Randall D. Ordovich Clarkson, MD
June 30, 2022
Career Challenges Our Veterans Face
For a percentage of young individuals above the age of 18, military service is a wonderful opportunity to not only give back to the nation, but to also open the door to future career paths. Career options can include multiple avenues, whether it be pursuing a career military route with excellent retirement options, or to help fund one’s college education through the post-9/11 GI Bill, which covers tuition, room, and board. Regarding the former path, after 20 years of service, veterans are eligible for High-30 military retirement benefits which include a lifetime monthly pension (USA.gov, 2019). That is, if an individual were to enlist at 18, they would be eligible for retirement with a life-long pension at 48 years of age. Although these opportunities are available for most who join the military, such positive outcomes are not always guaranteed. After serving in the military, veterans have a higher risk of career challenges once re-entering civilian life, including higher rates of unemployment as well as substance use disorders (SUDs), to name a few.
In a study conducted by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America [IAVA] (2012), the researchers discovered that two-thirds of veterans face challenges when transitioning from military to civilian life. Among these challenges, finding a job is one of the greatest concerns (IAVA, 2012). Furthermore, many veterans returning from active-duty report health challenges—both mental and physical—as being major hinderances to their transitionary phase (IAVA, 2012; Keeling et al., 2019). With these aforementioned challenges, it is important for healthcare professionals to assist veterans in not only improving their mental and physical health, but to also aid in the development of viable career options. In this paper, I will discuss different career counseling strategies that could best serve the population of US veterans.
Regarding marginalized groups, veterans are unique in their amount of popular support while simultaneously lacking the physical support needed to overcome deleterious aspects of both physical and mental health.
Relevant Statistics in the Veteran Community
According to IAVA (2012), approximately 20% of combat veterans interviewed were unemployed and in active search of employment. This is due in large part to the higher degree of both mental and physical health issues from returning veterans. Among these veterans, 65% have faced difficult transitions back into civilian life (IAVA, 2012; Keeling et al., 2019). According to IAVA (2012), of those experiencing re-integration problems, 33% were physically disabled, 19% were recovering from injuries, 33% were suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and 31% reported ‘other’ psychological distress. These illnesses can have enormous economic consequences for veterans.
...approximately 20% of combat veterans interviewed were unemployed and in active search of employment
One cannot understate the economic impact that PTSD, physically-disabling injuries, and other associated factors have had on combat veterans. Because of these challenges, veterans have been disproportionately affected by homelessness as well as psychosocial diseases including substance use disorder (SUD). According to Savitsky et al. (2009), “45 percent of homeless veterans suffer from mental illness, and 70 percent of the homeless veteran population wrestles with substance abuse problems.” To further compound the issue, veterans make up a disproportionate representation of homeless populations. As Savitsky et al. (2009) continue, “although veterans make up 12.6 percent of the U.S. population, they make up 18.7 percent of the homeless population, 33 percent of which served in a war zone.” Such figures show how important it is for both healthcare professionals and career counselors to help these struggling veteran populations pave out a better path forward.
In terms of career counseling, some of the greatest issues that were reported in the IAVA (2012) study include challenges in navigating the systems of veterans’ benefits as well as the basic question of what to do next. In that light, career counselors can help to develop a clearer understanding of how to connect a veteran’s abilities and aptitudes with different career options.
Counseling Theory
Since veterans are returning into civilian life with few experiences outside of their military one, then it might be important to help identify areas of interest that could potentially fit with a vocation. In the field of clinical counseling, it is important to identify areas of strengths in patients, whether it be for leisurely hobbies or for vocational endeavors. In some cases, hobbies and vocations can indeed cross over. In order for individuals to experience life satisfaction in career choice, Miller (1991) discusses the formula of C = W + L where career is equal to work and leisure. That is to say, work and leisure can be in balance to not only maximize one’s psychological health, but to also contribute to one’s career and aspirational goals.
In identifying such areas of interest, aptitudes, and hobbies, the Leisure Activities Finder based off of Dr. John Holland’s Occupational Themes (RIASEC) could be a useful tool (Brown & Lent, 2021; Greene et al., 2015; Miller, 1991). As an ancillary tool of the RIASEC model, the Leisure Activities Finder can help to understand what an individual’s codes are for aspects ranging from hobbies to sports (Brown & Lent, 2021). The questionnaire uses similar questions to assess the varying degrees of personality traits including Realistic (R), Investigative (I), Artistic (A), Social (S), Enterprising (E), and Conventional (C) (Greene et al., 2015). From this, individuals may understand what they most gravitate towards in terms of hobbies which could also help to best define an individual’s ultimate career choices.
Treatment Plan
When working with patients in behavioral health, it is important keep the natural flow of conversation smooth while simultaneously maintaining some form of structure. This can maximize the amount of useful information-processing given the short therapeutic timeframe. After providing informed consent, it is critical to start by asking the patient to explicitly state why they are seeking treatment. This will better identify the patient’s ‘presenting problem,’ which will help to steer the direction of therapy. For instance, a veteran might come in to seek out guidance to transition in civilian life and obtain gainful employment. If that is the case, it may be useful to begin to develop a better understanding of the patient’s psychological disposition and personality type. This can be done in a few ways, including the verbal interview and through the use of various assessment tools.
To verbally assess a patient’s disposition, one could begin to inquire about those they admire and why. Other questions could include the patient’s favorite media, including magazines, TV shows, or other programs. Then, in terms of identifying potential vocational options, the following line of inquiry could include the patient’s preferred hobbies and pass-times. For a more formal assessment on these personality traits, there are different assessment tools available such as the Holland-based Interest Profiler at the National Center for O*NET Development.
Another assessment could involve the Five-Factor Trait Model, sometimes referred to as “The Big Five.” These five personalities break down into (1) neuroticism, (2) extraversion, (3) openness, (4) agreeableness, and (5) conscientiousness (Kail & Cavanaugh, 2016). In essence, different personality traits will be best suited for different career options. For instance, those with a conscientious personality type will be more suited for jobs that require a more rigid and conventional routine, whereas an individual with a more extroverted personality will enjoy working more in a social setting.
Environmental and Personal Barriers
As mentioned above, veterans face a greater percentage of health challenges whether it be from physical or mental injury during active combat. These types of challenges may be risk factors for the development of PTSD, SUDs, and increased rates of homelessness (IAVA, 2012; Keeling et al., 2019). Because of these personal barriers, it may be difficult for veterans to access adequate resources. In that, it is the duty of behavioral health professionals to help steer veterans in the right direction.
As part of the professional responsibilities laid out by the ACA Code of Ethics, “Counselors actively participate in local, state, and national associations that foster the development and improvement of counseling” (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2014). Furthermore, “When appropriate, counselors advocate at individual, group, institutional, and societal levels to address potential barriers and obstacles that inhibit access and/or the growth and development of clients” (ACA, 2014). Counselors are fundamentally expected to advocate for the health of the community. In pursuing such ends, many community resources are available for combat veterans.
Resources Available
To address the disparities in career opportunities for veterans, organizations such as the Veterans Affairs (VA) are excellent resources for veterans and should be considered a primary resource in the therapeutic process. Today, the VA offers several options for former military combatants as well as those who do not qualify for VA benefits—the latter of which can be provided with alternative sources of mental health assistance. According to “Substance use treatment for Veterans” (2020), veterans are eligible to the following pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches:
Medication management:
Medically managed detoxification to stop substance use safely, and services to get stable
Drug substitution therapies and newer medicines to reduce cravings (like methadone and buprenorphine for opiate addiction)
Nicotine replacement or other medicines for stopping tobacco use
Non-medical counseling services:
Short-term outpatient counseling
Intensive outpatient treatment
Marriage and family counseling
Self-help groups
Residential (live-in) care
Continuing care and relapse prevention (making sure you don’t slip back into the same substance use problems)
Special programs for Veterans with specific concerns (like women Veterans, returning combat Veterans, and homeless Veterans)
In addition to such services, the State of Arizona has its own Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services which includes, among many departments, the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) that specifically helps disabled veterans find gainful employment (DVS, n.d.). Such services should be an integral part of any therapeutic process when working with our military veterans.
Recommendations for Potential Effectiveness
As a society, we should dedicate more time and energy in helping our veteran populations. After all, they risked life and limb in order to serve our country. For career counselors, it is important to understand that a little bit of encouragement and guidance can go a long way. One of the most interesting findings in psychology is how simple acts of encouragement can be the difference between an individual succeeding or failing. In many ways, the greatest hinderance to our success is our own schema of failure being a self-fulfilled prophecy—a phenomenon observed in studies of learned helplessness (Maier & Seligman, 1976). However, as Jiminy Cricket encourages one to, “wish upon a star,” and that it, “makes no difference who you are,” one may find that such acts of encouragement can help individuals trapped in cycles of discouragement and failure to ultimately reach for the highest degrees of achievement.
...the greatest hinderance to our success is our own schema of failure being a self-fulfilled prophecy—a phenomenon observed in studies of learned helplessness...
No theory best describes this phenomenon than the Pygmalion Effect, also referred to as the Rosenthal Effect named after Robert Rosenthal. The Pygmalion Effect posits that under circumstances of heightened expectations, the subject can be expected to improve their performance in a given area (Rosenthal, 1973). In essence, the Pygmalion Effect demonstrated how teachers who held high expectations of their students were able to observe improved performance, whereas teachers who did the opposite, observed poorer performance (Rosenthal, 1973). In that, although individuals are bounded by certain limitations whether biological, psychological, or social, it is good to at least encourage individuals to try and strive towards their greatest potential. This is especially true for veteran populations who may be at the razor’s edge of hopelessness.
The Role of Spirituality
In confronting the challenges veterans face in assimilating into civilian life, it is important to consider how certain practices, including spiritual and religious beliefs, may help to thwart these effects. After all, in one of Edmund Burke’s most famous writings, Reflections on the Revolution in France, he proclaims that, “man is by his constitution a religious animal” (Burke, 1790, p. 135). In behavioral health, Agli et al. (2015) states that engagement in spiritual activities can be neuroprotective, allowing one to cope better with a sense of loss, maintain relationships, maintain hope, and to ultimately accept one’s health or psychological state. Furthermore, for many patients, a strong spiritual foundation is critical on multiple levels, including their moral philosophical worldview, development of personal identity, the relationship with their spiritual community, as well as their relationship with all things metaphysical. Hadzic (2011) states that spirituality can increase an individual’s life satisfaction, and helps, “finding meaning and purpose in life, and promoting personal growth.” Furthermore, a strong religious foundation helps individuals buttress themselves from the suffering of life, thus decreasing the severity of conditions such as anxiety and depression. In that, there is conclusive evidence suggesting improved mental health with increased religious involvement—a practice that could confer potential benefits to veterans who struggle with a lack of purpose and meaning (Moreira-Almeida et al., 2006).
...a strong religious foundation helps individuals buttress themselves from the suffering of life...
Conclusion
Regarding marginalized groups, veterans are unique in their amount of popular support while simultaneously lacking the physical support needed to overcome deleterious aspects of both physical and mental health. Although the military can provide great benefit to individuals in terms of life experience, discipline, career opportunities, and service to one’s country, many individuals find it extremely difficult to reintegrate into civilian life. This is especially pronounced in the challenges to obtain gainful employment. With respect to the latter, career counselors have a unique opportunity to help veterans carve out a promising path. These efforts can be done through the therapeutic process, career assessment tools, and by linking veterans up with community resources to assist in skills training as well as job placement. Critical aspects of this process involve the strength and power of mentorship and the possible roles that a strong spiritual foundation can play in providing the meaning and hope necessary to get on the right track.
References
American Counseling Association [ACA]. (2014). ACA code of ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author.
Agli, O., Bailly, N., & Ferrand, C. (2015). Spirituality and religion in older adults with dementia: a systematic review. International Psychogeriatrics, 27(5), 715-725.
Arizona Department of Veterans' Services [DVS]. (n.d.). Employment. Dvs.az.gov. Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://dvs.az.gov/services/employment
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Substance use treatment for Veterans. (2020, June 26). Veterans Affairs. https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/substance-use-problems/
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