Military and Veterans Studies Commons^™

Preparing Spiritually Resilient Warriors In The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, Vic Morris

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

Morris, Victor E. “Preparing Spiritually Resilient Warriors in the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.” Doctor of Ministry. Major Applied Project, Concordia Seminary, 2024. 285 pp.

The Canadian Armed Forces has outcomes and expectations for warriors to be spiritually resilient but does not have a training program that has been researched, tested, and validated to achieve this. This study investigates how chaplains can prepare spiritually resilient warriors in CANSOFCOM. A chaplain-led spiritual resilience course was created and delivered to CANSOFCOM members. The course was aligned with the holistic wellness strategy of OPF2, and designed as an inductive, experiential learning experience. An …

The Abusive Effects Of Trauma On Leadership Styles And Performance, Robert Kraft

Doctor of Ministry Major Applied Project

This Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Major Applied Project (MAP) investigates the relationship between toxic leadership in the military and trauma, particular how trauma can have negative, abusive effects on leadership style and performance. Most research in this area addresses trauma in postvention. This MAP addresses trauma’s potential effect on leadership style and explores the use of a pre-emptive, preventative training. Leadership theory is explored as well as trauma in the form of mental disorders, such as PTSD and narcissism. The author’s experience as an ordained pastor of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, serving as an Army Chaplain, revealed the value of …

The Employment Situation Of Veterans: November 2024, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

In November, employment increased by 227,000, with the unemployment rate remaining steady at 4.2%. Veteran unemployment showed mixed trends, with post-9/11 veteran unemployment slightly decreasing to 3.1% and significant variations across different age and demographic groups. Notably, the unemployment rate for Black or African American veterans decreased significantly, while the rate for veterans aged 18-24 increased.

Organizational Toxicity: Exploring Factors That Cultivate Toxicity In Air Force Maintenance Organizations And Their Impact On Enlisted Airmen, Bryan Keith Wong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Workplace toxicity negatively impacts organizations and harms employees within those organizations. However, each organization is subject to various influences and contexts, and understanding toxicity within specific contexts provides practitioners with the knowledge of its origin, influential factors, and how to respond. The U.S. Air Force is rich in culture and subcultures; it is also subject to toxicity, which is affected by several military-unique factors. Yet, toxicity in the military has been primarily explored through the leadership lens with limited insights into other influential elements, such as followers and the workplace environment. Additionally, little attention has been placed on the effects …

Veteran Certification: Debunking Myths And Streamlining Processes, Misty Stutsman-Fox, Barbara Carson, John Perez, Rosalinda V. Maury

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This paper affirms the continued intent of the IVMF and CVOB to demystify and help streamline the VOB certification process by advocating for the establishment of either one nationally recognized certification, or a unified verification process where all certifying bodies work together towards a reciprocal solution.

Ua94/6/1 Pershing Rifles & Rebelettes Reunion Photo Album, Stewart Wade

Student/Alumni Personal Papers

Digital photograph album created from Pershing Rifles & Rebelettes reunion photos.

The Employment Situation Of Veterans: October 2024, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

In October 2024, U.S. employment grew modestly by 12,000, and the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.1%. Veteran unemployment slightly increased to 2.8%, with post-9/11 veteran unemployment rising to 3.2%, though trends varied across different age and demographic groups. Notably, the unemployment rate for younger veterans (18-24) dropped significantly, while Black or African American veterans saw a sharp rise, and Hispanic veterans experienced a decline.

Veteran Health Equity: Reflecting On Patient Experiences And Unmet Health Needs Among Veterans Of Color, Mariah Brennan, Jeanette Harvie, Deborah Bradbard, Rosalinda V. Maury

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

Research has consistently demonstrated the presence and severity of racial health disparities in the U.S., particularly for Black Americans. Many of the root causes of these disparities are complex and are associated with various forms of structural discrimination. This study examines the health experiences of veterans of color, particularly their interactions in the VA and Military Health system to better understand racial/ethnic disparities across disease burden, mortality, and indicators of patient healthcare experiences. This mixed-methods study included an online survey (n=219) and virtual focus groups and one-on-one interviews (n=17). Overall, a majority of study participants had positive patient experiences from …

Research Review: "Military Service And Political Participation In The United States: Institutional Experience And The Vote", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research review highlights findings from a study of U.S. veteran voting participation. This study finds that military service is associated with greater voter participation. Holding socioeconomic and demographic characteristics constant, veterans are more likely to vote than non-veterans. Non-Hispanic white and African American veterans are more likely to vote than their non-veteran peers and Hispanic veterans with lower educational attainment are more likely to vote than Hispanic non-veterans but the effect of military service on the propensity to vote decreases as educational attainment increases. The effect of military service on increasing voter participation is strongest among those with less …

Duration, Cost, And Escalation Of Care Events For Physical Therapy Management Of Low Back Pain In Service Members With Limb Loss, Brittney M. Gunterstockman, Brad D. Hendershot, Joseph Kakyomya, Charity G. Patterson, Christopher L. Dearth, Shawn Farrokhi

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction Physical therapy (PT) is recommended as a primary treatment for low back pain (LBP), a common and impactful musculoskeletal condition after limb loss. The purpose of this brief report is to report the duration and cost of PT care, and subsequent escalation of care events, for LBP in service members with and without limb loss. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective cohort, descriptive study. Service members with and without limb loss (matched) who received PT for LBP at a military treatment facility from 2015 to 2017 were included. Duration of PT care, number of PT visits, and escalation …

The Employment Situation Of Veterans: September 2024, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

In September 2024, U.S. employment rose by 254,000, with the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.1%. Veterans experienced notable improvements, with overall unemployment dropping to 2.7% from 3.5% in August, and specific age and demographic groups seeing varying trends—such as a decrease in unemployment for younger veterans and a significant drop for female veterans. While some subgroups, like Hispanic veterans, had higher unemployment rates than their nonveteran peers, Black veterans saw lower unemployment than their counterparts.

Book Review: The Ballad Of Roy Benavidez: The Life And Times Of America’S Most Famous Hispanic War Hero, Wylie W. Johnson

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Author: William Sturkey

Reviewed by Dr. Wylie W. Johnson, chaplain, colonel (US Army, retired), US Army War College Class of 2010

Dr. Wylie W. Johnson presents a review of a recent publication on one of the most celebrated Hispanic war heroes in US history—Medal of Honor recipient Roy Benavidez. Johnson overviews author William Sturkey’s biography of Benavidez, which discusses Benavidez’s “perseverance against racial prejudice, poverty, substandard education, bureaucratic inertia, popular bias against patriotism, anti-military sentiment, and physical disabilities” and also his heroism in the Vietnam War and his lifetime of service afterward. Johnson recommends the book as “military leaders need …

Overview Of The Advancing Military-Connected Entrepreneurship Summit, Rosalinda V. Maury, Adam Pritchard

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This infographic highlights key findings from The Military-Connected Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: Growth, Empowerment & Connectivity Summit, funded by Walmart. The summit addressed key challenges faced by military-connected entrepreneurs, including access to corporate procurement, ecosystem integration, capability development, and corporate engagement strategies. Held at the Veteran EDGE Conference in Dallas, TX, the summit brought together 13 corporate and business ecosystem partners and 51 military-connected business owners to discuss opportunities and challenges in the private sector.

Military-Connected Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: Advancing Military-Connected Entrepreneurship, Rosalinda V. Maury, Adam Pritchard

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This report provides detailed findings from the Military-Connected Entrepreneurship Ecosystem: Growth, Empowerment & Connectivity Summit, funded by Walmart, that brought together military-connected business owners and corporate partners to discuss ways to support military-connected businesses seeking corporate procurement opportunities. The goal of this summit and report is to foster collaboration and improve opportunities for military-connected entrepreneurs.

Selected U.S. Government Statistical Agencies And Their Data, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

Provides introductory and detailed overview of U.S. Government agencies statistics. Includes examples of how an individual U.S. law authorizes government agencies to compile statistics for particular congressional committees and the general public. Statistics cover topics such as demography, defense, foreign assistance, economic growth, criminal justice, energy, Social Security, and Medicare.

Brief -- Tennessee Board Of Regents: Veteran Reconnect Grant Researching Student Veteran Academic Success, Linda Euto, Erica M. Hawvermale, Gilly Cantor

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The Veterans Education Task Force, funded by the Veteran Reconnect Grant and led by Syracuse University's IVMF with guidance from the Tennessee Board of Regents, evaluated veteran education strategies from 2020-2023. Their assessment, involving surveys and data from 39 TBR institutions, found strong institutional commitment but highlighted issues with identifying and supporting student veterans. Many institutions are developing veteran-focused programs but still lack comprehensive plans and resources. Key needs include better faculty/staff training and improved systems for identifying and supporting veterans.

Grit And The Military Service Member: How Cultivating Grit Enhances Performance, Resilience, And Mental Health, Phillip R. Jenkins

Faculty Publications

The transition from asymmetric warfare to Great Power Competition has brought the role played by Airmen to the forefront of the conversation. When uncontested operations, superior weaponry, and more detailed intelligence are not guaranteed, the weight of victory rests on the shoulders of Airmen. The exploration of grit and the role it plays in the development and sustainment of mental wellness, resilience, and performance has emerged in this context as a linchpin quality. The idea that an inherent drive, determination, and strength of purpose could offset the impact of stress—both combat and noncombat—is deeply compelling. However, leaders cannot look to …

The Employment Situation Of Veterans: August 2024, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

In August, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a rise in overall employment by 142,000 and a stable unemployment rate of 4.2%. However, veteran unemployment rates increased slightly, with notable variations by age, gender, and ethnicity; for example, female veterans saw a significant rise to 7.0%, while veterans aged 25-34 experienced a decrease to 4.3%. Despite these fluctuations, veteran unemployment rates often remain lower than their nonveteran peers in most age and ethnic groups.

Veteran Health Equity: Key Highlights For Understanding The Unique Health-Related Needs Of Veterans Of Color, Mariah Brennan, Rosalinda V. Maury, Jeanette Harvie

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief provides highlights from Understanding the Unique Health Related Needs of Veterans of Color study, a study that examined barriers to care, patient experiences, and cultural competence in veteran health care settings. Specifically, researchers seek to understand the challenges veterans of color face, including difficulties in accessing timely and appropriate care, experiences of discrimination, and varying levels of cultural competence among healthcare providers, and provide actionable policy suggestions to improve veteran healthcare experiences.

Book Review: Standing Up Space Force: The Road To The Nation’S Sixth Armed Service, Robert D. Bradford Iii

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Author: Forrest L. Marion

Reviewed by Robert D. Bradford III, associate professor of defense and Joint processes, Department of Command, Leadership, and Management, US Army War College

Robert D. Bradford III reviews this “first history” of the United States Space Force. He overviews the author Forrest L. Marion’s resources (“primary sources and extensive oral history interviews”) and highlights the book’s value in the way it “depicts cultural and bureaucratic barriers to…organizational change.” Bradford notes the history’s universal applicability as it relates to other situations in which an institution successfully approaches change.

Satellites In The Russia-Ukraine War, Ron Gurantz

Books, Monographs & Collaborative Studies

Satellites and counterspace systems have shown themselves to be important parts of modern warfare in the Russia-Ukraine War but have also been subject to various restrictions to prevent escalation. This monograph examines the role of satellites and counterspace systems in the Russia-Ukraine War’s high-technology warfare and the effects of satellite proliferation and commercialization on the conduct of the war. It also analyzes the restrictions under which space-based capabilities have been operating and the implications of these limits for future conflicts—a subject that has received little attention. Relying on an exhaustive study of open-source material and the application of limited-war theory …

Themes In Help-Seeking Of Female Military Sexual Assault Survivors, Priscilla Phan

Doctoral Dissertations

While large efforts have been made to address military sexual assault, there are still barriers in the help-seeking journey that need attention. This study aimed to examine barriers and facilitators to formal and informal help-seeking behaviors and to understand the role of stigma in survivors' help-seeking behaviors for female military sexual assault survivors. Through semi-structured interviews, the study explored the help-seeking experiences and mental health sequela of fourteen female military sexual assault survivors. This study focused on cis-gender women over the age of eighteen who experienced a military sexual assault, by another military service member, while on active-duty. Women shared …

Implementation Of Reintegration Program Before Discharge For Veteran Population, Abigail Ross, Zeida Gutierrez

Summer 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

A poster about creating and implementing a Reintegration program for War Veterans so they can possess the skills to be reintegrated into the community after they are discharged from the long-term care facility.

Ua94/6 Pershing Rifles Company B, 3rd Regiment Reunion Album, Stewart Wade

Student/Alumni Personal Papers

Reunion album created by Stewart Wade for the 2024 Pershing Rifles & Rebelettes reunion.

Operational Energy Solutions For A 21st Century Battlefield, Nestor R. Levin

Space and Defense

Development of alternative energy storage and distribution capacity for the modern battlefield is a major national security interest.

Book Review: Info Ops: From World War I To The Twitter Era, José De Arimatéia Da Cruz

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Editors: Ofer Fridman, Vitaly Kabernik, and Francesca Granelli

Reviewed by Dr. José de Arimatéia da Cruz, Department of Homeland Defense and Security Issues, Center for Strategic Leadership, US Army War College

Dr. José de Arimatéia da Cruz calls Info Ops a “must-read for any future combatant commander concerned about how our enemies use information and communication technologies within a contested environment to advance their causes and wreak havoc within an increasingly polarized society.” He overviews the book’s topics, including World War I and World War II, social media, Soviet Union propaganda, and even Israel and Hamas, and discusses their immediate …

Research Review: "A Novel Mind-Body Podcast Program For Military And Veteran Caregivers", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research review discusses how mind-body interventions can alleviate stress and enhance health for caregivers, but they are not widely accessible in many communities. To overcome this limitation, a study converted an 8-week mind-body program into a 28-day daily podcast series featuring education on stress response, relaxation techniques, and self-compassion exercises. The program was tested with 55 military caregivers, all cisgender women averaging 42.3 years old, and evaluations at the start, halfway through, and at the end of the program revealed notable reductions in stress, depression, and physical issues, along with improved social role performance, indicating that a daily mind-body …

2024 O'Callahan Society Newsletter, O'Callahan Society, College Of The Holy Cross

O'Callahan Society Newsletters

This annual newsletter of the O'Callahan Society includes articles about the 2023 Annual Dinner. Admiral James G. Stavridis, United States Navy (Retired) was guest speaker. President of the College of the Holy Cross, Vincent D. Rougeau, made introductory remarks. VADM Peter Daly, US Navy (Ret) was 2024 Annual Meeting Speaker.

Associations Between Combat Exposure, Moral Injury, And Suicidality Among U.S. Military Members: The Moderating Impact Of Positive Rumination, Jeffrey M. Gabelmann

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Numerous studies have documented the risk for suicide among recent-era veterans with combat experience. Recently, moral injury has emerged as a possible contributor to suicidality in veterans. To that end, no study has approached the combat exposure-moral injury-suicidality link with a focus grounded in positive psychology. Specifically, the present study explored whether positive rumination, or the reflection on positive emotions and moods, may buffer the deleterious effects of potentially traumatic experiences in warzones on moral injury and suicidality. This study was a secondary analysis of 250 current or former U.S. military members (M_age = 33.3 years) who had …

A Call To Action: Lessons From Ukraine For The Future Force, John A. Nagl, Katie Crombe

Books, Monographs & Collaborative Studies

John A. Nagl, Project Director
Katie Crombe, Chief of Staff

This book explores the changing character of war through the lens of the Russia-Ukraine War. The authors analyze the conflict’s history, each side’s warfighting functions, the role of multidomain operations, and more. The radical changes in the character of war suggest the United States is at a strategic inflection point. The authors draw lessons from both the Ukrainians and the Russians to suggest improvements for the United States. Advances in drone technology, cyber warfare, and electromagnetic warfare pose new technological vulnerabilities and possibilities. In addition, the war has highlighted the …