US Military Veterans: An Untapped Resource as Disaster Volunteers
Abstract: This study considers the untapped resource of skilled disaster volunteers in US military veterans. Between March 2016 and October 2017, we conducted six semistructured, moderated, 90-minute focus groups with 38 veterans at three VA medical centers (two urban, one rural) in the United States. It found that their unique skill set, combined with additional training, could provide opportunities for engagement and active involvement in local communities, a necessary step for reinforcing positive reintegration of a veteran into her or his community.
While most individuals achieve the transition to civilian life smoothly, some face significant challenges. Although numerous support services are available to those who need them, …