Research Paper Title

Experiences of Veterans Transitioning to Post-secondary Education.

Background

An increasing number of US military veterans are entering post-secondary education with problems attributed to deployed military service. The primary objective of this research was to describe the lived experiences of student veterans transitioning from active military service to post-secondary education.

Methods

Phenomenological interviews were performed with 13 student veterans who had transitioned from military deployment to post-secondary education.

Results

An overall essential meaning of “emerging in college culture” was manifested from three themes, supported by rich textural and structural descriptions of student veterans’ experiences:

1. Repurposing military experiences for life as a student veteran;
2. Reconstructing civilian identity; and
3. Navigating post-secondary context and interactions.

Conclusions

These findings highlight implications that may facilitate occupational therapists’ efforts in supporting the needs of student veterans.

Reference

Gregg, B.T., Howell, D.M. & Shordike, A. (2017) Experiences of Veterans Transitioning to Post-secondary Education. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 70(6):7006250010p1-7006250010p8.