Description:
Abstract We review research published in the past 15 years that explores the relationship between military service and the life course, focusing on criminal careers, marital status, lifelong health, and socioeconomic attainment. Throughout the review, we note the extent to which studies find that veterans experienced different outcomes in different historical periods, ranging from World War II to the more recent voluntary armed forces. The effects of military service depend on whether health, criminal, socioeconomic, or marital outcomes are considered. They also depend on the timing and era of service, and veterans’ family background and individual characteristics such as race and delinquency. Nevertheless, the evidence to date suggests one general conclusion: Veterans exposed to combat have suffered worse outcomes than noncombat veterans and than nonveterans. We conclude with suggestions for future research including a tighter integration of the research questions and strategies that have been employed to examine the different outcomes.
Acronyms and Definitions
All-Volunteer Force (AVF): In 1973, the United States army changed from conscription to voluntary recruitment of troops. AVF refers to the U.S. military and service in the U.S. military between 1973 and the present
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a mental disorder, caused by a traumatic event, that leads to reexperiencing (flashbacks) and avoidance of memories of the event, combined with hyperarrousal (e.g., insomnia and exaggerated startle response)
Author Abstract |
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| Classification: |
Military Service/s (LCSH)
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| Rights: |
Copyright 2007 by Annual Review |
| Coverage: |
Research published in last 15 yrs explores relationship between military service & life course |
| Source: |
Annual Review of Sociology,Vol. 33: 175-196 (Volume publication date August 2007) |
| Email Address: |
patricia.martinez.ctr@usuhs.mil |
| Date Of Record Creation: |
2009-12-02 13:24:22 (W3C-DTF) |
| Date Of Record Release: |
2009-12-02 13:33:55 (W3C-DTF) |
| Date Last Modified: |
2009-12-02 13:33:55 (W3C-DTF) |
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