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. 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.

In War & Homecoming: Veteran Identity and the Post-9/11 Generation, Travis L. Martin explores how a new generation of veterans is redefining what it means to come home. More than 2.7 million veterans served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their homecomings didn't include parades or national celebrations. Instead, when the last US troops left Afghanistan, American veterans raised millions of dollars for the evacuation of Afghan refugees, especially those who'd served alongside them. This brand of selflessness is one reason civilians regard veterans with reverence and pride. The phrase "thank you for your service" is ubiquitous. Yet, one in ten post-9/11 veterans struggles with substance abuse. Fifteen to twenty veterans die by suicide every day. Veterans aged eighteen to thirty-four die at the highest rates, leading advocates to focus on concepts like moral injury and collective belonging when addressing psychic wounds. Martin argues that many veterans struggle due to decades of stereotyping and a lack of healthy models of veteran identity. In the American unconscious, veterans are treated as either the superficially praised "hero" or the victimized "wounded warrior," forever defined by past accomplishments. They are often appropriated as symbols in competing narratives of national identity. War & Homecoming critically examines representations of veterans in patriotic rhetoric, popular media, literature, and the lives of those who served. From this analysis, a new veteran identity emerges—veterans as storytellers who reject stereotypes, claim their symbolic authority, and define themselves through literature, art, and service. Their dynamic approach to life after military service allows for continued growth, agency, individuality, and inspiring examples of resilience for others.

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

Many veterans face varying degrees of reintegration difficulties after exiting a military career. These can be minor obstacles, such as learning how to prepare a resume for future employment, to severe hindrances such as substance abuse and outbursts of violence. However, the ultimate reintegration issue is veteran suicide. As of 2016, the Department of Veterans Affairs determined that 20 veterans commit suicide per day in the United States. There are few research studies that examine how veterans who are dealing with severe reintegration difficulties transition from a negative lifestyle, to becoming healthy and mentally whole. This study uses narrative inquiry as a method, analyzing the narratives of nine veterans and their stories of crossing from the Upside Down, to the Right Side Up way of living. Specifically, this study explores how these veterans formed a new identity through pivotal moments of self-realization. By investigating the patterns of communication veterans engage in as they transition to the Right Side Up, this research offers insight about feeling alien, experiencing scrambled communication, battling self and others, locating ground zero, realizing, connecting, transforming, and lingering. The narrative construction of each individual veteran’s narrative reveals the ways they communicate through the difficulties of veteran reintegration as well as communicative strategies that may help future veterans create a healthier life full of purpose and hope.

While women have played critical roles in the military since the American Revolution, they were not offered veteran status until the last few decades. The concept of a female veteran is relatively new, and one that many female service members have not recognized themselves. The current study examined the factors impacting female service members' ability to construct a veteran identity following their separation from the military. The study also investigated whether the female service members' veteran identity influenced their preference and use of Veteran Health Administration (VA) hospitals and clinics, and how well they reintegrated back into civilian society after their service. This study used a mixed-method design that included a descriptive statistical survey and a correlational analysis of 128 women veteran participants. The study found a positive correlation between women's veteran identity and preference of VA health care services. However, the findings did not support the hypothesis that women's veteran identity is negatively correlated with reintegration. Further ancillary analyses were conducted in order to gain additional information on variables that may influence women's veteran identity, use of VA services, and reintegration.

This edited book presents a synthesis of current international knowledge on the topic of military veteran transition to civilian life. Understanding the transition of individuals from military institutions to civilian life is of great importance. The essential elements of transition support are currently widely debated in order to assess current practice and potential shortcomings in the intention to improve health, welfare and social outcomes for military veterans. This text links original research and critical commentary to public policy and practice in the area of veteran transition. Doing so through a collection of international perspectives assists in locating continuity and difference between strategies, agendas and the realities of what is actually known of the veteran’s experience. Chapters in this text examine the subject of transition along lines of enquiry that focus in on themes such as social justice, veteran identity and developments in transition agendas. Globally, many veterans face complex social issues such as low income, barriers to employment, and problems of health and welfare. Chapters take stock of the real-world issues affecting veterans and at the same time casts a critical eye over the limitations in accessing, or denial of access to opportunities, support and remedy. The veteran identity is an important dimension of enquiry here. This book looks at the relational factors between the veteran and the public, the creation of a master status and the challenges faced by veterans in transitioning into a cultural context that is saturated with imagery of what a veteran ‘is’. Chapters also seek to pose recommendations as to how the policy and practice agenda that surrounds veterans and the bridging of the gap between military and civilian life may be developed. Here authors point towards the value of knowledge, research and analysis that is underpinned by participatory strategies with veterans themselves. For example, seeking to establish lines of enquiry that value the voice of veterans as an ongoing and iterative dimension of developing understanding.