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Military and the transition to adulthood. April 2, 2014 http:// www.theonion.com /video/ultrarealistic-modern-warfare-game-features-awaiti,14382/. Military service. Moratorium But changed in 1973. Who serves ?. Relies on market dynamics Age Nearly 50% between 17-24 Gender
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Military and the transition to adulthood April 2, 2014 http://www.theonion.com/video/ultrarealistic-modern-warfare-game-features-awaiti,14382/
Military service • Moratorium • But changed in 1973
Who serves? • Relies on market dynamics • Age • Nearly 50% between 17-24 • Gender • From 1.6% in ‘73 to 15% • 20% in Airforce, 6% in marrines • Structural and cultural impediments • Race and Ethnicity • Minorities over represented (20% Backs, 13% Hispanics, 5% immigrants)
Immigrants • DREAM Act • 2 years military in exchange for citizenship
Sexual Orientation • Prohibited 1950-1993 • Don’t ask don’t tell • Recent overturn • Discharged • Preparing young adults for change
Social Class • From lower SES • Somewhat lower academic performance • C average 2X more likely • But bottom quartile under represented • Recruitment controversies
Transition to Family Roles • Change since conscription • Growth in marriage rates 40-55% • 12% dual service unions • Enter single but marry earlier • Divorce rates higher than those of their civilian peers • Stressors: financial, spouse employment, housing and neighborhood quaility, access to services, separation from social support, relocations, risk and death injury • PTSD
Childbearing • ¾ married have dependent children • Mean age younger for women, same for men • Military policies are relatively pro-natal • Intergenerational exposure to military service, more likely to join
Education, Civilian labor • GI Bill are a hallmark of the benefits package • Since 1944 of the GI Bill, the educaitonal benefits tied to military service have sent vets to higher ed • Lower levels of ed than civilians • Pay and benefits structure fairer emplyment environment than civilian, pay gap not as big
Risks • Enlisting • Physical and psychological risks • Sexism—1/3 women sexaulharrasment, nearly 7% raped • PTSD • Estimates that 300K of the service memebers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD or major depression • 14% major depression, 14% PTSD • 320K suffer probable traumatic brain injury
Treament • Roughly half PTSD and TBI never treated
Policy Implications • Most serve around 4 years—represents active transition to adulthood • “Second Chance”? • NGYCP