Military and Veterans Studies Commons^™

Embedding And Enabling Multi-Domain Combat Capabilities With Partners And Allies: A Joint Concept Proposal, Nathan Colvin, Aljoša Kaučevič, Randall Mercer

Graduate Research Conference (GSIS)

Future military operations will rely upon a coalition partnership’s ability to conduct regional and global operations across all domains. Currently the US has the most robust multi-domain skill sets of any existing military force, but the US cannot be solely responsible for operations around the globe. To do so would be geopolitically and economically infeasible. An answer may be to build cohesive coalition force units capable of combining localized capabilities and specialized US global competencies. The ability to respond to any type of threat through the synergy of coalition strengths will act to deter regional threats throughout the cooperation, competition, …

The Ins And Outs Of Procurement Contracting: Opportunities And Challenges For Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs, Adam Pritchard, Rosalinda V. Maury

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research brief explores the ins and outs of procurement contracting from the perspective of military-affiliated small businesses, examining the differences between the government and corporate procurement landscapes. Using data from the 2024 National Survey of Military-Affiliated Entrepreneurs, this brief investigates the return-on-investment (ROI) from procurement contracting, summarizes effective strategies that military-affiliated entrepreneurs have used to maximize their ROI, and leverages these experiences to guide entrepreneurs and business ecosystems towards effective approaches to improve the procurement capabilities of military-connected small businesses.

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

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

In February 2025, the U.S. added 151,000 jobs, maintaining the unemployment rate at 4.1%. Veteran unemployment decreased slightly to 4.1%, with significant drops among younger veterans (18-24) and those aged 65 and older. However, unemployment rates varied across veteran demographic groups, with some experiencing increases and others decreases.

The Skills-Based Business Case For Hiring Veterans - Report, Adam Pritchard, Rosalinda V. Maury

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This report explores the current state of skills-based hiring, examining trends, challenges, and future predictions. It focuses on how military veteran jobseekers can identify and communicate their skills. The report includes expert insights and offers recommendations for employers to develop skills-first frameworks and for veterans to navigate the employment landscape and maximize career prospects through upskilling.

Researching The U.S. Senate Presidential Nominee Confirmation Process, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

The beginning of 2025 has seen renewed public attention and emphasis on the constitutionally mandated U.S. Senate confirmation process. This stems from the beginning of the second Trump Administration as its nominees navigate this process. The presentation provides historical background on this process, demonstrates what nominees, Senate oversight committees, and the full Senate in administering this process and enables readers to find out how to access information resources documenting this process. The confirmation process continues throughout presidential administrations and may involve little public attention and controversy or acute public attention and controversy. The contrasting 2025 confirmation experiences of Secretary of …

Research Review: "United States Army Reserve/National Guard Soldiers’ Healthcare Experiences, Attitudes, And Preferences: Differences Based On Deployment Status", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research review highlights findings from a recent study aimed at better understanding health care preferences of National Guard and Reserves service members. The authors found that found that among 430 USAR/NG service members, the overwhelming majority (83%) reported that their community/private provider has never asked how their military service impacts their health despite 39% of participants indicating that their current health concerns are related to their military service. Additionally, there is no difference between USAR/NG servicemembers who were previously deployed overseas and those who were not in their perception of whether community/private providers can address their military-related health concerns. …

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 …

Trends Of Opioid Use Following Anterior Cervical Discectomy And Fusion: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study Of The Veterans Health Administration, Andrew M. Gabig, Paymon G. Rezaii, Sean C. Clark, Bela P. Delvadia, Olivia C. Lee, William F. Sherman, Mathew Cyriac

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: The United States Veteran Health Administration (VHA) cares for a substantial group of patients who are at higher risk of substance abuse in comparison to the general population. The purpose of this study was to (1) examine opioid consumption in the veteran population both pre- and postoperatively to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and (2) understand the risk factors that are associated with sustained postoperative opioid use. METHODS: A retrospective database study was conducted using the Veterans Affairs Informatics and Computing Infrastructure database. Patients who underwent ACDF between 2010 and 2020 were identified and stratified into 3 groups …

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

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

In January 2025, the U.S. added 143,000 jobs, lowering the unemployment rate to 4.0%. However, veteran unemployment rose significantly, with notable increases among younger veterans and those aged 65 and older. Unemployment rates also varied across different veteran demographic groups, with some seeing increases and others decreases.

A Visual Instrument For Military Public Affairs, Rose Di Trolio

Theses

This directed project is a visual guidebook that assists Missouri National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, and civilians onboarding within the Public Affairs Office and 70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. This guidebook serves as a tool for the creative-minded perspective to better understand materials such as the overall public affairs process, community relations, and social media creation and management. All the contents of this guidebook are directed from publicly-made information and labeled UNCLASSIFIED. This graphical guidebook uses vectors and images combined into one PDF file. Within the Military profession, it is typical and sometimes expected for members to relocate, deploy, or attend …

Research Review: "Veteran Affairs Disability Compensation: Likely The U.S.’S Largest Disability Program, But What Do We Know About Its Impacts On Service-Disabled Veterans?", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research review highlights the complexities of estimating the causal impacts of the Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation (VADC) program. The authors suggest that reliable estimates of the causal impact of VADC on labor market outcomes requires estimates of the causal impact of other programs available to veterans with service-connected disabilities. Currently, there is limited evidence of the causal impact of these programs, pointing to several opportunities for practice, policy, and future research.

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

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

In December, employment increased by 256,000, with the unemployment rate remaining steady at 4.1%. Veteran unemployment showed mixed trends, with post-9/11 veteran unemployment rising to 3.9% and significant variations across different age and demographic groups. Notably, the unemployment rate for veterans aged 25-34 and Black or African American veterans saw substantial increases.

Navigating The Academic Terrain: Examining The Challenges And Success Factors Of Student Veterans In Higher Education Institutions, Katherine Reyes, Corey Idleburg

Education Division Scholarship

This study investigates the academic experiences of student veterans, addressing specific challenges they face in higher education. Using Schlossberg’s adult transition theory, it explores the effects of invisible barriers, enrollment trends, and institutional factors on veteran student success, leveraging the VA’s GI Bill Comparison tool to examine public versus private school support. Findings underscore the need for targeted resources, faculty training, and institutional awareness to foster a supportive and inclusive environment that enhances veteran students' academic success and sense of belonging.

Professional Quality Of Life Of Air Force First Sergeants: An Exploratory Study, Ryan K. Barney

Theses and Dissertations--Social Work

This exploratory study was designed to measure the prevalence and correlates of professional quality of life constructs in a novel population: active-duty Air Force First Sergeants. Given the similarities in duties and stressors that First Sergeants encounter with those of other helping professionals, this study aimed to expand the scope of existing professional quality of life research by applying Stamm’s (2010) professional quality of life framework to cross-sectional survey research with a sample of First Sergeants. Four primary research questions guided this study: first, what is the prevalence of secondary traumatic stress (STS), burnout, and compassion satisfaction in a sample …

Out Of Institutions, Into Society: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis Exploring The Shared Experiences Of Veterans And Formerly Incarcerated Persons Reintegrating Into Civilian Life, Hannah C. Pederson

Social Work Theses - Archive

The reintegration experiences of veterans and formerly incarcerated persons (FIPs) share significant parallels, yet there is a notable lack of literature exploring these similarities. This study employs qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis (QIMS) methodology, a cross-study qualitative analysis approach developed specifically for the social work field, to identify commonalities in the reintegration narratives of U.S. veterans transitioning from military service and FIPs returning to civilian life post-incarceration. The author conducted a QIMS on ten studies published between 2006 and 2024 (N=172). The QIMS yielded seven overarching themes: supports, mental health and wellness, institutional residue, culture shock, socioeconomic hardships (“it’s hard out here”), …

Assessing Best Practices Of Facilitation Of The Free Exercise Of Religion By Army Chaplains Utilizing The Success Case Method, Geoffrey N. Bailey Phd

Dissertations

This mixed-methods study examined how U.S. Army chaplains experience and facilitate the free exercise of religion. The research explored compelling narratives of best-case facilitation experiences, identified leadership qualities associated with successful religious support, and analyzed similarities and differences between best and worst-case scenarios. Using Brinkerhoff's Success Case Method, the study distributed a quantitative survey to 1,478 active-duty chaplains (achieving a 23% response rate) followed by twelve guided interviews with participants representing diverse ranks and faith traditions. The research revealed six major themes: significant gaps in education for pluralistic ministry, tension between personal religious convictions and professional duties, crucial impact of …

Military Forensic Archaeology: The Process And Recovery Of U.S. Missing-In-Action (Mia) Service Personnel, William Belcher, Luann Wandsnider, Ella N. Axelrod, Finn Kennison, Alicia Lawson

Department of Anthropology: Faculty Publications

The United States (U.S.) Department of Defense's (DoD) Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) is the largest skeletal identification laboratory in the world and receives several hundred cases per year for identification related to Missing-in- Action (MIA) U.S. service members. While there are various sources for these accessions, by far the largest source is through unilateral or bilateral (done in cooperation with another governmental entity or nongovernmental organization) as well as public-private partnership excavations. While the DPAA-style military forensic archaeology follows archaeological principles and recording standards, the work is goal-oriented, evidence/trace-driven, and time-constrained— a common occurrence with cultural resource management sites …

The Media Framing Of India’S Nuclear Weapons Discourse, Sitakanta Mishra, Hely Desai

International Journal of Nuclear Security

The Indian media has had an immense role in framing public perceptions of nuclear weapons within the Indian subcontinent. Examining the largely nationalistic tone of news coverage helps analyze how the media has shaped India’s idea of its status as a nuclear weapon state. Examining the sociocultural discourse around the bomb, this paper analyzes the major influence that the Indian media has in information distribution and how that influence translates to the formation of the atomic attitudes of the masses. In situating the Indian media’s approach to nuclear weapons at large, this work studied the framing of domestic nuclear weapons …

Shore Leave : Rare, Brief And In Danger Of Extinction, Maria Carrera-Arce, Raphael Baumler, Bikram Singh Bhatia, Lei Du

Reports

Shore leave for seafarers is generally accepted as a custom, if not a right, essential for well- being and pressure relief from the responsibilities of life on board. However, it is clear that the ability of seafarers to take shore leave has been seriously eroded and may even be facing extinction.

The combination of workload on board and limited time in port make it virtually impossible for seafarers to make time for shore leave. Commercial pressures have increased, and there is a serious risk that facilities available for seafarers will decline due to a lack of demand.

The culprits are …

Using Mindfulness To Manage Moral Injury In Veterans: Feasibility And Satisfaction Of A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Michelle L. Kelley, Adrian J. Bravo, Elizabeth E. Burgin, Susan A. Gaylord, Christine Vinci, Megan Strowger, Jeffrey M. Gabelmann, Joseph M. Currier

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objective

The present study assessed program feasibility and satisfaction among recent-era veterans who participated in Mindfulness to Manage Moral Injury (MMMI), a live facilitated web-based 7-week mindfulness-based program targeting moral injury among veterans.

Method

In total, 56 post-9/11 veterans were recruited with 28 randomized to the MMMI condition and 28 to the Education and Support (ES) condition. Most participants identified as being White (71.4%), male (66.1%), and had a reported mean age of 41.50 years (Median = 39.50, SD = 9.26).

Results

Among the 56 participants, 82.1% attended at least one treatment session and 44.6% completed all seven sessions. There …