Military and Veterans Studies Commons^™

The Accidental Entrepreneur: How Military Spouses Take Their Careers Into Their Own Hands, Jennifer Barnhill, Rosalinda Maury, Jeanette Harvie

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The Accidental Entrepreneur is the second narrative profile in the Reimagining Military Spouse Employment series, a companion to the initiative's data briefs. Through the story of a mid-career military spouse who builds a business after repeated career disruptions, it examines why many spouses turn to entrepreneurship and what stands in their way. The profile covers the barriers spouses face when starting a business, including access to funding, certifications, and grants, along with the reality that self-employment does not eliminate the military spouse earnings penalty. It offers guidance for military spouses considering entrepreneurship and for the community leaders positioned to support …

Collaboration In Context: The Present And Future Of Coordinated Care For New Mexico's Military-Connected Population, Zachary Bridgewater, Vincent Delsignore, Mary Rachel Keville, Lisa Marie Murray

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

With the support of the New Mexico State Legislature, the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) led a multi-phase project to design a coordinated care system for New Mexican service members, veterans, and their families. In the project’s first phase, the IVMF conducted a landscape assessment to understand the needs of the military-connected community and examined the viability of a coordinated care system for the state. Key findings included strong support for coordinated care amongst veteran serving organizations, a fragmented service landscape across the state, structural barriers to care caused by rurality and geographic concentrations of resources, and …

Building A Coordinated Care Network For New Mexico Veterans: A Roadmap For Statewide Implementation, Nosa Akol, Zachary M. Bridgewater, Vincent R. Delsignore, Emily Graham, Mary Rachel Keville

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

With the support of the New Mexico State Legislature, the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) is leading a multi-phase project to design a coordinated care system for New Mexican service members, veterans, and their families. In the project’s first phase, the IVMF conducted a landscape assessment to understand the needs of the military-connected community and examined the viability of a coordinated care system for the state. We found that veteran-serving organizations that participated felt that a coordinated care network would be of value to New Mexico veterans, but questions on how best to implement such a network …

Statewide Coordinated Care For New Mexican Veterans: Viability Assessment & Community Design, Nosa Akol, Zachary Bridgewater, Vincent Delsignore, Emily Graham, Mary Rachel Keville

Voices of Service Symposium

Veterans in New Mexico navigate a fragmented system of support, marked by rural access barriers, limited coordination among providers, and inconsistent pathways to care. To address these longstanding challenges, the New Mexico State Legislature engaged the IVMF to assess readiness for and design a roadmap to a statewide coordinated care network aimed at serving veterans and their families.

Over 2022-2023, the IVMF evaluated the state's readiness for such a network by mapping service providers, assessing collaboration practices, and analyzing demographic and rurality factors. Our team engaged 41 nonprofit and government organizations to understand community needs, current coordination, and perspectives on …

"On The Same Rope": An Exploratory Study Of Staff Experiences At The Mountain Seed Foundation's Healing Base Camp Program, Jill C. Kivikoski

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Since the escalation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ukrainians have faced significant social and public health challenges, particularly among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families (SMVF), including disability, traumatic stress, and barriers to mental health care (Kostenko et al., 2024; Krasnodemska et al., 2023; O’Grady & Galouchka, 2023). Retreat based programs grounded in shared military identity may offer an accessible form of support (Barrett & Currin, 2024). Mountain Seed Foundation’s (MSF) Healing Base Camp (HBC) was developed to promote healing and resilience among Ukrainian SMVF (Mountain Seed Foundation, n.d.).

This qualitative dissertation used a single-case study design (Yin, …

United Through Reading: Longitudinal Evaluation 18-Month Findings, Erica M. Hawvermale, Cassidy J. Cooper, Bonnie Chapman Beers

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This report details the findings from the first eighteen months of a longitudinal evaluation of United Through Reading's (UTR) programs and services across four outcome areas: 1) child literacy, 2) child wellbeing, 3) adult wellbeing, and 4) family connection.

Introduction To Military Culture And Mental Health Practice, Ken Marfilius, Sam Coyl

Voices of Service Symposium

The Introduction to Military Culture and Mental Health Practice course equips students across disciplines primarily social work with foundational skills for working with service members, veterans, and their families. Developed in 2016 by a former U.S. Air Force officer, the course addresses trauma, ethical dilemmas, dual loyalty, and command structures within military systems. Coursework includes case studies, ethical analysis, and interviews with military-connected individuals, fostering clinical and cultural competence. With 153 students trained to date, the course supports careers in the VA, nonprofits, and the Armed Forces, while advancing the university's commitment to military-affiliated students.

Research That Drives Economic & Social Mobility For Veterans And Military Families, Rosalinda V. Maury

Voices of Service Symposium

This poster highlights IVMF's data-driven research and programs that advance economic and social mobility for veterans and military families. It showcases findings on employment, entrepreneurship, transition readiness, and community reintegration, with insights drawn from national surveys and ongoing data monitoring. These findings inform policy, improve program design, and support stakeholders working to enhance veteran outcomes across sectors.

Increased Suicidality Risk Among Adolescents With An Active-Duty Sibling Or Parent In The United States, Andrew S. London, Kevin M. Antshel

Population Health Research Brief Series

Adolescents who have a parent currently serving in the U.S. military face distinctive social stressors and developmental challenges, and have higher rates of internalizing and externalizing disorders, substance use, and suicidality than adolescents who do not have an active-duty parent. Additionally, adolescents with siblings who enter the military are at increased risk of experiencing a major depressive episode relative to adolescents who do not have an active-duty sibling. This brief summarizes findings from a study that used data from the 2016-2019 National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) to examine whether having a sibling and/or a parent on active …

Research Review: "Evaluating The Kidcope For Children In Active Duty Military Families", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The study aimed to replicate the factor structure of the KidCOPE in children from military families (N=2256, ages 7–12). However, no prior factor structure could be replicated. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a 2-factor model, but it was not confirmed. This suggests limitations of the KidCOPE as a valid measure of coping style among military children.

Research Review: "Veteran Single Parents, Surviving But Not Thriving", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This IVMF research review underscores the growing importance of veteran parents, especially mothers, within the changing military demographics. Despite projections indicating a significant increase in female veterans by 2035, research on the impact of veteran status, gender, and parenthood remains scarce. This study investigates the demographics and well-being outcomes of post-9/11 veteran single parents, offering insights into their financial stability, health, and access to care, with implications for policy, practice, and future research.

Exploring The Advocacy Experiences Of The Military Families With Children Who Have Disabilities, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research review examines the experiences of 11 parents of children with disabilities, recruited through military and disability agencies using snowball sampling. The study reveals varying experiences within the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), highlighting military families' resilience and reliance on peer support, and the military mothers' pivotal role in advocacy, often requiring their spouse's presence at IEP meetings for effectiveness. This IVMF review also provides implications for practitioners, policy, and future research surrounding military families of children with disabilities.

Cybercrime Risk In The Military Community: What Do We Know?, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

In 2021 alone, military consumers reported losing over $267 million to fraud. This report provides an overview of what is known, and not known, about cybercrime and fraud and subsequent impacts on military members and their families. This report examines why military-connected persons might be more vulnerable or more often targeted by scammers, including reasons such as frequent moves or benefits that require frequent disclosures of personal information. This report highlights the need for more information and makes recommendations for cybersecurity policy.

Key Insights: 2021 National Survey Of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs, Rosalinda V. Maury, Mirza Tihic, Adam Pritchard, Alexander Mckelvie, Linda Euto

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This data brief provides key insights and findings from the 2021 National Survey of Military Affiliated (NSMAE) entrepreneurs about their experiences related to entrepreneurship, COVID-19 pandemic, military, and overall wellbeing.

2021 National Survey Of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs, Rosalinda V. Maury, Mirza Tihic, Adam Pritchard, Alexander Mckelvie, Linda Euto

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This report shares findings from the 2021 National Survey of Military Affiliated (NSMAE) entrepreneurs about their experiences related to entrepreneurship, COVID-19 pandemic, military, and overall wellbeing.

2015 Blue Star Families Military Family Lifestyle Survey: Executive Summary, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University, Blue Star Families

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is the Executive Summary for the 2015 Military Family Lifestyle Survey.

Research Brief: The Impacts & Opportunities Of Military Life For Military Children, Rosalinda V. Maury, Rachel Linsner

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research brief presents key highlights on the experiences of military children and military families as they relate to the impact of having a parent serving in the military and the long term impacts of military service.

2013 Milspouse Survey On Employment: What We Heard, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This data brief summarizes the outcomes of the 2013 Military Spouse Survey on Employment conducted by the IVMF and MOAA.

2015 Military Family Lifestyle Survey: Data Brief, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This data brief summarizes the findings from the 2015 Military Family Lifestyle Survey.

2014 Military Family Lifestyle Survey: Data Brief, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This data brief summarizes the findings from the 2014 Military Family Lifestyle Survey.

Veterans Program For Politics And Civic Engagement, J. Michael Haynie, David M. Van Slyke

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The Veterans Program for Politics and Civic Engagement (VPPCE) is an intensive, non-partisan training program for veterans and military spouses with an interest in pursuing careers in politics. Launched in 2019, the program is a collaboration between Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and the top-ranked Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. The curriculum is tailored to help participants explore careers in politics, prepare them to run a campaign, and succeed thereafter. Most importantly, the program facilitates those who previously served in our nation’s defense to continue a second career in public service.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Climate Snapshot Poll: Top Resource Needs Of Veterans And Active Duty Service Members, Linda Rougeau Euto, Rosalinda Maury, Nicholas Armstrong, Brice M. Stone, Rachel Lisner

The Lender Center for Social Justice

This brief analyzes resource needs among veteran and the active-duty service member populations in key areas such as employment, education, childcare, mental and physical health, along with caregiving resources. Results reveal widespread concern and resources needed among military and veteran community members collectively and independently. Knowing which resources are needed is just half the battle as findings also indicate that navigating some of those services is also a challenge. This report aims to offer insight and recommendations, to the military community, along with multiple stakeholders including policymakers, practitioners, grant makers, and researchers.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Climate Snapshot Poll: Top Resource Needs Of Veterans And Active Duty Service Members, Linda Rougeau Euto, Rosalinda Maury, Nicholas Armstrong, Brice M. Stone, Rachel Linsner

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief analyzes resource needs among veteran and the active-duty service member populations in key areas such as employment, education, childcare, mental and physical health, along with caregiving resources. Results reveal widespread concern and resources needed among military and veteran community members collectively and independently. Knowing which resources are needed is just half the battle as findings also indicate that navigating some of those services is also a challenge. This report aims to offer insight and recommendations, to the military community, along with multiple stakeholders including policymakers, practitioners, grant makers, and researchers.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Climate Snapshot Poll - Summary Highlights, Rosalinda Maury, Nicholas Armstrong, Brice M. Stone, Rachel Linsner, Linda Rougeau Euto

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

Military Times and the IVMF partnered on a poll that included questions on service members’ opinions related to the COVID-19 climate. In the first installment of the Covid-19 related briefs, we found that military-affiliated participants consistently view COVID-19 as a severe (i.e., moderate to extreme) threat to nearly all key issues. Projecting three months ahead, perceptions of the COVID-19 threat decrease slightly, but overall levels remain severe for most issues. Perceived threat was most extreme toward national issues (public health, economy) compared to community or family/personal concerns, though nearly all were a concern for many. Some slight differences in perceived …

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Climate Snapshot Poll - Report, Rosalinda Maury, Nicholas Armstrong, Brice M. Stone, Rachel Linsner, Linda Rougeau Euto

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

Military Times and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University conduct recurring snapshot polls of the military and veteran community. The purpose of these polls is to provide timely insights on the social, economic, education, and policy views and concerns of military-affiliated individuals. As the world navigates the Coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis, IVMF remains committed to serving transitioning service members, veterans, and their family members. We are determined to stay informed of the evolving impacts, needs, and challenges experienced by this military-connected community. Therefore, in partnership with Military Times, the IVMF created and conducted a COVID-19 …

Communities Serve: Highlights For University And Academic Communities, Ryan Van Slyke, Nicholas Armstrong

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief contains highlights for university and academic communities from the article "Communities Serve: A Systematic Review of Needs Assessments on U.S. Veteran and Military-Connected Populations."

Communities Serve: Highlights For Philanthropic And Community Organizations, Ryan Van Slyke, Nicholas Armstrong

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief contains highlights for philanthropic and community organizations from the article "Communities Serve: A Systematic Review of Needs Assessments on U.S. Veteran and Military-Connected Populations."

Communities Serve: Highlights For Local And Government Officials, Ryan Van Slyke, Nicholas Armstrong

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief contains highlights for local and government officials from the article "Communities Serve: A Systematic Review of Needs Assessments on U.S. Veteran and Military-Connected Populations."

Communities Serve: Highlights For State Government Officials, Ryan Van Slyke, Nicholas Armstrong

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief contains highlights for state government officials from the article "Communities Serve: A Systematic Review of Needs Assessments on U.S. Veteran and Military-Connected Populations."

Military Families: Perceptions, Challenges, And Barriers To Voting Participation And Absentee Voting, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The objective of this research effort was to gather more information on the motivations, challenges, and perceptions surrounding absentee voting among active duty military and military spouses