Military and Veterans Studies Commons^™

The Employment Situation Of Veterans: November 2025, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The November 2025 Employment Situation Report shows that U.S. employment changed little, while the overall unemployment rate held at 4.6 percent. Veteran unemployment rose from 2.6 percent in September to 3.4 percent in November, with Post‑9/11 veterans experiencing a sharper increase to 4.3 percent. Unemployment patterns varied widely across veteran age groups: rates spiked for ages 18–24 and 35–44, while veterans 45–54 and those 65+ saw declines. Female veteran unemployment fell significantly, while male veteran unemployment rose. Racial disparities persisted, with Black veteran unemployment rising and Hispanic veteran unemployment falling.

Disaster Risk Reduction In Rural Indonesia: Evaluation Of The Japan Red Cross Program In Pujiharjo Village, Meyralda Dara Adisa, Pujo Widodo, Anwar Kurniadi, Wilopo Wilopo

Preventia: The Indonesian Journal of Public Health

Pujiharjo Village in Malang Regency, Indonesia, is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. In 2021, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) partnered with the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) to implement a community-based disaster preparedness program. This study evaluates the program's effectiveness in terms of community participation, institutional support, and alignment with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. Using a qualitative case study, data were collected through document analysis of Vulnerability and Capacity Assessments (VCA), Community Action Plans (CAP), and local SOPs. Thematic analysis explored disaster risk perception, governance, mitigation investment, and emergency preparedness. The program successfully improved risk awareness, …

U.S. Military Veterans And Socioeconomic Opportunities: A Financial Lens On National Public Service, Corri Zoli, Linda Euto, Rosalinda Maury

The Lender Center for Social Justice

This brief offers policy-relevant insights into how military service is an important lever for socioeconomic opportunity and social mobility in the United States. Drawing on the social science literature and recent data from federal sources, this brief focuses on the many financial advantages that result from service, whether due to standardized military pay rates, military networks, or military and veterans’ benefits, from the GI Bill to housing allowances. Such financial advantages from service may also reduce socioeconomic disparities and create economic opportunities for military service members, from building intergenerational wealth to becoming homeowners, including for underrepresented minority service members.

Is Military Service A Social Mobility Mechanism? Military Participation And Socioeconomic Benefits—Recommended Research And Data Resources, Corri Zoli, Linda Euto, Rosalinda Maury

The Lender Center for Social Justice

This research brief shares research and data resources that examine how military participation, particularly professional training and education, function as mechanisms for social mobility, leading to higher socioeconomic advantages among U.S. military members and veterans, including minorities.

Addressing The Wealth Gap: Supporting Urm Veteran Entrepreneurs Through Evidence-Based Policy, Arielle Badger Newman, Mauricio Mercado, Ashley Gomez, Rosalinda Maury

The Lender Center for Social Justice

Despite military service providing valuable leadership skills and discipline, underrepresented racial minority (URM) veteran entrepreneurs face significant barriers to financial sustainability and business growth. Our analysis of 1,859 veteran entrepreneurs reveals that Black veterans experience lower financial sustainability compared to White veterans, while women URM veterans are more likely to be denied credit. These disparities persist even after accounting for military service and rank, highlighting the need for targeted policy interventions. This brief recommends three evidence-based strategies: reforming credit assessment practices, establishing dedicated funding programs for URM veteran entrepreneurs, and creating mentorship networks that address intersectional challenges. Implementing these policies …

The Identity Navigation Challenge, Arielle Badger Newman, Mauricio Mercado, Ashley Gomez, Rosalinda Maury

The Lender Center for Social Justice

While veteran status should serve as a credential that opens doors for entrepreneurs, our research reveals a troubling reality: underrepresented racial minority (URM) veteran entrepreneurs must perform complex "identity work" to navigate bias in funding and support systems. Through interviews with 76 veteran entrepreneurs, we discovered the Intersectional Legitimacy Work Model, a three-phase process showing how entrepreneurs strategically manage their race, gender, and veteran identities when seeking resources. Black and Latino veteran entrepreneurs report having to prove they are the "right kind" of veteran, often downplaying or emphasizing aspects of their identity depending on their audience. This creates an exhausting …

Dialogue And Storytelling To Bridge The Civil-Military Gap On Campus—And Beyond: Resources And Recommendations, Corri Zoli, Linda Euto

The Lender Center for Social Justice

This brief presents key applied insights from innovative approaches to bridge the gap on college campuses between student veterans and nonveterans. The brief provides a model for using dialogue and storytelling as powerful pedagogical and research tools to share insights with students and the broader public about public national service, the distinctive contributions of U.S. military service members, and the transition needs of military students in higher education.

A Study Of Preferred Modality Of Education And Perceptions Of Academic Success Of Post 9/11 Student Veterans, Jason R. Wakefield

Theses and Dissertations

Veterans are pursuing higher education at increasing rates due to the benefits available upon separation or retirement from military service. Many choose online programs for flexibility, while others prefer traditional, in-person instruction. Regardless of modality, student veterans often face significant challenges completing their degrees. “When student veterans first enter college, they must transition to the overwhelming, independent, and fast-paced lifestyle of a college student” (Semer & Harmening, 2015). While online learning may contribute to these difficulties, other factors also hinder success.

Colleges and universities continue to explore why student veterans struggle to complete their programs, yet underlying issues may distort …

Survey For Woman Warriors, Molly L. Daniels

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Survey for Woman Warriors was created as a capstone internship project in collaboration with GI Josie. This local nonprofit organization serves women veterans (WVs), active-duty servicewomen, and their families. Women veterans represent an understudied population that experiences distinct mental health and wellness challenges. This survey aimed to gain a clearer understanding of the experiences and needs of WVs residents in Monterey County. The methodology involved designing and delivering a trauma-informed needs assessment, selected as a time- and cost-effective approach to collecting mixed-method data from participants. Results indicated that the project met its expected outcomes, highlighting a need for greater …

Communication And Privacy Management Between Female Veterans, Their Military Voluntary Kin, And Biolegal Family Members, Carol Lee Tschampl-Diesing

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Military voluntary kin (MVK) refer to relationships between Service members and/or Veterans that they consider to be “like family,” despite lacking blood or legal ties. The purpose of this qualitative/interpretive communication study was to explore how female Veterans, who are the largest growing population of U.S. Veterans, discursively construct MVK relationships, navigate communication, privacy management, and boundary turbulence with their MVK and biolegal families (BLF). The researcher undertook in-depth interviews with nine female U.S. Veterans who reported having at least one MVK. The researcher posed four research questions, engaging in an interpretive analysis.

Participants described three ways they navigated interactions …

Culturally Aware Mindfulness Training For Army Leaders: A Scalable Solution To Strengthen Mental Readiness, Katherine Dutler (Skowronski)

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

This doctoral paper examines cost-effective, easily distributed mindfulness practices as a force-multiplier for psychological readiness in the U.S. Army. Daily mindfulness reduces symptom burden, raises distress tolerance, and sharpens performance—all without added equipment, appointments, or cost. However, stigma, long waitlists, and civilian-centric messaging still deter soldiers from adapting mindfulness practices. Rather than replacing clinicians, the program functions as preventive maintenance and a bridge while soldiers await care, thereby easing load on an overtaxed system. By embedding mental fitness alongside physical PT, the Army can advance its mandate to “deploy, fight, and win” with forces that are both mentally and physically …

Research Review: "Experiences Of Women And Minoritized Us Military Veteran Business Owners: Descriptive Evidence On "Vetrepreneur" Survival And Growth, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research examines the survival and growth of U.S. veteran-owned businesses, focusing on gender and race disparities. Using longitudinal microdata from 1976–2019, the study reveals that veteran-owned firms exhibit higher survival rates, greater revenues, and strong payroll performance compared to nonveteran businesses, though they experience lower employment growth. Women veterans show notable resilience, suggesting military experience helps mitigate gender gaps in entrepreneurship. Findings highlight the need for targeted policies, such as improved access to capital and workforce planning, to support scaling among women and minority veteran entrepreneurs. The study provides critical insights for policymakers and future research on vetrepreneurship.

Review Of Sheila A. Smith, Japan Rearmed: The Politics Of Military Power, Timothy C. Hebb

Liberty University Journal of Statesmanship & Public Policy

Sheila Smith, a long-time political scientist focused on Asia-Pacific studies and an expert on Japan specifically, would publish possibly her most influential work in 2019: Japan Rearmed: The Politics of Military Power. In this well-researched work of hers, she gives the reader an in-depth yet concise look at the reasons for Japan’s rearmament, the history of their Self Defense Force, and the challenging political situation that was built in the wake of a world war that still affects them today. This book goes over much of what is needed to understand why Japan’s military is in the shape it is …

The Employment Situation Of Veterans: September 2025, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The September 2025 employment report shows veteran unemployment falling from 3.1% to 2.6%, with Post‑9/11 veterans declining from 3.0% to 2.4%. Veteran unemployment remained lower than nonveterans across most age groups, especially among young veterans ages 18–24, whose rate dropped sharply to 1.1%. Male veteran unemployment decreased, while female veteran unemployment rose slightly to 4.6%. Trends varied by race and ethnicity, with Hispanic veterans experiencing a notable increase. Nationally, employment rose modestly, with gains in health care, food services, and social assistance, while transportation, warehousing, and federal government roles saw job losses.

The Ivmf Digital Library: Informational One-Pager, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University, Syracuse University Libraries

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This informational one-pager provides a brief explanation about the IVMF Digital Library, particularly for Syracuse University associated researchers, professors, students and other community members, especially focused on how they can use or contribute to the library.

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

Experts’ Validation Of The Fundamental Cybersecurity Competency Index (Fcci) Using A Commercial Cyber Range Through Human-Generative Artificial Intelligence (Genai) Teaming, Dariusz Witko, Yair Levy, Catherine Neubauer, Greg Simco, Laurie P. Dringus, Melissa Carlton

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The increasing volume of cyber threats, combined with a critical shortage of skilled professionals and rising burnout among practitioners, highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions in cybersecurity operations. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) offers promising potential to augment human analysts in cybersecurity, but its integration requires rigorous validation of the fundamental competencies that enable effective collaboration of human-GenAI teams. This research study employed a mixed-methods research project designed to evaluate human-GenAI teams, emphasizing the role of expert consensus in shaping the experimental assessment of the Fundamental Cybersecurity Competency Index (FCCI) in a commercial cyber range. We engaged 20 Subject Matter …

Research Review: "Structure In Transition: The Role Of Structure In Facilitating Workplace Efficacy And Belonging For Military Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

Employment transitions necessitate a degree of uncertainty and lack of control, which may present a challenge to succeeding and belonging at a new organization. The present research tests ideas derived from compensatory control theory which posits that people may seek external structure to help exert control over their lives when they experience a lack of control in an important life domain – and that this can aid in their goal pursuit. Across three studies, we explore whether the perception of a higher degree of organizational structure can help employees compensate for uncertainty and lack of control and facilitate transitioning employees’ …

Rethinking The Narrative Of Turkey’S July 15 Events: An Intelligence Operation Disguised As A Coup Attempt, Mustafa Kirisci, Ibrahim Kocaman, Murat Balci

Publications

Academia, think tanks, and international media have largely adopted the Turkish government’s narrative that the events of July 15, 2016, constituted a failed coup attempt. This dominant framing has shaped policy responses and scholarly interpretations despite the authoritarian context in which it was crafted. Many Turkish and Western scholars accepted the Turkish government’s narrative that the July 15 events were a failed coup attempt. They often rely on surface-level indicators and official statements without critically engaging with available evidence. Also, they disregarded substantial evidence and defendants’ statements in judicial proceedings that directly contradict official statements. One notable exception to this …

Opportunities And Barriers To Engaging Caregivers In Firearm Suicide Prevention: Findings From Focus Groups With Caregivers Of Veterans, Katherine Macwilliams, John Marmion, Dee Blascyk, Sharon Urbina, Rachel Moyers, Gala True

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Firearms are involved in more than 70% of U.S. Veteran suicides. Caregivers, defined as family members or concerned significant others, can play an important role in firearm suicide prevention through initiating conversations about secure firearm storage with Veterans. Our objective was to explore caregivers’ experiences with lethal means safety (LMS) conversations and identify perceived barriers to caregivers discussing LMS with healthcare providers and with Veterans. Methods: We conducted focus groups with 32 caregivers with experience caring for a Veteran at risk for suicide. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: We identified three primary themes: 1) caregivers recognize …

Modeling Musculoskeletal Combat Casualty Care: Nato Trauma System Performance In Large Scale Combat Operations, Mark P. Cote, Kaitlyn E. Holly, Roman J. Schoenfeld, Matthew R. Bryan, Malina O. Hatton, Mitchel B. Harris, Tracey P. Koehlmoos, Andrew J. Schoenfeld

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether the current North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) trauma system will be effective in the setting of Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO). We sought to model the efficacy of the NATO trauma system in the setting of LSCO. We also intended to model novel scenarios that could better adapt the current system to LSCO.

METHODS: We developed a discrete-event simulation model for patients with combat musculoskeletal injuries treated within the standard NATO system. The primary outcome of the model was survival. The model's health states were characterized as stable, hypovolemia, sepsis, shock, or death. The model simulated …

Eating Habits, Eating Behavior Mediators, Body Composition And Physical Fitness Among Rotc Cadets, Kaitlin Renee Hanks

Master's Theses

The physical and mental demands of the military and the requirement to maintain body composition standards make healthful eating essential to military service. Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets are a unique subgroup of the United States military, and the combined demands of their military training and educational pursuits may increase their susceptibility to unhealthy eating patterns. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between eating habits, eating behavior mediators, body composition, and physical fitness among ROTC cadets. This study used a cross-sectional design that included an online survey, an inperson body composition assessment, and carotenoid measurements …

Better Serving Those Who Serve: Supporting Psychological Wellness Of Lgb Military Personnel In The Post “Don’T Ask Don’T Tell” Era, Anne Neuweiler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Few studies have been able to explore lesbian, gay, and bisexual military personnel’s experiences in military mental healthcare settings. This study examined the experience of LGB servicemembers in military counseling environments, as well as how to support these servicemembers in military mental health and military communities. Six participants volunteered for the study and six semi-structured interviews were completed with LGB servicemembers who had contact with mental health. Three research questions guided the present study and a transcendental phenomenological frame was used to analyze the data and themes emerged. Research question one yielded three themes: 1) “I'm Definitely not Gay”: The …

For Richer Or For Poorer: The Security Environment Index To Measure Effects Of Security Assistance, Lam Huynh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation develops and validates the Security Environment Index (SEI), a multidimensional, empirically grounded framework to assess the political and military effects of U.S. security assistance—specifically Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and International Military Education and Training (IMET)—on partner nations. Drawing from the need for more robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks in the security assistance space, this study addresses a longstanding gap in how policymakers measure the outcomes of military aid. The SEI consolidates publicly available indicators into a cohesive structure capable of capturing both internal and external changes in the recipient nation’s security environment.

This research employed an explanatory …

A Framework For Advancing And Strengthening The Veteran Entrepreneur Ecosystem, Rosalinda V. Maury, Adam Pritchard

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is designed for funders, program leaders, and policymakers working to build stronger veteran entrepreneurship ecosystems. This paper brings together insights about veteran entrepreneurial ecosystems from Military Entrepreneurship Forum (MEF) roundtable conversations, the National Survey of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs (NSMAE), and other entrepreneurship research. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, this paper lays out a set of components that communities can use to strengthen their own ecosystems. Veteran entrepreneurship is a lens into broader questions of economic mobility, local resilience, and civic leadership. But systems matter. With veteran-serving organizations facing revenue declines and donor fatigue, coordinated entrepreneurial ecosystems are a …

A Qualitative Analysis Of The Lived Experience Of Active-Duty Servicewomen Receiving Perinatal Care Within The Military Health System., Caitlin Russell, Emily Balog, Anne Teitelman, Rosemary Polomano

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

OBJECTIVES: We explored the lived experiences of active-duty servicewomen (ADSW) accessing and receiving care during the perinatal period (from discovery of pregnancy to 1 year postpartum) within the Military Health System.

STUDY DESIGN: Using qualitative methods, we conducted semi-structured interviews between September 2022 and February 2023 with 23 ADSW participants who were pregnant or within their first year postpartum. Data were analyzed using inductive coding and thematic analysis techniques.

RESULTS: Participants reported bureaucratic hurdles and long wait times for accessing care, too little choice in providers, and inadequate coordination between civilian and military care providers. Those who experienced perinatal complications …

From Heaven To Hell: A Reinterpretation Of Comparison Between Germany’S Airborne Fallschirmjäger Operations And The Allied Airborne Operation At Arnhem In World War Ii, Jeremy Herbert

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This thesis examines the legacy of the German paratrooper corps and compares them to similar Allied operations during World War II. Relying on archival documents as well as 80 years of analysis by historians, the thesis argues that the overwhelming consensus among historians of the German Fallschirmjäger as a failed experiment is undeserved, since the pitfalls experienced during their operations pale in comparison to similar British operations. The German invasion of Crete in 1941 serves as the base example for Anglophone historians who favor the idea of German failure solely based on the number of German casualties. In reality, the …

Institutional Betrayal And Military Vaccine Mandates: An Inquiry Into Loss Of Health Autonomy Concerning Unlimited Liability Contractual Employment In The Covid-19 Era, Aaron G. Dehaven

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The balance between government control and personal liberty is a growing concern in the modern world. Nowhere is this more evident than in discussions surrounding government policy in public health and individual health autonomy. The Covid-19 pandemic forced many institutions to change their standard operating procedures by adapting to rapidly changing health guidance instituted to protect public health. These changes highlighted the role of health autonomy and individuals’ rights to refuse medical treatments. The Department of Defense changed many aspects of how it operated during the pandemic, including the mandate of the Covid-19 vaccine for all service members. For various …

The Employment Situation Of Veterans: August 2025, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The August 2025 Employment Situation Report highlights largely stable labor trends for veterans, with overall veteran unemployment rising slightly to 3.1 percent. Post‑9/11 veterans saw a small decline to 3.0 percent. Unemployment varied by age, with noticeable increases among veterans aged 18–24 and 35–44, while rates declined for those 55–64. Female veteran unemployment remained unchanged at 4.4 percent, and male veteran unemployment increased slightly to 2.9 percent. Across most demographic groups, veterans continued to experience lower unemployment rates than their nonveteran peers, though monthly fluctuations remained common.

More Than A Numbers Game: Comparing Us And Chinese Landpower In The Pacific Requires Context, Brennan Deveraux, Joshua Arostegui

Books, Monographs & Collaborative Studies

This monograph establishes a contextual baseline that serves as the framework for future comparisons of the US Army and the People’s Liberation Army Army. It examines differences in five key components of land warfare: the two nations’ landpower definitions, uses of land forces to build relationships, underlying warfare concepts, associated modernization efforts, and varying approaches to simulating land warfare in the region. In examining these components, the authors identify warfare intangibles that highlight analytical findings in a way that promotes future research. The existing scholarship comparing the two forces is often limited in scope, focusing on funding or comparing capabilities …