Military and Veterans Studies Commons^™

Research Brief: "Soldiers To Citizens: The Link Between Military Service And Volunteering", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research examines the relationship between military service and political engagement, such as voting and volunteering. This study found that older and married veterans were more likely to volunteer than their younger and unmarried counterparts, and therefore veterans who are suffering from depression or loss of purpose might benefit from programs that encourage volunteering. Future research should further investigate the links between individual socioeconomic characteristics, family, social support, and engagement in volunteer work.

Research Brief: "Beyond Yellow Ribbons: Are Employers Prepared To Hire, Accommodate, And Retain Returning Veterans With Disabilities?", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief focuses on analyses on employers' policies and accommodations for hiring veterans with disabilities, and the effect on recruiting rates for these veterans. In practice, veterans with disabilities can increase their chances of finding suitable employment by consulting supporting agencies such as the VetSuccess Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Wounded Warriors program. Suggestions for future study include everyday work life, as well as utilizing mixed methods to further examine the relationship between implementation and impact of diversity plans and accommodation practices.

Research Brief: "Peer Mentoring And Financial Incentives To Improve Glucose Control In African American Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about whether peer mentoring and financial incentives given to African American veterans with diabetes improves their glucose levels. In policy and practice, African American veterans should join peer mentoring programs to help them control their diabetes and consult with their physician about peer mentoring; the VHA should create a peer mentoring program for veterans with diabetes to help with diabetes management. Suggestions for future research include using a larger, more diverse sample, looking at how the peer mentoring helps veterans, and looking at the ways in which veterans lowered their glucose levels in addition to taking part …

To Empathize With An Enemy, Rashida Aluko-Roberts

SURGE

I do not like to talk about my time in Sierra Leone, but I think I’m ready to start.

Growing up in Sierra Leone was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. I carry with me fond memories of my childhood, growing up on 22 Thompson Street in the one-storey house with red doors and windows and zebra themed paint. Evenings were spent riding bikes with my best friend Fatmata. Weekend afternoons spent playing scrabble and watching our favorite Disney movies with my siblings and neighbors in our living room. Those memories I have kept, happily. [excerpt …

Childcare And Youth Training And Technical Assistance Project (Cyttap) November 2013 Evaluation Report, Kit Alviz, Tonia Durden

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

The Childcare and Youth Training and Technical Assistance Project (CYTTAP) works to improve the quality and quantity of child care in states with high densities of off-installation military families. From November 2011 through October 2013, childcare providers and early childhood education professionals attended face-to-face trainings, train-the-trainer events, and low- or no-cost online trainings. Trainings included Better Kid Care (face-to-face trainings covering a wide range of topics including partnerships with parents, health and safety, nutrition and physical activity, and curriculum planning); I Am Moving, I Am Learning (face-to-face training to prevent childhood obesity); and Rock Solid Foundations (a series of programs …

Ua35/8 Military Student Services [Newsletter], Tonya Archey

Veterans Upward Bound Publications

No abstract provided.

Research Brief: "Combat-Related Parental Deployment: Identifying The Impact On Families With Preschool-Age Children", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief summarizes a qualitative study on how combat-related parental deployments affect preschool-aged children.

Research Brief: "Investing In Vets: Strategies To Help Returning Gulf War Vets Enter The Civilian Work Force Successfully", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study found that corporate leadership, veteran-specific training, and a long-term commitment to veterans’ employment were all significant factors in diminishing barriers to veteran employment and reintegration. In practice, social workers who understand business and organizational change can be leaders in supporting veterans in the workplace, and also in advocating for positive social change for veterans and their families. For employers, increased cultural competence concerning military populations would be helpful. In policy, organizations should work on creating coalitions of corporate leaders who have the power to change policies, programs, and practices, and who will monitor the success of these policy …

Research Brief: "Student Veterans In Transition: Re-Enrolling After War Zone Deployments", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study examines the individual-level transitions encountered by student veterans (National Guard and Reserve members) as they re-enroll in college post-deployment, while also attempting to account for the complexities of student and veteran identities. In practice, service members who are re-enrolling in college at the undergraduate level should seek out support groups for student veterans, and most universities have focused attention on ensuring that veterans understand their available benefits, which is a significant step forward; however, universities should also implement support services for veterans in the form of student veteran organizations and support groups. Suggestions for future study include having …

Quantifying Risks Of Climate Change And Sea Level Rise To Naval Station Norfolk (Serdp Rc-1701), Kelly Burks-Copes

October 2, 2013: Quantifying Risks and Moving Forward

No abstract provided.

Agenda, Hr Adaptation Forum

October 2, 2013: Quantifying Risks and Moving Forward

No abstract provided.

Ua35/8 The Topper, Rick Wright

Veterans Upward Bound Publications

No abstract provided.

New York Times V. U.S.: Implications And Relevance In The 21st Century, Maria E. Lombardi

Student Publications

In 1971, the New York Times released the first installment in a series later referred to as the Pentagon Papers that would eventually have significant political, social, and historical impacts that are felt even in the 21st Century. Following the first release, President Nixon’s administration sought an injunction against the publication of the remaining contents of the classified study, ultimately becoming an extensive legal process that culminated in the Supreme Court. In a per curiam opinion, the Court ruled that in accordance with Organization for a Better Austin v. Keefe and Near v. Minnesota that the federal government did not …

Child Care Expansion Initiative: Ripple Effect Mapping: October 2013 Executive Summary, Kit Alviz, Tonia Renee Durden

Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools: Faculty Publications

Ripple Effect Mapping (REM) sessions were conducted for the evaluation of the Childcare and Youth Training and Technical Assistance Project (CYTTAP) and in collaboration with the Military Child Care Liaison Initiative (MCCLI). The combined Child Care Expansion Initiative works to improve the quality and quantity of child care in states with high densities of off-installation military families through state systems building and provides professional development opportunities for early childhood professionals and child care providers. From September 2012 to February 2013, REM sessions were held in nine states. Future strategies recommended include identifying and bringing in the right Military Child Care …

Research Brief: "Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans’ Experiences Living With Their Parents After Separation From The Military", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research examines the experiences of veterans who live with their parents after separation from the military and prepares parents and family to be more knowledgeable and meet the needs of returning veterans. It was found that veterans were better suited to life after military duty with proper emotional support from family, and that providing support and educations for families would aid this transition. In future research, an emphasis on studying a more diverse cohort of male and female veterans as well as their parents is beneficial.

Research Brief: "Substance Use Among Military-Connected Youth: The California Healthy Kids Survey", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research studies the correlation between youth with deployed family members in their lifetime and recent substance use in youth, and found substance use positively correlated with the number of family member deployments. Implications of these findings suggest that monitoring behavior could potentially lead to providing the emotional support necessary to prevent adolescents from turning to substance use, and policy should reflect this by implementing emotional support programs for adolescents with deployed family members. Future research in this area should investigate alternative coping mechanisms for youth dealing with the deployment of a family member, as well as the efficacy of …

Research Brief: "Cultural And Ethical Considerations When Working With Military Personnel And Veterans: A Primer For Va Training Programs", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The study addresses the cultural differences when working with veteran populations compared to civilian populations, specifically regarding training people to work for VA programs. This is applicable to understanding military related cultural competence through mental health, history, terminology, and culture. Future research proposed includes exploring the benefits of cultural competence training.

Research Brief: "Prospectively Assessed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder And Associated Physical Activity", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the connection between physical activity and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans. In policy and practice, service members who experienced combat should have high levels of physical activity in order to reduce the possibility of developing PTSD, clinicians should mention the importance of physical activity for mental health to service members, as well as recommend alternatives for veterans who are unable to do high levels of physical activity. The VA should implement and promote fitness programs for service members and veterans to lower the possibility of developing PTSD, and policymakers should fund physical activity programs …

Research Brief: "Predictors Of Psychiatric Disorders In Combat Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the predictors of mental health diagnoses within a sample of Marines who experienced combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. In policy and practice, support networks should be implemented for servicemembers to share with their peers, clinicians should give female servicemembers and others who have a higher likelihood of developing a mental health disorder after combat information on how to prevent certain psychiatric disorders, and families should know the signs of psychiatric disorders to help servicemembers in their re-adjustment period after deployment. Military branches and policymakers could improve counseling for servicemembers returning from combat and encourage servicemembers to …

Research Brief: "Mental Health Diagnosis And Occupational Functioning In National Guard/Reserve Veterans Returning From Iraq", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief is about the employment or enrollment in school of recently returned National Guard and Reserve OIF/OEF veterans who have a mental health diagnosis compared to those veterans without a mental health diagnosis. In policy and practice, the US military should implement pre- to post-deployment programs to help adjustment into work/school role functioning, and policymakers should partner with universities to help veterans cope with academic stress. Suggestions for future research include using a larger and more comprehensive sample of National Guard/Reserve OIF veterans and studying the effectiveness of programs and support for veterans.