essay army life

Essay on Life of Soldiers for Students and Children

500 words on essay on life of soldiers for students and children.

Soldiers are one of the greatest assets of any country. They are the guardians of the nation and protect its citizens at all costs. Moreover, they are a very selfless lot who put the interest of the country above their personal interest. A soldier’s job is one of the toughest things to do in the world. They are supposed to fulfill challenging duties and possess exceptional qualities to become a great soldier. However, their lives are very tough. Nonetheless, they always fulfill their duties despite the hardships.

Duties of Soldiers

A country sleeps peacefully as the soldier performs its duties. The first and foremost duty of a soldier is to serve their country without any selfish motive. A person usually joins the army out of love for his motherland and to protect it. Even though they know they will have to face numerous problems, they still do so for their country.

Furthermore, a soldier safeguard’s the honour of his country. They do not step back in the face of adversaries instead they give there best. It does not matter if they have to give their life for the country, they are willing to do so happily. Besides, soldiers also have to be alert at all times. He is never off duty, whether he is sleeping or on the battlefield, he stays vigilant throughout.

Most importantly, a soldier’s duty is to maintain the peace and harmony of the country. He takes on the responsibility of ensuring a safe environment for all. In addition to guarding the border, they are also always there in case of emergencies. They learn how to handle every situation carefully whether it is a terrorist attack or natural calamity. In other words, the local authorities need them to bring the situation under control.

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Challenges Faced by Soldiers

Being a soldier is not easy, in fact, it is one of the most challenging things to do. Their lives are full of hardships and challenges which no ordinary person can survive. Firstly, they spend a great deal of time away from their loved ones. It disturbs them emotionally and they do not even get any holidays. Even in festivals, they are busy safeguarding the nation.

Similarly, soldiers have to undergo rigorous training to become fit to fight battles. It becomes exhausting and physically challenging, but they still go on. To make it worse, they do not even get an adequate amount of supply to lead a normal life. Sometimes, the food rationing is low, the other times they get posted in remote areas without any signal.

Subsequently, they also have to make do in the harshest of weather conditions. It does not matter if it is scorching hot or chilling cold, they have to be out on the battlefield. Similarly, they do not even get enough bulletproof equipment which will keep them safe. Thus, we see what a challenging life our soldiers lead to protect their country.

Q.1 What are the duties of a soldier?

A.1 A soldier has many duties to perform. He has to work selflessly for the betterment of the country. They ensure that peace and harmony are maintained throughout the nation. Moreover, they also remain vigilant at all times and render help in case of emergency situations.

Q.2 What challenges do soldiers face?

A.2 A soldier has to face a lot of challenges in their lives. They separate from their family and spend most of their time away from them. Further, they undergo hard training to achieve success. Sometimes, they don’t even get enough supplies to make ends meet. Moreover, no matter the weather, they have to survive in rough situations.

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Essay on Army Life

Students are often asked to write an essay on Army Life in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Army Life

Joining the army.

Joining the Army is a big decision. It means leaving your home and family. It also means a new life of discipline and hard work. You will learn new skills and make new friends. It is a brave choice that few people make.

Army training is tough. It helps soldiers become strong and fit. They learn to work as a team and follow orders. They also learn to use different weapons. Training is important because it prepares soldiers for their duties.

Daily Routine

A soldier’s day starts early with physical exercise. After that, they have breakfast and start their duties. These can include guard duty, training, or other tasks. The day ends with dinner and some free time before bed.

Respect and Discipline

In the Army, respect and discipline are very important. Soldiers must respect their officers and follow their orders. They must also show discipline in their work and personal life. This helps the Army work as a team.

Serving the Country

Being a soldier means serving your country. Soldiers protect us from threats and keep us safe. They also help in times of disaster. It is a job that requires bravery and sacrifice. It is a job to be proud of.

250 Words Essay on Army Life

What is army life.

Army life is the life of soldiers who serve in the military. These brave people protect our country from dangers. They live a life full of discipline, hard work, and courage.

Life in the Barracks

Soldiers live in a place called barracks. These are like big houses where many soldiers stay together. They share rooms and eat together. Living in the barracks teaches them to be good team players. They learn to share, to help each other, and to live as a family.

Training and Work

Army life is not easy. Soldiers have to train hard every day. They run, exercise, and learn to use weapons. They also learn to survive in difficult places like jungles, deserts, and mountains. This hard training makes them strong and ready to protect us.

Discipline in Army Life

Discipline is very important in the army. Soldiers have to follow rules and orders. They wake up early, eat at fixed times, and work in a planned way. This discipline helps them to do their work well and on time.

Sacrifices and Bravery

Army life is also about sacrifices and bravery. Soldiers stay away from their families for many months. They miss birthdays, festivals, and other special days. They also face dangers and risks. But they do all this to keep us safe.

In conclusion, army life is a life of discipline, hard work, and courage. It is a life of sacrifices and bravery. Soldiers are real heroes who protect our country. We should always respect and thank them for their service.

500 Words Essay on Army Life

Army life is the lifestyle of people who serve in the armed forces. It is a life full of discipline, responsibility, and bravery. People in the army are often called soldiers. They work to protect their country and its people.

Discipline is a big part of army life. Soldiers must follow strict rules and regulations. They have a set time to wake up, eat, train, and sleep. This helps them stay focused and prepared. It also helps them work together as a team.

Training and Fitness

Training is another important part of army life. Soldiers need to be physically fit and mentally strong. They often do exercises like running, weight lifting, and obstacle courses. They also learn skills like shooting and survival techniques. This training helps them stay ready for any situation.

Responsibility and Duty

Soldiers have a big responsibility. They must protect their country and its people. This can mean being away from family and friends for long periods. It can also mean facing danger. But soldiers take this duty very seriously. They are proud to serve their country.

Living Conditions

Army life can also be tough because of the living conditions. Soldiers often live in barracks or tents. They may not have a lot of personal space or comforts. But they learn to adapt and make the best of their situation.

Brotherhood and Unity

Despite the challenges, army life also brings a strong sense of brotherhood. Soldiers live, train, and work together. They share their joys and sorrows. This creates a bond that is very special. It’s like a big family.

In conclusion, army life is not easy. It requires discipline, hard work, and bravery. But it also brings a sense of purpose and unity. Soldiers are proud to serve their country and protect its people. They are heroes in the true sense.

This essay gives a glimpse of the army life. It is a life that demands a lot, but also gives a lot. It is a life of honor, pride, and service.

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100 Army Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Essay writing is an integral part of academic life, and one topic that frequently arises is the military. The army, in particular, offers a wide range of essay topics that can be explored from various angles. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a political science major, or simply fascinated by military strategies and tactics, here are 100 army essay topic ideas and examples to inspire you.

Historical Topics:

• The significance of the Battle of Thermopylae in military history.
• The role of women in the Revolutionary War.
• The impact of military technology on World War I.
• The reasons behind the fall of the Roman Empire.
• Analyzing the strategies employed by Napoleon Bonaparte.
• The importance of the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War.
• The impact of the Mongol Empire on military tactics.
• The significance of D-Day in World War II.
• The role of the military in the American Revolution.
• The influence of the Roman army on modern military organizations.

Political Science and International Relations:

• The role of the military in nation-building.
• The impact of military coups on democratic governments.
• The relationship between military spending and economic growth.
• The role of the United Nations in peacekeeping operations.
• The influence of the military-industrial complex on foreign policy.
• The impact of nuclear weapons on global security.
• The role of the military in counterterrorism operations.
• The effectiveness of military interventions in resolving conflicts.
• The challenges of integrating women into combat roles.
• The impact of cybersecurity threats on military operations.

Ethics and Morality:

• The ethical implications of autonomous weapons systems.
• The role of morality in the decision to go to war.
• The ethics of using child soldiers in armed conflicts.
• The responsibility of soldiers in following orders.
• The ethics of military recruitment tactics.
• The impact of PTSD on soldiers' mental health and ethical decision-making.
• The role of military tribunals in ensuring justice and accountability.
• The ethics of using drones in military operations.
• The moral dilemmas faced by soldiers in the fog of war.
• The ethics of military intervention in humanitarian crises.

Leadership and Strategy:

• The qualities of an effective military leader.
• The importance of strategic planning in military operations.
• The role of intelligence in military decision-making.
• The impact of technological advancements on military strategies.
• The effectiveness of asymmetric warfare tactics.
• The relationship between military strategy and diplomacy.
• The role of military alliances in global security.
• The influence of military culture on leadership styles.
• The impact of military training on leadership development.
• The lessons learned from historical military failures.

Social and Psychological Aspects:

• The social impact of military service on veterans and their families.
• The psychology of heroism in the military.
• The influence of military service on personal identity.
• The impact of military deployments on military families.
• The role of military rituals and traditions in building camaraderie.
• The relationship between military service and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• The challenges faced by military personnel during the transition to civilian life.
• The impact of military service on mental health and well-being.
• The role of military education in promoting resilience and adaptability.
• The influence of military subcultures on individual behavior.

Technology and Innovation:

• The impact of drones on military operations and ethics.
• The role of artificial intelligence in future military strategies.
• The potential of bioengineering in enhancing military capabilities.
• The influence of cyber warfare on international security.
• The use of virtual reality in military training.
• The impact of advanced weaponry on the future of warfare.
• The role of space technology in military operations.
• The ethics of using unmanned vehicles in military missions.
• The influence of communication technologies on military strategies.
• The potential of nanotechnology in military applications.

Military History and Cultural Impact:

• The portrayal of war and the military in literature and film.
• The impact of war on art and creativity throughout history.
• The cultural significance of military memorials and monuments.
• The portrayal of soldiers and veterans in popular culture.
• The role of military history in shaping national identity.
• The impact of war on the environment and natural resources.
• The representation of women in military history.
• The role of military museums in preserving historical artifacts.
• The influence of military fashion and uniforms on popular culture.
• The portrayal of war in video games and its impact on society.

Humanitarian Efforts and Peacekeeping:

• The role of the military in disaster response and relief efforts.
• The impact of military peacekeeping missions on conflict resolution.
• The challenges faced by military personnel in humanitarian operations.
• The relationship between military intervention and human rights.
• The effectiveness of military forces in promoting stability and peace.
• The role of military engineers in infrastructure development.
• The challenges of providing medical care in military operations.
• The impact of military assistance on developing countries.
• The importance of cultural sensitivity in military humanitarian efforts.
• The relationship between military operations and refugee crises.

Military Intelligence and Espionage:

• The history and significance of code-breaking in military intelligence.
• The impact of intelligence failures on military operations.
• The role of spies and espionage in shaping military strategies.
• The influence of technological advancements on military intelligence gathering.
• The challenges of balancing national security with individual privacy.
• The ethics of using informants and double agents in military intelligence.
• The role of cyber intelligence in modern warfare.
• The impact of disinformation campaigns on military decision-making.
• The relationship between military intelligence and diplomatic negotiations.
• The vulnerabilities and challenges of military cybersecurity.

Military Training and Education:

• The importance of physical fitness in military training.
• The role of military academies in shaping future leaders.
• The impact of military training on discipline and character development.
• The challenges faced by military personnel in adapting to new technologies.
• The effectiveness of simulation training in preparing soldiers for combat.
• The role of military training in fostering teamwork and camaraderie.
• The influence of cultural diversity in military training programs.
• The challenges of integrating new recruits into existing military units.
• The importance of lifelong learning in military careers.
• The impact of military education on civilian career prospects.

These essay topic ideas and examples provide a starting point for exploring the multifaceted aspects of the military. Whether you choose to focus on historical events, ethical dilemmas, leadership strategies, or technological advancements, remember to conduct thorough research, critically analyze the information, and present a well-structured argument in your essay. Good luck!

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Home — Essay Samples — Government & Politics — Army — Lifelong Learning in the Army: Building Better Leaders

Lifelong Learning in The Army: Building Better Leaders

• Categories: Army Army Values Leadership Development

About this sample

Words: 830 |

Published: Aug 4, 2023

Words: 830 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, importance of hands-on training in lifelong learning, critical thinking and learning in the army, development of better leaders in the army, works cited.

• Schwartzman, R. (2003). Lifelong learning for the Army: The Future Army Training and Leader Development Panel (ATLDP) final report. United States Army War College.
• Wyche, W. L. (2013). Army lifelong learning: A look at self-directed, problem-centered training. Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin, 39(4), 70-75.

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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; Board on Children, Youth, and Families; Committee on the Well-Being of Military Families; Le Menestrel S, Kizer KW, editors. Strengthening the Military Family Readiness System for a Changing American Society. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2019 Jul 19.

Strengthening the Military Family Readiness System for a Changing American Society.

• Hardcopy Version at National Academies Press

4 Military Life Opportunities and Challenges

To build a clearer picture of military families and gain insights into both their strengths and their needs, in this chapter we build on Chapter 3 by examining the real-life experiences of active and reserve component military personnel and their families. By highlighting the opportunities and challenges of military life at different stages of service and for different subgroups, this chapter offers insights into how major and minor life stressors accumulate and converge to wear down service members and their families, as well as insights into features that mitigate their impact or help provide a safety net, such as a sense of community and opportunities for personal and professional growth.

This chapter is not intended to be a complete listing of all of the major opportunities and challenges of military life. The sponsor of this study will be familiar with these general topics, since understanding what attracts individuals to military service, what supports or impedes performance and deployability, and why personnel leave the military are all key to managing the all-volunteer force. Nevertheless, the challenges highlighted here are likely experienced and managed quite differently by today's military families compared to those who served as recently as 2000.

Military families encounter opportunities and challenges in life, just like any family does, and the life-course of military families is similar to the life-course of their civilian counterparts. However, some experiences are particular to military life or are experienced differently because of the military context in which they occur. Moreover, there is great variability in military experiences across individuals and families.

An extensive body of research has emerged since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11), which raises questions as to whether and how the experiences of service members and their families have changed with the times, and whether or how these experiences relate to family, such as well-being, resilience, readiness, and retention. Taken individually, the studies each face limitations such as: cross-sectional rather than longitudinal data, difficulties recruiting participations (particularly family members and junior enlisted personnel), relying on parents for insights about children, inability to weight samples to unknown characteristics, sample sizes that limit analyses of small subgroups, and restrictions on access to military populations, datasets, and findings not released to the public. As a body of research, however, considered alongside testimonials, news articles, and DoD-reported facts and figures, there are a number of prominent themes that emerge and questions they invite. The literature echoes most of the significant demands on military personnel and their families as well as influential societal trends that Segal (1986) described more than 30 years ago. However, in light of recent, rapid societal changes (discussed below) and ongoing military efforts to support service members and their families, we must continue to seek to understand how today's families experience and respond to military life.

Recent research has paid particular attention to acute stressors that can be associated with military life, such as combat exposure, traumatic brain injury, family separations during deployment, and post-deployment family reintegration (see Chapters 5 and 6 ). There are also the daily and chronic stressors that can take a toll on individual or family well-being when they are experienced by particularly vulnerable populations or when they become cumulative, either through the same stressor chronically recurring or through multiple stressors occurring simultaneously. Military families must manage a wide range of stressors, of course, not just those that are particular to military life. At the same time, one should not overlook the aspects of military life that service members and their families may find attractive and beneficial.

This chapter highlights broad categories of opportunities and challenges of military life for active or reserve component 1 military personnel and their families. Several overarching themes frequently appear across reports that convey input from service members and spouses, whether that input is qualitative or quantitative, based on large or small samples, based on opportunity or probabilistic samples, or originate from inside or outside of the Department of Defense (DoD). We chose to spotlight the following seven issue areas, which the chapter addresses in turn, because of their prominence and implications for family well-being:

Transition into the military

Pay and benefits

Geographic assignment and relocation

Deployments, sea duty, training away from home

National Guard and Reserve issues

Diversity and inclusion issues

Transition out of the military.

These issue areas are all interrelated: we call them out separately to better highlight their contributions or roles as military opportunities or stressors.

• OPPORTUNITIES OR CHALLENGES?

In this chapter, the committee has not categorized events or features of military families' lives according to whether they are opportunities or challenges, nor does it presume that all challenges are stressors, for these reasons:

• Some experiences could be opportunities, challenges, and stressors—such as job promotion.
• Circumstances may influence how one individual appraises an experience. For example, someone may be eager for a permanent change of station (mandatory moves known as PCS) and to move away from one assignment or town, but then be reluctant to have to move away from another.
• Different individuals have different preferences. For example, some personnel may welcome the opportunity to deploy multiple times, while others may prefer never to deploy.

Nevertheless, some aspects of military life are generally positive, such as opportunities to develop one's skills and to receive steady pay and benefits; others may be generally negative, such as being passed over for promotion; and a few may be potentially catastrophic, such as a service-related permanent disability or the death of a loved one. Figure 4-1 depicts how challenges and opportunities, such as the examples discussed in this chapter, can contribute to or rely upon individual, family, and external resources, such as the ability to cope, social networks, and community organizations. That process can result in positive or negative well-being and readiness outcomes. Managing challenges or opportunities can be an iterative process, one that involves multiple engagements with resources and potentially strengthens or drains resilience factors. These well-being and readiness outcomes can themselves contribute to new challenges or opportunities. This model builds upon a previously proposed Military Family Fitness model (discussed in detail in Bowles et al., 2015 ), and similarly provides illustrative examples rather than a complete listing in every category.

The military family well-being and readiness model and illustrative elements. SOURCE: Adapted from in Bowles et al. (2015, Fig. 1).

Military families, particularly those who choose to and are able to remain in the military, can be very adaptable and resilient and can develop healthy coping strategies for the stressors of military life such as moves and deployments ( Easterbrooks et al., 2013 ; Meadows et al., 2016 ). Military families can develop their own norms and rhythms for the process of managing family separations or moves and for finding out about the right networks, programs, and services available for their particular needs. Children's responses to the opportunities and strains of military family life are likely to depend on parental and family maturity and the individual child's developmental stage, temperament, and social capacity. Based on individual differences within the same family, one child can thrive and another struggle.

The impact of the challenges and opportunities of military life can be shaped by the duration and timing of these events as well. For example, a deployment can be a short mission to transport equipment, supplies, or personnel overseas and back, or it can require service members to live and operate in a combat zone for a year or longer. On the positive side, longer deployments can offer greater opportunities to hone leadership and occupational skills, enhance the ability to compete for promotion or key assignments, and increase service-member income through special pays and tax benefits. However, longer duration deployments can also increase service members' exposure to hazardous environments (e.g., chemical, biological, climatic); present greater risk of war-related injury, death, or exposure to traumatic events; lengthen family separations; and cause service members to miss major milestones such as births and holidays. Individual family members are developing throughout their lives, and the timing of particular events relative to individual development may be consequential.

Early experiences can shape responses to later—sometimes much later—events ( Wilmoth and London, 2013 ). For example, service members' exposure to adverse events such as abuse or violence prior to joining the military can affect their likelihood of later post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or suicide ( Carroll et al., 2017 ). Military service typically begins during the transition to adulthood, with the possibility of enhancing or disrupting the trajectories of individuals' later work and family lives. Service members' military experiences may alter the career trajectories of their spouses or partners ( Kleykamp, 2013 ). An individual could become a military spouse or partner well before their own careers have been established, or long afterward. That timing could result in differing processes for managing the demands of military life, differing levels of resilience resources, and differing types of need for support. Timing is particularly salient in childhood, when development happens so rapidly. For example, children's experiences with relocations may affect later school performance ( Lyle, 2006 ; Moeller et al., 2015 ). Effects of the content and timing of life experiences can cascade across developmental domains, such that early difficulties at school might lead to later difficulties in relationships with peers ( Masten, 2013 ; Masten and Cicchetti, 2010 ).

These long-term effects of military experiences may be positive, as the “military-as-turning-point” perspective attests; they may be neutral; or they may be negative, as expressed in the “life-course disruption” perspective ( Segal et al., 2015 ; Wilmoth and London, 2013 ). The impact of life events and transitions is conditioned by their characteristics, such as how expected, how abrupt, or how traumatic they are ( Boss, 2002 ). In addition, both risks and resilience factors can accumulate to create mutually reinforcing ‘caravans' that move together over time, accelerating positive or negative effects ( Layne et al., 2014 ).

Timing also refers to the historical and social context of military service. MacLean and Elder (2007) , for example, documented how the effects of military service varied substantially across conflicts during the 20th century, as societal perceptions of those conflicts shifted. Historical changes in military compensation and educational benefits can also shape both the attractiveness and the consequences of military service. Attitudes of the public toward service members and their families can be powerful influences on the consequences of military service, leading to both positive consequences, such as special efforts to employ veterans, and negative ones, such as society's failure to seek out military and veteran families as assets to their communities ( MacLean and Elder, 2007 ).

• THE CONTEXT OF MILITARY FAMILY LIFE: YESTERDAY VERSUS TODAY

The context of military service is dramatically different today from what it was when the all-volunteer force was designed. Today, U.S. forces increasingly serve in diverse missions, including combat, peacekeeping, disaster relief, public health and humanitarian efforts, and homeland security. Many missions, such as those that involve technology or long-term engagement with local populations overseas, require expert knowledge and advanced skills that take years to develop. Today's armed forces prepare for and carry out missions not only in the air, on the land, and on the sea, but through space and cyberspace. Unlike during the Cold War era, today the military is focused not on a single main adversary but on ever-changing threats from state and nonstate actors around the globe. In addition, the National Guard and the Reserves have been called up like never before in our nation's military history ( Commission on the National Guard and Reserves, 2008 ).

As discussed in chapters 2 and 3 , today's military personnel and military families are more diverse than ever ( DoD, 2017a ; Hawkins et al., 2018 ). The proportions of military personnel who are women, who are dual-military couples, and who are racial and ethnic minorities have all grown. As of 2011, gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members have been allowed to serve openly, and now dependent benefits extend to same-sex spouses. Occupations and units that had been closed to women have gradually opened, and by 2016 the policies that had excluded them from the remaining combat positions were lifted. Also, as discussed in Chapter 3 , in 2016, the secretary of defense ended the ban on transgender service ( DoD, 2015 ), which was reversed effective April 2019, with certain exemptions for those diagnosed with gender dysphoria after the ban was lifted ( DoD, 2019 ). There is no ban on transgender military dependents, however, and these dependents have been increasingly seeking gender affirming care through the military health system since it became available in 2016 ( Klein et al., 2019 ; Van Donge et al., 2019 ).

The number of military dependents continues to outnumber service members by increasingly large margins, and survey data suggest that there are also significant numbers of unmarried partners of personnel in long-term relationships (see Chapter 3 ) ( DoD, 2018 ). The younger generations have grown up with smartphones, computer tablets, ubiquitous Internet access, GPS-based location and mapping services, online search engines, and the use of social media to create and share content with others (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, YouTube). Another important development is that today's military and veteran family populations are more likely than those of past wars to include individuals with physical and mental wounds and challenges, because service members who historically would have died of battlefield wounds, illnesses, or injuries have survived in recent wars due to advances in military medicine, in training, and in aeromedical evacuations. 2

Geographic distribution has shifted as well. Today's military families do not necessarily live near other military families or installation-based support services. Instead, they live across communities that are more geographically dispersed, rather than being concentrated in specific neighborhoods, as the active component has shifted from living primarily on military installations to living primarily off-installation ( DoD, 2017a ). Some families do live in regions with a greater concentration than average of military and veteran families, as noted in Chapter 3 . One way in which active component military personnel have become less diverse is that they are increasingly likely to have come from the South and least likely to come from the Northeast ( Maley and Hawkins, 2018 ). Recent analyses find that these regional differences are largely explained by differences in demographic characteristics, such as race, education, and religious adherence ( Maley and Hawkins, 2018 ). Nevertheless, the armed forces still bring together individuals from diverse communities across the United States who work and sometimes live together but who are also immersed in nonmilitary communities.

The structure of DoD's personnel system has important implications for service member and family retention and readiness. To compete with civilian job market opportunities and mitigate the impacts of the demands of military life, particularly post-9/11, support programs for military personnel and their families have grown enormously. However, decades of research continue to show that other one-size-fits-all legacy aspects of the military personnel system, such as the up-or-out policy of promotion, frequent relocation, lack of individual and family control over placements and timing, and the standardization of career pathways, can often negatively impact service members and their families; moreover, they can also increase the military's expenses and limit its ability to develop, assign, and retain the optimal staffing for its needs ( Carter et al., 2017 ; Task Force on Defense Personnel, 2017 ). Turnover is highest among women ( DACOWITS, 2017 ) and among the junior ranks, where DoD has invested heavily in training and support but has not yet seen the yield of those costs ( GAO, 2017 ).

The widespread access to the internet and the rise of social media and smartphone use can facilitate information sharing, communication with friends and loved ones, self-expression, education, access to services, social networking, mentoring, translation, job and housing searches, and staying in touch with “battle buddies” after moves and deployments. But these digital developments can also be new channels for deception, inappropriate content, misinformation, information overload, abuse and harassment (e.g., cyberbullying, revenge porn, trolling), and distractions from real-world obligations and face-to-face interactions. Additionally, for many members of the American public the news media is the primary or sole source of information about U.S. military members, veterans, and their families, and this in turn can contribute to stereotyping, both positive and negative ( Kleykamp and Hipes, 2015 ; Parrott et al., 2018 ; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2013 ).

The Pew Research Center estimates that U.S. internet use among adults has grown from 52 percent in 2000 to 89 percent in 2018 ( Pew Research Center, 2018a ). Social media use among adults has grown from 5 percent in 2005 (when Pew first began to collect estimates) to 69 percent in 2018 ( Pew Research Center, 2018b ). Smartphone ownership among adults rose from 35 percent in 2011 to 77 percent in 2018 ( Pew Research Center, 2018c ). Usage rates are even higher among younger adults; for example, 94 percent of those ages 18 to 29 had a smartphone in 2018, compared to 73 percent of adults ages 50 to 64 ( Pew Research Center, 2018c ).

Given these rapid changes over the past decade and a half—in military life, deployments, societal views, family arrangements, and digital access—to the extent possible we have relied in this study on the most recent literature, highlighting where there is still significant work to be done as well as where new developments may call for new strategies or new perspectives on perennial issues. We emphasize that many of the stressors of military life are not inevitable, inherent features, but policies that could be adapted to allow for greater flexibility for the preferences and needs of the diverse individuals and families DoD needs to attract and retain in order to meet the demands of the current and anticipated future national security environment.

• TRANSITION INTO THE MILITARY

The military invests significant resources to attract quality recruits and transform them into disciplined and skilled military personnel. Most young Americans do not meet military recruitment standards because of their weight, drug or alcohol abuse, physical or mental health conditions, criminal record, or other such issues. Among youths ages 17 to 24, only about 29 percent (9.6 million) meet all the core eligibility requirements and would be able to enlist without a waiver ( JAMRS, 2016 , p. 5). Narrowed further to youths who are not enrolled in college and able to score average or better on the Armed Forces Qualification Test, the pool drops to 13 percent of youths (4.4 million) ( JAMRS, 2016 , p. 5). That figure does not account for individuals' interest in serving in the military or reflect that the military must compete with other organizations with similar employment criteria, such as law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and the Department of Homeland Security.

The estimated cost to recruit, screen, and train each new enlistee is approximately $75,000 ( GAO, 2017 ). Rapid and successful adaptation to military life is key to military family readiness as well as to reducing attrition (failure to complete the first term of service) and increasing the retention of quality personnel beyond the first term of service. First terms of enlistment are typically 4 to 6 years long, but in fiscal year 2011 approximately 27 percent active component enlistees had separated from the military before they had completed 4 years of service, and close to 10 percent of new enlistees had attritted within just 6 months of service ( GAO, 2017 , p. 12). The recorded indicators of why service members attrite provide little insight, since the leading documented reason was the catch-all “unqualified for active duty, other” ( GAO, 2017 , p. 14). 3

This section considers some of the benefits and challenges that new service members may encounter as they transition into the service and into their first duty stations. Prominent examples from the literature and other sources (e.g., testimonials) discussed here are summarized in Box 4-1 . As noted earlier in this chapter, the committee does not sort issues into positive and negative categories, because characterization may depend upon the context and circumstances, the time at which they occur, individuals' own vulnerabilities and interpretations, and other factors. Also, even positive changes can serve as stressors, and both positive and negative experiences can result in individual growth and enhanced resilience. The issues discussed in this section apply to both active and reserve component individuals, and many of them extend throughout the military life course.

Examples of Prominent Themes Associated with Transition into and Service in the Military.

For most service members, transitioning from civilian life into military service is typically simultaneous with the transition to adulthood ( Kelty et al., 2010 ). Some military spouses and partners are also experiencing this transition. As discussed in Chapter 3 , 40 percent of service members and 19 percent of military spouses are age 25 or younger ( DoD, 2017c , pp. 8, 125). Military service often begins with geographic separation from friends and family, as service and occupational entry-level training typically take even members of the National Guard and Reserves away from their hometowns. After initial entry training, reserve component personnel may return to their hometowns and be able to put down roots, but geographic separation from friends and family will be an ongoing feature of military life for many service members.

Especially for those not raised in a military family, entering service can require quite an adjustment to elements of military life. Military jargon, acronyms, organization, culture, and rules and regulations may present a steep learning curve. The loss of a certain degree of privacy—not just of physical space but also potentially loss of privacy of health records if deemed a military necessity—may also require an adjustment.

Military service can also provide a range of intangible benefits. Service members and families alike may greatly enjoy a sense of belonging, a sense of community, camaraderie and esprit de corps. Of course, not everyone who values those qualities feels valued and fully included in their military community. Being ostracized, socially excluded, or otherwise rejected in a tight-knit community can be physically and psychologically painful; DoD policy prohibits such treatment but only when it takes the form of retaliation for reporting crimes ( McGraw, 2016 ; Williams, 2007 ). In such environments, members may consider the risks of exclusion, ostracization, or other retaliation when reporting misconduct or criminal behavior within the community, or revealing anything that may be stigmatized in that particular community.

New service members may be in a particularly vulnerable position in the organization given their relative unfamiliarity with the rules, regulations, and acceptable norms, and given the power imbalance between them and authority figures who have significant influence over their careers. This may put them at greater risk for abuse, such as sexual harassment or sexual assault ( Davis et al., 2017 ) and hazing rituals ( Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity, 2017 ).

At the same time, it may not be long into a military career before a new service member gains the opportunity to hold a level of responsibility, authority, or power that someone their age and background might rarely experience in a civilian job. For example, recent college graduates (young military officers) can be sent to military operations or battlefields overseas, be held responsible for the lives of their charges, operate multimillion-dollar equipment, control weapons that could cause major loss of life and damage to infrastructure, and be expected to maintain the peace on the ground in an area of heightened tensions.

Related to the hierarchical structure of the organization and the stakes of military missions, the military forbids certain types of relationships. Fraternization refers to Service and DoD policies prohibiting certain relationships that can compromise or appear to compromise the chain of command. Although the term is often used to refer to romantic or sexual relationships, it can also refer to friendships, business partnerships, or other relationships that may indicate a supervisor or commander who is unable to be fair or impartial, who is using rank or position for personal gain or to take advantage of subordinates, or who would not have the ability to exert their authority properly. An example is officers who are too informal with and too often socialize with their subordinates outside of official settings and then find they cannot command effectively in military operations.

Military work can be challenging in both growth-enhancing and negative ways. Less desirable challenges include too-heavy work demands, particularly if they are seemingly relentless, are related to tasks that do not seem essential, or are perceived as being the consequence of poor leadership or organizational management. Examples might include long hours, understaffing, stressful work, or being frequently called away from home for temporary duty (TDY), training, unaccompanied tours, or deployments. As the next chapters will discuss further, traumatic military experiences can include participation in or exposure to combat or its aftermath, being taken a prisoner of war, and being physically or sexually abused, harassed, or assaulted by fellow DoD personnel or contractors.

Military service, awards, and promotions can become a source of pride. On the other end of the spectrum, disciplinary action can be a risk to well-being, and family members may feel the brunt of the consequences economically or by reputation if their service member is confined, docked pay, demoted, required to perform additional duties, denied reenlistment, or discharged.

Officer and enlisted transitions into the military are not equivalent. Officers obtain a college degree prior to obtaining their commission, and thus on average are older and have a higher level of education. Poorer family well-being has been consistently correlated with lower rank ( Hawkins et al., 2018 , Key Findings, p. ES-8). In addition, there is evidence that enlisted ranks may be at higher risk of developing or reporting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ( Hawkins et al., 2018 , p. 31; Lester et al., 2010 ). Service members in the lower enlisted ranks and their spouses experience more isolation than officers and their families, and officers' children have been reported to use more effective coping skills than those of lower-ranked parents ( Hawkins et al., 2018 , p. 4; Lucier-Greer et al., 2016 ). Not surprisingly, military families with lower incomes (such as those with members in the junior enlisted ranks) experience less financial stability and more strain than those with higher incomes. For married or partnered service members, unemployment or underemployment of nonmilitary spouses and disruption of their career progression are often by-products of aspects of the military lifestyle, and these consequences are further affected by a spouse's gender and by the service member's paygrade ( Shiffer, et al., 2017 ).

• PAY AND BENEFITS

Service members and their families can benefit from various levels of military pay, health care, housing or housing allowances, education and training (or financial assistance to support it), subsidized child care, and recreational activities, facilities, and discounts. Eligibility can vary by active and reserve component military status, as noted in the examples summarized in Box 4-2 ). More benefits are available to service members on active duty status, as they are full-time military personnel. Members of the active component and the Reserves always serve under federal control (Title 10), and that is true regardless of whether members of the Reserves are on active duty or reserve status. Members of the National Guard serve under federal control when they are called up for a federal mission, which could include being mobilized for war or providing domestic assistance during national emergencies. When not on Title 10 orders, however, National Guard members work for their states. Responding to natural disasters or accidents as well as homeland security missions could fall under either federal (Title 10) or state (Title 32) control. 4

Examples of Prominent Themes Associated with Military Pays and Benefits.

Because military service offers the promise of financial stability and upward mobility for many families, service members who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are over-represented in the forces ( Kelty and Segal, 2013 ) and within the enlisted ranks, although they are by no means the only socioeconomic class of individuals to join the all-volunteer force. Military service offers opportunities for overcoming structural and cumulative disadvantage among those who have been raised in poorer families and communities and received low-quality education, including among racial and ethnic minority groups ( Bennett and McDonald, 2013 ).

Youth from disadvantaged backgrounds often have relatively few options for accessing jobs that provide living wages and skill development or higher education. Thus, military service offers the potential for socioeconomic advancement through competitive wages, educational achievement, including a pathway to college, housing, and health benefits ( Bennett and McDonald, 2013 , p. 138). In addition, service members have the flexibility to use their service to acquire needed training and skills for later entry into the civilian labor market or may stay in the military through retirement. Military employment opportunities can appeal to the middle class as well, for reasons such as the cost of financing a college education or vocational training, alternative entry-level employment for American youths looking for benefits and on-the-job training, and employment opportunities during economic downturns such as the Great Recession of 2008.

Among the major benefits of military service are steady earnings and employment for service members. For active duty service, those earnings include paid leave and pay when sick or off-duty recovering from injuries. Some personnel will qualify for bonuses or special pays based on the military's need, their specialized skills, or their duty conditions (e.g., enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses, pays for critical skills, hazardous duty incentive pay, flight pay, family separation allowance, tax breaks). 5 Increases in active and reserve component base pay correspond to increasing rank and years of service, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. However, there is not proportional representation across ranks and occupations by gender, race, or ethnicity. We cannot determine representation across ranks and occupations in terms of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) service members due to limited systematic data. In the past, the military's pay structure has resulted in a significantly smaller, though still present, wage gap between African American and White service members ( Booth and Segal, 2005 ).

Over time, there have been fluctuations in approved pay, incentives, and the design of the retirement system. One of the most significant recent changes is the new Blended Retirement System, which took effect January 1, 2018. This now provides options to the military's legacy system, which had previously allowed only personnel who had served 20 years or more to receive retirement benefits, and those were in the form of monthly payments. The new system includes a Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) retirement savings plan), a pay bonus for those who continue beyond 12 years of service, and an annuity payment calculated with a 2 percent multiplier (rather than 2.5% multiplier under the legacy system). 6 The preferences of service members and their families, and the impact of their choices (e.g., lump sum instead of monthly payout, Thrift Savings Plan option), remain to be seen.

In periods of downsizing, service members can be incentivized to leave voluntarily before their term of service ends, or involuntarily “let go” even if they have not done anything wrong. So a military term of service is not without uncertainties; however, such unexpected discharges tend to be less common than in the civilian sector. Service members serve under a contract or commitment for length of service: although some young adults might find it daunting to make a 4- to 6-year commitment to a job and an employer, especially not knowing what it will be like, where they will be serving, or what their boss or co-workers will be like, others may find the job security reassuring.

Financial Stress and Food Insecurity

Although service members receive steady pay and benefits, they may still struggle financially. Varied sources of data, including the 2013 Status of Forces Survey of Active Duty Members, indicate that junior enlisted families with children are the most vulnerable to experiencing food insecurity, although systematic data on the proportion or characteristics of military families who are food insecure is limited ( GAO, 2016 ). Analyses of nationally representative data on veterans have found that veterans serving during the all-volunteer era have had significantly higher odds of food insecurity when compared to either veterans serving during the previous era or to civilian households ( Miller et al., 2016 ). There are 18 federal programs for food assistance, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and free and reduced-lunch programs, all of which have different eligibility criteria and access points ( GAO, 2016 ). Military personnel are not ineligible for these programs. In 2015, 24 percent of children in Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools qualified for reduced lunch, and another 21 percent qualified for free lunch ( GAO, 2016 ).

Due to limited systematic data from these benefit providers, DoD does not have a comprehensive picture of the extent to which service members need or use food assistance programs ( GAO, 2016 , p. 13). Nevertheless, the use of SNAP among service members, while hard to measure exactly, indicates that food insecurity is significant. According to estimates from a 2013 Census Bureau survey, approximately 23,000 active duty service members utilized SNAP in the previous 12 months ( GAO, 2016 ). London and Heflin (2015) examined SNAP use by active duty, veteran, and reservist participants in the American Community Survey from 2008 to 2012 and reported that use was low but “non-trivial” among the active duty respondents (2.2%), while use was 9 percent among surveyed reservists, and about 7 percent among veterans. More recently, service members on active duty spent over $21 million in food stamp benefits at military commissaries from September 2014 through August 2015 ( GAO, 2016 ).

As is the case for people struggling financially in the civilian sector, service members and their families face both logistical challenges and stigma in seeking food assistance ( GAO, 2016 , p. 21). Specifically, military families may have limited awareness of assistance programs and may assume that they do not qualify or may fear being stigmatized for using the services.

Health Care

Particularly relevant to the well-being of military families is free military health care, a benefit that extends to service members and their legal dependents. The military health care system covers preventive care, maternity care, hospitalization, outpatient procedures, mental health care, prescription medications, catastrophic illnesses, and preexisting conditions. This system is discussed more thoroughly in subsequent chapters, but it may be worth noting here that critiques of it include long wait times, poor care quality, limited access to specialists, and limited access for members of the National Guard and Reserves who are not serving on Title 10 active duty orders.

Supplemental to the military mental health care system are confidential, short-term nonmedical counseling options, akin to employee assistance program offerings, that help families with issues such as coping with a loss, stress management, work-life balance, managing deployment issues, and parenting and relationship challenges. These options, available through Military OneSource and the Military and Family Life Counseling Program, have been positively rated by most participants; however, these limited sessions alone are not likely to be able to resolve complex or severe problems, and awareness of this benefit may be limited among military families ( Trail et al., 2017 ).

For active component personnel, military service includes on-installation housing or a housing allowance adjusted to the local housing market and intended to cover the cost of housing in the local economy.

Military housing varies from installation to installation in terms of modernization, configuration, and location relative to other buildings, but regardless of this, housing options will vary based on personnel's rank group and dependent status. DoD sets minimum configuration and privacy standards for housing, so that higher-ranking personnel have more space and more privacy than lower-ranking personnel. For example, all senior noncommissioned officers (NCOs) (pay grades E-7 to E-9), warrant officers, and commissioned officers unaccompanied by military dependents must have a private housing unit with a private bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room; junior NCOs (pay grades E-5 to E-6) may live in a shared unit, but must have at least a private bedroom and a bathroom shared with not more than one other person; and junior enlisted personnel (E-1 to E-4) may live in a shared unit with a bedroom and bathroom shared with one other person ( DoD, 2010 , p. 25). Thus, junior enlisted and junior NCO housing may resemble shared college dormitory or shared apartment living, but even the most junior officers without dependents will have private housing.

Family housing on installations accommodates service members accompanied by dependents, and families are not required to share a unit with another family. DoD guidance is for commanders to make reasonable attempts, based on the inventory and need, to provide family housing that will allow each dependent to have a bedroom, or at least share it with no more than one other “unless the installation commander determines the bedroom is large enough to accommodate more” ( DoD, 2010 , p. 14). Generally, family housing is separate from unaccompanied housing, and unaccompanied housing units are grouped by whether they house junior enlisted members, NCOs, or officers.

Over the last several decades, there has been a major shift among active component personnel and their spouses and children, from living primarily on installations to living primarily off of them and not necessarily even living close to their assigned installations. This shift in residence offers benefits to service members, including greater privacy, greater opportunities for single service members to meet potential partners, opportunities to live with nonmarital partners or others of one's choosing, more control over the choice of neighborhood and housing, and more choice over how the home is kept and decorated.

The downsides of this shift include a more dispersed military community, neighbors who may know little about the military or even be hostile to it, additional time taken out of every work day to commute and get through the morning line at the gate to the installation (and potentially the need for a car where one otherwise would not have existed), the possibility of choosing housing that is more expensive than one can responsibly afford, and greater challenges for leadership and service providers in identifying families that are isolated or in trouble.

Education and Training

In addition to entry-level, on-the-job, and more advanced occupational training, the military can support other types of service member education. The military service academies are highly competitive colleges that provide a full-time, 4-year college degree, plus room and board, educational expenses, and military and other training opportunities at no expense to the students or their families, in exchange for a minimum service commitment once the graduate is commissioned as a military officer. Under competitive Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships, students receive full or partial scholarships for tuition, books, and fees at a civilian university, along with military training, in exchange for a minimum service commitment (also as an officer). Enlisted personnel are also able to compete to attend the academies or receive an ROTC scholarship.

The military also sponsors relevant graduate degrees for selected officers. Graduate degrees may help officers prepare for military careers. For example, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences provides a tuition-free medical school education plus a salary of $64,000 or more for selected service members to pursue their degree and obtain leadership training, in exchange for an additional service commitment after graduation. 7 Some officers may have opportunities to earn PhDs in graduate schooling sponsored by the military, but this is not the norm. More commonly, during the course of officers' careers there are often opportunities to obtain military-sponsored master's degrees at military graduate schools, such as the Air Force Institute of Technology, Marine Corps University, National Defense University, Naval Postgraduate School, and the U.S. Army War College, or occasionally at civilian institutions. Some families are geographically separated while officers attend graduate programs in-residence for a year, and then reunite through a permanent change of station (PCS) to the next duty station. For this reason, among others, graduate study can therefore be both an opportunity and a stressor.

As enlisted personnel move up the organizational hierarchy, professional military education helps prepare them for the leadership and management duties that noncommissioned officers must take on. As is the case for officers, these professional development opportunities for selected enlisted personnel will be paid for by the military. Enlisted personnel and officers alike may take advantage of Defense Voluntary Education benefits, including education counseling services, testing services, academic skills training, tuition assistance, and college credit exams. Through use of a Joint Services Transcript, they can also have their military training translated into equivalent civilian college credits. The 2008 Post-9/11 GI Bill 8 offers service members postsecondary education tuition assistance, a living allowance, and related expenses, and personnel with a minimum number of years of service can transfer some or all of these benefits to a spouse or child(ren). In less than a decade, more than one million service members and veterans and more than 200,000 dependents utilized this benefit (Wenger et.al., 2017, p. xii).

Service members may take college classes on their own time, and enlisted personnel may earn an associate's degree, bachelor's degree, or license or certificate beyond their military training. Some civilian colleges and universities even offer courses located on military installations, and of course many schools today offer courses online, which can provide opportunities for military families that lack the transportation or travel time to attend school on-campus.

Local installations typically offer classes to service members, and in some cases their families, for recreation, well-being, or self-improvement. Examples from the wide range of class subjects include stress management, anger management, communication, time management, financial management and budgeting, auto repair and maintenance, scuba, arts and crafts, yoga, nutrition, healthy cooking, smoking cessation, disease management (e.g., asthma, diabetes), parenting, job search skills, and English as a second language.

A key benefit of active component military service is access to quality affordable child care. As outlined in Chapter 3 , the military is a young force with many young families. Indeed, the average age of the active component force is 28 years old ( DoD, 2017c , p. iv). More than one-half of all active component members are married, and 43 percent of spouses are age 30 or younger. Nearly 41 percent of active component personnel have children; almost 38 percent of these children are age 5 or younger, and 69 percent are age 11 or younger.

DoD is the provider of the nation's largest employer-sponsored child care system, serving approximately 180,000 children ranging in age from birth to age 12 ( DoD, 2016a ). More than 700 DoD child development centers and child care facilities are located across more than 230 installations worldwide ( DoD 2017b , pp. 3–4).

In terms of both cost and quality, DoD's child development program is viewed as a model of child care for the nation. The quality of DoD child care is upheld through national accreditation standards; 97 percent of DoD child development centers are accredited ( DoD, 2017b ). More broadly, one report notes that, “Nationally, only 11 percent of child care establishments are accredited by the National Association for the Education of the Young Child or the National Association for Family Child Care” ( Schulte and Durana, 2016 ). The affordability of DoD's child development program for service members and their families is assured by appropriated funding. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 1996 required that the amount appropriated by Congress for child development centers must equal or exceed what service members pay in fees. On average, these subsidies cover about 64 percent of the cost of military installation child care, which for each child includes 50 hours of care a week and two meals and two snacks per day, with all families paying some fees based on an income scale ( Floyd and Phillips, 2013 , p. 85). Free respite care provides a temporary break in caregiving to spouses whose service member is deployed overseas or to families with children with special needs.

However, civilian child care for infants and toddlers is costly, so demand for subsidized military child care for this age group is high and child care spaces are limited. In 2016, at 32 percent of installations the wait lists for child care exceeded 3 months—in particular, areas with large military populations and a high cost of living, such as San Diego (California), Hawaii, the Tidewater Region of Virginia, and the National Capitol Region ( DoD, 2016b ).

Limited access to child care and lengthy wait times are key concerns for many military families. In a 2017 Blue Star Families survey, 67 percent of military family respondents indicated they are not always able to obtain the childcare they need. The survey found that the top employment obstacles reported by military spouse respondents who wanted to be working but were not, were service member job demands (55%), child care (53%), and family commitments (43%), rather than lack of job skills or opportunities ( Shiffer et al., 2017 ). Moreover, 67 percent of female service members and 33 percent of male service members reported they could not find child care that worked with their schedules ( Shiffer et al., 2017 ). That finding was reinforced by focus groups that also emphasized the mismatch between the hours military child care is available and the needs of service women ( DACOWITS, 2017 ). Although the survey and focus groups may not be representative samples, it is clear from these and numerous sources over recent decades that there is a high demand for more affordable, quality child care and that DoD's capacity still has not yet been able to fully meet the need ( DACOWITS, 2017 ; Hawkins et al., 2018 ; Huffman et al., 2017 ; Zellman et al., 2009 ).

By DoD's own metrics, in fiscal year 2015 it was only able to meet 78 percent of the child care needs of military families, rather than its goal of 80 percent, and was reaching into the civilian community to expand child care, as well as building new child care facilities while repairing or replacing aging ones ( DoD 2017b , p. 5). Additionally, as part of a secretary of defense initiative, in 2016 installations began offering extended child care hours to better align with service member schedules. Some child development centers faced hurdles in recruiting and hiring providers, however, which Congress addressed in the fiscal year 2018 NDAA by modifying the hiring authorities ( Kamarck, 2018 ). Time will tell how much headway these reforms will be able to contribute toward better meeting the child care needs of military families with children. DoD may need to increase its goal for how much of the child care need it aims to meet, although not all eligible parents of military children needing child care services will likely wish to use DoD's.

Activities, Facilities, and Discounts

Other benefits of military service include free or low-cost recreational facilities, such as installation pools, fitness centers, movie theaters, golf courses and hobby shops; rental of outdoor equipment, such as kayaks, bikes, and camping gear; ticketing services for activities, such as concerts, festivals, amusement parks, and comedy shows; and free or discounted flight opportunities. Additionally, some businesses and organizations offer discounts to military personnel and their families, such as free or discounted admission to zoos, parks, and museums. Many of these benefits provide access to venues through which community and family bonds are built and reinforced, and the subsidies and discounts go far to keeping such activities affordable for military families.

DoD policy for Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs specifically states that these offerings by DoD are an integral part of the military and benefits package, that they build healthy families and communities, and that their purpose is to maintain individual, family, and mission readiness ( DoD, 2009 ). A 2018 GAO study, however, found that from 2012 to 2017 the Services had not been consistently meeting funding targets for some of these resources, and noted DoD recognition that, “extended engagement in overseas conflicts and constrained budgets have resulted in an operating environment that is substantially different from the peacetime setting in which the targets were first established” more than 20 years ago ( GAO, 2018c , p. 13). Thus, the GAO concluded that we cannot be certain that even meeting those funding targets would be adequate for today's operating environment. DoD concurred with the GAO's recommendation to evaluate the funding targets and develop measurable goals and performance measures for these programs ( GAO, 2018c ).

• GEOGRAPHIC ASSIGNMENT AND RELOCATION

As shown in the summary in Box 4-3 , many of the challenges related to military assignments and relocations are primarily associated with the active component, as reserve component members can typically choose where to live and are not required to keep moving to new locations throughout their military careers.

Examples of Prominent Themes Associated with Geographic Assignment and Relocation.

Military families' geographic location can play a significant role in their satisfaction with military life, their ability to access military resources, and their ability to interact with other military families or their own family members. Families may prefer to live near other family members, in either rural or urban areas, or in particular climates or regions of the country. Life in remote and isolated areas can present difficulties, however even for families who otherwise enjoy rural or small-town life. For example, in such areas there may be few opportunities for civilian employment or education for members of the National Guard or Reserves or for military spouses or partners, and only limited opportunities for single service members to meet potential romantic partners. Remote areas also provide more limited access to specialists who can examine and treat those with particular medical needs. Because remote and isolated locations offer fewer local nonmilitary opportunities for socializing, fitness, and recreation, additional appropriated fund spending on morale, welfare, and recreation is permitted at installations in such locations ( DoD, 2009 ).

Foreign assignments can present multiple advantages, such as the opportunity to experience new cultures and learn new languages, as well as an appreciation of taken-for-granted advantages back home. They can also introduce difficulties. Some service members or their family members may be uncomfortable venturing off of installations, spouses may face limited opportunities for employment, and the distance and differences in time zones can make communication and contact with family and friends at home particularly challenging. Those who have difficulty adapting to overseas assignments can experience poor mental and physical health as a result ( Burrell et al., 2006 ).

Reactions to a foreign assignment may depend in part on timing. For example, a 2012 survey of 1,036 adolescents with at least one active-duty parent found differences between those living in the United States and those living in Europe ( Lucier-Greer et al., 2016 ). Among adolescents ages 11 to 14, foreign residence was associated with being more likely to turn to their family as a means of coping along with lower levels of self-reliance/optimism, and among adolescents ages 15 to 18 it was associated with higher levels of self-reliance but more depressive symptoms ( Lucier-Greer et al., 2016 ).

Relocation: PCS Moves

Active component personnel typically experience frequent PCS moves approximately every 2 to 3 years. These can be welcome opportunities to move to a more desirable area (with “desirable” being self-defined), to see other parts of the country or world, to take advantage of new career opportunities at another location, or to reunite with friends and family. However, PCS moves can be stressors even when desired, because of the process of packing, moving, finding a new home (for some, selling the current home), transferring schools, changing medical providers, and so on ( Tong et al., 2018 ). PCS moves can be undesired as well, as they can disrupt social networks, children's education, spouses' employment and career and educational advancement, the families' ability to build home equity, and continuity of health care, especially for military families that include members with special needs. For LGBT service members and racial or ethnic minorities, PCS moves may create specific stressors when the new location offers fewer protections or is less welcoming within the local social and cultural contexts.

Moreover, PCS moves can split families, such as when dual-military couples cannot co-locate, when a family decides it is better for the spouse/partner or children to remain behind until the spouse can find a new job, or when a significant milestone passes, such as a newborn reaching a certain age, a child graduating, or a family member in a vulnerable state stabilizing or recovering. Unfortunately, the literature is lacking evidence on the extent to which families relocate together or in staggered fashion or remain separated, or the effect of the adopted strategy on PCS-related disruptions ( Tong et al., 2018 ).

PCS Moves and Children

Mobility and geographic transitions were once considered a key benefit of military service. While that mobility continues to be an inducement for military service, PCS moves can have a harmful impact on the education of military children. On average, military children move and change schools six to nine times from the start of kindergarten to high school graduation, which is three times more often than their civilian peers. School-age military children are especially vulnerable to the stress related to frequent transitions, as they must simultaneously cope with normal developmental stressors, such as establishing peer relationships, conflict in parent/child relationships, and increased academic demands ( Ruff and Keim, 2014 ). Although many PCS moves occur during the summer months, some families must move during the school year.

Frequent moves can cause military children to suffer academically, lose connections with others, and miss out on opportunities for extracurricular activities (because of the timing of the move) and, among children with special needs, experience gaps in services, continuity of care, and educational plans ( Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, 2013 ; Hawkins et al., 2018 ). These are issues that any child who moves may face, not just military children. Across various studies of military children, relocation has been associated with reduced grades, increased depression and anxiety symptoms, skipping class, violence and weapon carrying, gang membership, and early sexual activity, although the overall prevalence is quite low ( Hawkins et al., 2018 ). Evidence is limited regarding the impact of single relocations vs. accumulations of relocations over time.

However, there is evidence suggesting that for some children, frequent relocations may promote resiliency and the development of coping behaviors, and PCS moves can become normative in some military families ( Spencer et al., 2016 ). Having experienced a number of military moves, these children have a better sense of what is involved, and some look forward to the excitement of new opportunities in a new location.

The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children aims to address what it identifies as the major challenges for children in public schools, including:

• Enrollment requirements for educational records and immunizations
• Waiver of course requirements for graduation if similar classes were completed
• Similar course placement (e.g., honors, vocational) and flexibility in waiving prerequisites
• Excusing absences so children can spend time with service members on leave from or immediately returned from a deployment
• Special education services
• Flexibility with application deadlines for extracurricular activities ( Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission, 2018 ).

Families with children may also rely on social supports offered by the military and civilian communities in dealing with PCS moves ( MCEC, 2009 ). DoD has stated their commitment to serve military children by providing youth programming for children ages 6 to 18 on installations and in communities where military families live. Part of this effort includes establishing approximately 140 youth and teen centers worldwide that serve more than 1 million school-age children of active duty and reserve component members annually. Centers provide educational and recreational programs designed around character and leadership development, career development, health and life skills, and the arts, among others ( DoD, 2016a ).

DoD has also recognized researchers' recommendations to align the formal supports of a military installation with the informal supports of the nonmilitary community to support families ( Huebner et al., 2009 ). DoD has partnered and/or contracted with federal and nonfederal youth-serving organizations, such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), Big Brothers Big Sisters, 4-H, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), the Department of Labor summer employment program, and other local and national youth organizations to provide programming to military youth on and off installations. Programs that have resulted from partnerships with national youth serving organizations, such as the USA Girl Scouts Overseas 9 and BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers, 10 often identify their goal to positively influence well-being, resiliency, and academic success and provide a sense of security, stability, and continuity as families transition to new locations. DoD has stated its intention to continue to building “strong partnerships with national youth-serving organizations that augment and offer valued resources” ( DoD, 2016 , p. 5). Given that a significant proportion of the current military population comprises reserve component service members, the expansion of formal support systems to include agencies and organizations located outside of the military installations is key ( Easterbrooks et al., 2013 ; Huebner et al., 2009 ).

PCS Moves and Family Financial Well-Being

PCS moves every 2 to 3 years can disrupt the pursuit by spouses and partners of higher education, as well as partner eligibility for in-state tuition. Moves can also disrupt their employment, leading to loss of seniority, employment gaps, and underemployment. All of these effects can hurt the financial well-being of a military family.

In a representative longitudinal DoD-wide survey of active component civilian spouses conducted by the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), 6,412 spouses participated in all three waves of the 2010, 2011, and 2012 surveys. The study provided self-reported evidence that PCS moves had a negative impact on spouses' pursuit of higher education or training, on their employment, and on families' financial condition ( DMDC, 2015 ). Another study of the earnings of active component spouses who were not in the active component themselves also found evidence of a family financial disruption associated with a PCS move. Based on an analysis of DoD administrative data and Social Security Administration earnings data between 2000 and 2012, it found that a PCS move was associated with a 14 percent decline in average spousal earnings during the year of the move ( Burke and Miller, 2018 , p. 1261).

The impact of these moves on the financial well-being and satisfaction of service member families is likely more widespread than has been estimated, given that in the 2017 Status of Forces surveys nearly 10 percent of active component and 17 percent of reserve component personnel indicated they are in a long-term relationship that has lasted a year or longer ( DoD, 2018 ). Those unmarried partners of service members may also have experienced a disruption to their education and earnings, but they would have been ineligible for assistance to spouses provided by DoD. For example, Military Community and Family Policy's (MC&FP's) Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Program offers career counseling and tuition assistance in the form of My Career Advancement Account [MyCAA] Scholarships for spouses of early-career service members to support occupationally focused education and training in portable career fields. Through these initiatives, DoD helps spouses select and prepare for portable careers likely to be in demand wherever their service member is stationed, so that the spouse's employment and earnings trajectory will be better able to weather frequent military moves. Unmarried partners are not eligible for this support, nor are they eligible for state benefits for military spouses negotiated by the DoD State Liaison Office, such as unemployment compensation eligibility after following their service member for a PCS move, or accommodations to support the portability of occupational licenses and credentials across state lines. 11

• TRAINING, SEA DUTY, AND DEPLOYMENTS

Deployments and sea duty 12 can provide service members with a number of desirable opportunities and benefits, such as

• Employing or developing their skills in real-world settings
• Making a difference in the world
• Developing strong bonds with others
• Earning financial bonuses through special pays and tax advantages, and
• Learning about other parts of the world.

Training and field exercises can also confer some of these advantages and help prepare service members to succeed in military operations.

Personnel tempo, commonly referred to as perstempo , refers to the amount of time individuals serve away from their home duty station, whether for deployments, sea duty, exercises, unit training, or individual training. Although a 2013 DoD policy is supposed to limit the amount of time service members spend away from home, a 2018 GAO assessment found that DoD perstempo data are incomplete and unreliable and that the Services do not have or do not enforce perstempo thresholds ( GAO, 2018a ). Thus, GAO found, DoD lacks the ability to gauge the amount of stress perstempo rates place on the force and any associated impacts on military readiness ( GAO, 2018a ).

Much of the literature has focused on the stressors of these family separations, which can have a negative impact on individuals, relationships, and the family as a unit. Examples include service members worrying about their families while geographically separated and trying to manage family problems from afar; relationship problems (e.g., couples growing apart, infidelity, or the end of a relationship); and missing major life events (e.g., births, weddings, funerals, childhood “firsts,” graduations, holidays, and family reunions). Other challenging life events associated with military separations include traumatic experiences, such as combat participation or exposure to dead bodies, violence, atrocities, or abhorrent living conditions (discussed further in subsequent chapters); family members' fear of death, injury, or illness (physical or psychological) of their service member serving in a hostile area; and post-absence readjustment/reintegration between/among family members, including the service member's adjustment to “routine” life upon returning. Family difficulties can be created or exacerbated due to communication challenges, such as connectivity problems, time zones, military-implemented blackouts (e.g., before a secret raid or after major casualties), and even the well-intentioned withholding of information among family members about problems or dangers ( Carter and Renshaw, 2016 ). Box 4-4 provides a brief overview of examples of opportunities and challenges of these types of duties away from personnel's home duty station. As a reminder, these are not sorted into positive and negative categories, as that interpretation can depend on the context and timing, individuals' experiences, and other factors, and some can have both positive and negative aspects.

Examples of Prominent Themes Associated with Deployments, Sea Duty, and Training Exercises Away from Home.

Deployments

More than two million military service members and their families have been impacted by deployments since the inception of combat operations in 2001, and some families have faced five or more such separations and reunions. The effects of combat deployments on military families can be complex ( Cozza and Lerner, 2013 ). Combat deployments have been associated with increased rates of interpersonal conflict ( Milliken et al., 2007 ), impaired parenting ( Davis et al., 2015 ), and child maltreatment ( Gibbs et al., 2007 ; McCarroll et al., 2008 ; Rentz et al., 2007 ). Military spouses have demonstrated increased distress ( Lester et al., 2010 ) and utilization of mental health treatment ( Mansfield et al., 2011 ) associated with deployments. Military children have similarly demonstrated negative deployment-related effects, including emotional and behavioral problems, increased mental health utilization, and suicidal behaviors ( Chandra et al., 2010 ; Flake et al., 2009 ; Gilreath et al., 2015 ; Lester et al., 2010 ; Mansfield et al., 2011 ).

Combat deployment is associated with increased anxiety in military children, which is highly associated with distress in both civilian and active duty parents ( Lester et al., 2010 ). Additionally, deployment has a cumulative effect on children, which can continue even upon return of the deployed parent. Thus, effects in children may be sustained beyond the actual threat to the deployed service member's safety, potentially reflecting elevated anxiety and distress in highly deployed communities where children witness cycling deployments of adults in their lives. Importantly, children's anxiety reflects the broader distress within their parents and family as a whole.

Many of these studies involved cross-sectional designs to examine associations between deployment and effects within families and were limited by the lack of longer-term outcomes. The few longitudinal studies that have been conducted provide a more nuanced picture of deployment's impact on families (e.g., Balderrama-Durbin et al., 2015 ; Erbes et al., 2017 ; Gewirtz et al., 2010 ; Snyder et al., 2016 ). For example, one study using DoD data found that an increase in cumulative time deployed was associated with a greater risk of divorce and that this risk was greater for women service members, those who served on hostile deployments, and those who married before 9/11 (when there may have been less of an expectation of deployments as frequent events) ( Negrusa et al., 2013 ). A similar study, focusing on Army soldiers, found that in addition to time spent in deployment, self-reported mental health symptoms consistent with PTSD further increased the risk of divorce ( Negrusa and Negrusa, 2014 ).

The Deployment Life Study, conducted by the RAND Corporation ( Meadows et al., 2016 ), assessed military family members at different times during the deployment cycle (before, during, and after deployment), focusing on the health of family, marital, and parental relationships, the physical and psychological health of adults and children within the family, and attitudes toward the military. The study found that changes in marital satisfaction across the deployment cycle were no different than those experienced by matched controls. However, service members' exposure to physical injury or psychological trauma (but not combat exposure) was associated with increased physical and psychological aggression after deployment, as reported by spouses. Any perceived negative effects of deployment on family satisfaction and parenting were confined to the deployment period, although the presence of psychological trauma and stress contributed to negative post-deployment consequences for families. The researchers found no long-term psychological or behavioral effects of deployment on service members or spouses, except when deployment trauma was experienced. Similarly, child and teen responses to deployment appeared to be contained within the deployment period, except when deployment-related trauma (e.g., injury or post-deployment mental health problems) was involved. 13 These findings resonate with results from other studies showing that a service member's psychological functioning as a result of combat exposure during deployments (i.e., PTSD, traumatic brain injury [TBI], and related symptoms) appears to influence family functioning more than the physical characteristics of the deployments, such as their length or number ( Gewirtz et al., 2018 ).

Military deployments add an additional stress to military families in addition to frequent moves, changing schools, and the challenge of integrating into new communities. The deployment of a parent requires the child to manage stress related to separation from a loved one and the impending sense of danger that accompanies a deployment and combat operations. Spouses or partners who are parents can find themselves needing to function as single parents. These additional demands while their service member is away can present conflicts for those who are employed or seeking employment, and spouses or partners may need to scale back their hours or even give up their jobs if they cannot obtain work schedules allowing them to fulfill household and child responsibilities. This can in turn have a negative impact on the financial well-being of the family. Some spouses and partners are fortunate to live in communities that offer support to families of deployed personnel, such as help with lawn care, maintenance tasks, and transportation to appointments.

Research indicates that a caregiver's emotional well-being is related to the child's emotional well-being. In one study ( Chandra et al., 2011 ), caregivers who reported poorer emotional well-being also reported that their children had greater emotional, social, and academic difficulties. Further, if a caregiver's emotional health difficulties persisted or increased on average over the study period, youth difficulties remained higher when compared with youth whose caregivers reported fewer emotional difficulties. In the same study, it was found that families that experienced more total months of parental deployment also reported more emotional difficulties among the youth, and these difficulties did not diminish over the study period. Families in the study with more months of deployment reported more problems both during deployment and during reintegration. Caregivers in the study with partners in the reserve component (National Guard or Reserves) reported having more challenges than their counterparts in the active component. In particular, National Guard and Reserve caregivers in the study reported more difficulties with emotional well-being, as well as more challenges during and after deployment ( Chandra et al., 2011 ).

Deployments also take a toll on the psychological health of military children of all ages. Studies have shown that preschoolers with a deployed parent are more likely than other preschoolers to exhibit behavioral problems and that school-age children and adolescents with a deployed parent show moderately higher levels of emotional and behavioral distress ( Chartrand et al., 2008 ). School-age children and adolescents with a deployed parent have also displayed increased problems with peer relationships, increased depression and suicidal thoughts, and higher use of mental health services. It has also been found that children with a deployed parent are more likely to be maltreated or neglected, especially in families with younger parents and young children ( Lester and Flake, 2013 ). Again, although there may be increased risks for these negative outcomes, overall these effects are not the norm.

Research has also shown that a parent's deployment can affect how military children perform academically. Studies of military children, caregivers, and schools have shown that deployments have a modest negative effect on performance. Children with a deployed parent have shown falling grades, increased absence, and lower homework completion ( Lester and Flake, 2013 , p. 129). A recent study of military children in North Carolina and Washington State whose parents have deployed 19 months or more since 2001 demonstrates that they have modestly lower (and statistically different) achievement scores than those who have experienced less or no parental deployment. This last study suggests that rather than developing resilience, children appear to struggle more with more cumulative months of deployment. Further, the study found that some of the challenges observed by teachers and counselors are ones that stem from the high mobility of this population, which could be amplified during deployment ( Moeller et al., 2015 ; Richardson et al., 2011 ).

Understanding the effects of deployments on children is challenging, in part because it is difficult to distinguish factors related to deployment and military service. Furthermore, it is difficult to know whether military and civilian children differ. There are currently no publicly available large-scale studies presenting well-controlled comparisons of military and civilian families regarding parenting beliefs or practices, or other family behavior. Well-controlled comparisons of child outcomes among military and civilian children also are rare. The largest source of information about how child outcomes might differ comes from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey program administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, through which all youth in selected middle and high schools in every state throughout the United States are asked to complete a mostly standard set of items. A few states have incorporated a military identifier, providing the best comparisons to date of military and civilian youth (for more detail, see Box 3-1 in Chapter 3 ). Due to slight variations in items across states, some of the data sets include children whose parents have left military service as well as those who continue to serve, some data sets include children whose siblings served, and some include children whose military parents have not deployed or who deployed several years ago rather than recently. As a result, it is possible to identify differences indexed by military service alone vs. military service and deployment, and whether it was a parent or sibling who served.

Across the available data, calculations suggest that children with family members who served but were not deployed were more likely to report higher levels of a variety of kinds of risky behaviors or adverse experiences than nonmilitary children, including more use of cigarettes or other substances, and more experiences of violence and harassment, carrying a knife or gun to school, or having suicidal thoughts. These differences were larger for children whose parents (vs. siblings) had served. Military and civilian children did not differ in rates of ever having used alcohol.

With regard to children whose military parents had deployed, reports of risky behaviors or adverse experiences were more common than among children whose parents had served but not deployed. Thus, military service and deployment each were associated with increments. For example, increments in the rate of ever having used alcohol were 9 percent each for military service and for deployment. Among military children whose parents had deployed, reports of suicidal thoughts were 34 percent higher and reports of having carried a knife or gun to school were about double those of children whose parents had not been deployed and about 80 percent higher than those of civilian children.

It is important to point out that these data come from self-reports by children, which may be subject to biases and memory errors. The differences for some of these experiences or activities, while large on a percentage basis, are small in terms of percentage points. Finally, patterns about exposures to violence may reflect mistreatment of military children as much as they do military children's behavior. The committee notes that the degree to which stresses faced by military families during combat deployments are attributable simply to family separations, sudden single parenthood, or fear regarding the safe return of the service member has not been disentangled.

There are positive aspects to deployments as well. Deployments can present opportunities for service members to apply their training, improve their skills, take pride in a sense of accomplishment from overcoming hardships and living in austere conditions, and derive satisfaction from feeling that their work makes a difference in the world. The last aspect may particularly hold true for humanitarian and disaster relief missions. Additionally, during military operations overseas, service members can forge close bonds with their unit members and form lasting friendships. Service members and families can financially benefit in significant ways, through tax benefits and additional pays associated with serving in a combat zone, re-enlisting while deployed, and family separation pays. These deployments can thus provide opportunities to pay off debt, invest in property, help relatives, or improve one's standard of living. Deployments can also help service members subsequently be competitive for promotion or choice assignments.

Several researchers have postulated resilient pathways for children facing combat deployments (e.g., Easterbrooks et al., 2013 ), including the seven C's model of positive development, where attributes such as competence, confidence, contribution, and control may all have relevance in providing positive opportunities for military children through such challenging experiences, resulting in pride and growth. However, the committee notes that these pathways of resilience have not been tested in military children.

• NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE SERVICE

Although members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families experience many of the other opportunities and challenges described throughout this chapter, there are certain experiences particular to the reserve component. We consider those experiences here and summarize them in Box 4-5 .

Examples of Prominent Themes Specific to Members of the National Guard and Reserves.

National Guard and Reserve service can be appealing to some families because of the geographic choice and residential stability affords. Unlike active component personnel, guard and reserve personnel do not face frequent, mandatory geographic relocation, and some move from the active component to the reserve component precisely for this reason. If National Guard members choose to move, they can request an interstate transfer. However, National Guard and Reserve members who do not live near their units are responsible for their own transportation expenses for travel to and from duty. Additionally, those who move may face challenges, in that the unit near their new home may not have a vacancy for their same occupation and pay grade.

There is evidence that for military children, friendships with other military children and participation in military-sponsored activities can be beneficial for their well-being ( Bradshaw et al., 2010 ; Lucier-Greer et al., 2014 ). Children of members in the reserve component (as well as active component children who live far from military installations) may have few opportunities for face-to-face interactions with others who would have a basic shared understanding of life as a military dependent.

Because the National Guard and Reserves are both part of the “reserve component,” clarifying what aspects of their service differ from service in the active component is critical to having a comprehensive picture of the military. National Guard members usually apply to enlist and work at the unit closest to their home, although they do not necessarily live close to that unit's headquarters or facilities. Recall that they work for their states (under Title 32), unless they are mobilized to work under the federal government (under Title 10), as they would be for an overseas military deployment. Moreover, for the National Guard and Reserves the job requirements, eligibility for programs and services, health care system, and more can vary depending on whether the member's current orders fall under Title 32 or Title 10. Reservists work for the federal government only, but like National Guard members they traditionally train one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer, although they may also be called to full-time active duty service. We are unaware of any tool that would assist National Guard and Reserve families in understanding what they are eligible for at any point based on their service member's current status or upcoming change in status.

Deployment for National Guard and Reserve personnel is typically preceded by mobilization and followed by demobilization, and thus can have deployment cycles that are lengthier than their active component counterparts. When they are mobilized for federal service, they are not necessarily mobilized with their National Guard or Reserve unit as a whole. Individuals may be called up to augment other units that could be located quite far from their homes. Thus, even for those who do live near their own unit, they and their family members may not be near the deploying unit and thus not have easy access to predeployment briefings, activities, or support groups, nor would they already be on the distribution list for unit or spouse network email announcements or newsletters. Similarly, those families may be distant from programs and services designed to aid with post-deployment family reintegration. During demobilization, National Guard and Reserve members usually return to their hometowns and civilian jobs, which may not be close to any fellow unit members or military resources that can assist them with their transition or post-deployment issues.

Mobilizations as Disruptions to Service Member and Spouse Employment

The Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 14 requires that civilian employers not discriminate against reservists in their hiring practices, allow reservists time away from work to fulfill their federal military duties, and hold their position for them until they return and at that time compensate them as though they had been working continuously the entire time (e.g., with regard to pay rate, position, and benefits terms and eligibility). This can present challenges to employers, and despite these legal protections, reservists may still face employers hesitant to hire them. Since 9/11, National Guard and Reserve members have been mobilized at unprecedented levels ( Figinski, 2017 ; Werber et al., 2013 ). Due to the large numbers of reservists mobilized for long deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, there were dramatic increases in the number of veterans receiving unemployment benefits, as more reservists were eligible for the benefits and long deployments made it more difficult to return to civilian employment ( Loughran and Klerman, 2008 ). Some reservists also work as DoD civilian employees, which makes them “military technicians” who work under somewhat different employment terms than their civilian employee or reservist counterparts. 15 For example, a condition of their DoD civilian employment is that they maintain their membership in the Selected Reserve, although an exception may be made if they receive combat-related disability but are still able to perform their DoD civilian job.

Changes to Pay, Benefits, Programs and Services

Members of the National Guard and Reserves mobilized since 9/11 have encountered pay and allowance delays, underpayments, and over-payments that the military later sought to recoup, all due to lack of integrated pay and personnel status systems ( Flores, 2009 ). Eligibility for benefits and services can be complicated for members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families. Exactly what they are eligible for and under what conditions varies across programs and services and can be based upon whether they are or have recently been on active duty status and whether that was under Title 32 or Title 10 orders. Perhaps most notably, reserve component families are eligible for health care benefits under TRICARE only while their service members are on active duty for more than 30 days or are mobilized for a contingency operation. Otherwise, when their service member is on reserve status or during shorter periods of active duty, the service members and their family are responsible for their own health care insurance, and the service members are responsible for ensuring that they are medically ready to deploy should they be called up.

• DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

As today's military community is more diverse and geographically dispersed than previous generations, the challenge becomes: How does DoD continue to address the diverse needs in the military community and foster a sense of community given ongoing shifts in demographics and the balance of the force ?—Third Quadrennial Quality of Life Review ( DoD, 2017a , p. 4)

DoD has been implementing institutional policies and practices designed to reduce barriers to service and promote equitable and respectful treatment of all service members ( DoD, 2017a , p. 10). According to Lutz (2013) , the core training at the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) aims to achieve total force readiness through a focus on the American identity of service members. This legacy of legal inclusivity has continued into the 21st century with the repeal of the so-called Don't Ask Don't Tell policy (2011), extension of family benefits with the implementation of legal same-sex marriage (2015), and most recently the lifting of blanket restrictions on the service of military women (2016). This section will highlight some examples of diversity- and inclusion-related issues, summarized in Box 4-6 , but as is the case with this chapter more generally, this high-level review is by no means complete. Furthermore, it does not capture the complexity of the issues represented in the literature that a deeper dive on any one of these topics could provide.

Examples of Prominent Themes Associated with Diversity and Inclusion.

Variability Across and Within Groups

As discussed in Chapter 2 , ecological and family systems theories emphasize the embeddedness of individuals within multiple, reciprocal, and interacting contexts. As helpful as these frameworks are in identifying interactions that influence individual and family development, they do not capture systematic or structural inequity, such as race- and gender-based discrimination and attitudes, which may affect military families who are members of marginalized groups. An intersectional lens can serve as an organizing framework for understanding how overlapping social statuses, including gender, race, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status, connect individual service member and family experiences to structural (macro) realities ( Bogard et al., 2017 ; Bowleg, 2012 ).

Each military service member and each family member is positioned within a unique social location and occupies multiple social statuses, which helps to explain the tremendous diversity in individual service members' responses to what appear to be similar military and life experiences. Minority stress theory ( Meyer 2003 ) spotlights minority group members' unique experiences of chronic stresses stemming from social institutions in addition to their everyday experiences of racial bias. When applied to sexual minorities, analysis tends to focus on stresses related to heteronormative bias and anti-LGBT experiences.

Discrimination or even suspected discrimination in promotion, job assignments, assigned duties within a position, 16 opportunities for promotion and career development, and the enforcement of rules and regulations can be a detrimental stressor to the well-being of service members. Intersectionality is also a useful concept in understanding “the intersectional nature of resilience” ( Santos and Toomey, 2018 , p. 9), which reflects the ability of military service members and their families to function well in spite of significant disadvantages, stresses, or experiences of inequity.

Taken together, ecological, life-course, and intersectional models of individual and family well-being all indicate that what is most effective at supporting military families is not a one-size-fits-all approach but rather a variety of approaches that seek to align programs with the diverse needs of service members, diverse family constellations, and local social contexts ( Lerner, 2007 ). Of course, this is not meant to imply that a custom program must be developed for each military family. The point is that DoD and local service providers cannot make assumptions based on one or two characteristics at a given point in time (e.g., single newly enlisted service member, deployed parent, Latinx Marine) about what is most important to military personnel and military family members, what they need, or what is the best way to support them. Instead, they must take into account the perceptions, priorities, and preferences of service members and their families; provide a range of types of support from which to draw (e.g., mode of communication, military vs. nonmilitary); and ensure that the support networks contain providers with knowledge about and sensitivity to the needs of different subgroups (e.g., noncitizens and immigrants, male sexual assault victims, religious minorities).

Servicewomen in the Military

Women make up one-half of the U.S. population but only 17.5 percent of the total force ( DoD, 2017c , p. 6). Notably, relatively few servicewomen occupy leadership positions at the officer ranks of colonel and admiral/general ( DACOWITS, 2015 ). Findings from the most recent (2017) DACOWITS report indicate that women often identify different reasons for joining the military than men do, that they are more likely than men to be married to another service member (both within and across services), and that they separate from the military earlier in their careers than do men. Key factors in servicewomen's decisions to leave the military relate to the challenges of geographic separation from family, both because of deployment and inability to co-locate with a service member spouse; pressure to prioritize one's military career among dual- military service members; and difficulties with work-life-family balance. In addition, servicewomen are more likely than men to separate from the military prior to starting a family ( Clever and Segal, 2013 ).

Globally, 74 foreign militaries allow or require women to serve, including 13 in which combat roles are open to servicewomen ( DACOWITS 2017 ). Among militaries that have successfully integrated women, policies to support servicewomen include flexible parental leave policies, co-location and geographic stability, and comprehensive and affordable child care that can accommodate long shifts, nontraditional working hours, and care for ill children. DACOWITS (2017) presented recommendations to increase DoD's ability to attract and retain servicewomen that similarly emphasize policies supporting families with children, educational initiatives to address unhelpful perceptions related to gender roles, and protocols for appropriate physical training for women. Findings also indicate that servicewomen are disproportionately affected by findings of noncompliance with family care plans, indicating a need for more appropriate application of these protocols.

There is very little research on motherhood in the military, and almost no research on the impact on families of a military mother's deployment to war (see, e.g., Barnes et al., 2016 ). A series of studies of Navy mothers during the Gulf War indicated that anxiety and distress increased among the children of those who were deployed more than among children of the nondeployed ( Kelley et al., 2001 ). Among deployed Navy mothers, length of separation from families and perceptions of social support both contributed to psychological adjustment ( Kelley et al., 2002 ). More recent research on a sample of mothers who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan reported that reintegrating mothers experienced more adverse past-year life events, and more depression and PTSD symptoms, than nondeployed mothers (of deployed spouses), but this research did not report worse parenting, couple functioning, or child adjustment ( Gewirtz et al., 2014 ). More research is needed to examine the adjustment of deployed mothers, how programs and policies may affect them ( Goodman et al., 2013 ), and other factors that may affect these mothers, such as societal norms that stigmatize a mother's leaving her children for war as “non-maternal” behavior ( Gewirtz et al., 2014 ).

Segal and Lane (2016) bring attention to contextual factors within military culture and everyday life that likely affect servicewomen's well-being. Specifically, they identify “leadership behaviors” that set the tone for how women are treated by their male peers and commanders as well as social isolation that can result from being ostracized within a unit. As part of the 2017 DACOWITS research, focus group participants similarly indicated that servicewomen may be disadvantaged by cultural attitudes based on traditional gender roles, especially as women begin to move into previously closed combat and leadership roles. Segal and Lane (2016) bring to light gender-based sexual harassment, ranging from inappropriate behavior—such as sexual comments, jokes, offensive pictures or posters, and gestures—to criminal-level assault. Recent estimates find that servicewomen report and experience sexual harassment and sexual assault at higher rates than male service members ( Davis et al., 2017 ; Galovski and Sanders, 2018 ) and that sexual trauma is likely underreported due to concerns about safety, stigma, avoidance, and shame ( Galovski and Sanders, 2018 ). Relatedly, servicewomen are more likely than servicemen to be harassed or stalked online and through social media ( DACOWITS, 2017 , p. 76). The psychological impact of sexual trauma on servicewomen can be especially disruptive to fulfilling service roles, family functioning, parenting, and child outcomes ( Kimerling et al., 2010 ; Millegan et al., 2015 ; Rosellini et al., 2017 ; Suris et al., 2013).

Segal and Lane (2016) assert that women's gynecological, contraceptive, and pregnancy-related needs are not fully and universally accessible across settings, including deployment environments. Pregnancy, new motherhood, and maternity leave can disadvantage servicewomen in several ways. Pregnancies do not always occur only and precisely when desired, and their timing can make it more difficult to manage work demands and attract harmful stigma, such as accusations of having become pregnant to avoid sea duty or deployment. Added to this, pregnancies and new motherhood can involve new physical and emotional health challenges, such as problematic pregnancies, problems at birth, difficulties breastfeeding, managing post-pregnancy physical fitness and weight requirements, and suffering from post-partum depression ( Appolinio and Fingerhut, 2008 ).

However, the committee notes that in recent years, granting of parental leave for service members has become more common in order to increase recruitment and retention in the Armed Forces. Recent changes to military parental leave mandated in the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (Section 521 of the enacted bill) authorize

up to 12 weeks of total leave (including up to 6 weeks convalescent leave) for the primary caregiver in connection with the birth of the child. It also authorizes 6 weeks of leave for a primary caregiver in the case of an adoption of a child and up to 21 days of leave for a secondary caregiver in the case of a birth or adoption. – (Sec. 521, p. 19) 17

More research will be needed to examine the consequences of these policy changes for service members, as well as their impact on family well-being.

Finally, with the full integration of women into combat roles, attention has turned to women's physiology and ability to meet the military's physical standards for combat and related roles. DACOWITS (2017) reports that because of physiological differences between women and men, physical training and nutritional protocols designed for men, such as “large field training” and cardio focus, may not be most efficient for women, and point to sports science and human performance approaches (pp. 55–57) to prepare all service members.

LGBT Status

The history of military policy related to sexual orientation, gender identity, and military service has developed in tandem with broader changes in social attitudes and evolving state and federal legislation in the post-9/11 period. Three pieces of legislation during the Obama administration represented a sea change in federal and military policy: (1) the 2009 Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act; (2) the 2011 repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT); and (3) the 2015 legalization of same-sex marriage by the U.S. Supreme Court ( Obergefell v. Hodges ). Additionally, in 2016 the secretary of defense ended the ban on transgender service (although as noted in Chapter 3 , those advances have been rolled back effective April 2019).

LGBT service members enlist at higher rates than heterosexual people and identify diverse reasons for joining ( Ramirez and Bloeser, 2018 ) that extend beyond patriotism, altruism, and commitment to public service. For example, given the troubling rates of family rejection of LGBT youth ( Zimmerman et al., 2015 ), some LGB service members enlist as a mechanism to escape fraught home environments ( Legate et al., 2012 ). For some men, the hypermasculine culture of the military may be appealing, while for lesbian women, the military allows a laser focus on career and mission rather than gender-bound heteronormative roles of motherhood and marriage ( Ramirez and Bloeser, 2018 ).

In population health research, sexual minorities have been found to be at risk for multiple health and mental health burdens when compared to heterosexuals ( Hatzenbuehler, 2009 ). Minority stress theory ( Meyer, 2003 ) articulates that members of sexual minorities experience excess and accumulated stress, including stigma, prejudice, and discrimination, and often expend significant energy to remain vigilant to environmental and interpersonal threats, safety, and disclosure of sexuality. In addition, for LGBT recruits, self-awareness regarding sexual orientation or the decision to live as their gender rather than birth sex and the coming out process often coincide with socialization into military culture.

Until the federal legalization of same-sex marriage, military policy and practice under DADT also interfered with lesbian, gay, and bisexual service members' family functioning and well-being ( Kelty and Segal, 2013 ) by requiring concealment, excluding same-sex partners and children from receiving benefits, and limiting same-sex partners from participating in family roles. 18 In addition, concerns about being outed and career repercussions prevented many sexual minority service members from seeking help and support under DADT ( Mount et al., 2015 ).

With the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, DoD began immediate efforts to extend benefits to spouses and children of sexual minority service members, and in 2016 new health care and service options became available for transgender service members. However, because these important policy changes are very recent, we still know little about LGBT service members, couples, parents, and families. However, some findings are emerging. A DoD systematic review indicated that active-duty lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals may be at increased risk for sexual assault victimization ( DoD, 2016c ). DoD's 2015 Health Related Behaviors Survey found that LGBT personnel were as likely as other personnel to receive routine medical care and less likely to be overweight, but more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as binge drinking, cigarette smoking, unprotected sex with a new partner, and having more than one sexual partner in the past year ( Meadows et al., 2018 , pp. xxx–xxxi). LGBT personnel were also more likely to report moderate or severe depression, lifetime history of self-injury, lifetime suicide ideation, lifetime suicide attempt, suicide attempt in the previous 12 months, lifetime history of unwanted sexual contact, or ever being physical abused ( Meadows et al., 2018 , p. xxxi). Although these highlights describe LGBT people as a group, of course their needs and experiences vary. For example, “transgender” refers to a gender identity, not a sexual orientation, and a ban against transgender military service was just reinstated.

Lessons from foreign military forces in which LGBT personnel have been integrated, which date from the 1970s (in 1974 in the Netherlands), indicate that LGBT integration has had no effect on readiness or effectiveness there ( Belkin and McNichol, 2000–2001 , 2000 ). Rather, environments which are inclusive of sexual orientations and gender identities are positively linked to mental health, well-being, and productivity among LGBT individuals, which in turn benefits morale, cohesion, and recruitment and retention ( Polchar et al., 2014 ).

A hallmark of best military personnel practices is maintaining policies that are inclusive, especially in the context of international and multinational cooperation among diverse nations (e.g., NATO, 2016 , p. 45). Relevant to LGBT personnel, best practices include intentional “top-down” leadership demanding respectful conduct, and attention to deployment environments in which LGBT service members may be at greater risk because of local attitudes or local laws, including criminal statutes against same-sex relationships or sexual practices ( Polchar et al., 2014 , p. 13, p. 50). The most inclusive military systems, including Australia's, encourage and even require disclosure of sexual orientation within the context of national security ( Polchar et al., 2014 , p. 57).

The National Defense Research Institute Report ( Rostker et al., 2010 ) concludes that the ability of LGBT persons to serve openly can increase unit trust and cohesion, enhance the well-being and performance of LGBT service members, and reduce LGBT vulnerability in out-of-country assignments and deployment environments (such as blackmail by enemy combatants), among other reasons. Common to foreign nations that have integrated LGBT service members are education and training related to fair treatment of all personnel and clear anti-discrimination policies ( Azoulay et al., 2010 ).

Race and Ethnicity

Demographic trends in the general population indicate that the United States will become a majority-minority nation within the next generation. With only one percent of the U.S. population volunteering for military service, the current demographics of military personnel and their families do not reflect those of the population as a whole (see Chapter 3 ). Rather, racial and ethnic minorities, including immigrants, are more likely to consider military service than White people, and specific regions of the country, in particular several states with high percentages of Hispanics or Latinx, are over-represented ( Bennett and McDonald, 2013 ; Council on Foreign Relations, 2015; also Elder et al., 2010 ). During the long wars, immigrant service members have provided critical language skills, including the roles of translator and interpreter, and offered needed cross-cultural expertise ( Council on Foreign Relations, 2009 ; Stock, 2009 ).

Several scholars have concluded that the life-course impact of service for ethnic-minority families is “generally positive” and that service provides important opportunities to groups that might not have alternative pathways to socioeconomic independence and sustainability ( Burland and Lundquist, 2013 , p. 186). Black service members in the forces are accessing educational benefits through the GI bill at higher rates today than in earlier cohorts ( Lutz, 2013 , p. 75).

The scholarship on diversity and inclusion has made important contributions in the realm of exploring equal opportunity-related issues: accessions, mentors, promotions and assignments, distributions across occupations and paygrades, and discrimination and harassment ( Asch et al., 2012 ; Booth and Segal, 2005 ; Lim et al., 2014 ; Military Leadership Diversity Commission, 2011 ; Parco and Levy, 2010 ; Rohall et al., 2017 ; Tick et al., 2015 ). All of this scholarship is important and relevant for service member and family well-being, although gaps in our understanding remain.

It is common for DoD surveys and academic studies of military family well-being to include race and ethnicity as variables and report on significant differences, but greater synthesis across the research is needed. For example, several studies indicate that racial/ethnic minority status is linked to higher self-reported rates of PTSD ( Burk and Espinoza, 2012 ; DeVoe et al., 2017 ; Meadows et al., 2018 ) and that the positive benefits service has on families' well-being for ethnic-minority service members do not extend to combat veterans ( MacLean, 2013 ). Other racial/ethnic differences include higher prevalence of overweight among Hispanics and non-Hispanic Blacks in the military ( Reyes-Guzman et al., 2015 ) and various differences in health-related behaviors, such as smoking (non-Hispanic blacks were least likely to smoke) and hazardous and disordered drinking (more likely among non-Hispanic whites) ( Meadows et al., 2018 , p. xxxvii).

No synthesis across the literature has yet been carried out concerning how race and ethnicity relate to military family well-being. Additionally, little attention has been paid to exploring the priorities of racial and ethnic minority families to answer such questions as, What are the top problems and needs of minority service members and their families? and, Is the Military Family Readiness System addressing these problems and needs or helping minority service members and their families address them?

Families in the Exceptional Family Member Program

The Office of Special Needs was established in 2010 19 to enhance and improve DoD support for military families with special medical or educational needs. The office operates in and oversees the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP), the provision of services pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and a DoD Advisory Panel on Community Support for Military Families with Special Needs ( Office of Special Needs, 2018 ).

Enrollment in the EFMP is mandatory for active component service members who have a family member with special medical or educational needs ( EFMP, 2016 ). Approximately 133,000 military family members are enrolled in the EFMP ( Office of Special Needs, 2018 ; GAO, 2018b ). The EFMP helps families in two ways:

Documenting family members' special needs, so that the availability of necessary services is considered during personnel assignment decisions.

Identifying and accessing relevant information and military programs and services.

In a benchmark study of the EFMP ( Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, 2013 ), military families enrolled in the EFMP expressed concerns regarding stigma surrounding special needs family members and military career advancement. Focus groups and interviews with service members, family members, and service providers across eight CONUS installations revealed that some families initially did not enroll in EFMP, disassociated from EFMP services, or hid their family member's needs because of embarrassment and because of fears that they would miss out on assignments important for career advancement or reenlistment opportunities. Although current policy directs that assignments should be managed to prevent adverse impact on careers ( DoD, 2017d ), service members may still face difficult choices. To illustrate, an officer might have to decide whether to

• turn down a key command opportunity overseas or in a domestic remote and isolated location, because the area has limited resources to support the family member,
• take the career-enhancing assignment, but serve geographically separated from the family for 2 years, leaving someone else to care for the family member with special needs, or
• take the family member along, try to compensate for the resource limitations, hope the condition does not worsen, and if on an unaccompanied tour overseas, be responsible for the cost of sending the family member back.

Within EFMP families, members with special needs are not the only ones who may need assistance. For example, deployments can present additional challenges, as the nondeployed parent can become overwhelmed managing care for EFMP family members, on top of all of the other family and household responsibilities while the service member is away from home ( Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, 2013 ). The nondeployed parent (or other caregiver) may have to quit their job or reduce their work hours to manage, which in turn can negatively impact the family's financial well-being. Especially in circumstances like these, the sole caregiver can have a dire need for respite care. Siblings may also become caregivers as well, assisting their brother or sister who, for example, has limited physical abilities or behavioral problems. While they may enjoy that role, it may also limit what else they are able to do in terms of extracurricular activities, socializing with friends, interacting with parents, or having time to themselves.

Each Service runs its own EFMP, so one of DoD's roles is to help ensure consistency and successful implementation ( Office of Special Needs, 2018 ). However, a recent GAO report raised questions about whether there were gaps in services based on wide variation in the ratio of EFMP staff to EFMP service members, the types of program activities, and the low number of service plans given the number of enrollees and requirement that all should have plans ( GAO, 2018 ). GAO recommended that DoD develop common performance metrics and evaluate the Services' monitoring activities, and DoD agreed and plans to do so ( GAO, 2018 ).

A recent study of EFMP family support providers provides some insight into the types of special needs in military families ( Aronson et al., 2016 ). The study participants were EFMP professionals who help families document the special needs and connect them to information, services, and support groups. The researchers asked whether the providers worked with families dealing with any 1 of 13 specific special health care or educational needs. Most (93 to 94%) reported working with military dependents with autism and dependents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Each of the following types of disabilities were encountered by more than 80 percent of these family support providers: emotional/behavioral disorder, speech and language disorder, developmental delay, asthma, and mental health problems ( Aronson et al., 2016 ).

In the same study, the providers were asked to share their impression of the impact on EFMP families of each of 12 specific challenges (including educational concerns, child behavior problems, parent stress). Of the 12 challenges, 8 were perceived to have an impact ranging on average from “moderate extent” to “great extent.” Educational concerns about children were reported as the foremost issue. The next most prominent issues for families were navigating systems (e.g., school, community, or military), child behavior problems, parent mental health or stress, child care issues, and medical problems ( Aronson et al., 2016 ).

Many of these concerns were exacerbated by the frequency of and associated stress of relocation. Lack of continuity associated with changing doctors, carrying over prescriptions, re-applying for referrals, creating new individualized education plans (IEPs), and the like can be stressful for both the families attempting to manage the care and support their loved one and the family member with special needs. Such delays leave the family member with special needs with gaps in necessary care. A recurring issue that EFMP family support providers reported, which related to their own work, was a lack of information sharing that would alert them to incoming families and their needs so that the providers could start assisting with the transition prior to the move.

Note that EFMP is not the only type of support for military family members with special needs, but it should be able to refer families to appropriate resources and help them understand their rights and protections. Figure 4-2 illustrates overlapping types of programs for children with special needs: (1) Exceptional Family Member (EFM) Program; (2) Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) special education; and (3) school-related services or accommodation through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (MCEC, 2005, p. 29). Both IDEA and Section 504 aim to ensure that students with disabilities are able to receive a free and appropriate education.

Overlapping eligibility for programs serving children with special needs. SOURCE: MCEC (2005, p. 29).

Although this section tended to discuss “special needs” generally, keep in mind that this represents a great deal of variability in type, severity, and persistence of disability and variability in associated needs. It encompasses autism, blindness, deafness, learning disabilities, speech disorders, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and many other physical, mental and psychological disabilities, and of course dependents can have more than one, and families can have more than one member who has special needs.

For some families, the benefits and accommodations the military makes to support families with special needs are an incentive to remain on active duty. The advantages include medical benefits afforded to the EFMP family members and assistance coordinating with schools and other programs and services. They also include the service member having the ability to take time off of work to manage the special needs (although some supervisors might be more stringent) without worrying about getting fired or losing money the way one might in a civilian job if required to “clock out.” Even if a family member with special needs is high-functioning, the service member might need to take that dependent to appointments and work with the schools on developing an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

• TRANSITION OUT OF MILITARY SERVICE

Military personnel and their family members transition away from military life for a wide variety of reasons, in different life stages, and after differing levels and types of exposure to military life. Box 4-7 summarizes some key characteristics of this transition, although they are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the post-service adjustments and post-service trajectories of veterans and their families.

Examples of Prominent Themes Associated with Transition from Military to Civilian Life.

Service members may die as a result of military operations, accidents, suicide, or other causes that may or may not clearly relate to their service. Such deaths can be emotionally traumatic to the family and can lead to additional challenges, such as having to leave the military community (even having to move, if they live in military housing), and losing the military pay and benefits associated with service. Post-death benefits, such as the death gratuity, are one type of military benefit for which service members can designate nonmilitary dependents to be recipients, including nonmarital partners and parents.

Service members may separate from military service voluntarily or involuntarily. Some will choose or be required to leave before their initial term of service is complete, but most will face decisions about whether to begin an additional term of service. As the size of the military expands and contracts over time, due to the changing scope of missions and congressional authorizations for personnel, periodically individuals are required or incentivized to leave military service before their current term ends. Additionally, in the event of war, the military can issue a “stop loss” to prevent service members from leaving at the end of their contracts; or, if authorized by the Presidential Reserve Callup Authority, the military can call back to active-duty individuals who had already separated or retired but had not completed their period on “Individual Ready Reserve” status (e.g., as was done to provide ground forces for deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan).

Retirement has traditionally been possible after 20 years of service, once any terms of service have been met, such as obligations after receiving additional schooling. Former spouses may be awarded a portion of a retiree's pay as a part of a divorce proceeding. As noted earlier, the new Blended Retirement System provides alternatives to this traditional system that resemble many private sector 401(k) plans.

After leaving the military, service members and their families may choose to stay in the same area as the last duty station, although those living in family housing will have to move off of the installation. Or they may move to pursue a job opportunity, live closer to relatives, live in a favorite part of the country, or live where there are other military-connected individuals and resources. The Transition to Veteran Policy Office (TVPO) is responsible for policy and implementation of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), 20 operated by 300 Family Support Centers at military installations worldwide. TAP offers a number of services and resources including counseling, employment assistance, information on veterans' benefits, and other employment and family support. An analysis of data on the use of support services administered by transition assistance centers is underway ( GAO, 2019 ).

Some veterans use their GI Bill benefits to attend college after they leave the service. Many are drawn to the career focus and flexibility offered by for-profit educational institutions; however, some of those schools have been found to prey upon veterans and have high dropout rates and low postgraduation employment rates ( Guo et al., 2016 , p. 9).

Research on recent veteran populations finds that their workforce participation rates and unemployment are similar to the rates of comparable civilians, although personnel separating at a young age (18 to 24) appear to face some employment hurdles when initially transitioning ( Guo et al., 2016 , p. 2). Tax credits for hiring veterans appear to be both beneficial and cost-effective: one study found that a 2007 tax credit expansion resulted in the employment of 32,000 disabled veterans in 2007 and 2009 who would have otherwise been unemployed ( Guo et al., 2016 , p. 4).

Multiple studies have found that both service members and veterans earn more than their comparable civilian counterparts and that service members who worked in health care, communications, or intelligence occupations saw larger earnings in their post-military careers than other veterans ( Guo et al., 2016 , p. 5). One study that focused on women veterans' civilian labor market earnings found that military service was even more of an advantage for racial and ethnic minority women than it was for White women veterans, so much so that it raised their earnings as high as, or in some cases higher than, White nonveterans' earnings ( Padavic and Prokos, 2017 ).

For veterans and their family members, the transition to civilian life can be made more difficult by physical disabilities or conditions, such as chronic pain, or by mental health challenges, such as posttraumatic stress disorder or major depression (which are discussed in Chapter 5 ). Multiple surveys suggest that veterans who served as officers have better health than those who were enlisted ( MacLean and Edwards, 2010 ). Women veterans appear to be more likely to have a disability or function limitation than veterans who are men ( Prokos and Cabage, 2017 ; Wilmoth et al., 2011 ). As veterans move from the DoD health care system to the VA, they may find challenges to maintaining continuity of care, and not all veterans who need treatment will receive it ( IOM, 2013 ).

Yet studies of past generations of war veterans have found that the long-term outcomes of military service are positive. The benefits of military service include not only education and economic gains but also positive coping strategies, the ability to withstand stress, and other resilience factors that can promote lifelong health and well-being ( Spiro et al., 2015 ).

Military life can offer tremendous benefits but also significant challenges. Some who enter will thrive, others will struggle or fail. Not everyone who enters will be willing or able to remain a military family member until the service members' transition to civilian life. The ongoing work for DoD, however, is to help prevent, mitigate, and respond to the negative impact of stressors to promote the well-being, readiness, effectiveness, and retention of quality service members and their families. Some of the challenges mentioned above may extend to parents, grandparents, siblings, close friends, and others in service members' personal networks, such as military separation from loved ones, concern about the safety of service members working in dangerous environments, and caring for service members' children or seriously injured service members.

Some events specifically related to military life can impact not just the service member but also other individuals in the family and subsystems within the family. Most notably, these include

• pay and in-kind benefits, such as housing and health care
• assignments to installations in other countries
• deployments, sea duty, and temporary duty away from home
• combat experience and exposure
• service-related mental and physical injuries and death
• career progression (or lack thereof), and
• separation from military service and transition to civilian life.

The opportunities and challenges of military life change as the size of the military expands or contracts; as the civilian economy improves or declines; as the number, length and nature of military operations changes; and as public knowledge and attitudes toward the military change.

These types of military experiences will vary across different subgroups and regions, too. For example, military life experiences such as frequency and length of deployments, options of installation assignments, and career progression are often linked to military occupation, and military occupations vary greatly in their personnel composition (e.g., by entry requirements, race, ethnicity, gender, and concentration in the active component or National Guard or Reserves). Additionally, some military families have significantly more privileges and resources than others. The differences in pay mean senior military officers are much more likely than junior enlisted personnel to be able to afford to locate their families in neighborhoods with greater resources and better schools; to hire help with housekeeping, yardwork, or tutoring; to be able to fly other family members out to visit; to pay for their children's college education, and so on. Regardless of the resources a family may have, however, some installations are located in areas where there are few or low-quality resources, or where the resources are already overtaxed because the civilian population has great needs. Thus, we reiterate here our call in Chapter 3 to be attentive to the ways intersectionality or overlapping statuses of numerous characteristics can shape how individual family members and families experience and interpret the events and features of military life.

It also bears repeating that we have more information on the life course of service members and military dependents than we do on partners, children who are not military dependents, and other military family members, as well as more information on historically majority subgroups in the military (e.g., men, Whites, heterosexuals).

Given finite resources and a vast array of possible challenges, the need is for DoD to find the best way to prioritize and focus its efforts to enhance the well-being of diverse military families, without compromising its ability to meet its missions. An important question to answer toward this end is: What are the most beneficial and meaningful types of interventions, guidance, and support that DoD could offer to achieve this?

• CONCLUSIONS

CONCLUSION 4-1: Studies on the roles and impacts of nonmarital partners, ex-spouses, or ex-partners, parents, siblings, grandparents, and others in the personal networks of service members are scarce, despite the significant positive or negative influences those people could have or the important roles they could play in some situations, such as child custody disputes, respite child care, temporary guardianship of children during parents' deployments, and other situations.

CONCLUSION 4-2: There is a lack of understanding of how military family well-being varies by race and ethnicity, the concerns of minority families, and whether the Department of Defense is sufficiently meeting these families' needs. Scholarship on racial/ethnic diversity in the military tends to focus on equal opportunity issues for service members (such as discrimination and promotion rates), whereas findings concerning well-being are scattered widely across the literature.

CONCLUSION 4-3: The frequency of mandatory military moves and the associated stress of relocation create challenges for the continuity of care for active component military families, especially families who have members with special needs and must rely heavily upon community resources.

CONCLUSION 4-4: Since the end of the Cold War, the National Guard and Reserves have served at unprecedented levels, filling critical roles in disaster relief and homeland defense in the United States as well as serving in military operations overseas. However, they face frequent family separations, changes in pay and benefits eligibility associated with shifting military statuses, and disruptions to civilian employment and business ownership, and they may not even live near a military community that could provide formal or informal support.

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• U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Department of Defense Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military: Fiscal Year 2016. 2016c. Retrieved from https://sapr ​.mil/public ​/docs/reports/FY16_Annual ​/FY16_SAPRO_Annual_Report.pdf .
• U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The Third Quadrennial Quality of Life Review. Washington, DC: 2017a. (No 17-C-0436). Retrieved from http://download ​.militaryonesource ​.mil/12038 ​/MOS/Reports/QQLR2017.pdf .
• U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Annual Report to the Congressional Defense Committees on the Department of Defense Policy and Plans for Military Family Readiness, Fiscal Year 2016. Washington, DC: 2017b.
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• U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP). Washington, DC: 2017d. (DoD Instruction 1315.19). Retrieved from https://www ​.esd.whs.mil ​/Portals/54/Documents ​/DD/issuances/dodi/131519p.pdf .
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• U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Military Service by Transgender Persons and Persons With Gender Dysphoria. 2019. (Directive-type memorandum (DTM) 19-004). Retrieved from https://www ​.esd.whs.mil ​/Portals/54/Documents ​/DD/issuances/dtm/DTM-19-004 ​.pdf?ver ​=2019-03-13-103259-670 .
• U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity. About DoDEA - DoDEA Schools Worldwide. 2019. Retrieved from https://www ​.dodea.edu/aboutDoDEA/today ​.cfm .
• U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity. DoDEA Educational Partnership: About Educational Partnership. 2019a. Retrieved from https://www ​.dodea.edu/Partnership/
• U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics: Veteran Population Infographic, Veteran Population Projections 2017-2037. 2018. Retrieved from https://www ​.va.gov/vetdata ​/docs/Demographics ​/New_Vetpop_Model ​/Vetpop_Infographic_Final31.pdf .
• U.S. Departments of the Army and the Air Force. National Guard Domestic Operations. National Guard Regulation 500-1/Air National Guard Instruction 10-8101. Arlington, VA: National Guard Bureau; 2008.
• U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Military Child Care: DoD Is Taking Actions to Address Awareness and Availability Barriers. Washington, DC: 2012.
• U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Complete Data on Active-Duty Servicemembers' Use of Food Assistance Programs. Washington, DC: 2016.
• U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Military Personnel: Improvements Needed in the Management of Enlistees' Medical Early Separation and Enlistment Information. Washington, DC: 2017.
• U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Military Readiness: Clear Policy and Reliable Data Would Help DoD Better Manage Service Members' Time Away from Home. Washington, DC: 2018a.
• U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Military Personnel: DoD Should Improve Its Oversight of the Exceptional Family Member Program. Washington, DC: 2018b.
• U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Military Personnel: DoD Needs to Improve Funding Process for Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Programs. Washington, DC: 2018c.
• U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Transitioning Servicemembers: Information on Military Employment Assistance Centers. Washington, DC: 2019. (GAO-19-438R). Retrieved from https://www ​.gao.gov/assets/700/699769 ​.pdf .
• Van Donge N, Schvey NA, Roberts TA, Klein DA. Transgender dependent adolescents in the U.S. military health care system: Demographics, treatments sought, and health care service utilization. Military Medicine. 2019; 184 (5-6):e447–e454. [ PubMed : 30325452 ]
• Werber L, Schaefer AG, Osilla KC, Wilke E, Wong A, Breslau J, Kitchens KE. Support for the 21st-Century Reserve Force: Insights on Facilitating Successful Reintegration for Citizen Warriors and Their Families. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation; 2013.
• Williams KD. Ostracism. Annual Review of Psychology. 2007; 58 :425–452. [ PubMed : 16968209 ]
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• Zellman GL, Gates SM, Moini JS, Suttorp M. Meeting family and military needs through military child care. Armed Forces & Society. 2009; 35 :437–459.
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• Zinskie CD, Rea DW. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): What it means for educators of students at risk. National Youth-At-Risk Journal. 2016; 2 (1):1.

As noted in Chapter 1 , for the reserve component, the committee focuses on the Selected Reserves, which refers to the prioritized reserve personnel who typically drill and train one weekend a month and two additional weeks each year to prepare to support military operations.

For further details, see health ​.mil/Reference-Center ​/Publications ​/2016/09/01/Advances-in-Army-Medicine-since-9-11 .

Less common reasons for attrition, in order of occurrence (specific numbers not provided), were drug abuse; disability, severance pay; failure to meet weight or body fat standards; character or behavior disorder; temporary disability retirement; pregnancy; permanent disability retirement; fraudulent entry; and alcoholism ( GAO, 2017 , p. 14).

For more information on National Guard domestic operations and authorities, see U.S. Departments of the Army and the Air Force (2008) .

For military pay charts, see https://www ​.dfas.mil ​/militarymembers/payentitlements ​/PayTables.html .

For an overview of the new system in a reader-friendly format, see https://militarypay ​.defense ​.gov/Portals/3 ​/Documents/BlendedRetirementDocuments ​/A ​%20Guide%20to%20the%20Uniformed ​%20Services ​%20BRS%20December%202017.pdf .

See https://www ​.usuhs.edu ​/medschool/admissions .

Title 38 U.S.C., Chapter 33, Sections 3301 to 3324 – Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.

For more information, see http://www ​.usagso.org ​/en/our-council/who-we-are.html .

For more information, see https://www ​.bgca.org/about-us/military .

For more information, see https://statepolicy ​.militaryonesource ​.mil .

Sea duty refers to Navy personnel assignments to ships or submarines. It contrasts with shore duty , or land-based assignments. For more information, see http://www ​.public.navy ​.mil/bupers-npc/reference ​/milpersman/1000 ​/1300Assignment/Documents/1306-102 ​.pdf .

For a summary of these findings, see Meadows et al. (2016) .

For more information, see https://www ​.dol.gov/vets ​/programs/userra/userra_fs.htm .

The terms are specified under Section 10216 of Title 10 in the U.S. Code.

For example, a women truck driver being tasked with handling the unit's administrative work, or Black or Hispanic personnel being assigned the dirty or heavy manual labor.

See https://fas ​.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R44577 ​.pdf , pg. 19, Sec. 521.

Testimony of Ashley Broadway-Mack, president of the American Military Partner Association, at Voices from the Field , a public information-gathering session held at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on April 24, 2018.

Established in Title 10 of the U.S. Code, Sec. 1781c.

For more information, see https://www ​.dodtap.mil/ .

• Cite this Page National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education; Board on Children, Youth, and Families; Committee on the Well-Being of Military Families; Le Menestrel S, Kizer KW, editors. Strengthening the Military Family Readiness System for a Changing American Society. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2019 Jul 19. 4, Military Life Opportunities and Challenges.
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How to Use Military Life in a College Application

When it comes to your college application essay, you probably are not going to write about the three months you spent "finding yourself" in the Seychelles. The value of your spring break trip through Patagonia seems equally doubtful.

We're guessing you won't even be writing about the 107 cats you saved from that burning building last year.

Why? Because that is not your life. The military is. And you want to know how to use your military life experience in your college essay.

What to write for college essays?

For many prospective students, the essay required by colleges and graduate schools can be the most difficult part of the application process.

"I have no idea what to write about and these suggestions don't make any sense to me," said Rebecca, a college-bound Air Force spouse I met thumbing through essay help books at her local Barnes + Noble.

"If everyone else is writing about priceless, incredible adventures or their plans to free the world from AIDS by 2018, what would writing about military life add?"

We asked military spouses (including some former military brats) for their experience, and we found out that for many, writing about military life added a lot of heft to their application.

Rebecca was hesitant. "What am I supposed to do? Talk about the time I parked in the wrong parking spot? Or didn't know about colors? Or that PCS where everything broke?"

Maybe you are thinking about the deployment when everything went wrong: the washer broke the day he left, and your car died on the way to the hospital with you, in labor, inside it. Or maybe you will be writing about the challenges your family has faced with budget cuts, sequestration and looming layoffs. Perhaps you will even open up about PTSD.

But no matter what aspect of it you choose, leveraging military life in your college application can lift your application from the stacks of mundane, boring essays and bring it to the top.

Open up to stories about your real life

"I applied to a distance learning program at a Boston liberal arts college," says Bethanny, an Army wife. "Writing that application felt like the hardest thing I've done. But I'm pretty sure I was the only one who wrote about dealing with three girls, a PCS, and a husband facing PTSD."

The idea of opening up about her personal life frightened her, Bethanny admits, but her topic was open-ended: Tell us about a moment when you applied something you learned in school to a real-life event.

"I spent a lot of time thinking about that, and the first idea I thought of was persistence," she explains. "Yeah math is hard and you have to stick with it. But learning that in second grade, you don't realize you'll be using it one day in your own family."

This was an early lesson, but an invaluable one. Persistence has carried her through every challenge her family has faced, she said, and it's the hallmark of her experience as a military spouse.

"I try to tell my oldest girl that when teachers say "you'll use this later," it's not about actual fractions or multiplication tables. It's about what you're learning about yourself when you struggle with those."

Bethanny poured her heart out in her application, and when she was finished with her last draft, she knew she had successfully made her point.

"Military life is harder than anybody's summer internship at a hospital or your mission trip to Zambia," she says. "That's pretending to know real life. I'm living it."

Focus on a powerful story

That real-life experience is something that can help you stand head-and-shoulders above the other applicants. But to use it to your advantage, you have to make sure you focus your military experience into a powerful, personal story.

According to the experts, the best way to make your essay count is to focus it on personal experience, keep it unique, and use it as an opportunity to really express your own voice. It is your one chance to tell the admissions committee something about you they do not already know.

"View it as an opportunity," encourages the admissions team at Carleton College . "The essay is one of the few things that you've got complete control over in the application process, especially by the time you're in your senior year. You've already earned most of your grades; you've already made most of your impressions on teachers; and chances are, you've already found a set of activities you're interested in continuing. So when you write the essay, view it as something more than just a page to fill up with writing. View it as a chance to tell the admissions committee about who you are as a person."

Consider the joys and hardships of military life and how they have shaped the person you are today. Those are not things shared by every candidate in the admissions pool. What kind of experiences has the military granted you that no one else will have had?

"I knew living in Germany was unique, but I know plenty of other kids probably visited in high school on some expensive trip and would be writing about that," says Marine Corps wife Robin.

Robin is as military as it comes without putting on a uniform herself: She and her husband have been together for over a decade, and she grew up in the Marine Corps, too.

"I didn't attend a typical college after graduation because I got married so young," she said. "I did an associate's degree, and I didn't think I would ever need more schooling than that."

Now that she wants her bachelor's, she is excited about school, but the application process has made her more than a little nervous.

"The essay is really scary," she says.

Robin had a travel prompt: Talk about a trip you've taken and the impact it had on you.

"I was afraid if I wrote about military life, they would think it's boring. My mom encouraged me to do it. I think what makes my story so different is it isn't about just taking a trip, it is all about dealing with real life overseas. Not being able to work. Trying to make ends meet without my income. Figuring out I needed to do something for me like going back to school, and that it would help my family too." 

Robin is right: Her essay is honest, personal and tells the reader about who she is as a person.

Sure, her story isn't unique in the military world. Plenty of spouses face these challenges every day and find their own solutions to them. But in a sea of admissions essays, her story does something powerful: It tells you more about who she is in two pages than the rest of her application could put together.

"You don't know I'm a military brat or a military wife. You just know I have a broken employment history and a community college degree," she says. "In my essay, I can tell you who I am. This is who I am, and a lot of its military."

If you are trying to make your military life experience work in your college or graduate school essay, try following these simple do's and don'ts from military wives like yourself:

Do's and Don'ts From Military Wives

Talk honestly about the challenges of military life. -- Army wife Bethanny

Be open about adversity. Sometimes the hard stories are the best stories. -- Army wife Erin

Challenge assumptions about military life! -- Marine Corps wife Monica

Show who you are outside of your husband's job. -- Marine Corps wife Mary

Whine about how hard it is. You have to use a challenge to your advantage. If you are just whining, it should be in an email to mom. -- Navy wife Rachel

Assume they know the lingo. They don't. Take the time to spell things like FRO out. -- Marine Corps wife Robin

Expect them to understand military life is hard. You have to tell them about it. If they aren't in the military world, they won't know. -- Navy wife Christine

Use your thesaurus the whole time! You are smart enough as you are. Use the words you really know. -- Marine Corps wife Barbie

If you have leveraged your military experience in your college essay, we want to know . Do you think it was an asset to your application? What did you write about?

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Army ROTC Essay Examples with Commentary

LTC Robert Kirkland

8 minute read

The following are winning four-year scholarship essays from Army ROTC applicants we have worked with in the past at ROTC Consulting. We will provide commentary at the end of each essay as to why each answer is effective. You can find our previous post about building a successful essay here.

Army ROTC Essay #1

Consider carefully, and then state below in the space provided why you wish to enroll in the Army ROTC Program. Indicate in your statement how you believe your own objectives in life are related to the education and training offered by Army ROTC and what a career obligation means to you.

• Winning Answer:

I believe that American values and our way of life are worth fighting for. One of the finest ways one can demonstrate this commitment is by becoming an officer in the United States Army. This commitment is not something to be taken lightly and I needed to explore what the duties and responsibilities of both a cadet and a lieutenant were. I had a plan.

I visited the Somerset Army National Guard unit near my home in New Jersey. There, I was introduced to a group of officers, non-commissioned officers, and cadets. I learned from my visit that officers lead by example and need to take care of their soldiers. Non-commissioned officers are the “backbone” of the Army and it is important that new lieutenants learn from their sergeants. Since I am interested in the National Guard after I commission, they told me about the civilian jobs that I could pursue in the State Police or the FBI while I was in the National Guard. It was really inspirational to see how National Guard officers and enlisted both serve their community and the Nation.

On my visit to Army ROTC at Drexel University, I spoke to the PMS and what struck me was the importance for future leaders to become proficient in basic soldier skills and troop leading procedures. The ROOs at TCU and Wake Forest reinforced this message. I know that by mastering these tasks, I will be a successful lieutenant and the best leader I can be no matter what path I choose in life.

Once I become a lieutenant, I hope to deploy overseas. An important aspect is to understand the local culture in the execution of my duties as an officer. I hope that my intended major of international business helps me gain a deeper understanding of the people I will be interacting with overseas.

Overall, through my experience in visiting both a National Guard and several ROTC programs as well as from my current activities, I understand what it takes to be an Army officer and I am prepared for this challenge.

• Commentary on what makes this essay successful:

Notice that this essay is not a rundown of what the candidate did in high school or a listing of achievements. This prompt is most effectively answered by showing things that you did to learn more about being both a cadet and an officer in the United States Army.

This can be demonstrated by letting Army ROTC know what research you did on the internet, who you talked to (both cadets and officers) and especially what things you did to visit ROTC programs and actual Army units (such as Army National Guard or Army Reserve Units) to talk with both officers and noncommissioned officers to learn the duties and responsibilities of a lieutenant.

In addition, did you take the time to visit an Army ROTC program? If so, what did you learn? Are you ready for the challenges of Army ROTC? Tell the board members that you took the time to visit and learn more about Army ROTC and are excited about being a cadet.

Examples of Real Essays That Won the ROTC Scholarship!

Army ROTC Essay #2

State below in the space provided how you spend your time in a typical week during the school year. For example, how many extra hours do you spend: at school, during homework, engaged in athletic activities, engaged in extracurricular activities (i.e. clubs), engaged in volunteer work, or other (explain).

I am a very busy and focus driven individual. From the classroom to the athletic field I am constantly working to hone my skills.

Every day I am up early, whether I have a specific task or just looking to get a head start on the day. I arrive at school an hour early to get academic help, complete assignments, or just relax and get my mind right for the day. This is an important part of my routine.

During a normal day of school, I take countless notes, tests and quizzes as well as attend weekly club meetings. It is almost guaranteed that I will have at least two club meetings per week during break. Some days my lunchtime or study hall time is spent in a teacher’s classroom solidifying my understanding of the subject matter. After the academic day, my real day begins. I have 50 minutes in between my last class and athletic practice to do homework and see teachers. I utilize this time every day even if I don’t have questions in order to gain more insight from there instruction.

As the captain of the varsity cross country team and tennis team, I am tasked with always showing a positive attitude and setting the standard in regard to work ethic. I am responsible for keeping the team focused and working hard. Practice typically lasts for an hour and half depending on the intensity. After cross country, I head straight to tennis practice on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Although tennis practice is only three days a week, it is a year-round commitment for me. I am often on the courts on Tuesdays and Fridays as well when my schoolwork is manageable. My school days last until 7 pm, and then I get to go home.

When I get home and have showered and eaten dinner, I begin my homework and academic preparation for the next day. I often work on papers or projects at this time, and I always manage to spend time with my family. After I have completed everything I need for the next day, I get a good night’s rest and prepare to do it again.

This essay is fairly standard, and it is important to let Army ROTC know that you are a dynamic individual who is busy doing a variety of activities that involve the range of scholar, athlete, leader activities. The more specific you can be about each of these areas, the stronger the essay.

Specifically avoid non-kinetic activities such as playing video games, TV watching, bystanding, or other events where you are not an active participant. Again, emphasize active scholar-athlete-leader events.

Army ROTC Essay #3

Please expand on any additional information outlining scholastic, athletic, and leadership achievements not otherwise annotated in the previous sections. Although you are not required to do so, you are highly encouraged to do so if applicable.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Leadership Institute : I recently had the honor of being selected to attend his Institute. I learned that leadership can mean more than being a role model, it can also mean being an instrument of change. Attending the Institute gave me the chance to meet a leader of a non-profit focusing on preventing drug overdoses. I saw how one person could make a difference and started a chapter on my own high school campus. A lot of students start their encounters with drugs through medications they find at home. I am working with the Behavioral Health Department to obtain kits that neutralize medications. Maybe we can prevent a future tragedy.

Eagle Scout : I was a leader in several capacities. The most challenging was being a leader for a group of new scouts on a camping trip to Death Valley. It was pretty frustrating at first to get everyone to fulfill their jobs, but eventually I helped them understand that we had to work together to make things run smoothly. My Eagle Scout project gave me the chance to oversee a project from start to finish. I built a much-needed library in my temple and it was extremely fulfilling.

Captain of Varsity Lacrosse and Basketball Team : I have also served as a leader for my sports teams. I am proud to be a captain and I take my responsibility seriously. I know my actions have an impact on the other players and am more aware of the need to be a good role model. The most challenging part of being a student athlete is managing my time so I can give school and my sports teams my best effort. I have been named a Scholar Athlete several times which demonstrates that I can manage my time effectively.

This is where you provide Army ROTC your “signature” accomplishments. The top three to four things you are most proud of. List each and then explain in a paragraph why this accomplishment is significant. In this way, you highlight to the selection committee clearly what you are most proud of and what they need to pay attention to. This is where you get to “brag” about yourself.

Final Thoughts on Army ROTC essays:

Essay #1 and Essay #3 are where you make your “money” sat the Army ROTC Scholarship Board. Essay #1 needs to show what effort you put in to learn more about Army ROTC and the duties and responsibilities of an Army lieutenant. Essay #3 is your signature accomplishments to demonstrate why you should be selected for a scholarship over someone else. Make sure you highlight only the most important things you have done.

If you do the above things, you are that much closer to winning an Army ROTC Scholarship!

ROTC Scholarship Consulting provides assistance with your essays as well as other areas of the scholarship application. ROTC Scholarship Consulting has an unparalleled record in helping candidates win ROTC Scholarships. Please take a look at our services for more information .

Want to maximize your potential of earning an Army ROTC Scholarship?

Article contents, examples of real essays that won the rotc scholarship, related posts.

A comprehensive guide to the Air Force ROTC scholarship interview

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kirkland (USA, Ret.) is an expert on military admissions and leadership. He served for over 25 years in the United States Army, including stints as an instructor at West Point and as a commander of two Army ROTC programs. He has helped students win ROTC scholarships for 8 years.

Want to earn maximum points on your Army ROTC scholarship essays?

Navy ROTC Sample Letters of Recommendation and Evaluation: Math and Physics Teachers

Navy ROTC Essay Examples with Commentary

Three Vital Steps to Outstanding ROTC Application Essays

Essay on Life of Soldiers in English

Table of Contents

If I have to describe the life of soldiers in a single word; I would have described it as “patriotic”. Though, some of you would like to describe it as “tough” and some of you even as “risky”. In true sense, a soldier’s life is a collection of all the three. A soldier’s life is patriotic, because, s/he is overwhelmed with the thought of protecting the motherland, even at the cost of his/her own life; tough, as they have to stay away from family and friends for months, that too in some of the most arduous conditions; risky because they secure our borders and are under constant threat from infiltrators and terror outfits.

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Target Exam ---

A soldier, apart from routine posting assignment, takes part in relief operations as well. In fact, when the situation slips out of control of local authorities, soldiers are the ones who are called first. Soldiers are well trained and equipped with vital equipments to deal with any natural or manmade disaster. Despite facing tough terrains and risking his/her life a solider has a more meaningful existence.

Long and Short Essay on Life of Soldiers in English

We have provided below short and long essays on life of soldiers in English.

These Life of Soldiers Essay in English have been written in simple language to let you easily understand the challenges faced by soldiers and also what motivates them to dedicate their whole life to protect the honor and dignity of the nation and its people.

You can use these essays in your school’s essay writing competitions, debates or speech giving or during general discussions with friends and family.

Short Essay on Life of Soldiers – Essay 1 (200 words)

Soldiers are the pride of a nation. They are disciplined, courageous and selfless. Their life is full of challenges and they face each challenge with a smile on their face.

Anyone who chooses to be a soldier is indeed a noble soul. He loves his country and countrymen and is willing to go to any extent to protect them and save their honour. Soldiers do not care about their personal life or desires. Their country comes first for them. Those who decide to get into this profession are well aware of the fact that they will have to sacrifice their personal life and stay away from their families for most part of their lives. However, this does not dither their spirit to serve the country. They gladly take up this job and work diligently day and night.

Soldiers are trained for years before they are sent to the war front. The training period is extremely tough. It brings out the best in them and prepares them for the battle ground.

We get the privilege to live in a peaceful environment and concentrate on our personal lives only because the soldiers are guarding our country round the clock. They ensure a peaceful environment in the country at all times. They are disciplined and act responsibly.

Essay on Soldiers are Real Heroes – Essay 2 (300 words)

Introduction

Soldiers are rightly referred to as the real heroes. Discipline, determination, robust physique, mental strength, good intentions and love for their countrymen – they possess all the qualities we look for in a hero. Soldiers have immense love for their nation. It is this love that encourages them to join this profession and serve their nation. The training they undergo to become a soldier refines and strengthens them.

Discipline is one of the most attractive qualities in a person. This is the first thing that the soldiers are taught in their training camps. If a person does not possess discipline, he cannot take on the responsibility of protecting his country.

They are taught to value time and make the best use of it. They require waking up in the wee hours of the morning and exercise. They need to follow a strict routine each day. Anyone who fails to do so is punished severely. All this is done to inculcate indiscipline in them.

Determination

Soldiers are extremely determined. They are faced with numerous challenges but they overcome all these as they are determined to achieve their goals. One of the first challenges faced by anyone who chooses this profession is to stay away from their family. The next challenge is the test of their physical strength. They put in immense effort to build physical strength. They undergo rigorous training only because they are determined to serve their country.

Just like a hero, soldiers possess a good physic and are mentally strong. They are known for their physical and mental strength that help them take on big battles. These qualities add to their appeal.

Thus, soldiers possess all the qualities of a real hero. We must look up to them and inculcate these qualities to enhance our personality and take our life in the right direction.

Essay on Challenges in the Life of a Soldier – Essay 3 (400 words)

Life of soldiers is not easy. However, they are taught to keep moving and never give up no matter what the situation. They are faced with a lot of difficulties and challenges that need to be fought with courage.

Challenges Faced by Soldiers

Here is a look at some of the biggest challenges in the life of soldiers.

• Staying Away from Family

Soldiers need to be on duty for most part of the year. They need to be away from their family and friends all this while. This is one of the most challenging parts of being a soldier. It can be emotionally disturbing.

Soldiers hardly get any leaves. Whether is it a festival or a special family occasion, they are seldom able to celebrate it with their loved ones. Even if they manage to get leaves somehow, the possibility of the leaves being called off cannot be ruled out. They need to report back immediately in case of emergency.

• Physical Training

Soldiers undergo rigorous physical training in order to fight the battles. They need to exercise for hours and require indulging in a number of strenuous exercises. This can be exhausting and challenging especially for the new recruits. Strength building exercises continue throughout their lives until they retire.

• Lack of Supplies

Many times, soldiers need to go on long missions to remote areas. Being cut off from the main cities and towns, these areas lack even the basic facilities. It is difficult to live in such places. Lack of proper supply of food in these areas makes the life of the soldiers even more difficult. However, they continue to fulfil their duty amid all these difficulties.

• Weather Adversities

Soldiers are also posted in areas with extreme weather conditions. They need to fight amid heavy rains, extreme cold and scorching sun. They need to fight their way through snow covered mountains and dense forests. They are required to be on the field day in and day out, guarding their country at all times. The adversity of weather can be a big challenge for them.

• Lack of Bullet Proof Equipments

Soldiers are constantly exposed to bullets during wars. It is essential to provide them bullet proof clothes and shields. However, in many countries including India there is a dearth of bullet proof equipments. Fighting without these is a big challenge for the soldiers.

Thus, the life of soldiers is full of challenges. However, they do their best to overcome all the challenges and take it as their responsibility to guard their country and countrymen. They fulfill their responsibility with a smile on their faces.

Essay on Life of Soldiers – Duty of an Ideal Soldier – Essay 4 (500 words)

Soldiers are entrusted with the task of guarding the honour of their country. An ideal soldier keeps his country’s interests above his own. He is disciplined, determined and dedicated to serve his country and protect his countrymen at all times. His duty is of supreme importance to him.

Duty of an Ideal Soldier

The citizens of a country can live in peace as long as it has a strong army base that has soldiers who take it as their duty to:

• Serve the Country Selflessly

There is no doubt about the fact that a person who decides to join the army loves his country dearly. He is well aware about the difficulties he may have to face during his journey as a soldier however he still decides to tread this path.

Soldiers need to undergo rigorous training for years in order to become capable of battling it out in the battleground. One of the first things a soldier is taught is to serve his country selflessly. No matter what the situation is, soldiers must think about the interest of their country before they think about that of their family or themselves. An ideal soldier does just this. Only someone who has the ability to put his personal interests aside and is willing to sacrifice everything for his country can be called an ideal soldier.

• Protect Country’s Honour

The honour of the country and that of the national flag is of supreme importance for an ideal soldier. He can go to any extent to protect it. He is not scared to fight amid adversities to save the honour of his country and protect his countrymen. He would not even hesitate laying his life to protect the country’s honour. We are lucky to have an army full of such ideal soldiers. They have been truly inspiring for the soldiers to be as well as the general public.,

• Ensure Peaceful Environment

An ideal soldier takes it as his responsibility to ensure a safe and peaceful environment in the country. Soldiers do not just guard the border and fight in the battle grounds during wars they are there to serve the citizens in different kinds of emergency situations. Be it a terrorist attack, flood or any other natural calamity or intense problem induced by unlawful activities, soldiers are called to handle almost every difficult situation. An ideal soldier never hesitates to render help in any situation. He gladly serves the citizens and ensures they live peacefully.

There had been numerous instances where in the army had been called to help in civilian matters or rescue operations. It is only because of the help rendered by them along with local authorities; the situations come under control.

• Stay Vigilant

A soldier is always on duty whether he is at the battle field or not. The duty of an ideal soldier is to stay vigilant at all times.

The duty of an ideal soldier is to be there for his country. He is expected to serve his country selflessly and be ready to sacrifice his life for its honour. We salute such noble souls and look up to them for inspiration.

Long Essay on Life of Soldiers – Essay 5 (600 words)

We look up to the soldiers with pride as they are selfless beings who are always ready to protect their country’s honour. They stay away from their family and friends just to ensure their country is guarded at all times and that their countrymen can live in peace.

Epitome of Physical and Mental Strength

Soldiers are known for their physical and mental strength. They can be referred to as the epitome of mental and physical strength; they are well-built. The physical strength of a person is taken into consideration while taking him on board as a soldier. He is then trained rigorously to enhance it and prepare him to fight battles tirelessly.

The training camps help the soldiers to build physical strength. A soldier who is dedicated to serve his country continues to train himself to stay physically fit so as to do his best on the field.

Similarly, it is essential for a soldier to possess mental strength and have a good presence of mind. The screening determines the candidates’ mental strength. This is further developed and strengthened once they are selected. Being mentally strong is as important as the physical strength in order to emerge victorious in the battlefield.

Wars and Battlefields

Soldiers need to be ready for battling it out in the field at all times. There is always a possibility of war among different countries. Thus, the soldiers can be called to defend the country at any time. India had been attacked several times by its neighbouring countries. Our soldiers have proved their mettle in these wars. They have fought bravely and we are proud of them. Here are some of the wars fought by the Indian soldiers:

• Indo China War 1962: Also known as the Sino-Indian War, this war was fought between India and China on the pretext of a disputed Himalayan border. However, this was not the only reason why China attacked India. There were many other issues too. During this war, the soldiers fought in harsh climatic conditions on the mountains. The war continued for almost a month and China emerged winner.
• Indo Pak War of 1965: India and Pakistan have always been at loggerheads. While India tries to maintain peace and use peaceful means to settle any kind of issue between the two countries, Pakistan is known for using force and attacking our country. It called for a war with India for the first time in 1965. The war continued for seventeen days and resulted in thousands of causalities. It was called off only after the intervention of USA and Soviet Union.
• Indo Pak War of 1971: Pakistan attacked the Indian border but the Indian army was quick to respond to it. Our soldiers fought bravely and won the battle after fighting for almost two weeks. However, numerous people were killed and several of them were injured on both the sides during this war. Pakistan especially suffered huge losses during this war. It lost a major chunk of its army, navy and air force personnel.
• Kargil War: The war was fought between India and Pakistan in the year 1999. It started when the Pakistani troops crossed the Line of Control and crept into India’s Kargil district. Indian soldiers acted bravely and wisely during this war. Their mental and physical strength helped India get back the region encroached by the Pakistani military troops. Pakistani military was shaken badly after this war as it suffered a major defeat.

We are proud of our soldiers and are grateful to them for ensuring a peaceful environment. We respect them with all our heart and salute them for their heroic acts. They are the true heroes.

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Army Leadership Levels

This essay about the hierarchical tiers of leadership within the military, outlining the distinct roles and responsibilities of direct, organizational, and strategic leaders. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these tiers for individuals involved in or studying military leadership, as they illuminate the structure and dynamics of command within the armed forces. From hands-on guidance at the direct level to long-term strategic planning at the highest echelons, each tier requires specific skills and competencies to ensure the effectiveness of military operations now and in the future.

How it works

The notion of leadership within the military realm transcends conventional conceptions, evolving into a multifaceted structure with diverse tiers, each laden with distinct responsibilities, hurdles, and aspirations. Grasping these tiers proves imperative for individuals entrenched in, or investigating, military leadership, illuminating the flow of order, obligation, and sway within such a meticulously structured domain.

At its essence, military leadership manifests in three overarching tiers: direct, organizational, and strategic. Each tier embodies a unique function, finely tailored to the requisites of the military and the objectives it endeavors to accomplish.

Direct Leadership epitomizes the most palpable tier of leadership in the military echelon. It encompasses leaders who engage directly with soldiers on a quotidian basis, including squad leaders, platoon leaders, and company commanders. Direct leaders shoulder the onus of training, welfare, discipline, and overall soldier performance. They serve as the vanguard, ensuring soldiers are adequately prepared, both physically and mentally, for their obligations. The efficacy of direct leadership hinges on the adept execution of missions with meticulousness and the nurturance of troop welfare.

Ascending, Organizational Leadership envelops those operating at battalion level and beyond, spanning brigade and division commanders. These leaders must harmonize and synchronize the endeavors of myriad units, oversee resource allocation, and orchestrate operations spanning broader geographical scopes and lengthier time frames. Organizational leaders collaborate with staff to amass intelligence, formulate strategic decisions, and disseminate these blueprints down the command chain. Though less hands-on compared to direct leaders, their influence on the military’s effectiveness is profound as they erect the frameworks within which smaller units function.

Crowning the hierarchy is Strategic Leadership , epitomized by high-ranking officers such as generals and admirals, who steer the Army at its zenith. Strategic leaders are tasked with delineating the overarching trajectory of the army, devising long-term strategies, and interfacing with political leaders and other governmental branches. Their decisions must factor not solely military exigencies but also political, economic, and social variables that impinge on national security. The strategic tier of leadership necessitates a holistic comprehension of both global scenarios and domestic implications, striking a balance amid often discordant needs against the backdrop of international diplomacy and policy-making.

The transition from one echelon of leadership to the subsequent is not merely a reallocation of duties but also a metamorphosis in outlook and competencies. For instance, while direct leaders may concentrate predominantly on tactical protocols and immediate team dynamics, organizational leaders must cultivate prowess in operational planning and resource administration. Strategic leaders, conversely, must excel in visionary cogitation and diplomatic adeptness, often amidst high-stakes conditions.

Moreover, the army underscores the cultivation of leaders capable of operating effectively across all tiers through incessant training and education. This approach guarantees that military leaders are not solely primed to discharge their extant roles but are also armed with the erudition and skills requisite to assume loftier responsibilities as they ascend in their vocations.

In summation, the tiers of leadership within the army delineate a lucid framework through which authority and responsibilities are apportioned. This hierarchical arrangement ensures efficacy and lucidity in command, with each tier tailored to the operational exigencies of the military. From direct to strategic leadership, army leaders are anticipated to adapt and burgeon, ensuring they are poised to confront the exigencies of both present and future eras. Comprehending these tiers is indispensable for any individual entangled in military endeavors or investigating military leadership, furnishing insights into the intricate dynamics impelling the armed forces.

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• Indian Army Day 2024 Essay

Introduction

The Indian Army , the world's second-largest standing army, marks Indian Army Day 2024 theme as the Year of Technology Absorption, signifying a focused commitment to incorporating and harnessing technological advancements. when is Indian Army Day? The celebration of Indian Army Day occurs annually on the 15th of January. As we approach Indian Army Day 2024 , let's delve into the forces that safeguard our nation's security and why Indian Army Day is celebrated, exploring their evolving role in a rapidly changing world. The Indian Army's dedication to absorbing cutting-edge technology adds a dynamic dimension to their capabilities, reflecting a strategic vision for a modernized defense.In this context, we will explore the importance of celebrating Indian Army Day 2024 and examine the role of technology in shaping the future of our armed forces.

Essay on Indian Army Day 2024

The Indian Army is the land-based branch of the Indian Armed Forces. It is the world's second-largest standing army and the largest army. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army, and it is commanded by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), who is a four-star general. Two battalions of the Indian Army have been awarded the "Nations in conflict" peacekeeping medal.

The Indian Army has a regimental system but is operationally and geographically split into seven commands, with the basic field formation being a division. It is an all-volunteer force and comprises more than 81,000 active troops and a support element of close to 1,160,000 troops.

The primary objective of the Indian Army is to safeguard the nation's territorial integrity from external aggression and threats and maintain peace and security within its borders. It conducts humanitarian rescue operations during natural calamities and other restlessness, like Operation Surya Hope, and can also be requisitioned by the Government to assist in national emergencies. The Indian Army has been involved in four wars with neighbouring Pakistan and one with China. It has also conducted numerous peacekeeping operations across the world.

Indian Army consists of many regiments which are territorially based, and each regiment has its own cap badge, traditions and history. The units that make up the Indian Army are not all permanently based in one location. They are rotated between deployments in India and other countries as part of peacekeeping or training missions.

The Indian Army is a very disciplined force and follows a strict hierarchy. Officers must salute their seniors, regardless of rank, and must obey orders from their superiors without question. The soldiers are also expected to maintain a high degree of personal hygiene and be physically fit.

The Indian Army is one of the largest armies in the world. It has more than 1,160,000 troops who are available for deployment at short notice. These troops come from all over India and are drawn from all religions and regions. They are paid according to their rank and duration of service.

The Indian Army is the largest volunteer army in the world. It has more than 1,160,000 troops who are available for deployment at short notice.

India became independent from Britain in 1947. It was then ruled by the British Indian Empire. The independence day of Pakistan is on 14 august 1947. There was a lot of violence and bloodshed between the Hindus and Muslims in the partition of British India into India and Pakistan. 

The British Indian Army was divided between the two countries. The British Indian Army in Pakistan became the Pakistani Army. The British Indian Army in India became the Indian Army.

A Long Indian Army Day 2024 Essay

The Happy Indian Army Day originated from armies of the East India Company's which at last became the British Indian Army, and the Princely States Army, which after its independence in 1947, merged into the National Army of India. The units of the Indian Army have fought many battles in the past where they gained honor for the country with their bravery. One will find out more facts about the Indian Army through this essay on the Indian Army in English.

The Indian Army has the sole objective of protecting the nation from any foreign aggression that arises, ensuring the nation's security. They also try to prevent the nation from internal threats. During natural calamities, the Indian Army conducts humanitarian rescue operations to save many people's lives. There are a total of 65 regiments in the Indian Army that are divided based on their skills. These are some facts that one can learn from the essay on the Indian Army. 

There are various medals presented by the President of India to different Indian Army recruits for their bravery on the battlefield. The medals awarded for the valor shown on the battlefield in the face of the enemy are Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra, and the medals awarded for bravery and courage shown away from the battlefield are Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.

The Indian Army, till now, has fought four battles, from which three were with Pakistan, and one was with China. Some other operations that are performed by the Indian Army are Operation Vijay, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Cactus, and Operation Brasstacks. One can also learn about some more missions conducted by the Army from this essay on the Indian Army, as they were also involved in many peacekeeping missions organized by the United States. Some of these peacekeeping missions were conducted in Lebanon, Angola, Cambodia, Vietnam, and many other countries.

The Government is now planning to increase the capabilities of the Indian Force by introducing some new policies. Recently, it has been planned that the Indian Army with the Indian Navy will set up a marine brigade. 

The current formations that the Army follows are holding formations and combat formations. Holding formations are meant for holding and containing the enemies, and combat formation is meant for counter-attacking the enemies in order to neutralize them and stop them from attacking.

One can gain knowledge of the Army's uniform from this Indian Army essay. The Indian Army camouflage uniform includes a shirt, trousers, and a synthetic material cap. The Indian Army's camouflage dress has a jungle camouflage pattern that is designed to be used in woodland environments. 

Regiments that are posted in the desert or dusty area have desert camouflage pattern uniforms. The modern recruited armies are required to wear distinctive parade uniforms, which are classified by variegated turbans and waist-sashes in regimental colors.

The Indian Army gives the perfect example of gender inequality by recruiting women in different regiments of the Army. The first women were appointed in the Indian Army when the Indian Military Nursing Service was formed in the year 1888. These women nurses have served the Army in both World War I and II.

With all the facts relating to the Indian Army covered in this essay, one can understand the importance of the Indian Army essay. The essay about the Indian Army gave an overview of the Army as a whole. The Indian Army is the third-largest on the globe, and has many features that one can see from this essay. It is also visible how the Government has planned to make the Army better every passing day so that they are ready to face any danger, be it internal or external.

A Short Note on Happy Indian Army Day 2024

Indian Army is the third-largest Army in the globe, is one of the most powerful and strongest among the armies of other countries. In the past, they have proved their superiority in different battles and missions that have been conducted. Through this short essay on Happy Indian Army Day in English, one will be able to see the power and strength that the Indian Army possesses.

The Indian Army has only one goal, which is to safeguard the nation's security and maintain unity in the country. All the recruits in the Army perform to achieve this one goal. The Indian Army consists of a total number of 65 regiments that are classified or divided based on their skills and capabilities. They are trained with two formations that are holding formation and combat formation. Holding formation is meant for defense, and combat formation is meant for an attack.

The Indian Army improves its skills by conducting training missions with different powerful countries such as The United States, Russia, and Israel.

Through this essay on the Indian Army Day 2024 in 100 words , it is clear that the Indian Army is well prepared for any unwanted situation in the future and has the capability to deal with it. The Indian Army epitomizes unwavering commitment and valor, safeguarding our nation's sovereignty with courage. Beyond borders, they contribute to disaster relief and peacekeeping, embodying humanity's spirit. Their sacrifices inspire national pride. Let us honor and support our armed forces, recognising their pivotal role in preserving our cherished freedom and unity. Jai Hind!

FAQs on Indian Army Day 2024 Essay

1. What is the Indian Army?

The Indian Army, which is one of the strongest armies in the world, and has all the features that make it an efficient army. The Indian Army has a total number of 65 regiments which are divided based on their skills and capabilities. These soldiers undergo training with two formations: holding formation and combat formation, which consists of the following: Holding Formation: This is meant for defense, Combat Formation: This formation is meant for attacking. For more information, read this Indian Army essay on Vedantu.

2. What are the different types of uniforms in the Indian Army?

The Indian Army has two types of uniforms: a camouflage uniform and a parade uniform. The camouflage uniform includes a shirt, trousers, and a synthetic material cap, while the parade uniform consists of a variegated turban and waist-sash in regimental colors. The color of the uniform differs according to the regiments. The Indian Army's uniform is a combination of different colors, which represents the culture and tradition of the country. Army uniform is a matter of pride for every soldier because it gives the mental satisfaction that on a special occasion, they are given a chance to wear their best uniform.

3. What is the role of the Indian Army in India?

The Indian Army has been playing many different roles from protecting its borders from any external danger; apart from this, they have also played a crucial role in the development of the country. Indian Army helps to build infrastructure, assists in natural calamities and provides medical assistance during any emergency. The Indian Army is one of the most powerful armies in the world. It has all the features that make it an efficient army. The Army consists of a total number of 65 regiments grouped and divided based on their skills and capabilities. These soldiers go through training with two formations holding formation and combat formation, which is described in the wiki. The Indian Army improves its skills by conducting training missions with different powerful countries such as the US, Russia and Israel.

4. What are the roles played by women in the Indian Army?

The first women were appointed in the Indian Army when the Indian Military Nursing Service was formed in 1888. These women nurses served the Army in both world war I and II. Women have also participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, the Sri Lankan Civil War and the Kargil War. Presently, women are recruited in the Army as doctors, engineers, lawyers, air warriors etc., and they are performing their duties efficiently. The Indian Army has only one goal, which is to safeguard the nation's security and maintain unity in the country. All recruits in the Army perform to achieve this one goal. The Indian Army has all it takes to face any challenges in the future if any arise. The Indian Army essay covers all these points.

5. What is the role of the Indian Army in development?

The Indian Army plays a crucial role in the development and progress of the country. The main aim of this research paper on the Indian Army is to make people aware of the Indian Army and its roles. India, which is considered one of the biggest democratic countries, has faced many internal conflicts throughout its history. It is the Indian Army that has protected the country from any external danger and guarded its borders. The Indian Army not only defends India's land but also gives medical assistance to people during emergencies such as floods, earthquakes etc.

6. How Many Regiments Are There in the Indian Army?

The Indian Army has a total number of 65 regiments in which army recruits are divided according to their skills. Some of the important regiments are Gurkha Regiment, Dogra Regiment, Kumaon Regiment, Ladakh Scouts Regiment, and many others.

7. Who Started the Army in India?

Mohan Singh established the first Indian National Army. He was an officer in the British Indian Army, and he was captured in the Malayan Campaign. The nationalist sympathies of Mohan Singh led him to find an ally in Fujiwara that helped him a lot.

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D-Day medic was ready to give his life — and save as many as he could

BRETTEVILLE-L’ORGUEILLEUSE, France (AP) — On D-Day, Charles Shay was a 19-year-old U.S. Army medic who was ready to give his life — and save as many as he could.

Now 99, he’s spreading a message of peace with tireless dedication as he’s about to take part in the 80th anniversary commemorations of the landings in Normandy that led to the liberation of France and Europe from Nazi Germany occupation.

“I guess I was prepared to give my life if I had to. Fortunately, I did not have to,” Shay said in an interview with The Associated Press.

A Penobscot tribe citizen from Indian Island in the U.S. state of Maine, Shay has been living in France since 2018, not far from the shores of Normandy where many world leaders are expected to come next month. Solemn ceremonies will be honoring the nearly 160,000 troops from Britain, the U.S., Canada and other nations who landed on June 6, 1944.

Nothing could have prepared Shay for what happened that morning on Omaha Beach: bleeding soldiers, body parts and corpses strewn around him, machine-gun fire and shells filling the air.

“I had been given a job, and the way I looked at it, it was up to me to complete my job,” he recalled. “I did not have time to worry about my situation of being there and perhaps losing my life. There was no time for this.”

Shay was awarded the Silver Star for repeatedly plunging into the sea and carrying critically wounded soldiers to relative safety, saving them from drowning. He also received France’s highest award, the Legion of Honor, in 2007.

Still, Shay could not save his good friend, Pvt. Edward Morozewicz. The sad memory remains vivid in his mind as he describes seeing his 22-year-old comrade lying on the beach with a serious stomach wound.

“He had a wound that I could not help him with because I did not have the proper instruments. … He was bleeding to death. And I knew that he was dying. I tried to comfort him. And I tried to do what I could for him, but there was no help,” he said. “And while I was treating him, he died in my arms.”

“I lost many close friends,” he added.

A total of 4,414 Allied troops were killed on D-Day itself, including 2,501 Americans. More than 5,000 were wounded.

Shay survived. At night, exhausted, he eventually fell asleep in a grove above the beach.

“When I woke up in the morning, it was like I was sleeping in a graveyard because there were dead Americans and Germans surrounding me,” he recalled. “I stayed there for not very long and I continued on my way.”

Shay then pursued his mission in Normandy for several weeks, rescuing those wounded, before heading with American troops to eastern France and Germany, where he was taken prisoner in March 1945 and liberated a few weeks later.

After World War II, Shay reenlisted in the military because the situation of Native Americans in his home state of Maine was too precarious due to poverty and discrimination.

“I tried to cope with the situation of not having enough work or not being able to help support my mother and father. Well, there was just no chance for young American Indian boys to gain proper labor and earn a good job,” he said.

Maine would not allow individuals living on Native American reservations to vote until 1954.

Shay continued to witness history — returning to combat as a medic during the Korean War, participating in U.S. nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands and later working at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria.

For over 60 years, he did not talk about his WWII experience.

But he began attending D-Day commemorations in 2007 and in recent years, he has seized many occasions to give his powerful testimony. A book about his life, “Spirits Are Guiding” by author Marie-Pascale Legrand, is about to be released this month.

In 2018, he moved from Maine to Bretteville-l’Orgueilleuse, a French small town in the Normandy region to stay at a friend’s home.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21, coming from his nearby home, he was among the few veterans able to attend commemorations. He stood up for all others who could not make the trip amid restrictions.

Shay also used to lead a Native American ritual each year on D-Day, burning sage in homage to those who died. In 2022, he handed over the remembrance task to another Native American, Julia Kelly, a Gulf War veteran from the Crow tribe, who since has performed the ritual in his presence.

The Charles Shay Memorial on Omaha Beach pays tribute to the 175 Native Americans who landed there on D-Day.

Often, Shay expressed his sadness at seeing wars still waging in the world and what he considers the senseless loss of lives.

Shay said he had hoped D-Day would bring global peace. “But it has not, because you see that we go from one war to the next. There will always be wars. People and nations cannot get along with each other.”

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The Morning

An overlooked war.

In Myanmar, poets, doctors and lawyers have traded life in the cities for jungle warfare.

By Hannah Beech

I’m a roving Asia correspondent based in Bangkok.

A people take to arms and fight for democracy. A military terrorizes civilians with airstrikes and land mines. Tens of thousands are killed. Millions are displaced.

Yet it is all happening almost completely out of view.

Recently, I spent a week on the front lines of a forgotten war in the Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar. Since a military junta overthrew a civilian administration there three years ago, a head-spinning array of pro-democracy forces and ethnic militias have united to fight the generals. The resistance includes poets, doctors and lawyers who traded life in the cities for jungle warfare. It also includes veteran combatants who have known no occupation but soldier.

Now, for the first time, the rebels claim control of more than half of Myanmar’s territory. In recent weeks they have overrun dozens of towns and Myanmar military bases.

Today’s newsletter will explain how civil war has engulfed Myanmar — and why the world has ignored a country that less than a decade ago was lauded as a democratic success story.

A coup defied

In February 2021, a military junta, led by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, arrested the nation’s civilian leaders and returned the country to full dictatorship. If the generals expected the populace to cower in response to their coup, they were wrong. With military snipers shooting unarmed protesters and bystanders, including dozens of children, an armed resistance coalesced. Tens of thousands of professionals and members of Gen Z decamped to the jungle . Rappers, Buddhist monks and politicians, among others, learned how to shoot guns and arm drones. Their hands grew callused.

This unlikely resistance has repelled the junta’s forces from wide swaths of the country, including most of Myanmar’s borderlands. (Here are several useful charts that explain how the civil war is unfolding.)

Areas of control in Myanmar

Largely military junta control

Largely resistance control

Bay of Bengal

A lady tarnished

If there is one name from Myanmar that people in the West might recognize it’s that of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the long-imprisoned democracy advocate who won the Nobel Peace Prize for her nonviolent resistance. (Her name is pronounced Daw Ong Sahn Soo Chee.)

In 2015, Aung San Suu Kyi’s political party routed the military’s candidates in nationwide elections. With her civilian government sharing power with the army, Myanmar seemed like a rare counterpoint to the Arab Spring and other foiled democracy movements. President Obama visited twice.

Yet within a year, the military, which still controlled the most important levers of power, had intensified its persecution of Rohingya Muslims, culminating in 2017 with the expulsion of three-quarters of a million people within a few weeks. The United Nations designated the campaign a genocide. Rather than condemn the violence, however, Aung San Suu Kyi went to The Hague and defended the military in an international court. Her refusal to stand up for a persecuted minority knocked off her halo. The United States and other Western governments distanced themselves from her.

The tarnishing of this simple morality tale — the lady versus the generals, democracy versus dictatorship — helps answer a question I was asked dozens of times during my week of reporting in Myanmar: Why doesn’t the world care about us? Allies in the West feel betrayed by a politician who, it turned out, would not meet her own high moral standard. (Aung San Suu Kyi is again imprisoned by the military.)

A fractured reality

Even without foreign intervention, or much Western aid at all, the Myanmar resistance has pushed back the junta. Rebels are now within 150 miles of the capital, Naypyidaw.

But that may have been the easy part. The resistance is — perhaps hopelessly — splintered. More than a dozen major armed ethnic groups are vying for control over land and valuable natural resources.

Ethnic groups in Myanmar

Ta’ang

Bamar (majority)

For now, they’re fighting a common enemy. But some of these militias are just as likely to battle each other. This month, the rebels captured a key border town, only to relinquish it after one armed group withdrew its full support.

Already, much of Myanmar is fractured between different groups, all heavily armed. In other parts of the country, no one is fully in charge. Crime is flourishing. The country is now the world’s biggest producer of opium. Jungle factories churn out meth and other synthetic drugs that have found their way to Australia. Cybercriminals have proliferated, targeting Americans, Asians and Europeans with scams.

Myanmar’s civil war may be overshadowed by other global conflicts. But to the Burmese who live with uncertainty and chaos, the war has never been more urgent or real.

THE LATEST NEWS

Israel-hamas negotiations.

Delegations from Israel and Hamas arrived in Cairo to resume talks about a possible cease-fire. Read about the gaps between them in the negotiations.

A Hamas representative said the group’s red lines included a “withdrawal from all areas of Gaza and the unconditional return of the displaced.”

Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Hamas’s latest proposal as a move to stop Israeli troops from entering Rafah, a city that Israel has called the last bastion of Hamas control and where more than a million Gazans have taken refuge.

Rafah Incursion

A doctor at a Rafah medical center said 27 bodies had been brought there since the start of Israel’s incursion in the city. The Israeli military said it had killed about 20 Hamas fighters in Rafah.

Satellite photos showed fewer aid trucks on both sides of Gaza’s border with Egypt on Monday than on Sunday, after Israel ordered an evacuation of areas near the Rafah crossing.

Israel reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, a critical entry point for aid that it had closed after a Hamas rocket attack on Sunday.

The Israelis told the U.S. that the operation in Rafah was limited and “designed to cut off Hamas’s ability to smuggle weapons into Gaza.”

President Biden paused an arms shipment to Israel last week to prevent U.S. weapons being used in a major assault on Rafah.

Netanyahu is trying to reassure his domestic and diplomatic critics. Steven Erlanger explores the Israeli prime minister’s competing pressures .

Campus Protests

University of Chicago police officers removed a pro-Palestinian protest encampment before dawn on Tuesday.

Biden decried rising antisemitism in the U.S. and said that too many people had forgotten “that Hamas unleashed this terror” by attacking Israel.

The White House press secretary criticized white counterprotesters at the University of Mississippi who taunted a Black pro-Palestinian protester .

A consulting firm will investigate why the police allowed an attack on pro-Palestinian demonstrators at U.C.L.A. to continue for hours.

More International News

Emmanuel Macron took Xi Jinping to his childhood haunts in the Pyrenees . Officials said the French and Chinese leaders have forged a close relationship over the years.

Canada re-criminalized public drug use in British Columbia after a backlash.

Ukraine said that it had foiled a Russian plot to assassinate Volodymyr Zelensky and other leaders.

Trump on Trial

Stormy Daniels testified at Donald Trump’s Manhattan criminal trial, describing a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump and the hush-money payment she received during the 2016 election.

Daniels spoke quickly, saying the encounter traumatized her, and derisively recalled conversations with Trump. Trump, who has long denied her account, shook his head and mouthed an expletive.

Trump’s lawyers repeatedly objected and moved for a mistrial , accusing prosecutors of trying to embarrass him. The judge declined but scolded Daniels, calling some of her testimony “better left unsaid.”

Trump’s lawyer questioned Daniels’s credibility and motives. Daniels denied trying to extort Trump but said yes when asked if she hated him.

Trump posted, then deleted, an angry message about Daniels’s testimony that could have violated his gag order.

The late night hosts joked about Daniels’s testimony .

More on Politics

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has faced previously undisclosed health issues including hepatitis C, mercury poisoning and a dead worm in his brain.

The judge in Trump’s classified documents case postponed the trial indefinitely . She cited the large number of unresolved legal issues, which she has allowed to pile up.

A pro-Trump nonprofit has paid more than $3 million to corporations linked to its leaders or their relatives, raising concerns about self-dealing .

House Republicans will hold a hearing today on antisemitism in K-12 schools .

TikTok sued the U.S. over a law that would ban the app unless it is sold to another company. TikTok says the law violates users’ First Amendment rights.

Panera Bread will stop selling its highly caffeinated lemonades , which were the subject of two wrongful-death lawsuits.

Customers of the failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX are poised to recover all of the money they lost when the firm collapsed in 2022, plus interest.

Other Big Stories

A Missouri man killed his wife because he could not pay her medical bills, he told the police.

The Boy Scouts of America will change its name to Scouting America . The group let girls join several years ago.

After Manuel Bayo Gisbert survived an armed kidnapping in Mexico, he set out to learn the stories of abductees who never returned .

Here are columns by Bret Stephens on anti-Zionist protesters and Ross Douthat on change in the Catholic Church .

MORNING READS

Spectaculars: They put a 65-foot hot dog in Times Square . Then the wrestling started.

Real estate: Houseboats used to be an affordable way to live in London. Not anymore .

Mocktails: Fancy nonalcoholic beverages have attracted a new kind of customer: the (way) under-21 set .

Lives Lived: The psychologist Lesley Hazleton was a secular Jew, but her curiosity about faith and religion led her to write biographies of Muhammad, Mary and Jezebel. Hazleton died at 78 .

N.B.A.: The Oklahoma City Thunder remained undefeated in the playoffs, taking a 1-0 series advantage with a 117-95 rout of the Dallas Mavericks.

Upgrade: W.N.B.A. teams, after years of mostly flying commercial, will travel on charter planes this season.

ARTS AND IDEAS

Over the next six weeks, trillions of cicadas will emerge in the Midwest and the Southeast. Joseph Yoon, a chef and edible bug enthusiast, plans to make the most of it. “The romance! The kismet! The synchronicity that this is all occurring in my lifetime!” Yoon told the Times food critic Tejal Rao .

Yoon puts the insects in kimchi, fries them to make tempura and folds them into Spanish tortillas alongside potato and onion. “I like to think of cicadas as just another ingredient,” he said. “Like lobster or shrimp.”

More on culture

After the Met Gala, Usher, Jeff Bezos and others kept the celebrations going. See images from the after-parties .

A security guard was shot outside Drake’s Toronto home . The shooting followed a weekend of personal diss tracks between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.

THE MORNING RECOMMENDS …

Make hearty, flavorful huevos rancheros .

Upgrade your kitchen .

Take advantage of these Mother’s Day deals .

Here is today’s Spelling Bee . Yesterday’s pangram was floorboard .

And here are today’s Mini Crossword , Wordle , Sudoku , Connections and Strands .

Thanks for spending part of your morning with The Times. See you tomorrow. — David

Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox . Reach our team at [email protected] .

Hannah Beech is a Times reporter based in Bangkok who has been covering Asia for more than 25 years. She focuses on in-depth and investigative stories. More about Hannah Beech

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Like Love by Maggie Nelson review – music, passion and friendship

Vibrant essays from the author of The Argonauts touch on art, inspiration, and many of the central dilemmas of our times

“A s a child I had so much energy I’d lie awake and feel my organs smolder,” Maggie Nelson wrote in 2005’s Jane: A Murder . She was a dancer before she was a writer and you can feel the commitment to the fire of bodily motion in her masterpieces: the shimmeringly brutal excavation of girlhood and violence in Jane , the story of her aunt’s killing at the hands of a rapist; the clear-headed yet ecstatic celebration of the transformations of pregnancy and top surgery, and the new kind of family she and her trans partner brought into being in The Argonauts (2015). Her dedication to the material finds the forms it needs; I don’t think she sets out to bend genres. Instead, her high-stakes eviscerations of body settle into radically new forms.

Is this the energy of the rebel or the valedictorian? For decades, Nelson has parted her hair, fastened her top button, won the right grades and grants while throwing herself voluptuously into the counterculture, dreaming of being an “ electric ribbon of horniness and divine grace ” like one of her inspirations, Prince . It’s an American energy – expansive, new, full of power, pleasure, change and motion; a frontier energy, even when she’s writing about New York. We can hear Whitman behind her, and Emerson. “Power ceases in the instant of repose,” Emerson pronounces in Self-Reliance ; “it resides in the moment of transition from a past to a new state, in the shooting of a gulf, in the darting to an aim.”

A decade after The Argonauts became the bible of English graduates everywhere, the essays in Like Love arrive to help us understand Nelson’s place in a culture where, to her half-delight, she has become such a powerful voice. Spanning two decades, they range from appreciations of influences including Prince and Judith Butler , to wild, freefalling conversations with figures such as Björk, Wayne Koestenbaum and Jacqueline Rose. There is a passionate, wondering account of her formative half-erotic friendship with the singer Lhasa de Sela . The writing isn’t consistent, any more than her books are. But I like to take my thinkers and writers whole, as she does. The essays offer a kind of composite self-portrait, and illustrate how she thinks, sometimes painstakingly, sometimes with casual jubilance, about some of the central dilemmas of our time.

In the face of the climate crisis, how to avoid “giving in to the narcissistic spectacle of the slo-mo Titanic going down”? In the face of the crisis in feminism, how and whether to move beyond sexual difference? The written exchanges show her interlocutors thinking it through, too. “ You dare to step into the future like no one else atm ,” Björk says. It’s true. This is where all that restless energy is leading. This is why she’s an Emersonian, shying away from nihilism. “There are new lands, new men, new thoughts,” Emerson wrote in Nature , discarding the “dry bones” of his ancestors; “Let us demand our own works and laws and worship.”

In her powerful piece on the artist Carolee Schneemann , Nelson posits her as a female incarnation of Emerson’s self-reliant man. But it’s Nelson herself who proffers new laws and worship – whose project amounts to a practical philosophy of contemporary American culture. In The Argonauts she offers the gift of a future we can somehow share; one that acknowledges the miseries of the present, that has space for dreams, but is obstinately material and in our world. Here, in dialogue with Jacqueline Rose, she proposes that “ Everybody deserves the kind of non-stultifying internal breathing space of fluidity or instability that is attributed to queers, or to women, or whatever.”

Like Love’s title comes from writer and theatre critic Hilton Als ’s vision of a group on the subway not as white women or black men but as mouths that need filling “with something wet or dry, like love, or unfamiliar and savory, like love”. Nelson, too, is drawn to mouths – to orifices in general – as organs of pleasure and pain, and as portals enabling a radical openness.

Because Nelson likes writing about her friends, there’s a kind of homogeneity to much of the book that cumulatively left me feeling a little claustrophobic, longing especially for the roominess of time travel. With the exception of 2009’s Bluets , Nelson’s writing is so located in the postwar world that the past can feel entirely absent. This is her affinity with Emerson and Whitman again – her song to the future – but I wonder if I’m alone in wishing that, alongside those two often acknowledged ancestors, her future could have artists, activists and libertines from earlier centuries informing it, too.

Which is not to say that she’s wrong to write about the people in her circle. The brutality of the present moment may require us precisely to batten down the hatches and commit to extreme solidarity. At a time when institutional life is collapsing, when the pandemic privileged family over friends, when work expands in ways that leave many too exhausted to socialise, Nelson demonstrates what it means to dedicate yourself to a cohort with seriousness and strenuousness. “You, to me, quickly became an inspiration,” she tells the poet Brian Blanchfield , “a brother, a support in times of seriously dark waters, an editor, a lender of excellent and pivotal books, a cheerleader, a colleague, a couch sleeper (and couch mover), a fellow swimmer … a corrupting gambler, (queer) family.” Like Love may be one of the most movingly specific, the most lovingly unruly celebrations of the ethics of friendship we have.

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