USC CIR – veteran

by Carl Castro

The United States’ definition of a veteran defies common sense. Not everyone who serves in the U.S. military is a veteran.

For example, if you served two, three or four combat tours, screwed up and used marijuana over the weekend and then tested positive for THC the following Monday, you could be kicked out of the military with a bad conduct discharge or worse. You would be ineligible to receive any VA or state benefits, and most nonprofits who support veterans couldn’t provide much assistance either. You are not a veteran.

Similarly, a National Guardsman or Reservist who might have […]

New study points to better understanding combat veterans’ mixed feelings, thoughts

by Claudia Bustamante

You’re happy to be alive, yet feel guilty that others weren’t as lucky.
You’re physically exhausted but unable to sleep.
You want to enjoy life, but have forgotten how to relax.
You want to be understood, but don’t want to talk.

These are a handful of the paradoxes recently identified by USC School of Social Work researchers that combat veterans may experience and that could hamper a successful reintegration to civilian life if not properly addressed.

In and of themselves, most of these paradoxes are normal and do not indicate mental health disorders. But in order to prevent future complications, veterans could benefit […]

From Our Director: Who is a Veteran

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From Our Director: Who is a Veteran

New study points to better understanding combat veterans’ mixed feelings, thoughts

Research

New study points to better understanding combat veterans’ mixed feelings, thoughts