Training Description:
In a recent analysis of America’s veteran population, it was found that the number of veterans (7% of all U.S. adults) and active-duty personnel (less than 1% of all U.S. adults) have dropped significantly over the last 50 years (Pew Research Center, 2021). As the likelihood of having exposure to military service in one’s personal life has decreased, standardized inclusion of military culture in academic curricula is limited. In a survey of 746 healthcare providers in New York, only 13% had participated in formal training regarding military veteran culture and 20% reported routinely screening patients for military service history (Taniellian et al, 2018). Importantly, while the veteran population is shrinking, the veteran population is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, March 2017). Mirroring social inequities in the general population, recent surveys highlighted gender and racial disparities in career opportunities and discipline processes (Inspector General Department of The Air Force, 2021). This program aims to address these gaps by providing foundational knowledge about the US Military and military culture, including demographic information about those who serve, and the impact of military service on veteran mental health.