Military Culture

Why Attachment Matters Many conversations about military readjustment focus on employment, education, finances, healthcare, or mental health. Those are all critical. However, there is another factor I have increasingly recognized on the therapy couch that quietly influences nearly every aspect of the transition from military to civilian life: attachment. Attachment styles shape how people connect with others, ask for help, manage conflict, build trust, and respond to stress.

My job day in and day out is helping veterans and service members get their lives together. As I discussed in my last article before my two-month hiatus, I've been recognizing a recurring theme within military culture: codependency. That theme has not gone away. In fact, it often becomes even more apparent during the readjustment process, when veterans are forced to find value in themselves when no one urgently needs them. Traditionally, codependency has been conceptualized t

Over the past two weeks, I’ve noticed a recurring theme in my sessions: codependency. Much of my work has centered on psychoeducation around healthy relationships, attachment styles, and boundary setting. As I deepen my own understanding by reading Codependent No More by Melody Beattie, I’ve been thinking more intentionally about what codependency looks like behaviorally, and how to help the men and women I serve interrupt those patterns. Working with active duty service memb

I am working with a service member on his readjustment journey. He recently returned from a deployment in Africa and expressed a desire to improve his concentration and management of PTSD-related stressors. As we explored his challenges, it became clear that his difficulties weren’t just about transitioning to civilian life or navigating a complex trauma history. When I asked him to imagine his post-military life, he could list ideal goals, but he found it difficult to envisi

When veterans come into my office seeking readjustment counseling and then stop attending after the first session, I often find myself with questions about what they may have expected to find. I wonder if the title readjustment counselor itself evokes something familiar, another authority figure, another boss, someone who will tell them what to do, what to work on, and how success will be measured. At times, it seems as though there is an unspoken hope for an SOP: clear expec

In my individual and group work, systemic betrayal consistently emerges as a central barrier to healing. It often prevents veterans and service members from softening rigid beliefs about themselves, others, and the world. This is especially true for those who represent marginalized identity groups that have experienced exclusion or invisibility within the military system. For many service members and veterans, the deepest wounds are not inflicted by combat or external enemies

Military service is not just a career; it’s a culture with its own language, values, and unspoken rules. For those within the institution, this culture profoundly influences how service members perceive relationships, intimacy, and boundaries. Understanding the military’s influence on sex, consent, and relationships is essential for clinicians, educators, and loved ones who support those who serve. Military Culture and Power Dynamics The military is structured around rank an

Higher education is often seen as a rite of passage, a journey of self-discovery, academic growth, and future planning. But for ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) cadets, that journey comes with a unique duality: balancing rigorous academic demands with the discipline and duty of military training. As a way to fund my undergraduate education, I briefly joined the Tulane Army ROTC program after learning I was ineligible to enlist prior to college due to medical disqualifi

For those who may not know, in May 2024, I earned my Master of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University, a milestone that deepened my commitment to helping others talk openly about this often-silent topic. Yet, I find it somewhat ironic that in my work with veterans, active duty, & their families, conversations about sexuality rarely happen. When they do, it’s usually in the context of the sexually harmful or exploitative. More often, the topic never surfaces at

In the military, loss is not always followed by a pause. The mission continues, the next assignment begins, and life demands forward motion. Grief often gets deferred, where soldiers, medics, chaplains, and support staff must suppress emotional reactions to loss to stay focused, protect others, or maintain operational readiness. Months or even years later, however, that grief can resurface unexpectedly, powerfully, and confusingly. This is what I am learning to be referred to

The Role of Coping Mechanisms in Trauma Through schooling and experience, I have learned to recognize and address a broad spectrum of coping mechanisms that individuals develop in response to trauma. These mechanisms can be adaptive, such as mindfulness and social support, or maladaptive, like substance use or avoidance. Understanding trauma responses is central to effective care. My work experiences have emphasized the importance of identifying unhealthy coping patterns. I s

Deployments are part of military life. Whether you’re serving overseas for six months or a year, or you’re the family member holding...

Leaving the military is often described as stepping into a whole new world. While it’s a time for new beginnings, many veterans quickly discover that the shift into civilian life brings with it a unique kind of stress: anxiety about employment and income stability. For years, the military provided not only a paycheck but also a sense of identity, structure, and security. When those anchors are gone, it’s natural to feel unsettled. For many, that uncertainty fuels financial s

Military service is built on sacrifice, but that sacrifice doesn’t end at the front lines. For military families, especially those...

In the armed forces, military leadership is more than rank; it’s a culture built on trust and influence. The chain of command plays a...

Combat and military service can leave more than just physical scars. While many are familiar with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),...

Military culture values strength, discipline, and resilience. But too often, emotional awareness and vulnerability are seen as weaknesses...

Military Sexual Trauma (MST) doesn’t just disrupt a survivor’s relationship with others—it can profoundly fracture their relationship...

Sexual trauma doesn’t discriminate by gender, rank, or duty status. Yet when we talk about Military Sexual Trauma (MST), male survivors...

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic...