Military and Veterans Studies Commons^™

Hazardous Alcohol Use And Chronic Pain Co-Occurrence And Comorbidity Rates: A National Study Of Veterans Affairs Primary Care Patients, Dezarie Moskal, Jacob L. Scharer, Jennifer S. Funderburk, Joseph W. Ditre, Gregory P. Beehler

Voices of Service Symposium

Hazardous alcohol use (HAU) and chronic pain are each common among U.S. veterans and are associated with poorer health outcomes when they co-occur. Primary care plays a central role in the identification and management of both conditions. However, national estimates of their co-occurrence and related comorbidity burden are limited. Accordingly, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HAU and chronic pain and compared comorbidity patterns in a national Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care sample.

This national retrospective VA electronic health record study included 3,900,633 veterans aged 18+ seen in primary care between July 2022 and December 2023. HAU was …

Considerations For Statewide Coordination Of Veteran Services In New York, Zachary Bridgewater, Mary Rachel Keville, Vincent Delsignore, Gilly Cantor

Voices of Service Symposium

New York State (NYS)'s large military-connected population has faced challenges in accessing the plethora of post-service resources available from federal, state, and community agencies. A 2021 IVMF and Maxwell School landscape analysis of county veteran service officers found veterans navigating a fragmented system of care, unequal access to resources based on rurality, high demand for certain services, geographic funding inequities, and inconsistent service coordination. The report recommended a statewide, integrated system with a single entry point that harnesses existing resources, close gaps, and ensure access for all veterans across the state.

To advance this goal and other efforts enhancing coordinated …

Developing A Veteran Reintegration Ecosystem For Ukrainian Universities: Syracuse University As An Exemplar Model, Tetiana Pohorielova, Emily Rabinowitz, Ken Marfilius, Dessa Bergen-Cico, Stacy Hawkins, Joseph W. Ditre

Voices of Service Symposium

This poster outlines the development of a comprehensive Veteran Reintegration Ecosystem for Ukrainian universities, using Syracuse University as an exemplar. In collaboration with experts across public health, social work, and behavioral science, the project addresses the urgent need to support the influx of Ukrainian veterans through structured institutional frameworks. The proposed ecosystem focuses on three critical pillars: behavioral health and wellbeing, workforce and economic integration, and institutional capacity and coordination. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between military service and civilian life, fostering national resilience and postwar reconstruction in Ukraine.

Navigating High-Stakes Transition: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Study Of The Information Experiences Among Green Berets During Military Transition, Christian Teodoro, Ken Marfilius

Voices of Service Symposium

Transitioning Service members face a complex mix of challenges as they transition back to civilian life, including the need to make sense of career-related information while renegotiating identity, belonging, trust, and purpose. Often overlooked, however, is the informational side of that experience and how leaving the military, either voluntarily or involuntarily, impacts one's ability to judge relevance, evaluate credibility, and act on guidance when familiar military structures no longer exist. This is especially true for our nation's elite U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers. Special Forces are mission-driven and possess highly distinct character traits that allow them to perform effectively under …

Military Justice Meets Experiential Learning: The U.S. Air Force Court Of Criminal Appeals Outreach Project, Anna Lupardo, Elizabeth Kubala

Voices of Service Symposium

Syracuse University College of Law partnered with the U.S. Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals (AFCCA) to create an experiential learning opportunity for law students centered on a real military appellate case. The AFCCA, based at Andrews Air Force Base, reviews courts-martial convictions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and can affirm, modify, or overturn sentences. The featured case, U.S. v. Reese, involved a USAF airman in Germany charged with offenses related to a vehicle accident and improper breathalyzer use. Two Veterans Legal Clinic students briefed the case as amici for the appellant--both of whom will go on to …

The Impact Of Traumatic Event Exposure On Ptsd, Depression, And Anxiety Among Veterans, Casie Daum, Emily Rabinowitz, Ken Marfilius, Joseph W. Ditre

Voices of Service Symposium

Background: Psychiatric disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety are highly common and debilitating conditions among veterans. Exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) such as active combat, blast exposure, close calls, and witnessing injury or death during military service may be a significant risk factor for the development and maintenance of psychiatric conditions. This analysis sought to examine the extent to which individuals with PTE exposure related to military service had different levels of psychiatric symptoms. Method: A sample of 266 veterans were recruited using Prolific, an online research panel service. Participants completed the Primary Care PTSD Screen …

Substance Use Disorder Severity And Suicide Risk Among U.S. Veterans: Evidence For A Severity-Based Risk Gradient, Hunter J. Pyke, Grant H. Ripley, Emily Rabinowitz, Victoria E. Carlin, Dezarie Moskal, Joseph W. Ditre, Ken Marfilius

Voices of Service Symposium

Background: U.S. Military veterans are at disproportionate risk for suicide. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are prevalent and are strongly associated with suicide risk among veterans, yet less is known about whether increasing SUD severity is associated with greater risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors among veterans. Methods: Data were drawn from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) 2021-2024 and included (n = 9,172) veterans. Analyses utilized survey weights to produce nationally representative estimates. Logistic regression tested associations between SUD severity (classified consistent with DSM-5 criteria for substances endorsed during the previous year; 0=no SUD (< 2 criteria), 1=mild (2-3 criteria), 2=moderate (2-5 criteria), 3=severe (≥ 6 criteria)) and odds of (1) past-year suicide ideation (SI), (2) suicide planning (SP), and (3) suicide attempt (SA), adjusted for age and sex. Results: Findings indicated that 3.7% of veterans endorsed SI, 1% SP, and 0.5% SA. Additionally, 10% endorsed symptoms consistent with mild SUD, 4% moderate SUD, and 3% severe SUD. The prevalence of SI increased from 2.4% among veterans without SUD to 16.7% among those with severe SUD. In adjusted models, compared to veterans without SUD, severe SUD was associated with higher odds of SI (AOR=6.00, 95% CI: 3.82–9.43, p < .001), SP (AOR=10.40, 95% CI: 5.06–21.37, p < .001), and SA (AOR=15.26, 95% CI: 6.22–37.42, p < .001). Discussion: SUD severity was associated with progressively greater odds of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts among U.S. veterans. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors increased in a graded pattern across SUD severity levels. Future work should elucidate the temporality of such relations to identify whether SUD severity precedes suicidal thoughts and behaviors, or alternatively, if suicidal thoughts and behaviors may precede increases in SUD severity. Results support integrated screening and intervention efforts targeting substance use and suicidality among veterans.

Recent Alcohol Use Moderates The Relationship Between Psychological Distress And Daytime Sleepiness Among Military-Connected Students, Treston Pulley, Emily Rabinowitz, Grant H. Ripley, Qiuxi Huang, Stephen A. Maisto, Joseph W. Ditre

Voices of Service Symposium

Introduction: Sleep difficulties are prevalent among college students and especially among veteran and military-connected students (VMCS), who face unique stressors related to military service and campus life. Alcohol use is common in both military and university settings, and many students use it as a sleep aid, especially when dealing with symptoms of psychological distress. However, alcohol use disrupts sleep quality and contributes to next-day fatigue. Research has shown that psychological distress is strongly linked to both alcohol use and sleep problems, although little research has examined how these factors jointly relate to sleep among VMCS. This study examined associations between …

Conducting A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis To Examine The Prevalence Of Ptsd, Depression, Anxiety, And Aud Among Student Veterans And Military-Connected Students, Matthew Soukup, Emily Rabinowitz, Hunter J. Pyke, Holly Schmidt, Treston Pulley, Ken Marfilius, Joseph W. Ditre

Voices of Service Symposium

Introduction: Student veterans may be at increased risk for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder due to the combined demands of military reintegration and academic transition. However, reported prevalence rates vary substantially across studies, and existing reviews do not provide pooled quantitative estimates. Meta-analytic prevalence estimates are needed to generate precise, disorder-specific benchmarks that can guide screening, prevention, and intervention efforts in higher education settings. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to estimate the pooled prevalence of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) within this population. Utilizing the CoCoPop framework (Condition–Context), a …

Examining Tobacco Use Among Student Servicemembers And Veterans: The Unique Role Of Hazardous Duty Exposure, Holly Schmidt, Victoria E. Carlin, Emily Rabinowitz, Joon Kyung Nam, Joseph W. Ditre

Voices of Service Symposium

Introduction: Student servicemembers and veterans (SS/V) use tobacco products at higher rates than the general college student population. These students face unique stressors during and after military service, which may influence their health behaviors, including tobacco product use. One such stressor is hazardous duty exposure, as previous research indicates that veterans with riskier deployments and greater deployment stress are more likely to engage in tobacco use. However, no prior research has examined the relationship between hazardous duty exposure and tobacco use among SS/V. Method: Participants included 4,626 SS/V who completed the 2023-2025 National College Health Assessment (NCHA) III. Participants were …

Memorial Amphitheater, No Author

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Short news article about the Memorial Amphitheater

The Amphitheater Plays A Major Role At The College, Sara Spain

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A feature from the editor of The Flor-Ala in 1956 about the Amphitheater

Proposed Memorial For Soldier-Students Of State Normal School, Mrs. Susan J. Price

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A sketch and proposal for a memorial for soldier-students at State Normal School

Florence Gets Special Stage, Montgomery Alabama Journal And The Times

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Memorial to Men Enlisted in World War Added to State Teachers College, 1930s

The Employment Situation Of Veterans: March 2026, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

Employment rose by 178,000 in March, while the overall unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent, with notable job gains in health care, construction, and transportation and warehousing. Veteran unemployment declined slightly to 3.9 percent, though younger veterans continued to experience higher unemployment rates than older veterans and their nonveteran peers. Male veteran unemployment fell, while female veteran unemployment rose and remained above that of nonveteran women. Unemployment trends varied across racial and ethnic groups, with some veteran subgroups showing higher rates than their nonveteran counterparts, though these monthly estimates can fluctuate significantly.

Physical And Behavioral Health Diagnoses And Comorbidities Associated With Transition From Military Health System To Veterans Health Care Among Post-­ 9/11 Veterans, Nikki R. Wooten, Megan E. Amaun, Madeline Meyers, Prince Nii Ossah Addo, Jeffery Bowers, Felicia R. Carey, Rudolph P. Rull, Edward J. Boyko, Nathaniel Bell, Ana Defede-Lopéz, Mary Jo V. Pugh

Faculty and Staff Publications

Objective

To identify factors associated with transitioning from Military Health System (MHS) to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) care in post-9/11 veterans.

Study Setting and Design

Retrospective cohort study from the Long-Term Impact of Military-Relevant Brain Injury Consortium Phenotype Study.

Data Sources and Analytic Sample

Population-level data were analyzed from MHS and VHA electronic health data (FY2000-2020). Participants received ≥ 3 years of MHS care and separated from the military before October 1, 2016. The primary outcome was transition from MHS to VHA care after military separation. Covariates included demographic, military, and deployment characteristics at military separation; physical, mental, and substance …

"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, …

Protection Vs. Progression: A Macroeconomic Approach To Military Expenditure Direct Effects On Social Outcomes Using Ihdi Measures, Connor Graham

Global Tides

This study examines whether military expenditure reduces inequality-adjusted human development and how national governance quality moderates these effects. Using panel data covering 121 countries from 2010-2023, two-way fixed effects models are employed to estimate the relationship between military spending and the Inequality-Adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI). Three key findings emerge from the analysis based on the resulting data. First, a one percentage point increase in military spending reduces IHDI by 0.0012-0.0015 points. Second, the effects prove seven times larger in developed countries than in developing ones, which runs contrary to expectations and prior literature. Lastly, political stability emerged as a …

Learn And Serve Rotc Spring Quarter Bulletin, Florence Herald

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1951 Florence State Teachers College ROTC Spring Quarter Bulletin

Una Rotc Named "Top Program" 2016, While Una Labeled Gold Level School For Military Friendliness, Military & Veteran Affairs University Of North Alabama

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Spring 2017 issue of the UNA Alumni Magazine highlights the UNA ROTC program as "Top Program" in 2016

University Of North Alabama Military Patriotism, Robert S. Steen ('60), Ltc U.S. Army (Ret.)

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An article published in the UNA Alumni Magazine (Summer 2004) by Florence State College Graduate and Retired LTC, U.S. Army, Robert S. Steen on the history of military service of the university (from the time of LaGrange College through 2004)

Research Review: "Understanding Women’S Transitions From Military To Department Of Veterans Affairs Care", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

Over the past two decades, increasing numbers of women have served in the military, with women now comprising 17.3% of active-duty personnel and 21.4% of National Guard and reserves. During military service, women often incur painful musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries related to carrying heavy loads and wearing ill-fitting gear. While women may receive initial care for these injuries under the auspices of the Department of Defense (DoD), these injuries often linger and further treatment in required as women transition to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) care. However, little is known about this transition process, and whether women are given adequate information …

The Employment Situation Of Veterans: February 2026, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The February 2026 IVMF employment report shows veteran unemployment improving despite a slight national increase. Overall veteran unemployment fell from 4.5% to 4.1%, and Post‑9/11 veteran unemployment dropped sharply from 5.9% to 4.8. Younger veterans (18–24) saw the largest gains, while rates for older veterans rose slightly. Male veteran unemployment decreased to 3.9%, and female veteran unemployment fell to 5.2%. Black veteran unemployment declined significantly, while Hispanic veteran unemployment rose. Compared with nonveterans, veterans generally experienced better or comparable outcomes, though differences vary by age, gender, and race.

Book Review: The Ageless Call To Serve: Rethinking Military Service For A Changing World, Richard M. Yates

Parameters Bookshelf – Online Book Reviews

Author: Lieutenant Colonel Lanny Snodgrass, MD, PhD

Reviewed by: Commander Richard M. Yates, faculty instructor, Department of Command, Leadership, and Management, US Army War College

At age 63, psychiatrist Lanny Snodgrass defied convention by joining the Army, challenging long-held beliefs about age and military readiness. Drawing on decades of clinical experience with veterans and young soldiers, he exposes the psychological toll of sending teenagers to war while advocating for the wisdom and resilience older recruits can bring. This provocative and inspiring book reimagines military service for a modern world, urging a shift from age-based limits to capability-based inclusion.

©2026 Richard …

Book Review: Countdown: The Blinding Future Of Nuclear Weapons, Wylie W. Johnson

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Author: Sarah Scoles

Reviewed by: Dr. Wylie W. Johnson, chaplain, US Army War College class of 2010

Countdown: The Blinding Future of Nuclear Weapons discusses the American nuclear weapons enterprise by analyzing arguments from the past and situations in the present. The author explains the field of nuclear anthropology and the effects of having a long-term nuclear stockpile, as well as how research of nuclear weapons has developed over time, computer modeling, and nuclear forensics. The reviewer considers it “a readable, thought-provoking book that makes this dense subject accessible.”

©2026 Wylie W. Johnson

Book Review: The Airborne Mafia: The Paratroopers Who Shaped America’S Cold War Army, Jason A. Yanda

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Author: Robert F. Williams

Reviewed by: Jason A. Yanda, assistant professor, US Army Heritage and Education Center, US Army War College

In this gripping organizational history, Robert F. Williams reveals how a tight-knit group of World War II paratroopers rose to dominate the US Army’s leadership and reshape its doctrine during the Cold War. Through bold innovation and a fiercely held airborne culture, figures like Ridgway, Taylor, and Gavin transformed civil-military relations, atomic warfare planning, and airmobile strategy. The Airborne Mafia uncovers how subcultures can wield extraordinary influence, leaving a legacy that still echoes through today’s military institutions.

©2026 Jason …

Book Review: Strategy And Grand Strategy, John Erickson

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Author: Joshua Rovner

Reviewed by: John Erickson, senior engineer, Axiom Technologies

Joshua Rovner’s Strategy and Grand Strategy is a compelling and essential exploration of how nations succeed—or fail—when aligning military strategy with broader security goals. Through vivid historical case studies and sharp analysis, Rovner reveals how misunderstanding or ignoring the relationship between strategy (a theory of victory) and grand strategy (a theory of security) can lead to disastrous outcomes. This book is a must-read for anyone involved in national security, defense planning, or the study of statecraft in an era of technological and geopolitical complexity.

©2026 John Erickson

Book Review: Who Will Defend Europe?: An Awakened Russia And A Sleeping Continent, Darrell Driver

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Author: Keir Giles

Reviewed by: Dr. Darrell Driver, director, warfighter studies, Department of Military Strategy, Planning and Operations, US Army War College

As Russia re-arms and the US retreats from its traditional role, Europe faces a chilling question: Can it defend itself against a rising threat? Keir Giles delivers a forceful wake-up call, exposing decades of complacency and the urgent need for renewed leadership and military investment. This gripping analysis warns that without decisive action, the continent risks sleepwalking into disaster.

©2026 Darrell W. Driver

Book Review: War Ethics: Theory, Practice, And Memoir, Geoff Bailey

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Edited by Brian Orend

Reviewed by: Chaplain (Colonel) Geoff Bailey, PhD, US Army War College chaplain and director of ethical development, Department of Command, Leadership, and Management, US Army War College

Blending philosophical insight, real-world application, and personal reflection, this volume offers a comprehensive exploration of the ethics of war. From just war theory to the lived experiences of soldiers and civilians, it bridges the gap between abstract principles and battlefield realities. It is a compelling resource for scholars, practitioners, and anyone grappling with the moral dimensions of armed conflict.

Book Review: Women In Intelligence: The Hidden History Of Two World Wars, Wylie W. Johnson

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Author: Helen Fry

Reviewed by: Dr. Wylie W. Johnson, chaplain, US Army War College class of 2010

Fry’s book, Women in Intelligence, uncovers stories of women working in intelligence and espionage during wartime. Using recently declassified files, she brings to light stories of individuals and the advances in women’s suffrage during the two World Wars. The reviewer sees this as an essential work that makes a significant contribution to the history of intelligence efforts and recommends it to practitioners of the military profession.

©2026 Wylie W. Johnson