Military Veteran Reintegration

Military Veteran Reintegration: Approach, Management, and Assessment of Military Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Life offers a toolkit for researchers and practitioners on best practices for easing the reintegration of military veterans returning to civilian society. It lays out how transition occurs, identifies factors that promote or impede transition, and operationalizes outcomes associated with transition success. Bringing together experts from around the world to address the most important aspects of military transition, the book looks at what has been shown to work and what has not, while also offering a roadmap for best-results moving forward. Contains evidence-based interventions for military veteran-to-civilian transition Features international experts from North America, Europe and Asia Includes how to measure transition outcomes Outlines recovery programs for the injured and sick Identifies factors that promote or impede successful transition

In American and NATO Veteran Reintegration, MaryCatherine McDonald and Gary Senecal examine mental health issues among former American service members. Data shows that American veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at significantly higher rates than veterans in other NATO ally countries involved in the war in Afghanistan. McDonald and Senecal argue that sociocultural factors, such as military training and civilian culture, have a dramatic impact on these rates.

This book analyzes and discusses the U.S. Military Veteran identity. Throughout seven chapters spanning narrative, literature, theory and analysis, the book combines the author’s own personal story of joining, serving in, and separating from the U.S. military with corresponding research about military transitions, reintegration, Veteran suicides, and psychosocial adjustment challenges. The purpose of the book is to help readers understand Veteran identity in a way that centers the social implications of belonging to and serving in the military institution. In the final chapters of the book, existing theories and models related to military transitions are dissected before a new Model of Veteran Identity Hierarchy as well as a reconceptualization of Veteran identity are presented.

In American and NATO Veteran Reintegration, MaryCatherine McDonald and Gary Senecal examine mental health issues among former American service members. McDonald and Senecal argue that sociocultural factors, such as military training and civilian society, have a dramatic impact on the rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced by veterans.

War creates veterans and societies are reminded by their existence that violent conflicts had been waged in the past. Even when the wars have been long forgotten by many, veterans are the ones whose fate has been tied to war and destruction.Societies often struggle with their veterans, especially when they have to address the former soldiers? traumatic experiences and acknowledge the wounds that hurt beyond the body. While veterans are often a steady reminder of violent conflicts of the past, they are often ignored by their societies, once peace is achieved. Nevertheless, veterans play an important role in postwar contexts as well and their role, their possible influence and impact in the supposedly non-violent world need to be addressed. The present volume discusses the role of veterans in the aftermath of war and shows how they had been treated by and how societies tried to reintegrate them in narratives of the past.

Approximately 4 million U.S. service members took part in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Shortly after troops started returning from their deployments, some active-duty service members and veterans began experiencing mental health problems. Given the stressors associated with war, it is not surprising that some service members developed such mental health conditions as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance use disorder. Subsequent epidemiologic studies conducted on military and veteran populations that served in the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq provided scientific evidence that those who fought were in fact being diagnosed with mental illnesses and experiencing mental healthâ€"related outcomesâ€"in particular, suicideâ€"at a higher rate than the general population. This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the quality, capacity, and access to mental health care services for veterans who served in the Armed Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn. It includes an analysis of not only the quality and capacity of mental health care services within the Department of Veterans Affairs, but also barriers faced by patients in utilizing those services.

When military veterans separate from the military, they face struggles that are hard to understand. Finding their place and a purpose is not as easy as it sounds. The military tells us when we separate there will be people waiting in line to hire us because of our dedication, punctuality, loyalty, work ethic, and the desire to get the job done. That is true for some, but others struggle to find a job or just fit in. Living the Dream is a collection of real stories I have heard in the therapy room, from friends, and acquaintances, trying to become a civilian again. Living the Dream is intended to let military veterans know they are not alone and help civilians understand the culture shock our veterans face once they leave Active Duty. It is my hope this book will encourage society to help veterans find their place and a purpose. --- Fred "Bo" Dunning, M.A., LMFT

After years of dedicated service, leaving might be the hardest mission for any military leader. If you're standing at the threshold of transition, fear and uncertainty are unspoken obstacles that can erode your confidence and excitement for what comes next. If you've already transitioned, you might still be struggling to find your place in society. No matter what you're feeling or where you are in this process, Jason Roncoroni and Dr. Shauna Springer want to partner with you on the journey for what happens next. Jason, an executive coach, and Doc Springer, a licensed psychologist, have combined their expertise and decades of experience to create the most comprehensive guide available for military leaders seeking happiness and fulfillment in life after the military. Beyond the Military applies the military decision-making process to help you confidently navigate transition. This handbook introduces an Integrative Program of Transition to address the critical aspects of transition that nobody else is talking about: optimizing whole health and wellness, social reintegration, cultural assimilation, economic stability, long-term professional development, and close relationship and family adjustment. With Jason as your coach and Doc Springer as your relationship consultant, you'll walk through over 30 exercises designed to help you unleash your full potential outside the uniform.