DEFM 332 Research Paper Creative Writing Research Paper

The Role of the Family in Military Retirement – Providing A Stronger Social Structure and Support for Veterans
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The Role of the Family in Military Retirement – Providing A Stronger Social Structure and Support for Veterans
A variety of theories explain military-civilian transition and may offer a perspective on the role of the family. Such a theory as the adaptive transition theory focuses on the coping mechanisms and resources that could apply to veterans (Diamond, 2012). In many cases, the theory of social capital can also explain the loose ties that a veteran may have, leading to family support's criticality (Cooper et al. 2018; Pedlar, Thompson, and Castro, 2019). The theory proposes there are variations in individuals’ social capital. Such capital refers to the social and cultural networks consisting of valuable connections at their disposal (Cooper et al. 2018; Diamond, 2012). People that spend a substantial part of their lives in the military gain a sense of reality that is most relatable to other people that serve with them (Monk et al. 2020). Therefore, a veteran may face many reasons for being disconnected from the social cycle that they know, hence the need for family-based or family-like support in transition.
Providing Structure
The psychological challenges that former military personnel face in adjusting to civilian life require close family support. Some veterans deal with losing a sense of purpose as they perceived the military to be their home and a source of meaning (Ahem et al. 2015). The family unit can restitute a veteran's sense of meaningful existence by connecting with people that add value to their lives, and helping the veteran participate in shared pursuits at the family level. Families may also help veterans understand the unfulfilled social needs that occur due to disruption by a military career, which could help them reconnect with civilian life's reality and desirability. The family helps to lay the foundation for reconnection to civilian life (Romero, Riggs, & Ruggero, 2015). Furthermore, veterans face numerous issues that require a more robust structure as some were released due to unexpected injuries, personal problems, and career commitments. The family provides a support structure for the veteran to gain capacities for dealing with the condition that characterizes their post-military life.
Support during Unemployment
Veterans face severe threats to their employability, including employers' stereotypes about the rate of mental health problems and low personal abilities (Stull, Herd, & Kirchner, 2020). A supportive family could help sustain a veteran that is unable to get a job. The family can also help veterans get the resources and facilitation that is necessary for becoming employable. Lacking such support makes it difficult for some veterans to prepare for work or sustain employment. For example, veterans with mild mental disabilities and lacking a supportive family may not be able to deal with the stressors and constraints that prevent them from pursuing a rewarding career or keeping a job (Romero et al. 2015). The consequences may include losing critical financial resources and experiencing higher stress levels, leading to the deterioration of their condition. The lack of close monitoring and support would then lead to fewer chances of getting help, and the cost of treating or managing their condition would also rise.
Support during Aging
The lack of a supportive family is highly detrimental to aging veterans’ wellbeing and quality of life. Monk et al. (2020) found the problem to be persistent due to the lack of a proper approach to reinforce social support and bolster older former military personnel's welfare. The social needs of people who retire from the military are not homogenous, with some seeking different levels of help while others stick to their means and self-reliance. However, being in a family setup improves the chances of understanding such needs more clearly and responding to support the veteran. Some aging veterans require family support to manage their finances and ensure they get all critical resources and services needed to extend their lifespan (Ezalima et al. 2015). A caring and supportive family member could help the veterans make appropriate financial decisions and manage health conditions that could shorten their lifespan.
The family unit can also serve as a source of security to protect veterans against elder abuse. Isolated elderly veterans could face a high risk for abuse as they navigate environments where they are primarily surrounded by strangers (Ezalina et al. 2019). Having someone that makes an effort to know where they are, and their safety helps improve their experiences in civilian life. Family support could also eliminate the need for aging veterans to undertake tasking employment responsibilities as the family could supplement or provide the income that a veteran may need to lead the desired life. Veterans that take up risky jobs and work into their last years may live for a shorter period or lead a low-quality life (Doyle, Bauer, Yu, & Best, 2017). A supportive family structure enhances the wellbeing and quality of life for veterans.
Mitigating Self-Destructive Behavior
The kinds of self-destructive behaviors that veterans are prone to range from non-severe antis...