Military and Veterans Studies Commons^™

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

Documents

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

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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

Simulating Cyber-Resilience: The Strategic Role Of The Locked Shields Exercise In Enhancing International Cyber Preparedness, Christopher A. Ramezan, Ludwig Christian Schaupp, Elizabeth A. Vitullo, William J. Walker

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

As cyberthreats to critical infrastructure remain prevalent, national response mechanisms must evolve beyond the technical domain to incorporate legal, communicative, strategic, and cross-sector coordination. This work explores Locked Shields, an annual exercise conducted by NATO's Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, as a pedagogical and conceptual framework for simulating whole-of-government responses to cyber incidents. Unlike traditional cyber exercises, Locked Shields engages legal advisors, media strategists, and civil-military roles in realistic, scenario-driven simulations that portray the political and operational conditions of a real international-scale cyber crisis. We detail the exercise architecture, contrast with other cyber exercises, and assess its pedagogical and …

Book Review: Betting Against America: The Axis Powers’ Views Of The United States, Thomas Bruscino

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Author: Harry Yeide

Reviewed by: Thomas Bruscino, professor, operational art and theater planning, Department of Military Strategy, Planning, and Operations, US Army War College

What if the Axis powers had seen America clearly before launching into war? Betting Against America dives into the flawed intelligence, cultural biases, and strategic miscalculations that led Germany, Japan, and Italy to underestimate the United States. Through intercepted communications and insider reports, Harry Yeide reveals how these fatal errors shaped the course of World War II.

Book Review: Rhino Tanks And Sticky Bombs: Gi Ingenuity In World War Ii, William Phillips

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Author: Robert P. Wettemann Jr.

Reviewed by: Colonel William Phillips, US Army (retired), assistant professor, Department of Joint, Interagency, and Multinational Operations, US Army Command and General Staff College

Improvised weapons and battlefield creativity take center stage in Rhino Tanks and Sticky Bombs, Robert P. Wettemann Jr.’s tribute to the ingenuity of American GIs during World War II. From modifying tanks to crafting makeshift explosives, soldiers turned innovation into survival and success. This compelling account reveals how necessity and resourcefulness shaped the outcome of history’s most devastating conflict.

Copyright: ©2026 William Phillips

Book Review: The Russian-Ukrainian War, 2023: A Second Year Of Hell And The Dawn Of Drone Warfare, Paul Andrew Lushenko

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Author: John S. Harrel

Reviewed by: Paul Andrew Lushenko, professorial lecturer, Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University

In the brutal second year of Russia’s invasion, Ukraine faced relentless assaults while pioneering the battlefield use of drones in a desperate bid for survival. Retired General John S. Harrel delivers a gripping account of mechanized warfare’s evolution, where unmanned aerial vehicles reshaped tactics from the trenches to the Black Sea. This vivid chronicle captures the chaos, innovation, and global reverberations of a war that redefined modern combat.

©2026 Paul Andrew Lushenko

Book Review: Lessons From The Admiral: Naval Wisdom And Sea Stories For Leaders, Richard M. Yates

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Author: Mark C. Fava

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

Mentorship, reliability, and adaptability—explore the Admiral’s wisdom for navigating high-stakes environments. From attention to detail to building resilient teams, discover insights that transcend the military and shape modern leadership.

Copyright: ©2026 Richard M. Yates

Book Review: Cassino ’44: The Brutal Battle For Rome, Wylie W. Johnson

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Author: James Holland

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

In this masterful retelling of the Italian Campaign’s final months, James Holland captures the harrowing struggle to break through the German Gustav Line and liberate Rome. Drawing from 20 years of research and firsthand accounts, he brings to life the chaos of Monte Cassino and Anzio through the eyes of soldiers, nurses, and civilians caught in the maelstrom. Cassino ’44 redefines our understanding of World War II’s most grueling campaign, revealing its strategic importance and human cost just days before the D-Day landings.

©2026 …

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

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The January 2026 BLS data show U.S. employment rose by 130,000, with unemployment holding at 4.3%. Veteran unemployment increased from 3.9% to 4.5%, and Post‑9/11 veteran unemployment rose to 5.8%. Trends varied by demographic group: young veterans (18–24) saw improvement, while veterans 45–54 experienced a sharp rise. Female veteran unemployment climbed notably to 5.8%. Black veterans saw unemployment rise to 8.3%, while Hispanic veteran unemployment dropped to 2.1%. Overall, veterans experienced greater volatility than nonveterans across age, gender, and racial groups.

Research Review: "Black Veterans' Insight On Racial Disparities In Military Administrative Separations", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

Military service provides a path toward the middle class by granting veterans benefits, including healthcare and compensation for disabilities acquired during service. Military characterization of service, assigned by the Department of Defense at separation, can qualify or disqualify veterans from benefits access. Black service members are 50% more likely than White service members to receive an Other Than Honorable rather than an Honorable discharge, resulting in disproportionate impediments to the benefits designed to facilitate re-entry into civilian life and prevent poverty. Yet, the Department of Defense provides little meaningful remedy for Black veterans to correct less than Honorable discharges, instead …

Veteran Families In The 2025 Mfls: Community, Transition Needs, And Family Financial Situation, Jeanette Harvie, Rosalinda V. Maury

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The 2025 Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS), a collaboration between Blue Star Families and Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families since 2014, was released Feb 3, 2026. This year, the survey collected responses from over 6,000 military-connected individuals, including 2,846 veteran family respondents. Key findings include that 58% of veteran respondents described their military-to-civilian transition as difficult, with many reporting significant unmet needs for housing assistance, caregiving resources, and financial planning support at the time of transition. Preliminary analysis showed that veteran families who experienced difficult transitions may experience worse long-term outcomes, with 39% currently struggling financially …

Roadmap To Implement Statewide Veterans Coordinated Care In New Mexico, Nosa Akol, Zachary Bridgewater, Vincent Delsignore, Emily Graham, Mary Rachel Keville

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The New Mexico State Legislature is interested in building a statewide coordinated care network to better connect veterans and their families to service. This document translates community input into an actionable roadmap for implementation. This outlines key activities, objectives, and milestones across each phase of the project--designed to guide state leaders and implementation partners from design to launch to steady state operations.