Understanding the effects of national culture differences on cooperation and performance is a problem facing the United States and South Korean Air Component Command Headquarters. Little is known about the dynamics of national cultural differences within the headquarters, and as a result, little attention is given to educating members on how to manage multicultural relationships. Guided by Hofstede's cultural dimension theory and Schein's model of organizational culture, the purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental study was to understand the factors influencing national cultural differences among the United States and South Korean staff officers (N =178) assigned to the Air Component Command Headquarters, Republic of South Korea. Primary data were collected using the 2013 Values Survey Module. The following 6 dependent variables were examined: power distance, individualism, indulgence, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation. These data were analyzed via bivariate correlation, independent-sample t tests, and one-way analysis of variance. Analysis of variance and t-test findings indicated that an increase in cross-cultural experience (military exchanges, foreign language proficiency, and years lived abroad) influenced national cultural scores. Additionally, to a moderate extent, bivariate correlation analysis showed that national cultures could also be affected (positively and negatively) by differences in participant education levels, military seniority and time served, years lived abroad, military exchanges, and foreign language experience. Implications for positive social change include increasing national cultural awareness among Air Component Command members as a method for improving collaboration and military readiness.

Veteran suicide is a public health issue that requires more research to understand the multidimensional factors, such as resilience, that lead someone to suicide. Adverse childhood events (ACEs), such as poverty and abuse, have affected how resilience is developed. This study examined the association between childhood factors of socioeconomic status, parental discipline, and being a military child, and adult resiliency level. Dienstbier's theory of mental toughness framed the study, which posits that a child who experiences mild ACEs and has time to recover between events, will be more resilient than children who experience serious ACEs, and children who experience little to no ACEs. Army veterans recruited through social media and veterans' organizations, answered an online survey consisting of demographic questions, the Harsh Discipline Scale and 9 item Resiliency Scale. No significant associations were found between these ACEs and resilience level. However, when the harsh discipline scale was analyzed by individual questions, associations were shown between spanking and high resilience with reported answers of "almost always" having higher level of resilience (OR = 12.001, p = .032), and those who reported they were hit with an object scored much lower on resilience than any other category measured. Examining resilience questions individually showed that low and middle socio-economic status had statistically significant higher resilience in responding to extreme pressure in a positive way. More research is needed on these specific ACEs using Dienstbier's theory. Understanding how specific ACEs affect resilience could lead to developing better prevention strategies that focus on helping children process these ACEs and develop higher resilience as adults, thus reducing suicide in the civilian and veteran population.

Veterans with serious mental illness (SMI) are at high risk of developing conditions such as insulin resistance, obesity, and smoking, which may lead to chronic medical problems. As a result, the morbidity and mortality of people with SMI are high compared to the general population. It appears that integrated care improves the wellbeing of veterans; however, there is a gap in the literature on wellness-based interventions for veterans with SMI. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the association between a wellness intervention for veterans and their perceived quality of life (QOL). Social cognitive theory was the theoretical lens through which this study was conducted. It was hypothesized that there is an association between veterans’ involvement in the wellness component of a program and their perceived QOL. The program is a specialty VA service known as Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM). A total of 112 veterans served by a single MHICM program in the U.S. Southeast completed a validated VA survey that measures health related QOL. A chart audit was conducted to gather information such as years served by the program and type of wellness services received. Regression modeling was used to assess the relationship between a veteran’s involvement in the wellness interventions and his or her perceived QOL. The study results showed that the interventions were not significant predictors of veterans QOL. Two covariates, age and gender, were found to be significant predictors, but each accounted for less than 7% of the variance. The study findings show the need for further research to explore the role of wellness interventions in a veteran’s recovery. Social change may result from encouraging veterans with SMIs to participate in self-rated QOL measures.

Military personnel who have served during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn have experienced longer and more frequent deployments than U.S. personnel involved in any previous conflict. These multiple tours in combat zones have resulted in complex psychosocial needs for military personnel. The goal of this action research study was to understand social workers' perceptions and experiences of military personnel who experienced 3 or more deployments in a combat zone. The theoretical foundation for the study was narrative theory. Research questions sought to understand the social workers' perceptions of the psychosocial treatment needs of these veterans, to understand the social workers' experiences in providing services to address their needs, and whether participants perceived that the services provided were enhancing the mental and social well-being of the veterans. Data were collected from a focus group of 8 master's-degree-level social workers who worked with veterans with multiple deployments. Data were analyzed using descriptive coding to determine categories and themes. Findings included increased incidents of posttraumatic stress disorder and complex psychosocial needs, the importance of evidence-based practice and successful reintegration, clinical considerations, and potential barriers to effective service. Findings also focused on the importance of organizational support and continuing education for social workers providing these services. The findings of this study might be used to promote positive social change by highlighting the need for ongoing education for social workers, organizations, and society to provide informed evidence-based treatment for veterans who have experienced multiple deployments.

Veteran-owned small businesses that possess ratings as service-disabled companies (i.e., service-disabled, veteran-owned small businesses [SDVOSB] are 1 of 5 socioeconomic small business contracting goals that U.S. government agencies seek to comply with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) set-aside goals. Little is known about collaborative strategies for improving training regarding single point of entry into Department of Defense (DOD) subcontracting. The research questions in this study focus on how veteran-owned small businesses pursue acquisition opportunities from training opportunities. Sabatier's advocacy coalition theory was used as the theoretical foundation for this study. This qualitative study was employed using 6 semistructured interviews of small business owners who possessed SDVOSB status and a content analysis of training policies from corporate supplier diversity offices, procurement assistance centers, small business development centers, and DOD Office of Small Business programs from a midwestern city. The emergent themes were (a) availability of training from procurement support assistance agencies is of limited value to mature small businesses; (b) additional support and training are needed for subcontractors desiring to enter the DOD subcontracting market; (c) significant obstacles are present in gaining access to federal subcontracting opportunities, including complex acquisition strategies and selection of contract type; and (d) understanding and enforcement of SDVOSB regulations were perceived as insufficient. SDVOSB entities can use these findings to comprehend what questions to ask about subcontracting training.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the meaning of formerly homeless Veteran’s male relationships to better understand their participation in intervention programs relying on interpersonal support. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to interpret five semi-structured interviews with previously homeless Veterans between the ages of 45-65 with serious mental illness. These men were participating in a peer-support based housing program. Analysis yielded the following five major themes and fourteen subordinate themes: Internalized Role Conflict i) internal conflict, Masculinity as a Barrieri) restricted emotions between men, ii) pride, iii) dominance, and iv) fear of other men, Building Supportive Relationships between Men i) negotiating masculinity, and ii) balancing power in men’s relationships, Experience Accepting Support i) de-shaming, ii) emotional relief, and iii) insight. Experience Giving Support i) strengthen self by supporting other man, and ii) use personal experience to support other men. Implications for providers and programs are discussed, as well as areas for future research.

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Graduation date: 1950

This essay examines why Vietnam veterans, who were draft motivated enlistees, enlisted when drafted or threatened with the draft. Data is taken from 63 oral history interviews conducted by The Vietnam Archive Oral History Project at Texas Tech University and is analyzed using the phenomenological research approach. The background of this paper briefly explains the Vietnam Draft and the draft avoidance options available to those men who were drafted. The results section utilizes quotes from the oral history interviews to show the main themes of why men chose to enlist when faced with the draft. The discussion section discusses these themes in a wider context and brings up areas for further research.

The number of female veterans is increasing daily. Previous research conducted on veterans has focused primarily on males or with small samples of females. Depression and suicidality are becoming increasingly evident in returning veterans. Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that is common in the Middle East and has been reported to cause changes in personality and behavior. The purpose of the current study was to examine relationships between T. gondii antibody titer and socioeconomic variables, dysphoric moods, and risk-taking behaviors in a sample of 70 female veterans. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for T. gondii antibody titer and participants completed a battery of questionnaires, including the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale, Profile of Mood States (POMS), PTSD Checklist- Military version (PCL-M), Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), and a sexual harassment and assault questionnaire. Results of chi-squares showed a relationship between T. gondii titer, ethnicity, marital status, and level of education. Pearson's correlations and t-tests showed relationships between T. gondii titer and POMS depression, confusion, and anger subscales, and total mood disturbance scores.