obese (20%). Twenty-six percent of male veterans had a normal BMI in contrast to almost half of the female veterans. Male veterans who experienced 3-7 ACEs had a higher BMI (0.74) compared to male veterans without any ACEs, where a BMI increase of 0.08 per year was reported. Female veterans who experienced 1-2 ACEs had a higher BMI (0.89) compared to female veterans without ACEs. Male veterans who engaged in warfare (e.g., combat patrols and firing a weapon at enemy combatants) and experienced corollaries (i.e., consequences of combat) or who experienced corollaries alone (e.g., saw refugees who lost their homes/belongings) had higher BMIs (1.14 and 0.82, respectively) compared to male veterans without warfare exposure. Female veterans who experienced corollaries had a higher BMI (0.94) compared to female veterans with no warfare exposure. Female veterans who experienced warfare (i.e., corollaries and combat) had a higher BMI (0.71) compared to female veterans with no warfare exposure. Male veterans who screened positive for likely post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depressive symptoms had a higher BMI (1.01 and 0.52, respectively) compared to male veterans who did not screen positive. Male veterans who screened positive for likely PTSD increased their BMI by 0.10 per year. Male veterans who screened positive for both likely PTSD and depressive symptoms had a higher BMI (1.32) compared to male veterans who did not screen positive, and they increased their BMI by 0.21 per year. Female veterans who screened positive for likely PTSD and depressive symptoms had a higher BMI (0.78) and increased their BMI by 0.25 per year compared to female veterans who did not screen positive. Conclusions Boosting veterans’ and service members’ mental and emotional healing from childhood and warfare adversities through sound health promotion policies and increased access to evidence-informed interventions is imperative for optimal body weight and physical health.

Moral Injury as a Precondition for Reconciliation: An Anthropology of Veterans’ Lives and Peacemaking

In this article, I rely on religious existential philosophy to make sense of the moral restoration expressed by combat veterans who engage in reconciliation with former enemies after suffering from moral injury. Moral injury is the persistent feeling of having betrayed one’s deepest moral values. Anthropological research and analyses of combat veterans’ testimony suggest that moral injury may be associated with reconciliation, which is considered here as a manifestation of an inner transformation akin to existential philosophies of striving for moral authenticity. Specifically, it is argued that Thomas Merton’s defense of living a morally authentic life, which constitutes a process of moving from spiritual woundedness to social engagement with the other, parallels the transition of combat veterans involved in postconflict reconciliation efforts. Given this correspondence, existential moral transformation is considered alongside the anthropology of peace for explaining moral injury as a precondition for reconciliation, notably after armed conflict.

Stories of transition: U.S. Veterans’ narratives of transition to civilian life and the important role of identity

Introduction: To date, investigations of Veterans’ transition to civilian life after military service have tended to focus on the experiences of those with mental or physical health difficulties or on employment challenges and homelessness. This study aimed to gain a deep understanding of Veterans’ transition to civilian life, the challenges they face, and the adap-tive and maladaptive ways in which they manage them. Methods: A narrative approach was used to afford the Veterans an opportunity to share their experiences through their transition story. Six male Veterans residing in the Chicagoland area who had left the military between 1 and 12 years earlier were interviewed using a narrative approach. Results: Narrative analysis led to the emergence of three master narratives: narratives of the challenges, narratives of readiness, and narratives of continued military values. The narratives the Veterans shared highlighted not only the importance of practical readiness for transition but also the need for a fundamental addition to how Veteran transition is considered that includes psychological considerations of the impact on identity and the potential for existential crisis. Discussion: Appraising transition only in terms of measurable factors such as employment, living conditions, and health likely over-looks those experiencing psychological challenges and sub-clinical mental health difficulties. The proposed fundamen-tal addition has implications for work with Veterans in various health care settings and for existing transition programs, including a consideration of the role of identity.

Veterans in the workplace: a model of factors affecting veteran transition

PurposeThe aim of this work is to enhance workplace diversity and inclusion by exploring and addressing unique barriers faced by veterans during their transition from military service to civilian occupations.Design/methodology/approachBuilding on existing expatriate theory, we introduce the Veteran Employment Transition (VET) model. Drawing parallels between veterans and expatriates, the model illustrates key antecedents crucial for a successful transitional adjustment.FindingsThe proposed VET model outlines essential factors contributing to successful veteran transitions. These factors include individual factors such as language skills, job and organization factors such as role clarity and nonwork factors.Research limitations/implicationsThe VET model establishes a foundation for future research on veteran transition and answers the call for theory development in the field.Practical implicationsThe insights derived from the VET model offer practical recommendations for designing interventions and transition support programs tailored to the unique needs of returning veterans.Originality/valueThe contribution of this paper lies in the development of the VET model, offering a novel perspective for understanding and addressing the distinctive challenges faced by returning United States (US) military veterans.

ALGORITHM FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF MENTORSHIP SUPPORT FOR WAR VETERANS IN A TERRITORIAL COMMUNITY

In the article there have been studied issues and needs that war veterans and defenders of Ukraine have after demobilization from the service and return to civil life as well as flaws of the acting system of social protection for combatants and persons with disability caused by war. There have been presented the results of implementation of the social project «Mentors for veterans», which has been carried out by the non-governmental organization «Youth institute» in Uzyn municipal territorial community (Kyiv region) in 2023–2024. Under this project, there has been developed and tested the implementation mechanism for mentorship (assistance) institution for veterans at the level of the territorial community, that, at the same time, requires the implementation of three interdependent components, such as: informing local authorities and citizens of the community about the existing problem in transition of veterans to civil life and possible solutions; selection and training of mentors / assistants for veterans; implementation of the mentorship support for veterans on the level of the territorial community. In the article one can find a sequence order for development of a reference book, which includes reliable data about facilities and institutions that work with veterans, defenders of Ukraine and members of their families in the territorial community. This reference book will be useful for specialists in the social sphere during development of the system for information and mentorship support of military servants, who have been dismissed due to health conditions and / or family circumstances and undergo transition to civil life. In the article the sequence of involvement and training of mentors for veterans, contents of the training program for mentors have been explained. The algorithm of mentorship support for veterans, defenders of Ukraine and their family members in the territorial community that has been developed within the framework of the project covers the organization of the interaction between a mentor / an assistant and a veteran in the following order: establishment of contacts with experts in the social sphere, who work with veterans; the first meeting with the veteran (acquaintance, collection of information on needs / issues of veterans; keeping in touch / mentorship support of veterans); support in case of problematic situations; finalization of interaction with the veteran. The algorithm of mentorship support for veterans has been implemented in Uzyn municipal territorial community (Kyiv region) and that has allowed identifying the main conditions for efficient implementation of the mentorship (assistance) institution for veterans in the territorial community. Methodical and organizational forms developed and tested within the project frame will be useful for specialists in the social sphere during development of methodical recommendations and implementation of the assistance institution in the period of transition from military service to civil life and provision of the appropriate social services.

Entrepreneurship Education and its Role in Transitional Entrepreneurship as Veterans Transition From Military to Civilian Life

Programs dedicated to entrepreneurship education of military veterans in the U.S. have expanded remarkably in the last decade. However, much remains to be discovered about the current state of the effectiveness of these programs. This empirical analysis uses the National Survey of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs (NSMAE) ( n = 2649) to investigate the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education and training as veterans transition from military to civilian life. This paper provides evidence that entrepreneurship education and training are significant for individuals during their transition. Our results emphasize the need for greater interdisciplinary research focusing on entrepreneurship education and transitional entrepreneurship to inform and expand theorizing and new policy development in supporting of military veterans.

Conducting ethnographic research in male-dominated environments: Reflections of a(n) (emotional) female researcher

This article contributes to the field of qualitative research by shining a light on the additional and invisible work demanded of female ethnographers undertaking research in male-dominated spaces. It draws on an 18-month ethnographic study exploring the potential of sport and physical activity as a tool to support the transition of male veterans from the military into civilian life. Previous literature has explored the experiences of female ethnographers, hinting at some of this additional necessary work. This study builds upon this, to highlight the invisible and additional management processes required of female ethnographers in male-dominated spaces, including the management of events, managing image and gender performance and the multi-layered demands of managing emotions. This article argues that a greater degree of effort and labour is demanded of female ethnographers, which should be acknowledged in academic writing alongside the provision of support when entering male-dominated research spaces.

Supporting Australian veteran transition: career construction through a person-environment fit perspective

Despite military veterans being recognised as a rich talent pool for employers, evidence suggests that their capabilities are not fully utilised in civilian workplaces, with recent research indicating difficulty finding appropriate jobs and high turnover rates for this population. This study is underpinned by a person-environment fit perspective, and applies career construction theory to explore veterans’ perspectives of key challenges in their significant career transition from military service into the civilian workforce. It identifies ways for HRM professionals to improve integration and ultimately, retention. Interviews were conducted with 31 veterans from the Australian Defence Force who had transitioned from full-time service and had been working in civilian employment for at least six months but no more than three years. The research resulted in the development of a framework for veteran career transition that acknowledges the personal adaptation that occurs throughout this process and informs HR action required to attract and retain this valuable talent segment.

Impact of a Cohort Model on the American Veteran Transition to College

Veteran student populations are on the rise across the U.S. due to benefits from the revised Post 9/11 Government Issue (G.I.) Bill that guarantees financial assistance for housing and education for exiting service members. Institutions seeking integration practices for this student population may fail to acknowledge the multiple identities that veterans bring to the campus community and, thus, do not provide proper social support for this unique student population. The purpose of this case study was to examine how one veteran student cohort program provides support for veterans transitioning to their new student identity, and with retention and degree completion at one large California State University. This instrumental case study was conducted utilizing one-on-one in-depth interviews and archived document review to examine how effective the Veteran Education Program assists veteran students at Fresno State. The findings of this research show how students that partake in a veteran cohort program transition better into the broader campus community. As veterans begin transition into a new college student identity, pre-existing identities compete in the reprioritizing process.

The Relationship between Veterans’ Employment Program Component Use and Career Advancement Over Time

Over the last 5 years or so, as veterans transitioned, they generally fared well in the civilian workforce. There are numerous programs designed to help veterans write a resume, translate their military skills, and practice interviewing. The goal of many of these programs is to aid veterans to find employment. However, many of the program components that are effective for job attainment may also lead to greater job success after initial employment. Participating in employment programs may lead to leaving a job for a better opportunity or receiving a promotion. This study examined the use of employment program components related to content (i.e., what is taught) and process (i.e., how the content is taught). For example, content such as interviewing skills and processes such as mentor/coach may be helpful among this sample of transitioning veterans. This study used an adapted common components approach (Morgan et al., 2018) to examine the degree to which participation in employment program components resulted in opportunities for better employment or promotion over the first 6 to 15 months after veterans transition to civilian life. Employment content components (i.e., resume writing, translating military to civilian work, and career planning) were associated with both leaving a job for a better opportunity and promotion. Mentor/coach was often a significant process component associated with the above content components. These findings can assist program developers, local program implementers, policymakers, and funders to promote the continued use of content and process program components that may further advance veterans’ careers after transition.

Inequality, Military Veteran Transitions, and Beyond: Compensatory Control Theory and Its Application to Real World Social Justice Problems.

Inequality, Military Veteran Transitions, and Beyond: Compensatory Control Theory and Its Application to Real World Social Justice Problems.

Facilitators and challenges to military undergraduate nursing student success

Understanding the broader community of educators and programs involved in the education of military nursing students (MNSs) is needed to develop best practices that support their academic success.The purpose of this study was to 1) identify factors nursing faculty perceived would facilitate and/or challenge the success of MNSs when transitioning to and progressing through baccalaureate nursing programs, and 2) ascertain successful strategies used in teaching and working with these students.A descriptive survey research design was used to collect data from faculty at 26 schools of nursing that received federal funding to support the transition of veterans to a career in nursing. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected, analyzed, and integrated via descriptive statistics and content analysis.The survey was completed by 88 faculty from 19 of the 26 schools. The top four categories for both the facilitators and challenges, based on Jeffreys' (2015) NURS Model, were student affective characteristics, student profile characteristics, professional integration factors, and environmental factors. Programmatic factors were the most commonly cited success strategies, including having culturally competent, knowledgeable, and designated faculty and staff for MNSs.Developing evidence-based strategies to use in teaching and advising MNSs ideally will ensure their academic success.

Student veterans in higher education: The critical role of veterans resource centers

Objective To examine how veterans resource centers (VRCs) and corresponding services influence student veteran transitions by applying the Schlossberg Transition Model. Participants 12 student support staff and 6 junior/senior undergraduate student veterans at a four-year public university in California. Methods In-depth semi-structured, one-on-one interviews were conducted with diverse group of university staff and student veterans. Thematic analyses were conducted to identify salient factors that help promote successful transition to college life. Results Overarching theme was the significance of the university’s veterans resource center (VRC), which is a designated space that facilitates connectedness and student engagement; fosters collaborations across student support services via liaisons to increase access to vital services/resources on/off campus, provides peer-to-peer mentorship; and includes staff, who understand military culture. Conclusions Higher education should expand supporting student veterans by having a VRC to help them successfully transition to college life; this would ultimately improve retention and graduation rates.

Veteran Transition from Military to Civilian Life: Towards a Sociocultural Framework for Social Support

The transition period for reintegrating into the civilian environment can be challenging, posing unique challenges of socialisation and cultural adaptation for young Danish veterans. However, young Danish veterans have not yet been targeted by social support that handles them as a distinct category of veterans. Therefore, this article analyses a widely used Danish framework for social support, the Battlemind-Homemind framework. The article discusses how the framework supports the challenges of young Danish veterans, in order to identify support needs. The framework is found to hold limitations for providing social support in relation to young Danish veterans’ distinct challenges. A case is made for an alternative choice of sociocultural frameworks, specifically transformative learning theory, to understand and support socialisation and cultural adaptation challenges. Transformative learning theory is used to explore social challenges in young Danish veterans’ narratives on transition. The analysis reveals how veterans attempt to deal with social challenges, and how their attempts are limited by three elements: (1) Norms that suggest that people in authority define the culture of environments. (2) A veteran perception that different norms constitute an unstructured environment. (3) Aggression control as a veteran behaviour that limits cultural adaptation. Based on these analyses, social support recommendations to the Danish Defence are provided within three themes: (1) Recognise young Danish veterans as a group facing distinctive challenges. (2) Consider sociocultural frameworks for the conceptual foundations of social support. (3) Increase awareness of challenges in education environments.

Transitions of Student Military Veterans into Engineering Education

As student veterans transition to four-year institutions from the military, they navigate pathways that are often neither linear nor easy. Using Turner’s theory of liminality, we examine student veterans’ perspectives of the transition from military to civilian life. Interviewees include 60 student veterans from all military branches from four universities in the USA. Student veterans describe successes and challenges as they matriculate into engineering education as transfer students. Analyses of qualitative data yield original findings about the importance of mentors and student veteran networks for fostering student veterans’ educational interests and in promoting their persistence. This study uses a framework of liminality to highlight the bridge between prior military position and a forthcoming reentry into society with a new professional identity as an engineer. In describing their studies, student veterans greatly valued military-learned skills, such as patience, discipline, and technical skills, that give them an advantage in their engineering studies. These findings will be relevant to researchers studying transitions in general and researchers investigating veterans or other populations experiencing transitions. University leaders, including student affairs administrators, faculty members, and others who serve the student veteran community will also benefit from the results.

Comparing Work-Related Correlates of Life Satisfaction for Combat Versus Non-Combat Military Veterans

Military veterans (n = 153) completed an on-line survey and were broken down into combat (n = 92) versus non-combat (n = 61) veterans. The combat veterans had higher life satisfaction, perceived occupational alternatives, and education level versus the non-combat veterans. Looking at correlates to life satisfaction, for both samples number of prior traumatic events (negative) and personal accomplishment (positive) were significantly related. In addition, for the combat veterans, highest education level and perceived occupational alternatives were significantly related to life satisfaction. A high percentage of both combat and non-combat veterans were currently going to school to further their education. Working with employed combat and non-combat veterans, those currently going to school to further their education had higher perceived occupational alternatives than veterans not going back. Working with a smaller group of combat versus non-combat respondents who did volunteer work, the non-combat veterans were higher on perceived meaningfulness of volunteer work than the combat veterans. Returning to school can be one way to help military veterans find rewarding meaningful work, through perceived occupational alternatives, which can help to increase their life satisfaction. If increased education is not an option, volunteer work may also lead to higher perceived meaningful work. As veterans transition from military to civilian life, military out-processing should continue to counsel/prepare transitioning veterans for: finding/interviewing for jobs as well as realistic new careers; identifying meaningful voluntary work opportunities; or finding resources for furthering one’s education.

The Association Between Traditional Masculinity Ideology and Predictors of Military to Civilian Transition Among Veteran Men

Although there is ample evidence that endorsement of traditional masculinity ideology may negatively affect veteran men’s military to civilian transition, it remains unclear which specific facets of traditional masculinity are most likely to impede successful transition to civilian life. To better understand the association between traditional masculinity ideology and veteran transition, this study sought to examine the relationship between five facets of traditional masculinity ideology (restrictive emotionality, avoidance of femininity, toughness, dominance, and self-reliance) and four factors associated with difficult veteran transition (posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], depression, perceived social support, and alcohol-related problems) in ( N = 289) veteran men. Results indicate that restrictive emotionality was the most significant contributing facet of traditional masculinity ideology to PTSD, depression, and perceived social support, whereas avoidance of femininity was the masculinity facet most significantly associated with alcohol-related problems. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

Retaining Military Veterans in the Civilian Workforce

With veteran retention rates as low as 20% to 35%, in the first two years post-service transition, organizations need to have a better understanding of the factors that affect veteran churn (Ford, 2017). This high rate of churn has a huge financial impact on employers, costing billions of dollars in addition to the loss of productivity. In addition to the high cost for employers, veterans are also negatively impacted by post-service employment churn with periods of unemployment, difficulty assimilating into civilian culture, a lack of peer and social support, and social isolation. This study provides a systematic review of the literature regarding the factors affecting veteran churn rates and how organizations can increase veteran retention. The findings of this research discussed six common themes that contribute to veteran retention and attrition: social/peer support, culture, mental and physical disabilities and functional impairment, supportive leadership, cultural competency, and mismatched job skills. The themes were viewed through the theoretical lens of social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and Maslow’s (1943) hierarchy of needs. The article provides concrete recommendations for employers that may help to reduce veteran churn, saving employers money and improving the veteran transition process. The recommendations, for employers, on the findings and flow through the theoretical lens and consist of: 1) culturally competent hiring and training, and 2) social/peer support and supportive leadership.

Variability in Transitional Care Outcomes Across Hospitals Discharging Veterans to Skilled Nursing Facilities.

The period after transition from hospital to skilled nursing facility (SNF) is high-risk, but variability in outcomes related to transitions across hospitals is not well-known. Evaluate variability in transitional care outcomes across Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and non-VHA hospitals for Veterans, and identify characteristics of high-performing and low-performing hospitals. Retrospective observational study using the 2012-2014 Residential History File, which concatenates VHA, Medicare, and Medicaid data into longitudinal episodes of care for Veterans. Veterans aged 65 or older who were acutely hospitalized in a VHA or non-VHA hospital and discharged to SNF; 1 transition was randomly selected per patient. Adverse "transitional care" outcomes were a composite of hospital readmission, emergency department visit, or mortality within 7 days of hospital discharge. Among the 365,942 Veteran transitions from hospital to SNF across 1310 hospitals, the composite outcome rate ranged from 3.3% to 23.2%. In multivariable analysis adjusting for patient characteristics, hospital discharge diagnosis and SNF category, no single hospital characteristic was significantly associated with the 7-day adverse outcomes in either VHA or non-VHA hospitals. Very few high or low-performing hospitals remained in this category across all 3 years. The increased odds of having a 7-day event due to being treated in a low versus high-performing hospital was similar to the odds carried by having an intensive care unit stay during the index admission. While variability in hospital outcomes is significant, unmeasured care processes may play a larger role than currently measured hospital characteristics in explaining outcomes.

Post-9/11 Veteran Transitions to Civilian Life: Predictors of the Use of Employment Programs

Post-9/11 veterans indicate that obtaining employment is both a priority and a challenge. Numerous federal, state, community, foundation-funded and corporate programs have been created to assist veterans; however, there is little empirical evidence to know what programming is effective and for whom. This study examined predictors of employment program use among new post-9/11 veterans. Male veterans were less likely to utilize online job databases and resume writing assistance than female veterans. Veterans from the junior enlisted paygrades (E1 to E4) were less likely to use online job databases, career fairs, resume writing assistance, job placement, career counseling, and training or certification programs than more senior enlisted paygrades or officers. Veterans from racial or ethnic minority groups (e.g., Black non-Hispanic, Asian) were more likely to utilize a variety of employment programs than their White non-Hispanic peers. Veterans who were exposed to warfare and those with a current physical health condition were more likely to use employment programs. Moreover, veterans with an ongoing mental health problem were no more likely to use any employment programs than veterans without such problems. To increase the use of employment programs, accessibility and targeted engagement strategies should be developed for veterans of different backgrounds and circumstances. Future directions for the longitudinal analysis of veteran’s utilization of employment programs and their effectiveness in obtaining employment are discussed.