Research Paper Title

Altering the Life Course: Military Service and Contact with the Criminal Justice System.

Background

Using data taken from the 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, the researchers examine the relationship between military service and contact with the criminal justice system.

Methods & Results

Drawing on the life course concept of a turning point, the researchers show that military service does little to affect the risk of being arrested or being convicted of crimes involving violence or destructive behaviour, while at the same time significantly reducing the risk of being arrested or being convicted of non-violent crimes. The researchers find no evidence that service in a combat zone alters these relationships.

Conclusions

Their results demonstrate how participation in a large-scale institution can serve as a turning point, altering the life course trajectories of young persons.

Reference

Teachman, J. & Tedrow, L. (2016) Altering the Life Course: Military Service and Contact with the Criminal Justice System. Social Science Research. 2016 Nov;60:74-87. doi: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2016.04.003. Epub 2016 Apr 8.